Last fall when we did their engagement session, we were having the worst luck with weather. We had rescheduled twice already and by the third time, they just decided to go for it even though it still wasn’t ideal weather, including terribly gusting winds that honestly nearly knocked us over. I remember at the time that we joked that we’d better have better weather for their wedding day given that Alex is a meteorologist. I mean, wouldn’t that just be terrible luck to be a weatherman and get nasty weather on your wedding day? But last week, leading up to the weekend, Saturday was looking gloomy. Not only gloomy, but filled with rain and thunderstorms. Every day when I checked the forecast, it had changed. Ninety percent thunderstorms. Thirty. Twenty. Fifty. I gave it one last glance Saturday morning when I woke up. Fifty percent chance of thunderstorms starting at 1PM, just when we would be getting ready for photos. Outside.

But something strange and amazing happened. The clouds covered the sky in the most beautiful, soft box way and the rain…well, it never came. Mallory and Alex chose to go ahead with the outdoor ceremony plan and I’m so thankful they did! The space outside at Rapid Creek Cidery is so, so beautiful and I’m so glad they were able to get married under the lush trees and open sky!

Strictly as a side note, it is incredibly helpful to have your very own meteorologist along on a wedding day. At one point, I was trying to determine if the sun was going to peek through (to decide where we wanted to end up for the best light for photos) and Alex explained to me how the clouds were actually moving in two directions at once (I’m using layman terms, obviously) and we found the best spot for photos as a result!

Alex proposed last year when they were in Arizona and this wedding was beautifully and carefully planned ever since. “Tucson is a special place for Alex because he used to go there every spring growing up to visit his grandparents, who would snow bird there during the winter months. Prior to booking the trip (and really from the time we started dating), Alex would talk about how great the area was and how much he wanted to take me there. I had never been to Arizona so I really didn’t know what to expect. One of his favorite parts of Tucson is the amazing sunsets they have. So on our first night at the resort, we were enjoying the truly amazing sunset that was happening and he turned to me, got down on one knee and asked me to spend forever with him. Needless to say, Arizona has a special place in my heart now because it’s where I got to say yes to my best friend,” Mallory said. And now this beautiful little orchard in Iowa City, Iowa will also forever have a special place in their hearts: it’s where they started their forever together as husband and wife.

Mallory & Alex chose to share a first look and it was so special to see. I’m never actually standing close enough to hear what couples say to each other during their first looks, but there’s this climax that builds beforehand, where they both suddenly get a bit nervous and excited all at once and then, boom, seeing each other is such a beautiful, sweet moment.

Two things about Mallory that swept me away on her wedding day: that gown (isn’t it stunning?) and her joyfully beaming smile! She was living every moment and it was so fun to witness!

These ladies are lucky they still had their earrings intact by the end of the night because I wanted to steal off with a pair so badly, hah!

The orchard was calling and we bopped back out for a few more minutes of photos later on in the evening. The sun had popped out earlier during the reception, but it was back behind clouds by this time. But that didn’t matter at all! Because the light was absolutely dreamy; just looks at those skin tones!

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Photography: Emily Crall Photography

Florals: Studio Bloom

Cupcake Artist: Scratch Cupcakery

Venue & Catering: Rapid Creek Cidery

Makeup & Hair: Tru Salon 

Paper Suite: Minty Paperie Shop

Bridal Gown: A Storybook Ending Bridals

Suits: Men’s Wearhouse