After a really rainy September, I’ll admit I was a little curious—and maybe even slightly anxious—about what October would bring for an outdoor wedding at Ledges State Park.
But sometimes all the planning, preparation, and hoping come together in ways that exceed even your expectations. And Allison and Jacob’s wedding day was one of those days.
We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect October afternoon. Temperatures in the 70s, crisp sunshine, and central Iowa showing off its fall colors in full force. Golden yellows, rich reds, and vibrant oranges surrounded us, and we landed right at what turned out to be peak fall color. It was absolutely beautiful.
The Right People in the Right Places
I did my homework ahead of the wedding, scouting locations with an industry colleague and thinking through how we could make the most of Ledges State Park. I also persuaded my dear friend to be my fantastic second shooter, Colby, who brought some equipment that would fill in a few of my gaps.
Ahem. *Drone.*
But here’s where the day got even better.
As Colby and I pulled into Camp Hantesa, he rolled down the window to say hello to Allison. And she recognized him from her college days! They had worked together back when Colby was helping lead RAs at UNI.
What a small world!
It was such a fun surprise, but it also reinforced something I believe deeply: I can trust my gut when it comes to the people I bring alongside me on a wedding day. I knew Colby would be a great fit, and that unexpected connection was just another reminder that the right people make all the difference.
Several guests at the reception were friends of mine, too, so the entire day had the feeling of celebrating with friends—with my camera in hand! Allison definitely read the bridal guide I sent her because the Variety Center where the girls were getting ready was full of wall-to-wall windows. A photographer’s dream!
A Little Fall Magic from Above
Before arriving to Camp Hantesa, Colby and I had scoped out Lookout Point at Ledges, where we wanted to photograph Allison and Jacob as the light began to change.
With his trusty drone and our shared vision, we were able to capture the beauty of Ledges from a completely different perspective. The fall colors, the landscape, and these two in the middle of it all made for some pretty spectacular images.
I’m genuinely proud of what our collaboration created. And the magic wasn’t just in the scenery.
But back to Allison and Jacob’s first look: absolutely precious. Their bridal party was supportive, enthusiastic, and—bonus!—right on time. Their families brought just the right amount of excitement as they celebrated these two becoming one.
I love that even after 18 years of photographing weddings, there are still different ways to capture the day and there are never two ceremonies that are the same! The layout of the campground put the processional in reverse – Allison approached the altar from behind it, not walking up to it. It was so creative and the florals guided everyone beautifully.
After the ceremony, Allison, Jacob, Colby and I piled into my car and we headed to a spot Colby & I had explored before arriving that morning. When Allison & Jacob booked me, I knew immediately what I wanted to create for them, but I needed Colby’s drone to do it. Additional images we created without the need of flight take my breath away just as much. We hit the glowy part of the day right on target!
To see a vision come to life in an even better way than I had imagined was pure joy for me!
When All the Details Come Together
The wedding day wasn’t just beautiful outside. The details inside the reception space were just as thoughtfully put together.
From the reception hall that smelled absolutely divine with the florals, to mouthwatering, desserts made by a friend, there was so much care woven into the celebration.
And that’s what I loved about this day: it wasn’t one person or one detail that made it special. It was a whole group of people bringing their talents, time, creativity, and love together to celebrate Allison and Jacob.
My SEO and common friends helped bring this beautiful bride and her groom into my world, and I’m incredibly thankful for the word-of-mouth referrals and the trust people place in me to photograph their most important days.
A Perfect Way to Close the Season
Allison and Jacob’s wedding was my final wedding of the 2026 season, and what a way to finish!
After all the uncertainty that September’s rain brought, this day was a reminder of what can happen when thoughtful preparation meets a little flexibility, the right people, and a whole lot of cooperation from the weather.
I’m proud of us. Proud of the collaboration, proud of the images we created, and so thankful for everyone who helped make this day what it was.
Allison and Jacob, I hope your photographs far exceed your expectations and bring you right back to this beautiful October day for years to come.
What a gift it was to be there with you!
