It was a hot-hot-hot day in June when Michelle and Sailor flew in from Texas for their gorgeous summer wedding. As Michelle finishes medical school and Sailor has his dream job at Texas Tech, they were somehow also planning their big day. The couple was so easy-going, and it quickly became evident to me that they didn’t care how the day went, as long as they finally got to call each other husband and wife. Their elegant Oread wedding in Lawrence was my first opportunity in quite some time to shoot in this iconic spot.

About the Oread

The bride and groom both got married in separate suites in the Oread hotel. The Oread is a beautiful limestone building that sits at the top of the hill in Lawrence, right on the edge of Jayhawk Boulevard. It’s incredibly welcoming for anyone visiting the University of Kansas campus, and it’s a luxurious spot for weddings of all sizes. Limestone is part of KU’s history (Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!), and the Oread fits seamlessly into KU’s culture.

Yet all of that limestone can sometimes be tricky to shoot in. And even in suites, it can still be a challenge to shoot around people coming to visit the bride and groom, and all of the day’s events, such as hair and makeup, getting ready, and just trying to keep food in the system during such a long day. But as always, my brides and grooms are so willing to work with me to make sure we capture every moment during their big day. I’m still sometimes amazed that we can work our way around a giant mirror and I’m not always seen in the background!

The Oread has these rich, luxurious details and those large limestone walls, but it also has massive windows that bring in incredible light. It results in these incredibly moody photos that I’m obsessing over.

Starting off the big day

We tucked ourselves away in one of the main meetings rooms, just off the side from where the wedding itself would take place. This ended up being the destination for our first look with the couple’s parents, their own first look, and the photos we took that day. I thought about doing some photos on KU’s campus, but it was around 100 degrees outside on their day. We opted to stay inside and keep cool.

I’m so happy with some of these sweet moments I got to capture of Michelle and Sailor. They were so cute, incredibly laid back, and just ready to move forward as Mr. and Mrs. It couldn’t have been easier to capture the most adorable moments between the two of them.

I absolutely adored their wedding party, too. If you follow my work at all, you’ve definitely seen Michelle’s family before. She’s an Abbott, and her brother and his wife, Jason and Katie, are my beloved clients! I loved being able to see the entire Abbott family as they celebrated another addition to their wonderful family. Michelle and Sailor’s wedding party was intimate and wonderful, making sure the two got to enjoy their perfect day.

The wedding details

The wedding took place in the Oread’s Hancock ballroom, which is an elegant space with those iconic limestone walls. The couple has a three-piece string ensemble that was playing music from Bridgerton, which really set a mood, let me tell you. The ceremony itself was filled with love and laughter, which always makes for wonderful photos as the couple starts their new life together.

And then, that first kiss… It’s always such a sweet moment to capture the couple’s kiss after they’ve been presented to guests as husband and wife.

The celebrations begin

The couple hosting a cocktail hour as the Oread team flipped the ballroom for dinner service. During that time, the guests got to mix and mingle while I went to capture detail shots. The cake was absolutely gorgeous surrounded by the wedding flowers.

Capturing private portraits with the couple

I always take a bit of time to shoot private portraits with the couple after they’ve gotten through the ceremony and have had a bite to eat. Because of the heat, we decided to stay inside for Michelle and Sailor’s photos. The thing is, the Oread has some great spots that I could take advantage of for this session. Back in a private room with those big windows, I got to capture the two of them sharing quiet moments together before the informal celebrations began.

And just like that, we started wrapping up our shot list of everything we absolutely had to capture for the day. The Oread made it easy to get stunning shots, especially given that 100 degree weather outside. We would have melted, but instead stayed inside and comfortable without sacrificing quality photos.

I absolutely love these portraits! Those dark wood tones gave me the exact amount of warmth I was hoping for. They are elegant, luxurious, and unforgettable.

It’s always such an honor to shoot anyone’s major memories and milestones. Thank you, Sailor and Michelle, and to both of your families, for allowing me to be there to document your day. I never take it for granted that I’m there for all of these moments for many people.

If you’re considering an Oread wedding in Lawrence, I cannot say enough wonderful thing about this location! They have everything you need to make your day unforgettable.

Let’s talk weddings

Are you getting married, or know someone who is? Then I’m your girl! Get in touch and let’s talk about what you’re looking for. I know we can bring your day to life beautifully.