I’ve actually known both Sam and Kacey since well before they started dating. I met Kacey in sophomore year of college when we took a musical theory class together and I met Sam the summer after sophomore year during a solar car race and again when we started working at Waymo seven(!) years ago. I was so excited when they met on OKCupid and started dating and even more excited when they got their beloved mini-goldendoodle Addie! It has been such a pleasure watching their relationship grow, so it’s no surprise that when they asked if I would photograph their CIA Copia wedding, I jumped at the chance.

We lucked out with absolutely perfect weather for Sam and Kacey’s wedding at CIA Copia. We even got a beautiful sunset and were able to capture Sam and Kacey in the gorgeous gardens of CIA at Copia with the sunset and the rising moon behind them. My favorite moment from the day, however, was during the first look when Sam saw Kacey for the very first time. The look of awe on his face and the corresponding joy on Kacey’s was the sweetest thing ever.

One of the reasons I love photographing weddings is because it means I get to be around people who are incredibly in love and spending the entire day celebrating that love. It’s even better when it is two people that I already know and love (though it feels like that with all of my couples by the time the wedding comes around!). Sam and Kacey’s wedding was one of the most personal weddings I have been to. They wove their personality throughout the entire day, from the venue choice (they are both huge foodies, so what better wedding venue than the Culinary Institute of America) to the choir made up of friends Kacey has sung with throughout the years.

And, of course, Addie was a huge part of their day, just like she is a huge part of their relationship. Not only was Addie the ring-bear, her face was on the stickers on the favors and there was a little Addie-sauras to go with the bride and groom dinosaur dessert toppers that Sam and Kacey made themselves!

Other little personal touches that I loved… Sam is a huge fan of the Simpsons (he has watched every episode and can basically apply Simpson quotes to any situation), so Kacey drew a Simpson-style guy holding a camera on their sign asking for an unplugged ceremony. The favors were delicious macarons that Sam brought to their second date… not knowing that they were the very macarons Kacey had decided were the best in the world after some thorough research!

Last, but not least, they had a reading during their wedding about two trees whose roots had grown together, making them one. Together, they created an art piece inspired by the reading—an laser-engraved piece of acrylic with a tree made of circuits (Sam’s an electrical engineer) and a tree made of neurons (Kacey’s a psychologist) with entwined roots that lit up and changed colors as they added personal touches (Addie’s first ball to represent getting her, keys to represent moving in together and a macaron to represent their first dates) to complete the electrical circuit. How sweet is that?!

• Design + Coordination – Christine Elise Events
• Venue – The CIA at Copia
• Florals – Vanda Floral Design
• Rentals – Bright Event Rentals + La Tavola
• Band – Hella Fitzgerald
• Hair – Whirlwind Blowdry Lounge
• Paper Goods – Minted