How did you find your photographer?

I found Mary of We Choose the Moon Photography while searching long and hard for an affordable, yet talented artist to capture our special day. We began by asking friends and family if they knew anyone who would fit the bill. After very little success, I found We Choose the Moon Photography featured on our wedding website’s {The Knot} list of local photographers. One of the first things that caught my eye was the name of the company. Zak proposed under a full moon, atop an ancient rock formation in Sedona, Arizona. I have always been drawn to the feminine lunar spirit, and the inclusion of this in her company name was my first clue that I had found the one. Although price was definitely an important element in our search, as is for most couples who set a budget for themselves, Mary’s technique and artistry were really what captured me the most about her work. As an Art Historian, I can’t help but to see the world around me with an artistic mind, so I knew our photographer had to be someone special. Mary’s photography style is moody and romantic with a special edge. As soon as I saw her previous wedding shots, I knew that she would fit well with Zak and I’s personality and style. After working with her on our engagement session, I am more than thrilled that we found her! Mary is incredibly sweet and helpful, and a seriously cool lady. We are so excited to see how she captures the most important day of our lives.

What are you DIY-ing for your wedding?

Even before getting engaged, I knew I wanted my wedding to be largely self-made. As a daughter of a master carpenter, my approach to a lot of things is, “I could do that!” And because of this mindset, our wedding will feature many personal touches. I am building a set of two simple wooden triangles for the back drop of the ceremony. Because I also have a mind for practicality, after the wedding these will double as large book shelves for our home. The decor for the big day will be simple and elegant: ivory table cloths, lots of greenery and small white flowers, and lots of white candles in glass vases of varying sizes. I am a bartender on the weekends, so I used this opportunity to collect glass bottles which will be cut to their cylindrical bases and used to hold the candles. Our DJ will be one of my wonderful regulars at the bar I work at who has offered his services because of our great relationship over the years. My Mother is making our wedding cake. I really like the style of a simple crumb coat of icing on a smaller tiered cake so that you can see the cake underneath. After telling her my idea, she decided that she could do that easily. She recently did a test run for my Father’s birthday and it turned out magnificent! I find it very special that she will be making the cake herself. My Father is refinishing a table to be used as the display table for our cake. He is also refinishing an old secretary piece that used to belong to my grandmother which will be used as the display for our guest book and memorial photos of family members who can no longer be with us on our special day. My wonderful aunt has been an incredible calligrapher and artist my entire life and has offered her services as well! She will be creating a monogram for Zak and I that will include the first letters of our names entwined. This personal monogram will be featured on our invitations along with her beautiful handwriting. Last, but certainly not least, I am making my own wedding dress. The style of my dress will be simple and bohemian, with a silk slip dress under-layer and a lace overlay. I have been sewing for many years but have never taken on this big of a project. I have confidence in myself and the simplicity of the design to be able to achieve the look I have in mind. Wish me luck!

What are you looking forward to the most?

Zak and I are getting married in June, in the middle of an incredibly beautiful, blooming garden, on the estate of a historic home right in the middle of the city we both grew up in. The thing that I am most looking forward to is being able to celebrate our unending love for each other, surrounded by our many friends and family. We’ve had so many trials during our six-year relationship, and the only thing that is constant is the fact that we can get through anything together. The day we get married will be the day that makes all our hard work worth it. And the excitement for our future is such a wonderful feeling. -Natalie, the Bride

Event Credits

Photography: We Choose the Moon Photography // Shoot Venue: Bernheim Forest in Kentucky