Wedding at Crooked Willow | Kyle & Taylor Winberg

It was quiet at Crooked Willow as the soft, gray morning began. The air was thick with humidity and excitement as Kyle and Taylor started getting ready for their wedding day.

Hair and makeup appointments at Ella’s Salon were wrapped up in giggles and delighted squeals as Taylor’s girls all joined her for the flurry of preparations. You could call this the calm before the storm, though “calm” rarely describes the excitement and joy of the wedding day morning. Everyone was ready to celebrate this special day and special couple.

Kyle & Taylor

The anticipation of seeing one another for the first time on their wedding day had been building all morning. In the minutes before they would have their moment, Kyle & Taylor exchanged letters of love with one another. Taylor asked to read hers by herself. With hugs and lots of excitement her entourage vacated the bridal suite at Crooked Willow. A quiet peacefulness fell over the room as she opened the letter, a yellow, legal pad piece of paper with the corner torn off. She laughed and said “That’s so Kyle”. She dabbed her eyes with a tissue as she read his words, poured out of his heart, written to her for their wedding day.

Kyle’s sister delivered his letter and before she left him to read the words from his bride, they hugged for a brief moment as tears trickled down each of their cheeks. Kyle opened the white envelope from Taylor, “To Kyle, on our wedding day”, and wiped more tears from his face as he read her love note.

And now, it was time.

When Kyle turned to see his bride for the first time he instantly dropped to the ground, so overcome with his love for her. Taylor’s joy was overflowing, the smile on her face could not have been any bigger. They had made it. This was their wedding day.

The rest of the day was full of laughing, excitement, oooing and ahhing, big hugs, more tears, more joy, and a lot of water…it was a HOT day.

Taylor’s dad escorted her down the aisle at the church and gave her away to Kyle. They exchanged rings, they made vows, they both said “I do” and then they kissed. Husband and wife. For the rest of their days.
Go read that sentence again, slowly. Because it is what the entire day is about. And it is the most beautiful commitment two people make.

Until Death Parts Us

There is a unique experience we get as wedding photographers coming into such an important and monumental day in the lives of two people and their families. Catching snippets of conversations and seeing the love and joy in the families’ and friends’ eyes, you really start to see how two people have so deeply impacted those around them. And how much they’ve been impacted by the very ones standing with them on this day.

Kyle and Taylor have a love that is magnetic. (We are actually pretty sure there’s some real magnets somewhere. Once Kyle gets close to Taylor he just keeps getting closer until there is no “closer” left.) Their love draws you in and makes you want to be connected in some way, big or small. In every word spoken by family and friends you could hear the respect and love for Kyle and Taylor as individuals and as a couple.

Every single person in the room felt a special connection to these two
because that is how they make you feel…connected, magnetic.

We couldn’t keep the smiles off our faces as we listened to the wonderful speeches made by each of their fathers, the best man, and the maid of honor. They all shared stories that truly displayed the selflessness and care that these two have given the world since they were little kids. Also, they shared some pretty funny stories and we always love a good laugh. 😉

After a nearly 11 hour day, we didn’t even want to leave. Were we not parents with children and babysitters we want to honor, we would have stayed all night. Plus our favorite DJ, Mark Haugen DJ, was spinning some awesome tunes and we would have totally ripped up that dance floor (yeah, yeah, we know they don’t actually “spin” anymore, but who cares? It’s a cool word!).

Kyle and Taylor, we love you two. It was a joy and an honor to be a part of your wedding day. We are so excited for you two as you are stepping into this next chapter of your adventure together. As individuals, you are already amazing people, but as Jack Johnson says, you’re going to be even better together.

P.S. We 100% took a huge armful of cookies and donuts when we left, because the blueberry donuts and the raspberry white chocolate cookies are our favorites too.

With love,
Abby & Brandon

The group of vendors at this wedding was spectacular!!

Venue: Crooked Willow
Florist: Creations
Hair and Makeup: Ella’s Salon
DJ: Mark Haugen, DJ
Videographer: Captured Creative Formal
Photographer: Abby & Brandon
Dessert: Country Blossom Farm
Dresses: Raffiné Bridal & Formal Wear
Suits: Knight’s Chamber Clothiers
Catering: Lakes Catering