I first met Austin’s family in 2015 at his sister’s wedding so I was thrilled when he and Katy reached out about their own wedding.

Katy and Austin met at work back in early 2016, just a few months after the wedding where I had met him. “I remember the first time I saw him,” Katy recalls. “He ran into the break room to clock in and I turned to a coworker and said, ‘Who was that???’ I just knew I needed to get to know him.”

“Katy and I were talking at work (I’d been lightly flirting with her for about a week at this point), and she told me she had a date with a guy from Tinder that night. Being the sarcastic person I am, I joked with her that I hoped she wouldn’t be murdered that night, but deep down, I was disappointed because I had been trying to get up the nerve to ask her on a date. When I got off work that day, I added her as a friend on Facebook and I was going to wait until I assumed her date was over to message her (making sure she didn’t get murdered, obviously), but she ruined it by messaging me first to tell me that she made it out of the date alive. That was my first major clue that I had found someone special. We never stopped talking after that. I do feel bad for that guy though because she completely ghosted him.”

Last fall, I got to meet Katy in person when I shot their engagement session in Ames. We had so much fun and I ended up walking away with a dozen homemade cupcakes so, honestly, I don’t know who got the better end of that deal. I knew they were building their wedding on their fun personalities and I knew it would be filled with lots of unique moments. I was completely right.

Full circle moment! Ashlie & Kyle’s son was a ring bearer in his uncle’s wedding! 

Photography: Emily Crall Photography

Venue: Veterans Reception Center

Coordinator: Ann Brady

Florals: Katy Cooley (bride)

Cake Artist: Katy Cooley & Austin Schinke (bride & groom)

Caterer: Double D BBQ (groom’s parents)

DJ: Tom Cox

Makeup: Artistry by Bek

Hair: Katy Cooley (bride)

Gowns: David’s Bridal & Azazie

Suits: Milbern Clothing Co and Men’s Wearhouse

Invitations & Paper Goods: Magnet Street

Chairs: Metro Rental

Linens: Tablecloth Factory