Where to start?
This was one of my most favorite weddings I have ever looked forward to and to photograph.
I have been photographing Megan and Jackson all through their high school years for proms, family portraits, Jackson’s proposal to Megan, and now their gorgeous and classy wedding.  And what a wedding!  Vibrant colors, dark skies and rain, a beautiful venue surrounded by mountains, trees and a pond, and a gorgeous couple so in love; I just couldn’t wait for this day to arrive!

The day started out beautiful and sunny and I just couldn’t wait to get started on these photos. The wedding party started showing up one by one and the excitement started growing. While getting Jackson set up for the “First Look” photos and seeing the excitement in his eyes, anticipating the first time he would see his stunning bride…..the rain came….causing the “First Looks” to be cancelled and the ceremony postponed slightly. The “First Look” would have to wait until the moment Jackson would see Megan walking down that isle towards him.
The rain let up a little and Megan couldn’t wait any longer, on with the wedding!
Rain and all, loving family and friends quickly gathered by the pond to hopes to not get down-poured on.
Jackson’s father, Jon, was the officiant for the wedding and let me tell you what. This had to have been the best and most light hearted ceremony I have ever been to. There was no better person for this occasion.
That being said, Jon had wrote this lovely facebook post a couple days after the wedding. It brought tears to my eyes as I read it and thought back to the wedding day. I just have to pass it on.

“Among the many wonderful memories this weekend–being reunited with lifelong friends and family, enjoying the Fourth of July festivities here in Ennis, watching the fireworks go off over the Virginia City night sky–my favorite by far was celebrating Jackson Goodman and Megan Barney’s wedding, in particular that special moment when Megan, the bride, with her dad, Mark Barney and step father, Donnie Clark, appeared the very first time.

No kidding, a single glimpse of her, bedazzled in white and radiant as a star, made my heart flutter and brought salty pools of joy to my eyes.

Leaning into Jackson, who had not noticed her yet, I whispered slowly and deliberately, “Do not look at her until she appears at the back of the aisle, because, trust me, you won’t be able to handle it!”

With that, he looked down at me and smiled boyishly, then closed his eyes.

When he heard the crowd rise, he opened them again and finally beheld his bride. The sight of her made him tremble at first, then caused his strong chest to swell with pride.

If those who witnessed the moment could say anything to both of them at that moment, it would certainly have been along the lines of St. Paul’s heartfelt sentiment to the Believers in Thessalonica, famous for their faith and their love: “How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?”

All I could think about was a single passage, also from 1 Thessalonians, namely 1 Th 5:11, from the fifth and final chapter: “Keep encouraging one another and building each other up, just as in fact you are already doing.”

In hindsight, maybe that’s what I should have done…just read that verse, walked them through their vows, had them exchange their rings, pronounced them husband and wife, let them kiss all they wanted right there in the rain, and danced with them and 200 guests up the hill for a toast and some cake.

Yep, that would have been plenty. It would’ve been just fine.”

-Jon Goodman

And as usual, when it rains on any wedding I photograph, as soon as Megan and Jackson both said “I do”, kissed, walked back down the isle, and all of the guests headed to the reception…the sun came out and blessed this family with a fun and lovely evening.

Jackson & Megan, I wish you both the best and many many happy years to come. It has been a pleasure knowing the both of you and a pleasure always having the opportunity to photograph you and your families.

Thank you for asking me to be a part of your day and the first steps of your lives together.

-Shanna Mae