I made my fair share of boneheaded choices as a young boy. My dad looked on at these choices and commented on them without coming on too strong. Jokingly, he often asked the question: “What, were you born in a barn?” Well, Khrystina and Cole, may not have been born in a barn. But they were most definitely married in one: Crawford’s Barn. Definitely not a boneheaded choice.I had captured these two lovebirds’ engagement photos several months before on a warm summer evening. It was there that I heard their story of meeting back in the earliest days of school, and how their relationship progressed through the years. I discovered their love for the Lord of the Rings trilogy, as evidenced by the LOTR scrabble tiles they used to spell out “Love” in their photos (nice!). Their easy sense of humor and gentleness were a breath of fresh air. Clearly, their wedding would be a blast.
And so the Big Day came. Khrystina and Cole were to be married on the grounds at Crawford’s Barn in Sacramento, named after a famous race horse who once called the barn home. When the forecast spelled rain, our heroes quickly shifted gears to move their ceremony inside the barn itself. They were calm and collected, and you wouldn’t have known by looking at them that they had to make some last-minute moves to keep their loved ones dry. Nothing would stop them from loving their unforgettable day.
So why not sneak a peek into the rest of their wedding day?
The crafty couple transformed Crawford’s Barn into a cozy wedding venue.
Our groom Cole gets vested shortly before becoming a married man.
Brides these days; They have the most intricate dress hangers you’ve ever seen.
The first look!
Sneaking a kiss before the ceremony.
It’s the little details that count, and Khrystina had them in spades.
Moments where (almost) nobody is watching.
The gentleman doffs his cap to steal a kiss from the lady.
Cole looks pretty confident about the lady he was soon to walk down the aisle.
Whoops! Khrystina just keeps dropping that slippery bouquet.
That cap!
That bow!
That bride!
Here’s a man who’s learned to woo his lady with flowers.
Even as the rain begins to fall, Khyrstina looks as radiant and joyful as ever.
Making sure the bouquet is ready for its flight later that night.
I got to sneak this peak at the rings before they came to rest on Cole and Khystina’s fingers.
Backed by the boys.
Cole saunters down the aisle first.
Khrystina and her father follow close behind. Dad seems excited to make the handoff.
Uncle Shane leads the ceremony himself, knowing each of the two lovebirds since they were little.
Crawford’s Barn was clear of livestock, and filled with people stoked to see these two come together.
That kiss!
These two walk right back down the aisle and into the rain. They didn’t mind; they were together.
A great time for a great bench.
When the rains fall heavier, Khrystina and Cole take shelter under a tree.
Meanwhile, back at the barn: colorful libations to keep the party moving.
Those hoping for a smashed cake in her face are disappointed.
Wet on the inside. Warm on the inside.
Sneaking out into the rain for a quick kiss.
Their first dance.
Dancing with dad.
The bouquet finally soars toward its destiny. Check out that shadow at the right; she caught it!
You’ll need to put on those 3D glasses for this dancing shot.
More fun on the dance floor.
Saying farewell to Crawford’s Barn at the end of the evening.
So many blessings to you both, Khrystina and Cole, as you step into this incredible adventure. Keep on being just a flexible, gentle, and funny as you proved to me you are. And thank you for letting me be a part of your wedding day.
In need of a wedding photographer who also loves Lord of the Rings or Crawford’s Barn? Check out our wedding photography packages!
Thanks Steve! I was experimenting with my flash bulb off and on camera a lot that day. The 3D one was made using what is called “rear curtain” mode on my flash, using a very slow shutter speed. Once I had the slow shutter speed dialed in, I moved my camera quickly from left to right. That creates the doubling effect that you see here. I didn’t add the red or blue lighting though. That was provided by the lighting set up at the barn. Fun stuff!
2 comments
Love the opening pic. How’d you do the one that looks 3D?
Thanks Steve! I was experimenting with my flash bulb off and on camera a lot that day. The 3D one was made using what is called “rear curtain” mode on my flash, using a very slow shutter speed. Once I had the slow shutter speed dialed in, I moved my camera quickly from left to right. That creates the doubling effect that you see here. I didn’t add the red or blue lighting though. That was provided by the lighting set up at the barn. Fun stuff!