Mr. & Mrs. Powers | A Fall Wedding at SMK Venue • kendrarphotography.com

This was my last wedding of the year and the perfect way to end my 2023 season, though I’m sure there are many more drives back from Nashville in my future! Emily and Zach’s day took place at SMK Agricultural Venue in Richmond, Ky. I got the honor of photographing the first wedding that ever took place at this venue – one of the owner’s weddings actually. So it’s always a great day when I get to go back and returning feels special, plus I get the chance to see all the amazing progress this venue has made. The tree-lined drive is always a favorite and it’s an extra pretty greeting in the fall with the colors enveloping the property. This day had great weather and perfect light, making the perfect setting to celebrate this sweet couple.

When I walked into the bridal suite, Emily and her girls were really having the best time, with their music and laughter filling the room. With an atmosphere like this, I already knew it was going to be a good day! Emily’s made of honor, who happened to be her cousin as well as a best friend since childhood, was such a consistent presence throughout the whole day helping in key moments. One of these moments was helping Emily slip in her dress in the beautiful bridal suite that has classic and elegant touches. One of the most kind things happened as Emily told me that she was at a wedding I shot at the very beginning of my career 10 years ago. She said she loved my personality that day, followed along with my photography journey and said she always wanted me to capture her wedding all these years from that one encounter years ago. It made me tear up with such a sweet and statement!! Meanwhile, the Groom was was getting ready with his guys. Zach was so funny and kept the mood light and all of us laughing with his jokes throughout the day. He had given his guys the coolest gifts in the form of personalized mugs with a vintage look that had cartoon characters of each groomsmen’s face on them.

Next, it was time for the ceremony which was also sweet and beautiful. Finally, it was time for one of my favorite moments of the day, the bridal portraits. We captured these under a stunning orange fall tree. The colors just popped with the perfect light gleaming through the tree. We also made our way to a nearby field for more dreamy photos.

As the sun started drifting lower and lower in the sky it was time for the reception. Zach and Emily’s color scheme and unique touches made the venue their own and looked amazing. They had flowers, bourbon bottles and pumpkins for the centerpieces which doubled as favors for the guests to take home. This was a nice touch!! With all these details making the perfect setting, the fun reception was ready to take off! A favorite moment was the father-daughter dance that started with the handshake from the parent trap– which was one of the bride’s favorite movies. If you’ve seen the movie, you can only imagine how cute this was! If the bridesmaids dancing at the very beginning of the day was any hint at what was to come you can only imagine how much more of a celebration the reception was. There was lots of dancing and Zach and Emily enjoyed this time surrounded by their friends and family.

Zach and Emily, thank you so much for allowing me to capture this day for you all! It was perfect and so sweet, and I’m so happy for you! Please enjoy a few of my favorites so far!