It Was Always You

Sometimes, you just know.

For Dakota and Mariah, that feeling was there from the beginning. Eight years together brought countless memories, adventures, laughter, and moments that shaped their story, but through it all, there was always the same person standing beside them.

In his letter to Mariah on their wedding day, Dakota put that feeling into words. She was the one from the start. The one he chose then, the one he continued to choose through all the years that followed, and the one he would choose for all the years still to come.

And then came the day they had been waiting for.

A Place That Felt Like a Fairytale

Their wedding took place at the incredible The Vertical Timbers, and from the moment you arrived, it felt like stepping into another world.

The barn was absolutely beautiful. Long streams of soft, white fabric flowed from the massive beams overhead, intertwined with vines of greenery. Every corner seemed to have been thoughtfully designed, creating an atmosphere that was romantic, elegant, and completely enchanting.

And for a photographer, it was a dream.

Everywhere you turned, there was another little spot waiting to become part of their story. Antique pieces, vintage mirrors, ornate frames, old doors, and barrels were scattered throughout the property, creating countless opportunities for photographs that felt timeless and unique.

The Hen House was the perfect retreat for Mariah and her bridesmaids as they prepared for the day. Beautifully appointed and filled with character, it became a place for laughter, excitement, finishing touches, and those special moments shared between a bride and the women closest to her.

While the girls were getting ready, the guys had their own place to gather. The basement of the main house was decorated like an old English pub—the perfect place for the guys to relax, hang out, and enjoy the anticipation before the ceremony.

Outside, the magic continued.

The grounds were filled with lush greenery and graceful willow trees. An old gazebo constructed of stone and metal stood as one of the property's highlights, creating a setting that seemed almost pulled from the pages of a storybook.

There was something about The Vertical Timbers that was difficult to describe. It wasn't simply a beautiful wedding venue.

It felt enchanted.

And it was the perfect setting for a couple whose story had been eight years in the making.

The First Touch

Before the ceremony, Dakota and Mariah had a chance to meet without seeing each other, this was the first touch, they held hands and read their letters to each other.

The first touch is always one of those moments that seems to slow everything down.

The anticipation of the day, the excitement, the nerves, and all the planning suddenly become very real when a groom turns around and sees his bride for the first time.

For Dakota and Mariah, it was another chapter in a story that had already been eight years in the making.

Only this time, she wasn't simply the girl he had fallen in love with years ago.

She was his bride.

And for a few quiet moments, it was just the two of them.

Saying "I Do"

Then it was time for the ceremony.

Family and friends gathered as Dakota and Mariah stood together, ready to make the promises that would carry their relationship into the next chapter of their lives.

After eight years together, there was something especially meaningful about watching them finally say those words.

They had already shared so much life together.

Now they were promising to share the rest.

The ceremony was more than a celebration of the day. It was a celebration of their journey—the years that brought them here, the memories they had created, and the future they were beginning together.

And when they finally became husband and wife, there was no question that this was exactly where they were supposed to be.

Family, Friends & the Wedding Party

Of course, a wedding isn't just about two people.

It is also about all of the people who helped shape their lives and who came together to celebrate this moment with them.

The bridal party brought plenty of energy and personality to the day, and the time spent together after the ceremony created some of those photographs that will always bring back memories of exactly what it felt like to be surrounded by the people they love.

There was laughter, there were smiles, and there was plenty of celebrating.

These are the people who stood beside Dakota and Mariah on one of the biggest days of their lives—and they became part of the story, too.

Just the Two of Them

After the excitement of the ceremony and bridal party, there was something wonderful about getting Dakota and Mariah alone for their romantic portraits.

And what better place to do that than The Vertical Timbers?

The willow trees, the greenery, the old stone and metal gazebo, the beautiful barn, and all of the vintage details provided an endless collection of backdrops.

But ultimately, the setting was simply there to frame the two people who mattered most.

There is something special about photographing a couple who has already spent eight years together. The connection isn't something you have to create for the camera.

It's already there.

In the way they look at one another.

In the way they laugh together.

In the comfort of simply being side by side.

Dakota and Mariah didn't have to pretend to be in love.

They just were.

And sometimes the simplest photographs tell the biggest story.

A Night of Celebration

As the day moved into evening, the mood shifted from anticipation to celebration.

The formalities of the day gave way to laughter, conversation, dancing, and time spent with the people who had come to celebrate Dakota and Mariah.

The beautiful barn that had seemed so quiet and peaceful earlier in the day now became the backdrop for a completely different kind of memory.

It was time to celebrate eight years of love.

Time to celebrate becoming husband and wife.

And time to celebrate everything still ahead.

And Then, There Was the End of the Night

Every wedding day seems to go by far too quickly.

After all the months of planning, suddenly the flowers have been delivered, the dress has been worn, the vows have been spoken, the photographs have been taken, and the reception is coming to an end.

But the end of the wedding day isn't really the end of the story.

It is the beginning of everything that comes next.

For Dakota and Mariah, the next chapter begins as husband and wife.

Eight years ago, they found each other.

Through all the years since, they continued to choose each other.

And on this beautiful day at The Vertical Timbers, they made it official.

Looking back at their wedding, there is one thought that seems to fit their story perfectly.

It was always you.

And now, it's forever.