Destination Wedding Videos

Rick+Alison // Farmhouse at Schnepf Farms

3/7/2025

With the weather finally cooling down and the leaves changing color, the fall stage is set for this colorful celebration. I arrived at the property nice and early, and with a few different wedding options on the property, I wanted to be sure I was arriving at the correct location. I walked into what looked to be the reception site and found several family and friends transforming an ordinary hall into something fit for a celebration. I quickly pulled out my camera to catch some of the action. I love to capture this kind of content not only to create a perfect intro for the wedding film but also to show the couple a behind-the-scenes look at their wedding day. As I surveyed the grounds, there were so many personalized touches. From the book centerpieces on the cocktail hour high tops to the customized string pennants hanging over the dessert table and stage. This group was very creative. Our bride Alison soon arrived, bridesmaids in tow, and took a look around the venue at what im sure was months of hard work for her. I introduced myself and told her I would give her a few minutes to settle in before starting her getting-ready process. I was lucky enough to work with a familiar face, their photographer TJ. TJ was actually one of the first photographers I had the pleasure of working with after moving from Northern California. We chatted for a bit before heading to the bridal suite to collect details. TJ set up some fantastic flat lays while I opted for the more candid-looking detail posing. The ceremony site provided a perfect tree to hang the dress as TJ and I wrapped up our coverage of details. Back inside, Rick, the groom, arrived with his groomsmen not far behind. We took the opportunity to film their getting ready process before returning to the bridal suite for Alison. The couple had opted to skip a first look, so we instead used the time to stage separate bridal and family portrait sessions. This is where we are introduced to possibly the cutest ring bearer of all time. Guest soon began to arrive and make their way to the ceremony site at the rear of the property. Music was definitely a big theme at this wedding. Guests were welcomed to the venue with a 3-piece band, an album-inspired seating chart, and a live band set to open up the dancing portion of the night later in the evening. Guests took their seats as the groom and bridal party made their way down the aisle. Since Rick and Alison opted not to do a first look, I had to be sure to capture the moment they saw each other for the first time. No tears, just smiles this time as Alison and her father made their way down the aisle. The ceremony was officiated by Reverend Sara, who spoke on the couple's relationship thus far and gave some advice for their future. She also gave me some excellent sound bites on the meaning and importance of love. The couple had some additional readings by some of their guests before starting their personal vows to one another. These two truly wowed the crowd with their words to one another. Rings were exchanged and I do's were shared before the two were invited to share their first kiss as a married couple. Following the ceremony, we whisked the couple away to chase the setting sun, getting some stunning sunset portraits. We ended the session at the VW photo booth van the couple had rented for their photo booth. The owners were nice enough to allow us to stage the couple behind the wheel for a few shots. Guests transitioned inside for the dinner portion of the evening. The couple and bridal party were introduced, and Rick and Alison shared their first dance before dinner service began. Dinner service concluded with speeches from the best man, maid of honor, father of the bride, and a thank you from the couple. The couple also shared a first dance with their parents before heading outside to start the party. This was the moment I was most excited for. As well as being the bride, Alison is also a talented musician. And as the band took the stage, she grabbed her electric guitar and joined them onstage for a few songs to kick off the party. I really get the coolest couples. Her set concluded with the garter and bouquet toss, off the stage, of course, before joining her now-husband in the crowd to watch the remainder of the set. The last event on the agenda was to cut the national park-themed wedding cake and open up desserts to the guests. While the couple did have a small personal wedding cake to cut for the cameras, guests were most excited about the assortment of pies the couple had ordered. So excited, in fact, that there was already a piece missing from one when we arrived for the cake cutting. The two cut the cake, shared a bite, and shared another kiss as guests queued up to get a slice of their favorite pie. A perfect end to this sweet wedding celebration.