Key and Maki are two very unique personalities, and both their individuality and artistic talent complements one another in a very romantic way. For these reasons, not only have they been able to creatively and successfully work together in a way that combines Key’s lighting design and Maki’s fine art skills, on Saturday they committed their entire selves to one another in what I truly expect to be an equally successful venture of marriage.
I have never seen two people work harder, or more happily, on every small detail of a wedding. The event took place on Key’s mother’s stunning prairie estate in Peyton, using the front yard for the ceremony and the barn for the cocktail-style reception. When I saw all of the beautifully designed details, I immediately recognized the amount of love that had gone into planning this day. So while we normally don’t show details on our blogs to emphasize our focus on moment photography, I felt it only appropriate to make an exception this go around.
You can immediately tell right from the getting ready portion of the day that Maki was not like other brides. While most have a crew of bridesmaids and a designated space to ceremoniously hold out the dress for them as they step in, Maki stood in a small nook behind the bed as she jammed her feet into the dress (jeans on and all) and had one close friend present to assist with the back.
The ceremony was equally laid back, with both Key and Maki arriving at the front of the house together. There was no official walk down the “aisle”… yet somehow this first image by Sean tells the story just the same, and perhaps, even more beautifully.
Maki informed me during getting ready that she did not want any mom pleasers (looking at the camera smiling) and very minimal posed shots. To accommodate and keep the couple’s comfort levels high, I gave minimal direction and focused on capturing the “moments in between.”
The reception took place inside the barn, where the horses (and their manure) had been evicted the night before. Also, thanks to Nancy from Chairs with Character for providing these lovely mismatched browns for the couple; the décor would not have been the same without them!
To Key and Maki: You are truly an amazing, one-of-a-kind couple who I thoroughly enjoyed the company of as we photographed your day. I see your future being full of lasting, loving relationships with both each other and the friends you hold dear. Also, if you ever decide to go into event planning or rent out your barn for weddings, please give me a call, because I really want to go back!
