It’s always a incredibly humbling experience to photograph the wedding of someone we know personally. Compound that with the pressure we feel when the person being photographing is someone in the wedding & events industry. So by the time we showed up at our own photographer, Jenn’s, wedding day at The Farm Bakery & Events, know that we were feeling all the desire in the world to make sure our work was absolutely flawless. Jenn was one of the first people to join our team as an assistant way back in 2016 and has been a part of our team ever since, working her way into a second shooter role and even associate shooting on occasion.
Since it was a unique experience for us to be able to photograph someone who is so used to being on the other side of a camera, rather than just telling the heartwarming story of her wedding day (which don’t worry is coming), we thought it would also be fun to let her give a few words of advice to our couples after experiencing a wedding from the perspective of the bride. So here are some fun thoughts from Jenn after planning a gorgeous October wedding at The Farm Bakery & Events:
Q: What is your fondest memory from the wedding day?
“Our son, Auggie, sleeping in his pack-n-play during the reception, right next to the speaker.”
It was such an eventful day (as weddings always are), and people tend to forget that the things that really matter will often be little quiet moments off to the side. Auggie was such a trooper all day, getting ready with the girls, being passed around for hugs (yes, even to Ashley), and tottering down the aisle instead of enjoying his regular naptime. All this added up to such a tired little guy that he passed right out in a pack-n-play tucked in the corner of the barn, never noticing the music, toasts, and other cacophony happening all around him.
Q: Is there anything you would change about your wedding day?
“I would’ve had video. 😅 And I would’ve asked that some of each of our food items be put in the bridal suite for a midnight snack. 😂”
No matter how many times we lovingly asked Jenn if she was SURE she didn’t want the video team to come along for the day, she insisted that they’d blown the budget on other things and needed to keep things reasonable. Truth be told, if we could just gift everyone complimentary video for their wedding, we would. Because the biggest regret we hear over and over again from couples who opt out of video is that they wish they’d had it. And even Ashley knows this regret first hand.
And as for the food idea – brilliant! After a very long day of dancing, drinking, adrenaline rushes, galore, smiling, catching up with old friends, making lifelong commitments, and more. . . There’s a very good chance you’ll realize that you didn’t eat nearly as much as you thought you did. When that happens, nothing will taste better than the doggie bag of wedding treats that your caterer could put together for you. And Jenn’s wedding had amazing barbecue, gooey mac’n’cheese, and homemade mini pies that The Farm Bakery & Events specialize in – what makes a better midnight snack than that?
Q: What advice do you have for brides planning their wedding?
“Don’t stress about all the little details, the day will fly by! Just go with it and enjoy the time with those you love.”
Don’t get us wrong, Jenn’s wedding details were ON POINT! From her beautifully styled paper suite she created herself to the stunning florals that surrounded her wedding arch during her The Farm Bakery & Events wedding ceremony, it doesn’t get much more beautiful. But Jenn has been through enough wedding days (like hundreds) to know that the months of planning and fretting are all over in the blink of an eye. So savor your moments and make memories that will last long beyond your final song of the night.
And now to the story of their day. . .
Both Jenn & Cory started their day off at The Farm Bakery & Events. While the girls were busy getting their hair & makeup done upstairs in the bright, window-lit bridal suite, Cory and the guys were. . . accidentally calling the police to the venue? Yup! You read that right. Jenn’s dad didn’t know how to use an iPhone and somehow set out an emergency ping to the local police. Remember how we said not to sweat the small stuff? Don’t even stress out if the cops show up!
Much like any wedding day, Jenn was zipped into a big white gown and beautifully accessorized her look, but unlike most wedding days, this was OUR Jenn becoming a bride! We were just like the bridesmaids, tearing up a little bit, as Jenn pulled together the final touches of her look. And we enjoyed every moment watching Auggie get ready for the day, too. His adorable miniature blue suit was a perfect match for his daddy Cory’s look and he gleefully played with his shoes as they tugged on his little jacket and clipped on his burgundy bow tie.
Once the excitement of coffee with a cop wore off, Cory was ready to hop into his outfit and see his wife-to-be. But first, he had to open his gift from Jenn. Jenn, the queen of wedding details, had custom-made him a book to help him get to know her, titled “Know your f*cking wife.” We all had a good laugh about that before Cory stepped out into the autumn sunlight for their first look.
First Look and Portraits at The Farm Bakery & Events
The grounds of The Farm Bakery & Events are open and green, lined with trees that were starting to change over to their autumn colors as Jenn walked across a field to meet with Cory for the first time that day. These two braved a little bit of marshy grass to find a beautifully lit private grove of trees that perfectly encircled them as they share their private vows with each other. Some wedding trends come and go, but we are really loving this little moment to share things that couples might not want to say in front of a crowd. And Jenn was saying what most of us married people are already thinking. . . “I promise to rewatch all the tv episodes that I secretly watch while you are at work.”
After their quiet moments & vows, we joined the rest of the wedding party and family for some classic group photos at the ceremony arch. Before we knew it, it was time for Jenn & Cory to sneak away for a few quiet moments as their guests arrived.
Let’s get Married!
After the cutest processional of all time, lead off by Jenn and Cory’s son Auggie who tottered down the aisle at his own pace and capped off by Jenn’s father holding back tears as he walked her down the aisle, these two had a short but incredibly sweet ceremony. Officiated by Cory’s step-mother, Heather, so many fun, deeply moving stories about the two of them and getting to know Jenn over the years.
After all the vows were said and Cory and Jenn made their way back up the aisle together as husband and wife, we had a few more minutes during cocktail hour to take them around the property and get more pictures on the grounds of The Farm Bakery and Events. As with all other moments of the wedding day, Auggie was determined to steal the spotlight (& our hearts). Joining us for a portion of his parents’ photo session, we were able to do a mini family portrait session for these three.
A Farm Bakery & Events Wedding Reception
Jenn has been to enough weddings to know exactly how to have a perfect reception flow. So with a combination of awesome food and fantastic music, the night was off to a great start. But in a truly unique twist of timing, we were also celebrating Auggie’s first birthday at the reception. So after Jenn and Cory cut into their own cake, Auggie was brought out to the dance floor where he was given the opportunity to smash into an adorable little pumpkin Bundt cake while everyone sang happy birthday to him.
While the party was in full swing, Jenn & Cory stepped outside for one last portrait with the barn at The Farm Bakery & Events as a glowing backdrop for their nighttime portraits.
It wouldn’t be an AGP team wedding without a quick photo of all of us together, so Michelle, Ashley, Kiersten, Jenn, and Ashley all lined up while Cory took his moment at being behind the camera for a quick photo.
Jenn and Cory, it probably goes without saying that it is as much an honor to photograph your wedding as it has been to get to know you over all the years we’ve been working together. But it wouldn’t be an AGP blog post without wishing you many, many moons of joy and happiness together (and many more yummy pumpkin Bundt cake birthdays for Auggie.)
The Team behind this Farm Bakery & Events wedding was:
Photographer: Ashley Gerrity Photography | Venue: The Farm Bakery & Events | Florist: Blossom Boutique | Entertainment: Soundfactor Entertainment | Caterer: 2 Little Piggys | Wedding Dress: Kenneth & Winston | Bride’s Shoes: RoxyAllegra K | Make up: Warrior Aesthetics |
