I am SO estatic to post this wedding today!!
As you may have seen, Bekah and Anthony’s wedding was my first destination wedding, and I was estatic! Not only estatic about traveling, but I couldn’t wait because Rebekah is my cousin!! She is the daughter of my dad’s cousin, who he spent so much time with as children growing up “on the farm.” Yes, I have TONS of family in Kansas, Texas, & Oklahoma. The last time I saw Bekah was 10 years ago for a family reunion in Colorado!! I had seen pictures of her and Anthony and heard about how they met in school. They seemed so happy together. When I heard they were engaged, I was so excited for them!
They met in Cell Biology class at Cedarville University in Ohio. Anthony was interested in Bekah, but she thought he was being annoying sitting near her in class! As time went on, Anthony was drawn to her love for the Lord and the way she gave back to women and helped encourage them to live pure lives. Eventually, they started dating, and the love story started! Bekah plays the piano proficiently and Anthony also loves music, so he proposed to her after they went to an elegant concert. They took a walk around a lake, he pretended to play with the camera and capture the scene. Bekah took the camera and told him she could capture it better
When she turned around, he was on one knee!
Anthony’s family also traveled the distance for their wedding – they are Italian and from New Hampshire! (I related to them immediately – haha!)
In speaking to Bekah about her wedding, I loved her vision for bright colors (and of course the orange!!), and to tie in details about music throughout her day. As soon as I arrived at the church in the morning, I loved the cheery flowers and was all set to photograph her details. It was a little windy outside (Kansas wind!!) so I had to photograph most indoors. When Bekah and the girls arrived, they were all in country plaid shirts. So fun! The sweetest moment for me was when Bekah’s dad saw her for the first time. My Uncle Les teared up seeing his little girl, and she needed the tissues too! He looks so much like my dad, that as I photographed them I pictured me with my dad one day. Then I was a little teary!
Rebekah and Anthony had their first look at Southwind Golf Course. This location was a true God-send!! I literally stumbled upon it the day before as my dad and I drove down Highway 83 and noticed all the little sunflowers. We pulled in to the golf club, I walked over a hill, and it was love at first sight! Little did I know that the rehearsal dinner would be there later that evening!
On the day of the wedding, Anthony waited for his bride by this big tree that reminded him of home I don’t know who was more excited to see the other one! Their first look between them was so sweet, and he saw how beautiful she looked! Then, we walked into the field of sunflowers and I was in HEAVEN!!!! They were so happy, the colors were so bright and beautiful…I could have stayed there with them all day! But the day must go on…the bridal party came in golf carts and we took some really fun pictures We found out AFTER we left that there were rattlesnakes in the tall grasses! Good thing we stayed away from them!
Then, it was off to the church for the ceremony! It was so sweet seeing Bekah walk down the aisle with her dad. And if that wasn’t enough, her parents blessed her with the Numbers 6 blessing: “May the Lord bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you…” For some reason that made me want to cry! Bekah and Anthony had a beautiful ceremony, and read hilarious but lovely vows to each other. Instead of a unity candle, they poured dirt into a unity tree. They were so happy when they were finally announced husband and wife!
They then left with their whole families for the reception at the Garden City Church of the Nazarene. Being a photographer in New York, I have never seen a setting that is completely do-it-yourself! They created all of the centerpieces, the decorations, brought the table linens, table skirts, candles, and the sound system. Andrea’s parents, Tom and Crystal, were MC’s for the entire afternoon! The bride and groom re-told their vows for family members that couldn’t hear at the church, and it was just as sweet the second time. After the toasts and the meal, Bekah and Anthony played this awesome game called “The Shoe Game.” They sat back to back and Tom asked them questions like, “Who is nicer when they wake up in the morning?” And they would have to raise either their shoe, or the other person’s shoe. It’s fun to see what they agreed on and what they didn’t – and it made for lots of laughs!! Then they cut their cake, threw the garter and bouquet, signed the marriage license, and spent lots of time mingling with guests. We took a few shots outside, right as the rain started! They took it as a marriage blessing!
The bridal party decorated their car, and the family waited for Bekah and Anthony outside with bubbles. When they came out, everyone waved as they drove off to their honeymoon!!
You could see all day how much love these two have for each other! I hope you enjoy Bekah and Anthony’s story!
Loved this ring shot!!
Such fun bridesmaids!! (They all happen to by my cousins except for Chelsae – but she’s awesome too!) Notice my cousin / intern Andrea on the right?! It was so good to see her again!
Such sweet moments…
You’re beautiful Bekah!!
You could see how much love they have for their big brother! So sweet!!
She’s ready to see her groom!! Gorgeous!
Love this!!
I can’t believe this was real – so beautiful!!
Aren’t they adorable?!
Love that model face Bekah!
Haha that shot was almost perfect!
They loved driving the golf carts!! (I did too!)
This was so sweet I almost cried…
Woo hoo! Married!!
This is fun! Instead of clinking glasses to have the couple kiss, they rang the cow-bell and put money in the “kissing jar.” Was this Kansas or what?!
All of their memorabilia from college together
It’s so weird seeing my dad and grandpa in the background!
Uncle Les had to demonstrate the Kissing Jar and Cow-bell!
There was something funny about the pastor’s prayer
Such a fun game!! I wish I saw this more in New York!
They really went at each other with this cake!!
So the girls “tied” catching the bouquet. I wonder what that means…
The girls delivered this sweet gift from Anthony. They loved helping out and couldn’t wait to see what it was!
Love this!!
Mom and dad married their first daughter – check!!
A special thank you to all of the vendors who helped make Bekah and Anthony’s day possible!
Church: First Southern Baptist Church, Garden City, KS
Reception Site: Garden City Church of the Nazarene
Wedding Coordinator: Laura Biebelt
Ceremony Officiant: Chuck Scraggs
Ceremony Musician: Alicia Delzeil
Florist: Wharton’s
Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal
Hair Stylist: Carly Dale
Invitations: DIY
Caterers: John Ross & Co. Signature Catering
Bakery: The Cakery Bakery
Reception Hosts: Tom & Crystal Perry
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