December Wedding at New Journey Farms | Mr. & Mrs. Sparenberg

Mr. & Mrs. Sparenberg celebrated their marriage with a December wedding at New Journey Farms & St. Mary’s Cathedral in Lafayette, Indiana.

Wanting both a traditional ceremony and a reception that allowed them to spend genuine time with their friends and family, Marshall and Nici decided to get married at St. Mary’s Cathedral and then celebrate with a reception at New Journey Farms.

The day started early with Nici, her bridesmaids, and her very excited flower girls getting ready in New Journey Farms’ gorgeous bridal suite. While Nici and the ladies got ready, Olivia (my second shooter) and I photographed both bridal and reception details. (Knowing guests would beat us back to the venue for cocktail hour after the ceremony, we wanted to make sure we could shoot all reception details early on. After all, Nici and Marshall carefully picked and planned all of these details with the incredible Sarah of Wilson Events by Design, and these items deserved to be captured!)

Wondering what details you should have your photographer photograph? Get the list I share with VRP brides!

Then, after Marshall and his guys arrived and had a bit of a chance to enjoy New Journey Farm’s groom’s suite, it was time for Marshall’s getting-ready photos. While we’re talking about Marshall, I do want to give this VRP groom major props. While not all grooms have great attitudes about photos or some aspects of wedding planning, I never witnessed Marshall be anything but patient, kind, and happy to go with the flow. He’s such a good guy, and it’s clear Nici doesn’t take this for granted!

Once the girls were completely ready, it was time for Nici’s getting-ready photos. We grabbed a few photos of the ladies in their super-cute sweatshirts that Nici had gifted them in front of New Journey Farms’ epic staircase. Then, it was time for Nici to get in her dress. Just wait until you scroll and see photos of Nici, who looked absolutely flawless!

Once both Nici and Marshall were ready, Nici shared a first look with her dad and then with Marshall. While we often take first look photos outside, the morning of December 3, 2022 was particularly frigid and windy. But, that wasn’t an issue at all since New Journey Farms has perfect natural light and countless great photo spots indoors!

On the fence about doing a first look? Here are 5 reasons to consider a first look on your wedding day!

After Nici and Marshall’s very sweet first look (Marshall just beamed at his bride!), we grabbed a few bride and groom portraits before traveling with Marshall, Nici, their bridal party, and families to St. Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Lafayette, Indiana for Marshall and Nici’s ceremony.

Now, as you scroll through photos from their ceremony, you should know that there’s a VERY good reason you see a phone in the aisle. Nici’s sister—who had hoped to plan and be present for Marshall and Nici’s big day—lives out of state and was nine months pregnant. Unfortunately, Valerie was told by her doctor that she wasn’t allowed to travel. So Valerie didn’t miss the ceremony, a kind aunt FaceTimed Nici’s sister throughout the ceremony so that Valerie and her husband could still witness the most important part of Nici and Marshall’s wedding.

After Nici and Marshall shared their vows and were officially declared husband and wife, it was time for family portraits inside the beautiful St. Mary’s Cathedral and then bridal party photos outside of the church.

Wondering who should be included in family photos on your wedding day? Find a sample family photo shot list here!

Like I said before, December 3 was rather chilly. As a result, Nici, Marshall, and their bridal party (especially the kiddos) deserve major props for pushing through and looking so happy during their photos!

While we started bridal party photos outside of the church, we finished them and then took bride and groom photos on New Journey Farms’ gorgeous property. And, guys, just wait until you see how Marshall and Nici glowed! They were clearly so excited to be married!

Following portraits, it was time for Nici, Marshall, and their loved ones to party! Now, when I met with Marshall and Nici for our coffee date and I asked them what their biggest wedding priorities were, they told me, “Our family is our biggest priority. We want to be surrounded by both sides.”

And, I have to say that Nici and Marshall’s biggest priority was very clear during their reception. While they certainly hit the dance floor hard, Marshall and Nici spent much of their reception visiting with their loved ones. And, if you know Marshall and Nici, you know that this is exactly what they wanted their wedding day to be!

Nici & Marshall’s wedding was filled with beautiful details, but Marshall & Nici’s focus remained on what matters most: one another.

Now, before you scroll and see photos from Marshall and Nici’s December wedding at New Journey Farms and St. Mary’s Cathedral, I do want to commend this VRP bride and groom.

You see, on your wedding day, it can be easy to get caught up in all the little details. However, Marshall and Nici (who is very much a planner and was so on top of all aspects of wedding planning) put in a lot of work up front to make sure that their wedding was well planned and executed. And, when a couple things didn’t go as planned (which always happens at weddings), Marshall and Nici didn’t let themselves sweat the small stuff.

As a result, Marshall and Nici were able to focus on what mattered most on their wedding day: starting their lives together. From their first look, to their ceremony, to visiting tables during their reception, you could just tell that Marshall and Nici were fully present and focused on one another. And, as a wedding photographer, I have to say that that was a beautiful thing to witness.

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Sparenberg!

Marshall and Nici, congratulations! You’re married!

Since meeting you last September, I have so loved getting to know you both and every opportunity I’ve had to get the two of you in front of the camera. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for trusting me to be your wedding photographer.

I cannot wait to share your full gallery with you. But, in the meantime, I hope you love these previews from your December wedding at New Journey Farms in Lafayette, Indiana!

Really quick, I can’t help telling you the story behind this ring box. You see, when Nici and her sisters were little, their Dad made each of them a box like this and filled it with chocolate for Valentine’s Day. And, now, for their weddings, Nici and her sisters have used these boxes to hold their wedding rings on their wedding days. How sweet is that?! If you’re wondering why there’s a phone in the aisle, there’s a very good reason. And, in case you didn’t read the above, one of Nici’s aunts graciously FaceTimed Nici’s sister, Valerie, who couldn’t be there due to doctor’s orders since Nici was expecting a baby anytime. These little ladies were so excited to be flower girls! In fact, they were so excited that they didn’t even complain about the cold when these photos were being taken I have to say that I love Nici and Marshall’s blush, burgundy, and navy color palette. While it was still wintery, this color palette was a different take on a winter wedding and so flattering on everyone! Gosh. I just love this VRP bride and groom so much! Want to see more of Marshall and Nici? Check out their engagement photos at Strawtown Koteewi Park in Noblesville!