Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. DeFord!

As we approach this wonderful newlywed couple’s one month anniversary, I am so excited to share their story and some of my favorite images!

From the minute Isaac and Emily contacted me about documenting their wedding day, I had a feeling they would be truly special. They reached out to me just two weeks after they were engaged with hopes I’d be available to document their Sunday, May 21st, 2023, wedding day at the Barn on Heron Hill, and I was elated and available!

While Isaac and Emily were one thousand percent ready to be married, they, like most people, wanted beautiful images of their day, but were not entirely eager to be in front of the camera. This is one of the main reasons I love engagement sessions, which gives me time to get to know the couple and help them relax and feel confident and comfortable in front of my camera before their wedding day! That alone can really help ease some nerves and make the day-of that much more fun. With their wedding fast approaching, we scheduled a last-minute engagement session in April, and the temperature went from beautiful mid-70s earlier that week to a practical blizzard during their engagement session! Y’all, it made for one of my favorite engagement sessions to date! Getting to know each other during that time was special, too. I loved hearing about how they met during a beef delivery the year before... Isaac immediately knew he needed to take Emily on a date and once she said yes it was history ever since! I loved hearing about their big families that would surround them with love and prayer on their day, and most of all, I loved getting a glimpse of their joy and excitement for each other!

As the wedding day approached and I made my final timeline and family formal confirmations, I found out that unfortunately the groom’s father was probably not going to be well enough to attend the ceremony. This was heartbreaking to everyone, but with faith and love they planned sentimental ways to include him in their day. From video calls during the day and his heartfelt prayer over the couple, their faith and joy shined through it all. Isaac wore his father’s shoes and belt on the wedding day, and the Groom and Groomsmen’s suits were ordered and fitted by the Groom’s father, whose occupation was a clothier. I also love to go above and beyond for my sweet couples, and as an artist I felt called and painted a canvas for their lay-flat detail shots. I was able to gift the painting to the couple on their wedding day. In the moment I was painting it and praying over their family, it became clear as a way to make a sign for their dad so we could include him into some of their family formal photos. When I say this wedding was sentimental and faith filled, I mean every moment.

The wedding day arrived and the sun shined over the beautiful landscape and immaculate venue. The glorious old farmhouse was bustling with bridesmaids, groomsmen, family, and kiddos. We took as many photos before the ceremony as possible and kept the family formal photos to large group shots at the bride and groom’s request. When you have nine siblings on the groom’s side and five siblings on the bride’s side, that makes for some big, beautiful group shots! As the wedding party prepared for the ceremony, the wooden pews filled with guests; over two hundred family and friends showed up to support and witness the love between Isaac and Emily. The music was holy, the flower girls a many, and the kiss… well, I’ll let the images speak for themselves!

After the ceremony, we took portraits of the family, the wedding party, and spent time with the new Mr. and Mrs. DeFord around the gorgeous grounds and barn. This isn’t my first time photographing at The Barn on Heron Hill, and I absolutely LOVE how they are constantly doing new projects to elevate their venue and continuously provide an amazing experience for their couples. If you’re looking for a chic elegant space with incredible owners, I highly recommend them!

The newlywed couple beamed as they made their way into the reception as guests cheered with Italian cream sodas in hand! The reception was packed with laughs, conversation, and delicious BBQ. A screen played wedding question-and-answers from family members and all of those beautiful nieces and nephews had some great answers; it was ADORABLE! When it came time to cut the PIE, Isaac and Emily sliced into strawberry rhubarb and guests were served a multitude of flavors. The evening ended with a joyful exit, a change into comfy clothes, and a FANCY heavily-decorated Camaro ride into the sunset…

And without further ado, enjoy these precious memories from Isaac and Emily’s most special day in northeast Iowa:

Congratulations and love again to the happy couple and their amazing family!
Life is not perfect, but it is beautiful. Being able to smile and find joy through the imperfections, through the small things, through the heartbreaks and miracles, through His love, is truly a gift. May the prayers of your father, friends, and family bless you both all the days of your life. Thank you for having me and Zach document this special day for you and we hope to stay in touch through the years!

xo
Jillian & Zach

The couple, the venue, vendors, and family made this day absolute perfection!

The Venue | The Barn on Heron Hill
Photography | JWebbArt.com
The Bride and Bridesmaids Dresses | An Elegant Affair Cedar Falls
The Groom and Groomsmen Attire | Lord’s Clothing
Catering | Bad Boys BBQ
Florals | Bancroft’s Flowers and Greenhouse

& to their families - every single person helped so much and the couple is so grateful to all!