I met Hannah at my gym just a few months before she started dating Matt. I vividly remember her nervous excitement about meeting a guy from an app. Being the thoughtful and cautious person she is, she was determined to make sure it was safe. Thankfully, once she got Matt talking, things went really well, and soon enough, she was mentioning about him more and more. The fact that he liked cats? A HUGE win in her book. And when she mentioned how warm and welcoming his sisters were, I could tell this relationship was something special.

I wasn’t there for the surprise proposal (and I’m still bitter about it), but trust me, my phone blew up with texts the minute it happened! So yes, this one is personal for me. Let’s just say I cried when Hannah got into her dress. I cried when she walked down the aisle. And, you can ask my husband, I had WAY more nervous energy than usual as we packed up for the drive to the venue. Wedding photography is always important to me, but this day? This was next-level special. Hannah is one of my people, and I needed her day to be absolutely perfect. Spoiler alert: it was.

Matt and Hannah chose The Paddock for their big day, a stunning new venue nestled between Columbia City and Fort Wayne. Picture three barns, a cozy tiny chapel, a much larger grand chapel, an old farmhouse, and endless fields, ponds, and gazebos—an absolute dream. It was a pretty warm day for late September, so we found ourselves chasing the shade for most of the photos (because, well, no one wants to be a hot, sweaty mess on their wedding day).

Now, about that First Look… Matt’s best man, Vinnie, decided to give him a little surprise. Let’s just say he showed up in Hannah’s place wearing a used bridal gown. Vinnie really leaned into the moment, and the results? Hilarious.

Hannah, being the super-smart and hardworking engineer she is, knew wedding planning could feel overwhelming. So, she turned to Bella & Fern’s wedding planning services, and let me tell you, Katianna and her team were a DREAM. They handled everything with such care and precision, making the day smooth, beautiful, and fun.

Here’s a quick shout-out to all the incredible vendors who helped make this wedding day unforgettable:

Venue: The Paddock
Planning & Coordination: Bella & Fern Event Planning
Officiant: Katherine Wilkinson
Catering: Mad Anthony
Bar: Licensed Bar Services
Floral: Rose’s Bouquets
Transportation: Hoosier Shuttle
Cake: Caking at Midnight
Rentals: Mutton
DJ: Get Up to Get Down Elite Entertainment
Hair and Make-Up: Glamour To Go

Matt and Hannah, congratulations! It was an honor to work with you in this capacity, and I hope that these photos will be cherished for many years to come. Thanks for trusting me to document such an important day for you!