Jessica Yahn Photography

Abbie + Isaac’s Summer Wedding | Sparrow Lane, Willard MO

September 15, 2023

Abbie & Isaac started their wedding day getting ready with their family and friends. Both suites were full of laughter as everyone enjoyed this calm start to the day. Abbie had thought one of her 3 bridesmaids weren’t going to be able to attend, but while finishing her hair, she got the wonderful news that magic had happened. While running a little late, her friend would be able to arrive just in time! After Isaac and Abbie finished getting ready, we snuck off to the chapel where they could share their first look and exchange letters. This sweet moment was just the beginning of a beautiful day.

They had decided that they didn’t want a cocktail hour. They wanted to be able to go straight from their ceremony into mingling with their guests. So after the first look it was time to get some portraits done. We laughed and smiled our way thru their portraits. We were just finishing up portraits with their wedding party, when Abbie’s 3rd bridesmaid pulled up, in her dress and ready to go. She literally walked out of her car and straight into a portrait without complaining for a second! You could tell that their friends just wanted to be there to celebrate the happy couple! After finishing those final few photos with the wedding party it was time for family portraits. Sometimes this can be one of the hardest parts of the whole day but everyone was in high spirits and we knocked out these important photos with ease.

The ceremony was up next and it was absolutely perfect. Abbie’s brother officiated and told their story with so much love. I found myself tearing up multiple times. I can imagine that it was even more emotional for all of their family & friends who have watched them grow together as a couple. After sharing their story, the couple exchanged their vows, rings, and sealed it with a kiss!

Then it was the time they had been waiting for! From the moment we met at their engagement session, Abbie & Isaac talked about their dream wedding day. They wanted a relaxing & low-key day surrounded by all of their favorite people and filled with love. They wanted pizza and yard games. Their reception wasn’t going to be about dancing. They wanted the patio & courtyard at the venue filled with their loved ones, playing games and building memories – just as they had built their relationship over game nights. The evening was everything they had dreamed of. We may have headed inside briefly for dinner and speeches, but shortly everyone headed right back outside. The weather could not have been more perfect for the day they dreamed of. Guests enjoyed bouncing between the mobile bar and the many games scattered outside. They were playing all night right down until the very end when we did a quick run thru some sparklers. It was just perfect!!

Abbie & Isaac, Thank You so much for choosing to share your day with us. Spending the day with you and your favorite people was absolutely amazing. I am so blessed to know you both! Congratulations again and Best Wishes in beginning this next chapter of your story.

Lots of Love,
Jessica

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Kennedy + Geoffrey | Vantage Rooftop Wedding at Hotel Vandivort, Springfield MO

September 6, 2023

This post is seriously YEARS in the making, so bear with me. I first met Kennedy and Geoffry around 5 years ago when they were early in the wedding planning stages. We chatted at open houses at venues and bridal shows. We messaged back and forth for multiple years as they worked on planning their dream day. Unfortunately due to Covid their original “final plan” fell thru and wedding plans got put on hold for a little while.

While I was happy to hear back from Kennedy early this Summer – I was also heartbroken. She unexpectedly lost her dad at the beginning of the year. Having been thru this just a few short years ago losing my own, my heart was aching for her, Geoffry and their families. They decided that they weren’t going to keep putting this day on hold. They wanted to get married with their loved ones surrounding them, and the sooner the better. So once again, wedding planning began. What was once a large wedding was scaled into the most beautifully intimate micro wedding and full day of love surround them.

We started the day off at Hotel Vandivort where Kennedy and Geoffry were getting ready for this much-awaited day. It was finally time for these two to make it official. After hair and makeup were finished, Kennedy’s mom and her best friend helped her finish getting ready. The dress was no longer being stored away. It was finally time to put it on. After putting on shoes, jewelry and topping it off with her veil. I loved how they incorporated the rings from Kennedy’s grandparents as well as a special token in memory of her father to be with her as she walked down the aisle.

Then I headed next door to Vantage, where Geoffry waited excitedly with his parents and best man. He had the biggest smiles and you could tell that all he wanted to do was be able to call Kennedy his wife. Soon it was time to head upstairs to make it happen!

The ceremony took place on the rooftop at Vantage, overlooking downtown Springfield underneath an arbor built by Kennedy’s grandfather. It was a gorgeous day with the sun shining down. Their closest family and friends watched as Kennedy came down the aisle towards her groom. While I know there was also a hint of sadness to this moment, it was a beautiful moment filled with emotion. The ceremony was sweet as they shared vows, rings and a unity ceremony before officially being declared husband and wife.

The Bar inside looked just as gorgeous as always, with the sun shining down thru the skylight above. Everyone sat at the one long table, which was perfect representation that they are at long last, joined as one family. Everyone sat and ate a delicious lunch from The Order as toasts of love were shared to the newlyweds.

After lunch, everyone looked on as Kennedy and Geoffry shared their first dance as husband and wife. It was such a sweet moment. But tears flowed all around when afterward both shared dances with their moms. Soon it was time for some smiles and the couple cut into their two-tier cheesecake and continued to share drinks and laughter with their guests. Eventually it was time to end the main festivities, but all wasn’t lost. The group headed back upstairs to the gorgeous Master Suit at the hotel to relax, play games and just enjoy this celebration with their loved ones.

