I can’t believe I FINALLY get to share Mat Darter and Kara Blevins’ pastel wedding at New Journey Farms on the blog!
There was so much anticipation leading up to this big day. I mean, Mat and Kara are truly best friends, and I think it’s safe to say that since they started dating, their friends and family had no doubt that these two were meant to spend their lives together.
As their wedding photographer, I’ve also been very excited for Mat and Kara’s celebration. You see, Kara is a prepared individual, and when she knew Mat would be popping the question soon, she reached out to me to get a quote for wedding photography. As a result, Kara and I have been discussing her and Mat’s wedding day since September 2019!
While conversations about this special day started three years ago and Mat and Kara had planned to get married in 2021, the state of the world had other plans.
But, on September 24, 2022, all the anticipation resulted in a joy-filled, wonderful day—that happened to include some truly incredible florals. And, I’m so excited to share Mat and Kara’s pastel wedding at New Journey Farms in Lafayette, Indiana on the blog!
Mat & Kara’s pastel wedding at New Journey Farms was everything they wanted it to be—full of gorgeous florals, laidback, & focused on quality time.
With so much anticipation leading up to this joy-filled day, Mat and Kara wanted two things: (1) to be able to thoroughly enjoy and soak up every moment with each other, their friends, and their family and (2) to have photos to help them remember their first day as husband and wife.
With this in mind, Mat and Kara decided to take as many photos as possible before their ceremony so that they could be focused and present for the rest of the day.
The day started with Kara and her oh-so-sweet bridesmaids getting ready in New Journey Farms’ incredible bridal suite. Once the girls were ready and all the details had been photographed, we moved on to Kara’s getting ready photos, which included her mama helping Kara get into her wedding dress. Kara and Karen share a very special bond, so this was a very sweet moment!
Once Kara was entirely ready, she shared a first look with her bridesmaids (Wait until you see their joy!) and then with her dad.
After Kara was ready, we moved on to Mat’s getting ready photos, where his parents and best man helped him get dressed and wedding ready.
After our bride and groom were dressed, they shared a sweet first look on New Journey Farms’ lovely covered front porch. Mat and Kara embraced and kept their first look short and sweet, and I think this was because they were SO excited to finally get to experience their wedding day!
While it was an absolutely beautiful day, we took both Mat and Kara’s bridal party and family photos indoors. New Journey Farms gets incredible natural light, and considering the beautiful florals on the stairs, it would’ve been a shame not to take photos in front of this beautiful staircase!
After photos, Mat and Kara went into hiding and got to take a break before their beautiful ceremony, where they shared their vows and officially became husband and wife in front of their friends and family!
Following their ceremony, Kolby (their videographer), our second shooters, and I took Mat and Kara outside to grab a few just married photos. Then, it was time to party!
And, let’s just say that a few guests and members of the bridal party hit the dance floor really hard! I mean, the photos will give you some idea, but I cannot wait to see Mat and Kara’s video, because the dance moves were epic!
After dinner and with guests being distracted by the fun dance floor, we pulled Mat and Kara out for sunset photos. And, guys, I do want to give New Journey Farms major props! With golf carts on the property, the New Journey staff is always kindly willing to drive couples and their vendors around for sunset photos to make this part of the evening quick, easy, and beautiful. And, for that, I’m forever grateful!
After sunset photos, we went back inside to continue capturing Mat and Kara’s epic celebration. It was so much fun to witness Mr. and Mrs. Darter enjoy their celebration from beginning to end, because after all their waiting, kindness, and selflessness, Mat and Kara deserved nothing but the best day.
All married couples should take a note out of Mat & Kara’s book & learn to love one another well by being willing to go with the flow.
As I’ve gotten to know Mat and Kara over the last few years, I’ve become convinced that very little upsets these two. I mean, as they planned their wedding, the world threw a lot of things at them, and wedding days in themselves can be stressful.
On their wedding day, I even asked them if they ever get upset or frustrated by anything, to which they both responded, “Very rarely” with a laugh.
While their lives are busy and the last few years have been especially hectic, Mat and Kara seem to always stay focused on what matters most: being there for one another.
Mat and Kara, whenever you’re ready to write a book of relationship advice, please know the world would appreciate it!
Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Darter!
Mat and Kara, you’re finally husband and wife! Congratulations!
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reaching out three years ago and for trusting me to be your wedding photographer. It was such an honor. You are both such kind, hard-working people, and you deserved nothing less than an amazing celebration. I hope you loved every second an element of your first day as husband and wife.
I cannot wait to share all of your wedding photos with you or to see all that’s ahead for your relationship and marriage, but for now, I hope you love these previews from your fine-art-inspired, pastel wedding at New Journey Farms!
Can we talk about how gorgeous these florals are? Rhoda Riffey always does an amazing job!
Typically, we take bridal party family photos outside, but the natural light in New Journey Farms, the gorgeous florals, and these beautiful stairs were too perfect not to take advantage of! 
They’re FINALLY married! Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Darter!
Kara and Karen (Kara’s mom) have done a lot of dancing together throughout Kara’s life, so it only made sense that mama got a special dance too! 
Want to see more of Mat and Kara? Check out their fall engagement photos at Fairfield Lakes Park! 
It’s always a pleasure to work with Videographer Kolby Lopp and his team! 
Loving this wedding venue? See more VRP weddings at New Journey Farms!
Creative Team
Venue: New Journey Farms
Officiant: Gordon Sheffield
Wedding Dress Boutique: Trudie’s Bridal and Formalwear
Hair Stylist: Kelly Haygood
Makeup Artist: Becca Anderson
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal
Tuxedos: Trudie’s Bridal and Formalwear
Florist: Rhoda Riffey
Caterer: Oliver’s Country Catering
Bar Tenders: All Above Catering
Baker: Little Miss Cupcakes
DJ: Turn It Up Sound
Invitations: Shutterfly
Rings: Zales
Videographer: Kolby Lopp
Photographer: Victoria Rayburn Photography
