SPEARFISH CANYON LODGE WEDDING | Mackenzie & John

Mackenzie and John chose to have a beautiful Spearfish Canyon Lodge wedding in Spearfish, South Dakota and we were so excited when Mackenzie’s mom Angel contacted us to capture their big day! These two met while attending the University of Wyoming and we got to know them during their UW campus engagement session. We knew their day would be amazing and it definitely didn’t let us down!

Rick and I have been fortunate to photograph multiple times in South Dakota and every time we are there we are both blown away with how beautiful and green everything is! This Spearfish Canyon Lodge wedding was no different at all! Mackenzie and John were blessed with a gorgeous and sunny day for their ceremony and shared beautiful vows together. We were able to sneak away with these two after the ceremony to take advantage of the gorgeous surroundings for their creative bridal portraits. The reception had it all; funny and heart felt toasts, gourmet cupcakes, amazing country swing dancing and tons of fun!

Mackenzie and John, thank you so much for allowing us to document your big day! We were truly honored to be there and appreciate you both very much! As fellow Disney Cruise Line LOVERS, we hope you had an amazing time on your honeymoon! Rick and I will be praying for you both as you begin your lives together. 🙂

Loved, loved, loved photographing Mackenzie’s beautiful jewelry and shoes.

The lighting in the room where she was getting ready was dreamy.

Mackenzie picked the most gorgeous and detailed wedding dress from The Bridal Collection! GORGEOUS!

The buttons and other detail on her dress was so beautiful!

John and his brothers got ready just down the hall from the girls.

Disney cuff links! These two are both huge Disney fans (John proposed while on vacation in Disneyland)…aren’t these PERFECT?

I love the nervous excitement that you can sometimes feel while the bride and groom are getting ready.

Nerves typically begin as soon as our grooms begin putting on their tux or suit.

A cowboy hat AND Mickey Mouse/Disney cuff links? John was definitely stylin’!

The weather was hot but absolutely perfect for Mackenzie and John’s Spearfish Canyon Lodge wedding.

We laughed while watching Mackenzie’s mom Angel and aunt Melissa setting up the altar; they share our “symmetrical OCD”! 🙂

As guests arrived at the ceremony on this warm day, they were treated to fresh…WINE SLUSHIES!

They were also asked to take a photo and leave a nice note in the couple’s guest book.

Mackenzie and her father as they begin their approach down the aisle to see John.

John waiting patiently (or maybe impatiently?) to see his beautiful bride!

I absolutely love the look of pure joy and happiness on Mackenzie’s face as she sees John for the first time…

…and the emotions became a little too much to handle. (P. S. Wedding photographers LOVE tears at weddings! 🙂 )

All of he scenery and surroundings was so lush and beautiful green.

More of the amazing lace and gorgeous detail of Mackenzie’s wedding dress.

“The look” that every bride wants to have her groom give her as they are exchanging vows.

With this ring, I take you to be my wife…

The two had a lovely ceremony that was filled with so much genuine emotions.

Laughter, tears, love, devotion…they had it all.

Mackenzie and John’s officiant, Mary Maisey-Ireland, conducted a beautiful ceremony for them.

And finished with a pretty passionate first kiss and dip as husband and wife.

Take a look at the joy on everyone’s faces in this image.

Stunning bride, gorgeous dress and beautiful flowers.

We stole these two lovebirds and snuck away to secluded spots behind where they were having their Spearfish Canyon Lodge wedding.

We really do love getting to spend and document those first few moments with the very new bride and groom.

We found gorgeous light, perfect and lush greenery and avoided chiggers. (Google them…they are disgusting.)

Take a look at this handsome and confident Disney man! LOL!

Mackenzie truly was a stunning bride. So beautiful, girly!

They were so naturally photogenic together and we had such a fun time with the two of them.

More perfect light, a secluded dirt trail and newlywed passion.

We could have photographed these guys for hours but we had to get them back to the reception where their loved ones were waiting!

The reception details and decor was so beautifully designed and elegant. Angel and Melissa did a fantastic job!

The centerpieces were done so well and the colors were perfect.

Details are very easy to photograph when they are this pretty.

We don’t see a lot of navy blue but it looked so good paired with the maroon. Loved it!

Mackenzie and John’s rings were easy to photograph as well…John did a great job, right ladies? 🙂

The flowers were beautiful as well (this shot was taken 30 seconds before a crazy downpour of rain!)

Gourmet cupcakes in 5 flavors provided by Nancy’s Fancie Cupcakes ‘n Cakes!

Mackenzie’s sisters were both HILARIOUS while delivering their maid of honors speeches!

They also shared heartfelt words for Mackenzie and John as well.

John’s brothers were both very funny as well!

All four of them had the all of guests AND the newlyweds laughing.

The first dance together for Mackenzie and John as husband and wife…

Of course with a country wedding, a Wyoming girl and a groom with a cowboy hat there is going to be swing dancing…

…and more country swing dancing.

John finished with a romantic dip of his beautiful bride.

Mackenzie and her dad shared a very special father/daughter dance together.

John was able to share a similar moment with his mother as well.

Mackenzie was surprised by all of her sorority sisters in attendance with a special “sorority sister’s song”.

Mackenzie’s grandmother and mother were in the same sorority and joined in on the song. How cool is that?

The Spearfish Canyon Lodge wedding ended with some pretty cool dancing…

Some amazing lip syncing and bridal party dancing…

And an adorable little one who wanted to join in on the festivities! 🙂