The Backstory.

All of our weddings mean a lot to us. We genuinely love, love.

This wedding. This wedding has a little extra piece of my heart.

I've known Amanda for quite some time. We went to elementary and middle school together, played sports, birthday parties, the works. Of course, as you grow up, life has a tendency to take you different directions. This is why social media can be such a gift.

Next thing you know there is this beautiful love story unfolding on Amanda's social media, Amanda + Hunter's.

I loved seeing how happy they both looked in their photos. These two are always up to some type of adventure; parties, concerts, celebrating their friends and families wins and even just making normal every day things exciting. You could tell that they had this bond, where just being together made everything right.

We ended up getting together to do a little creative photo date. Yeah, I totally forced these two into getting in freezing creek water to swing on a homemade swing. Not to mention dance ON TOP of Hunter's Jeep.

When I got home that night, I couldn't stop talking to Josh about how much I adored them together. About how amazing it was to catch up with Amanda and learn about the woman she's become. About how kind and authentic Hunter is.

Not long after, Amanda + Hunter asked me to photograph their wedding. Vulnerable moment... I cried. I couldn't have been more thrilled, excited, nervous, excited, happy, EXCITED!

I'm still extremely excited, just now, excited to share some of the magic that was their wedding day!
#KeepingUpWithTheKoteckis

Getting Ready + Details

Amanda + Hunter had their wedding at Twin Gables Event Center. This was our first time at this venue and it did not disappoint! The venue owners were marvelously kind and venue itself was just beautiful.

The couple had a modern/rustic theme, with eucalyptus green, navy and gold colors. All of their details went perfectly together.

Amanda and Hunter and their wedding party spent the morning together until it was time for Amanda and Hunter to not see each other. They all had custom shirts and cups for the big day. A custom anything is always a good idea! Especially for a wedding or special event.

Insanely Talented Hair and Make Up Teams:
Wild Bees Beauty and Iris House Salon

Hunter's Gown: True Society
Amanda's Jumpsuit: Azazie Bridal

Hunter's First Looks

If you've been to our blogs, socials or chatted with us before, you know that we are BIG fans of first looks. They don't always have to be with the couple getting married. It can be with anyone who is special to you, family, friends, pets, whoever!

Hunter and Amanda had a few different kinds of first looks and we loved everyone of them.

Hunter had a first look with her Dad and a surprise first look with her Grandma. Which I am so happy happened. Hunter's Grandma's reaction was absolutely priceless.

Both Amanda and Hunter did first looks with the entire wedding party. Feeling the anticipation from their favorite people to see them was so heartwarming, even if you didn't know them.

Amanda's First Looks

Amanda has two older brothers, it was mentioned in a speech that Amanda growing up used to wear their hand-me-down basketball shorts and her oversized Scooby-Doo shirts a lot. To say that she was dressed in a way that they weren't used to seeing is maybe a bit of a an understatement. It was not only a special day with all the emotions, but a day that had Amanda looking the most gorgeous ever. Doing a first look with her brothers and Dad made for the greatest smiles.

Their wedding party seeing her was equally as wonderful as when they saw Hunter. They both truly looked stunning.

Vows

Instead of doing a first look or private vow session they each had a private moment to read each others vows. It was their way of having something special between them before seeing each other down the aisle .

Ceremony

One of my favorite things about Hunter and Amanda is that they are some of the most compassionate and kind people you'd ever meet. They wanted their day to not just be a day to celebrate their love, but a day to include everyone, support their friends business' and bring everyone together. They had their family and best friends in their wedding party, a family friend helping day-of coordinate and a wonderful, long time friend officiate to name just a few. They wanted everyone to enjoy their ceremony as much as they would, so they also offered everyone a welcome drink before sitting down. Which I just thought was very considerate and frankly, genius!

It was a beautiful ceremony, to add to an unbelievably beautiful day.

Amanda was escorted by her Dad first, then their flower girls and ring bearers. Followed by Hunter and her Dad. Watching Amanda's string of emotions as she saw Hunter coming towards her was powerful. This kind of love, to quote that same speech as before (Cora, you really nailed it), is one for the ages.

Family

Ain't No Party Like The Wedding Party

When selecting who stands next to you on your big day, it should be the people who cheer you on through all life's moments. The people you want to call when something amazing or even something sad happens. Those are the people who love your love and would do anything for you. Those are the ones that on your wedding day, are your hype team. The ones who help bustle your dress, get you drinks and make sure you have the wedding day of your dreams. Amanda and Hunter chose those people.

Mrs.+ Mrs.

When Amanda and Hunter look at each other, they glow. As if they are each others star power like in Super Mario Bros. If the player gets a Star, they become invincible. Together, these two are invincible.

Reception

After dances, one of the sweetest, and one of the funniest speeches I've ever heard, and cake cutting, Amanda + Hunter put on their dancing shoes.

The DJ, Tim, with Ignite Entertainment, had everyone on that dance floor! Every part of the wedding day to me is exciting, but it's always so awesome getting to see people really celebrate and show off their wild side. And the wild sides were definitely coming out on this dance floor in the best ways.

PRO TIP: Get dance floor props!
Dance floor props are always a big hit. I've seen large cardboard cut outs of the couples heads/their pets heads, glow sticks, blow up instruments, all kinds of things. Plus, these light up noodles! Which made for such cool photos on the dance floor!

Cater: Lees Chicken
(RIGHT?! I did not know they did catering either! Definitely a win!)
Bakery: Nantucket Bakery

Videographer: Aleshia B Video

GLP Love Note

I feel incredibly fortunate to know these amazing humans and have special memories with them. Even luckier, that I was there to witness and help document moments that are even more extraordinary.

♥

Thank you Amanda, for being a friend to my past self and current self. I can't wait to see what our friendship looks like for future self. I can say though, that I'm really excited that Hunter will be there.

So much love and gratitude for you both, your families and all of the friends.
Can't wait to show you the rest of your gallery!

P.S.
Sorry about the mildly embarrassing photos. :)