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Mr. & Mrs. Tyler Van Wanzeele: A Wedding at The Barn in Lafayette, IN

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Mr. & Mrs. David Redinbo: A Wedding at the Rat Pak Venue in Lafayette, Indiana

Dave & Rachel became husband & wife on Saturday, June 8, 2019.

Before we dive into Dave and Rachel’s big day, I think it’s important to note that Dave owes his mom, Terrie, big time! Because, Terrie brought Rachel into Dave’s life.

In 2015, Rachel and Terrie met when they started working together. Rachel and Terrie loved being coworkers and got to know one another well. A little while later, Terrie told Rachel that she’d really like Rachel to meet her son David, who was going through Army training at the time.

Dave and Rachel weren’t sure about the setup, especially after Rachel realized that Dave’s twin brother was actually her brother’s best friend. Small world!

But, Rachel couldn’t resist at least seeing if Terrie was onto something. So, Rachel contacted Dave, and they started texting. They were talking so regularly that Dave and Rachel decided that they should meet in person when Dave was home next.

A few months later, Dave came home on leave, and it didn’t take long for Dave and Rachel to realize that Terrie was 100% right. Way to go, Mom!

For the next year and a half, Dave and Rachel made long distance work. Dave was stationed in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, and Rachel was studying nursing at Purdue. They saw one another as much as possible. Dave came home to Lafayette, Indiana when he could, and Rachel visited Alaska during breaks from school.

David popped the question in Chicago in December 2017, and Rachel—of course—said yes!

And, on Saturday, June 8, 2019, Dave and Rachel became husband and wife. (Well, legally, they were already married. More on that in a sec!) They became one in front of 100 of their closest friends and family members at Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in West Lafayette, Indiana—the church Rachel grew up in and still attends.

After a trying year, Dave & Rachel’s big day was full of nothing but joy.

I’m writing this blog post just a couple days after Dave and Rachel’s big day, but these two have already endured more than most couples who’ve been married for decades.

First, being the significant other of someone in the armed forces is no easy feat. For years, Dave and Rachel have sacrificed time together and reworked their personal plans countless times for the sake of the United States. Dave and Rachel, thank you both for your service.

On top of this, Rachel was diagnosed with lymphoma in January of 2019.

With Dave being so far away and Rachel’s mother—Mary—also battling cancer, you’d think that Rachel’s diagnosis would’ve been crushing for both this couple and their families. However, Dave, Rachel, and their loved ones pulled together. They were determined to fight cancer and ensure Dave and Rachel’s wedding day was everything they hoped it would be.

Dave came home to be with Rachel as often as he could, and in order to make sure that the Army honored leave for Dave, Dave and Rachel legally got married at the courthouse before their wedding day.

Today, Dave has been reassigned to working in the Army’s recruiting office in Lafayette, so he can be with Rachel as she finishes both school and chemo. Mary is currently cancer free, and with a few more rounds of chemotherapy, doctors hope that Rachel will be able to say the same very soon.

Dave and Rachel, I can’t begin to tell you how much I admire the two of you. I pray that you always fight for each other and your relationship—just like you have for the last year.

David & Rachel celebrated their wedding at the Rat Pak Venue in Lafayette, Indiana.

After their ceremony, Dave, Rachel, and their guests crossed the river to celebrate the Redinbos’ wedding at the Rat Pak Venue in Lafayette, Indiana.

They danced the night away to DJ Powder (Rat Pak Mobile DJs are the best wedding DJs if you want my opinion!), enjoyed a feast provided by Olive Garden, and munched on beautiful donuts from Mary Lou Donuts.

After a trying year, Dave and Rachel’s wedding reception was the perfect way to let loose!

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Redinbo!

Dave and Rachel, I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am for the two of you or how much admiration I have for you. Your marriage may be young, but it’s already a testament to how marriage is supposed to work.

Thank you for trusting me to be your wedding photographer. Your wedding in Lafayette, Indiana couldn’t have been anymore perfect.

I hope you love these previews, but more importantly, I hope you’re loving being husband and wife!

P.S. You guys hold the record for making me cry the most happy tears on a wedding day. I took a lot of photos, but sometimes, I had to simply put my camera over my face so y’all wouldn’t see the ugly crying going on!

Rachel and her girls got ready at Racehl’s parents’ house, which happened to match Dave and Rachel’s mint and blush color palette perfectly! Wedding at the Rat Pak Venue in Lafayette, Indiana Wedding Ceremony at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in West Lafayette, Indiana Wedding Photos at Purdue University

These bouquets from Bennet’s Greenhouse were GORGEOUS! Wedding Photos at Purdue University Wedding Ceremony at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in West Lafayette, Indiana

The sweet flower girl wasn’t so sure about walking down the aisle. So, mama jumped in and tossed petals. It was such a sweet moment! Wedding Ceremony at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in West Lafayette, Indiana Wedding Photos in Downtown Lafayette, Indiana Wedding at the Rat Pak Venue in Lafayette, Indiana