Samantha + Jon

Where to begin with Samantha and Jon’s wedding? My heart is singing, “raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens”, except this time it’s Star Wars saber fights, and wine bottles popping! All of my favorite things came to life on their special day, and because of our shared love of the all-time greatest movies, and adult grape juice, it left me thinking, could these two get any more awesome?! Besides the themes that were sprinkled through their special day, the wedding was even more epic because of the emotion! Samantha and Jon are SO in love, and their undeniable “force” for each other is truly what made their wedding so incredible. Neither one of them held back their feelings. When they wanted to laugh, they laughed, and when they wanted to cry, they cried. They opened their hearts and let everyone in to see just how much love they have for each other and THAT’S why these two hold a soft spot in our hearts!

Vernon Downs is where these sweethearts said, “I do”. There are so many elements Tom and I love about this venue, the racetrack surrounded by a white picket fence, the view of the rolling hills in the distance, and those willow trees! Plus, having one set location for the entire day makes it a little easier for Samantha and Jon and the guests, and who doesn’t love that? Tom and I got to spend some good ol’ quality time with Sam and Jon before the ceremony, and they were both just so excited all morning! After Jon and his groomsmen had strapped on their star wars suspenders and cufflinks, they were ready to line up for the ceremony. This is where it started to get “real”, it just so happened that Samantha’s room where she and her bridesmaids were getting ready is the perfect view to the terrace, where Jon stood waiting for Samantha. After Sam was in her dress, and ready to go, she took a peek out the window and caught a glimpse of Jon. She just couldn’t hold back tears! That reaction was only the beginning, so as much as she couldn’t wait to be in Jon’s arms, we couldn’t wait to capture them in all their wedded bliss!

Another really exciting part of the day was the officiant! Samantha’s friend and colleague, and also, my aunt was under the arbor ready to get these two married! As if this wedding couldn’t get more emotional, my aunt had a birds-eye perspective of the entire ceremony and told me some sweet things that happened as I followed Samantha and her father down the aisle. The way that Jon’s eyes filled up with tears as he saw his bride, I melt. Every groom should have a reaction so pure and sweet.

After a ceremony full of ALL the emotions, the portrait session was upon us, and we had a blast with it! Samantha and Jon and their entire wedding party were ready for anything and even if that meant some very serious lightsaber dueling! Wandering beneath willows and capturing the sunset with them was one of my favorite parts of the day, even though Tom and I were clicking away at our cameras, they seemed so wrapped up in each other that nothing else mattered!

The ballroom was ready to rock as soon as we brought them back for introductions! Everyone was on their feet and cheering when Sam and Jon walked in the room, the energy was through the roof! With a couple as awesome as these two, it’s clear to see why they had such an amazing group of guests! The wine bottle centerpieces had my heart at first glance, that is until I saw the cake! A double-sided, wine and Star Wars themed 5 tiered DREAM! Every single thing about that cake was unbelievably adorable, and to (literally) top it all off, the cutest clay figurines of Sam and Jon stood holding “I love you”, “I know” signs. Plus check out the little butt squeeze, one of Sam’s favorite moves- we caught a first-hand glimpse at during their dance! After an incredible dinner buffet, that beautiful cake got cut (and smashed on each other’s noses) then an awesome party ensued! It was truly an amazing day and Tom and I were SO blessed to be a part of it!

Thank you, Samantha and Jon, we love you guys- but we hope you already know that!