After everyone had rested and relaxed, dinner was eaten and then it was time for me to steal the newlyweds away for just a tiny bit longer. After waiting years for this day, not even an early wedding day was going to keep us from getting more of the portraits Kennedy had been dreaming of. So we headed outside and then back up to Vantage for a few more portraits, ending their perfect day as the sun set over downtown Springfield.

Kennedy and Geoffry, Thank You for choosing to share your day with me. I am absolutely honored that no matter how much time had passed and plans were changed that you continued to share this beautiful day with me. I’m so thankful to have been able to celebrate you with your favorite people and I cannot wait to see where your story takes you next.

Lots of Love,
Jessica

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Bethany + Cam | Springfield MO Maternity Photos

August 31, 2023

I can’t believe it has already been 3 years since I first met Bethany & Cam for their engagement session. I fell in love with them from the very beginning. Their wedding was a dream and they will forever be one of my absolute favorite couples.

I was so happy to get them back in front of my camera again. It was amazing to love on them both and celebrate this newest chapter in their story! You can’t help but smile and spend lots of time laughing when you are with them.

Bethany & Cam – Thank you for continuing to share your memories with me!! I cannot wait to watch you become parents and meet your sweet baby boy!

Lots of Love,
Jessica

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Alec + Marli Wedding | The Stanley, Lee’s Summit MO

August 24, 2023

This past weekend we headed to Lee’s Summit, Missouri to celebrate Marli & Alec! I have been looking forward, somewhat impatiently, to this day for so long. We arrived at The Stanley and scouted out all the beautiful areas of this venue while we waited for the happy couple & wedding party to arrive. Everyone was full of smiles as they got dressed and ready for the big day. You really couldn’t help but have fun around this group.

After getting ready, Marli shared a sweet first look with her bridesmaids. Then, with mom watching on and attempting to hold back her tears, it was time for dad to see Marli. The yell he let out when he turned around had us all laughing. It is very possible my favorite father/daughter first look I’ve seen in my career. Soon it was time for Alec to FINALLY see his bride. They shared a sweet and private moment together before sharing their personal vows to one another.

The ceremony was simply sweet and absolutely beautiful. Everyone watched as they exchanged vows, rings and then shared a kiss as husband and wife! The guests headed upstairs for cocktail hour while we squeezed in a few more portraits with their family & friends.

This group was ready to celebrate. The wedding party made their entrance and Marli & Alec were met with happy cheers. The newlyweds shared their first dance and cut their cake before everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner by Garozzos. Speeches were made with a mix of sweetness and laughter all around. A few more special dances were shared with Marli’s dad and both moms – and then it was time to party!!! Twice on Sunday were absolutely phenomenal. They were the perfect addition to this day and I will be recommending them over and over again. They had the dance floor full all night long. It may have been a little steamy – but it didn’t keep anyone from dancing their hearts out.

Marli & Alec – THANK YOU for choosing to share your absolutely perfect day with us. This will forever be a favorite wedding. I am so grateful and lucky to know you. I cannot wait to watch your love story continue. Here’s to the beginning of a new and amazing chapter.

Lots of Love,
Jessica

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Morgan + Graham | Stonegate Glass Chapel Wedding, Walnut Shade MO

July 26, 2023

Last weekend we headed back to Stonegate Glass Chapel to finally celebrate Morgan & Graham. Stonegate is a beautiful wedding venue located in between Springfield and Branson, Missouri, right in the heart of The Ozarks. The ladies were finishing up their hair and makeup in the bridal suite when we arrived. Music was playing and everyone was just relaxed and full of smiles. All of this happened as Graham and his groomsmen were finishing getting ready themselves next door. It was such a calm, carefree afternoon for the happy couple, surrounded by their wedding party. Soon, Morgan’s mom assisted with the dress, making it finally click that we were so close to the big moment. After getting dressed Morgan shared a sweet first look with her dad, brother, and her bridesmaids. Then it was time for the final touch, putting on her veil and getting ready to walk down the aisle.

The violinist played as their guests filled the beautiful chapel. All eyes were on the happy couple as Morgan’s father escorted her down the aisle. Graham met her with a smile and you could just see the joy in both of their faces. The couple shared their vows, exchanged rings, and shared a kiss after officially being pronounced husband and wife! It was a perfect moment surrounded by their family and friends.

After portraits, the newlyweds headed up the hill to the reception hall where they were greeted with excitement! It was officially time to celebrate with dinner, drinks, and lots of dancing! Everyone seemed to have such an amazing time the entire night as Noah with Elevate Entertainment made sure to keep the dance floor at full capacity! Way too soon their limo arrived and it was time to wave goodbye as we sent Mr and Mrs Buresh off thru a crowd of bubbles!

Congratulations Morgan & Graham! Thank you for choosing us to celebrate your story! I hope you enjoy this tiny peek back at your perfect day!

Lots of Love,
Jessica