Wedding season is in full swing at Studio 22, and Allen + Jenna's wedding was an amazing, emotional, fantastic day. Having met Jenna when she was a bridesmaid, while photographing her older sister's wedding (one of my first weddings ever!), we hit it off immediately, and became great friends. In the past two years, she's become one of my dearest friends, and I cherish her and Allen beyond words. They've been so supportive of my journey as a photographer in the past two years, and throughout many impromptu photo shoots, them doing crazy things like kissing in sprinklers (I needed to practice rain shots, obviously), climbing hay bales, and then Allen and I conspiring together for his proposal, it feels as though through our friendship, I've also been able to document their journey as a couple. In Jenna's words, reaching their wedding day felt like "This is what we've been training for!" And man, did the training pay off! :)

Because of our friendship, it was a joy to already know all the main "characters" of the day. And upon arrival at Jenna's brother's house to photograph Allen getting ready, I knew I had some characters on my hands, because Jake came out of his house, looking confused, and told me Allen wasn't getting ready at his house. I panicked, wondering if they had changed plans and I didn't realize it, and right before I could have a serious panic attack, Jake laughed and went, "Just kidding!" Five minutes in, and we're already into shenanigans!

It was great to get to spend the morning amongst a great group of guys, and then I headed over to Jenna, as she returned from the salon. I arrived to her mother busily sewing Jenna's dress, finishing these beautifully intricate sleeves that made it absolutely stunning. While I went off to photograph her details, I came back to her to find her testing her dress with her mother, and it was wildly emotional to see my best friend standing on a stool, quietly testing the length of her dress with her mother. It's the quiet moments such as those that get me, and for it to be Jenna was even more emotional. Her dress was perfect, and everyone was excited to see Allen's reaction to her as she came down the aisle.

Choosing to see her for the first time as she came down the aisle, Allen turned his back to wait for her to reach the aisle as she walked toward him with her father. Tears were in no short supply as they saw each other for the first time, and it was a joy to see their adulation for reaching the pinnacle of this moment. It was an honor to be able to document it, and Jenna's joyous tears as they kissed for the first time as husband and wife were beyond words.

Allen + Jenna, your wedding was amazing. You two are so dear to my heart, and it was such an indescribable joy to be able to capture your moments for you. Thank you for allowing me to be your friend, and thank you for allowing me to be your wedding photographer. The honor is truly all mine. I love you both, and I wish you nothing but the best for the rest of your adventure through life together!

Allen + Jenna | Dayton Wedding Photography