Dawson and Abby | Wedding at Fairman Family Farms in Shelocta, PA

When I asked Abby how she and Dawson met, she laughed:
“It’s kind of a funny story.”
Abby would find herself Snapchatting with a friend of her brother’s – and this friend had a friend whom he referred to as “The Hot One” (spoiler alert: Dawson is “The Hot One”).

Eventually, the friend shared Dawson’s Snapchat handle with Abby and they started chatting back and forth. Their connection was immediate.
There was just one problem:
Dawson is from Nebraska and Abby is from Pennsylvania.
Dawson was going to school in Kansas, which is probably a smidge closer – but still, not exactly a “quick drive” away.

They simply had to meet in person though, so Dawson made a trip up to Pennsylvania and took Abby out on their first date. They found themselves in downtown Pittsburgh and eventually at The Point, talking and laughing for hours into the night.

Abby said it was the most romantic night of her life.

Obviously, you can imagine where this goes:
Dawson had to go back to school, but every chance he could get (every break and holiday), he was coming back to south-western Pennsylvania to be with Abby.

Last June, Dawson took Abby back down to The Point. (Remember? Where they ended up on their first date? The one Abby said was the most romantic ever?) He still had two years of school left, so Abby was completely surprised when he asked her to marry him.
But it was the easiest YES she’s ever given in her entire life.

Couples are always happy on their wedding days. But, depending on the situation and their personality, sometimes stress and anxiety can force tiny cracks into that happiness.
That was NOT the case for Abby and Dawson though! Their level of JOY at simply being together was so contagious! They couldn’t stop smiling the entire day – and all day long, their full focus was on each other.

Was there a threat of rain all day long? