I was lucky enough to get to spend my New Years Eve at the gorgeous Regency Lodge in Omaha, Nebraska watching two of the most genuine people I’ve ever met become husband and wife. I first connected with Liz last February over a mutual connection (thanks, Alex!) and since that first email correspondence I’d been preparing myself for a glamorous New Years Eve wedding! What a fun day to get married!
I absolutely love Liz and Ian’s love story. These two actually connected in a modern-day romance (they met online!) and fell in love over a mutual passion of reading and writing. These guys love words (no pressure for a blog post, right!?), and when they described themselves as bookish, dorky, and awkward, I knew we’d get along great. That was just confirmed when we got together last winter for their library and tea themed engagement session!
Liz and Ian’s day started out so relaxed. Since the ceremony wasn’t until 7PM (yay, New Years Eve weddings!), the girls had a laid back morning and met up for hair and makeup around noon. Music played and Liz and her friends sang along while getting primped and pampered, and everyone was all-smiles.
The tears started flowing early when Liz’s hair was finished with a beautiful sparkly headband, and her mom and best friend (also her Best Man, Lucas) helped her into her wedding dress. I love the photos of him below getting choked up and Liz giving him a kiss on the forehead! Their friendship is so special.
There were thousands of amazing, unique elements to this beautiful winter wedding, but one in particular was the fact that Liz actually wore her sister’s wedding dress! It fit her perfectly (no alterations!) and worked beautifully for both girls’ weddings. I absolutely love that their bond is so strong they even shared one of the most special dresses of their lives! Sisters are awesome, and these two took the cake.
The details of the day had me drooling early. Liz’s shoes with gold ballet flats with a pointed toe and adorable bow. They were so perfect for a gold wedding!
Liz’s ring is a family heirloom, and absolutely breathtaking. These are some of my favorite detail shots of all time! So much glitz and glam! Who doesn’t love sparkle?!
Liz and her dad shared a super-special first look at the top of the Regency staircase before he escorted her down to see her groom for the first time that day.
When I first started working with Liz and Ian, Liz told me that they were quite the romantic pair, and their friends are constantly saying, “Yuck!” when they are together. For a photographer, it was a dream! These two have an amazing chemistry and I didn’t have to ask for much; they just loved on each other!
The lobby of the Regency Lodge made for a beautiful backdrop for photos. That staircase! And we were so happy to still see Christmas and other holiday decor still up. Beautiful!
The day continued being ultra-relaxed as we bopped around the west side of Omaha taking bride and groom portraits. We had so much time, it was absolute magic! We stopped at two nearby spots for photos and had fabulous weather, considering it was December. Liz and Ian about froze and were total troopers, but since we didn’t have wind and it stayed above freezing (even if just barely!) I’ll call it a win!
Three cheers for a bride and groom who go with your crazy and agree to outdoor photos in December! You guys rock!
More details: I was dying over Liz’s fur coat! Seriously!? It was perfect to keep her a BIT warmer in the cold air, and it was so glamorous! Winter brides: embrace the chill and grab something amazing, like some faux fur, to keep warm! Your photographer will thank you 😉
And for your daily dose of adorable: Liz and Ian’s pups joined us for some photos! They hadn’t seen each other in days, so the reunion was heart-melting. And who doesn’t want wedding photos with their fur babies?!
We moved on to the next location and broke out more fabulousness: Liz’s broach bouquet. Her mom worked so hard on this and it was a total show-stopper. And super heavy! Liz got an arm workout in for sure.
I absolutely loved Liz and Ian’s looks, but when we added in the full bridal party I was beside myself. Liz’s girls wore sequin gold dresses that were all fabulous and different styles, and the guys matched Ian with gray suits and gold ties. So perfect.
And can I just say I love that Liz had a maid of honor (her sister) and best man (bestie Lucas), and Ian had a best man (his BFF) and best gal (his sister). So fun! I had a blast with this wedding party!
I don’t usually share family formals, but I have to share these because, again, THE REGENCY LODGE. So gorgeous, you guys! I love how these turned out.
It was so fun to see the reception decor up close after having chatted about it with Liz. Every setting had a popper for midnight, and the centerpieces were Poet-TREES and books! I died. So cool, unique, and perfectly them!
A 10 woman choir provided the music for the night, and they were magnificent. Just another unique touch that made it so perfectly Liz and Ian.
Liz and Ian wrote their own vows and had everyone in tears. So beautiful.
The. Food. OMG. Liz told me they’d have heavy appetizers, but that didn’t even do it justice. The food just kept coming and was amazing! And so pretty, which I’m sure you know I can appreciate!
Speeches by people who all love words. I could get used to that! Everyone was so funny, eloquent and sweet. I could have listened all night.
I don’t typically take a lot of dance photos, but I also don’t typically shoot weddings on New Years Eve! The dance floor was one big party and it was so fun to see everyone having such a blast. I couldn’t contain my dancing shoes and may have busted a move or two.
Liz and Ian, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for letting me be part of your beautiful, unique New Years Eve celebration. It’s one I will not soon forget! I wish you two a lifetime of books, tea, and happiness. Cheers!
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