Hayden + Kalyb

As a photographer, there’s something truly magical about capturing the moments that tell a love story. And when Hayden reached out to me almost a year ago to photograph her wedding, I couldn’t have been more ecstatic. From the moment she mentioned how their love had grown their love from high school to college and beyond, even moving to another state together, I knew this was going to be an unforgettable day.

Hayden shared with me that when they first started dating, they never could have imagined their journey would lead them here. But as she looked around on her wedding day, surrounded by family, friends, and an abundance of love, she realized it was the fairy tale she’d always dreamed of. And this story? It’s far from over.

Their day began at the stunning Stonebrook Meadows, just outside of Little Rock—a beautiful venue that perfectly blended elegance with nature. The morning kicked off with an atmosphere full of excitement. My second shooter, Heather, and I walked into the bridal suite, where we were greeted by a room full of steamers working diligently on the satin gowns that would soon be worn by her bridal party. There was a sense of calm energy in the air, with party mucis and laughter coming from the bridesmaids as they prepared. The guys, on the other hand, were enjoying some downtime, watching TV and taking a breather after a long night of pre-wedding festivities.

The love, excitement, and anticipation were rockin' from the moment we arrived. Everyone had a role to play in making the day special, and it felt like the entire wedding party was a team, working together seamlessly. It wasn’t long before the bride stepped into her gown, and it was one of those moments that made me pause, appreciating the beauty of the wedding day—Hayden was glowing. This part of the day always makes me take a step back and be thankful that I get the witness the most wonderful day of couples' lives.

Winter was on its way out this day and boy was the wind gettin' it, but the color palette of the day was a perfect welcome to the upcoming spring season. Soft, romantic palette of blush, sage, and gold blended beautifully with the rustic charm of Stonebrook Meadows. Every detail felt intentional, from the spring florals to the spring colored napkins.

I love capturing these moments because they’re the essence of what I do—freezing time so that couples can relive the joy, love, and commitment they shared on their special day. Their ceremony, yet short and sweet (my favs) was perfect.

But what truly made this wedding unforgettable for me as a photographer was the reception. After eating, the party began. It took a little bit of coaxing, but we got the dance floor going. I'm pretty sure at one point I had pulled 3 couples onto the dance floor and bribed them with extra cake. The couple shared their first dance, surrounded by their loved ones, all while Hayden sang allllll the words.

As I left the venue that night, I couldn’t help but to look over at Heather and just grin. Hayden and Kalyb journey is far from over, and I can’t wait to see where it takes them.