It was a surprise ceremony. Katlyn had called me a few weeks ago to see if I’d be available to photograph it for them, keeping their full wedding celebration next year as planned. They had already been planning on a weekend in Galena over Labor Day with their friends, Alex and Jeff, so it made perfect sense to say their vows at Eagle Ridge Resort on the deck overlooking Lake Galena, a truly beautiful view. 

Alex and Katlyn met in middle school in 2006. “Over the next few years, we became very good, close friends. He was always in my corner and looking out for me and we had a lot of fun together, but we never forged a romantic relationship.” In 2012, they went their separate ways, but continued to talk occasionally until 2014, when he joined the Marine Corps. They lost connection, he went overseas, met someone else, and ended up living on the east coast for years. “In 2018, I heard he was coming back to Iowa to visit friends and family so I messaged him on Instagram asking if he’d like to get together, and surprisingly enough, he was staying with a friend at the other end of the block that I lived on! We never stopped talking after that, and did long-distance for 2 years until he moved back to Iowa in 2020. So we have what feels like a lifetime of history together.” Which makes their first dance song, “Lifetime”, even more special: “Some people come in your life for a reason, others they come in your life for a season. Baby, you are a lifetime.”

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Photography: Emily Crall Photography

Venue: Eagle Ridge Resort

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Right before the ceremony began, Alex FaceTimed his dad and Katlyn’s mom on his and Katlyn’s phones to tell them what was happening and placed them (via video) on their guest chairs to witness the wedding.

The most beautiful, intimate first dance. Just the two of them! (Well, and me, photographing, and Maggie, Eagle Ridge’s wedding planner, running the song via bluetooth speaker.) It was so tender and sweet to witness.