Mr. & Mrs. Rhoades | Cooper's Ridge | Boonville, Missouri

Morgan and Andy tied the knot on the last weekend in August with many family and friends in attendance to witness the nuptials. They were blessed with a beautiful day for the wedding and Cooper’s Ridge in Booneville, Missouri boasted the perfect scenery for portraits. Everywhere you look at the property, you are met with endless location spots. So you can imagine that our photographer hearts were so happy! Morgan and Andy’s day was absolute perfection from beginning to end. We stayed exactly on schedule the entire day, everyone from family to friends were so welcoming to our team, and genuine love filled the air all day long.

We began the day with Morgan in the bridal cottage! The girls were finishing up with hair and makeup while we got to work photographing the gorgeous bridal details. We were in heaven when we walked in and saw all the pretty pieces we would get to work with! Morgan hand selected stunning florals that added vibrant pops of fall colors. The florals coordinated perfectly with the invitation set and envelopes looked high end with the calligraphy addresses. No detail went unnoticed! Morgan even selected a custom hanger for her bridal gown with her new last name and wedding date. It’s all the little details like these that makes everything come to life and really show the style Morgan and Andy had been dreaming up.

When Morgan was finished with hair and makeup, we gathered her along with her three sweet bridesmaids to have a fun champagne cheers! The girls laughed and giggled as we photographed them in their matching floral robes. Excitement filled the room as it was time to get Morgan into her wedding gown. With the help of her Mom Teena and sister Jessica, Morgan was in her gown within a few minutes. As she added the final touches of jewelry, her mom and sister admired her as a stunning bride! Morgan is so photogenic and absolutely rocked all of her bridal portraits. She looked so happy and radiant!

Just outside the cottage, Morgan’s dad stood waiting for her to come share a first look with him. As Morgan stepped outside, she took a minute to compose herself before effortlessly gliding towards her dad. She gently tapped his shoulder and he quickly spun around. As he glanced at his daughter as a beautiful bride, a giant smile emerged. He instantly embraced Morgan with the warmest of hugs. He looked like one proud father in that moment! You couldn’t wipe the smile off of his face. Now that Morgan had shared a first look with the man who loved her first, she was off to share a first look with her Groom.

We set Andy up at the end of the ceremony aisle. Under the arbor draped in florals, Andy stood anxiously anticipating the arrival of his bride! Morgan and Andy decided they wanted their first look to feel similar to one if he saw her for the first time walking down the aisle. So when Morgan made it half way to Andy, she called his name and continued to glide towards him. Anyone who knows Andy is aware that he doesn’t often crack a smile. But as soon as he saw Morgan, his immediate reaction was to smile so big. They laughed and joked around with each other in true Morgan and Andy fashion! Andy continued to smile and tell Morgan how perfect she looked. After a short but sweet first look, we began photographing bride and groom portraits.

Morgan and Andy are something special! Their love is pure and authentic. These two just light up when they are in the presence of one another. It’s clear to see that they make each other very happy! They made our job easy as they just look so in love no matter what we told them to do. We just adore these two and how much they love each other. It’s truly something special to witness. The remainder of the afternoon was spent photographing bridal party portraits before the ceremony. We had so much fun documenting their bridal party! Everyone was so fun and easy to get along with. It’s no secret Morgan and Andy are blessed with a pretty amazing group of tight-knit friends.

As the clock neared 5 o’clock, it was finally time for the ceremony. The ceremony space at Cooper’s Ridge is so pretty! The arbor sits just in front of a pond with a fountain. Guests filed in and found their seats outside on the wooden benches. As the music played in the distance, Morgan was escorted down the aisle by her father. She was all smiles as she walked towards Andy! You could tell this was the moment she and Andy had been waiting for. And after many months of planning, it was finally here. Morgan and Andy were united in marriage as one of their colleagues officiated the ceremony. It was a perfect ceremony with lots of sentimental moments. As the officiant pronounced them husband and wife, they shared a passionate kiss before making their way back up the aisle. I don’t think we’ve ever seen Andy smile so big! They both looked so genuinely happy.

After the ceremony, Morgan and Andy joined their guests inside the venue for the reception. Once again, no detail went unnoticed. Morgan and Andy put a lot of thought and care into decorating the reception space. It was gorgeous! Guests were served d’oeuvres before their plated meal. Sentimental toasts were given, the adorable custom cake with a dog topper was cut, and everyone enjoyed a fun night of dancing. As our time came to an end with Morgan and Andy, guests migrated outside to the ceremony location for a sparkler send off. Morgan and Andy were sent off in sparkling fashion as they dashed down the tunnel of their guests with sparklers waving back and forth. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day!

Morgan and Andy, we cannot thank you enough for trusting us to document day one of your marriage! You two have been an absolute dream to work with. We have truly enjoyed getting to know you both during this sweet season! We know only great things are in store for you both as you being this fun new journey as Mr. and Mrs. Rhoades. Cheers to many happy years! Enjoy some of our favorites from the day.