One of the best parts about a wedding is having all your loved ones gather together. It is hard to get our little family together as we are split right between Texas and Utah and that isn’t an easy day trip!  So as Katelin and Brayden’s wedding got closer I started to get more and more excited because that meant I got to be around my siblings and their kids again. (I *might* be biased, but I have the cutest nieces and nephews. I LOVE being fun Aunt Breanna to those kids!!) Family started to arrive in San Diego and wedding anticipation was in the air.

Katelin wanted a small wedding without the fuss and frills of a large party. She never really cared much of the world of wedding blogs or Pinterest. She is one of the MOST genuine and caring souls in the world. As she was engaged, I asked her if she was excited for the wedding. “Im more excited to just be married” was her reply. Although she might disagree, I think she is one of the most thoughtful brides in the world.  A wedding day is a fast moment in the timeframe of a marriage. Making a meaningful life with a husband together is much more important.  She held on to that focus as she carefully thought about how she wanted to celebrate her day, and I had to be careful not to get carried away with the “wedding party” things.

Katelin and Brayden decided to forgo a large reception and dancing and have a intimate early dinner with their guests. My dad and Brayden’s dad gave some excellent toasts to the couple and great advice to their kids, all the sibling spoke and my nieces gave Katelin a stuff animal of a horse as a gift because she knew Katelin truly loved horses. I truly loved seeing how welcoming all of Brayden’s family was to my little sister. They truly embraced her as a daughter, excited to have one more in their group to love. Families start to change as siblings get married, and you never know who your brothers and sisters will pick as their spouses. Adding Brayden to our family adds a new personality, a new brother, a new friend to have around. I am so glad he is here and SO grateful for how he treats my sister. I am getting a little teary just thinking and writing this. I might have gotten a little teary eyed during my toast as well. It was a simple and beautiful day. Perfect for their relationship and their personality as a couple. I couldn’t ask for anything better.

Now before I get too carried away, I have to say a few things to my wonderful friend and second shooter Brooke Bakken! As a wedding photographer, I knew I couldn’t just “leave the camera at home” and not help shoot her special day!!  But at the same time I knew there would be parts of the day that I would want to set my camera down to just be with my family, celebrate and enjoy the moment. Luckily I have some of the most talented photographer friends in the whole state who I would trust shooting the entire wedding! Brooke is one of my best friends and get the best “co-worker” in the world award! We have shot together so many times and it is always a riot of a time! Not only is she talented and beautiful, but hilarious too. MY FAMILY LOVED YOU. I am so thankful for all your help in documenting this very special wedding with me. We make the best tag team duo. Lets do this at the next family wedding, k? 🙂

Their dinner was held at Carmel Mountain Ranch. It was darling with SO MANY beautiful windows. That made my little photographer heart so happy.

My mom made homemade Jam for each of the guests as a thank you, I took home 4 extra that were left over because if you have ever tasted my Mom’s jam, you know it wont last long. It is just THAT good!

My nieces are the cutest member of the bridal party.

My parents! I think I get my ease to cry from my beautiful Mom!

Brayden’s family was all wonderful and it was fun  to hear them tell stories of Brayden as a kid and as a brother.

I need to work on my “toast making speech face”. 🙂

The youngest of my family, Steve made a slideshow for Katelin and Brayden that was wonderful. We had to “pipe”in the sound so everyone could hear it, it was darling.

Just knowing these two, there wasn’t a question that they would go the the cake kill. 🙂 They totally had fun with it! They are a fun couple and don’t mind getting a little messy.

The stuff animal the nieces gave Katelin and I found my mom’s notes for her toast sitting on the table. She described Katelin perfectly. What a wonderful and amazing thing to see your daughter marry the love of her life. This was a special day for her too.

The grounds at Carmel Mountain Ranch were beautiful and I was so grateful that Katelin and Brayden let me steal them away for a few minute for some Bride and Groom pictures in the afternoon light.

All of Brayden’s family! They have a brother that is serving a church mission and couldn’t come for the wedding, so this is the closet we got to a full family portrait! They were so wonderful to be around for the day! I think Katelin is in good hands with them!

My little nephew is one  handsome young dude!!

Congrats Katie and Brayden!!!! The best adventures of life are ahead of you!!!! I LOVE you both so much and so happy that you both are my family! Get ready for some fun family times together and thank you for letting me tell your wedding day story. It meant so so much to me and I will cherish this day and these memories forever.

CREDITS:
Bridal Gown: Gateway Bridal 
Stationary: Foil and Ink 
Ceremony Venue: San Diego LDS Temple
Reception Venue: Carmel Mountain Ranch 

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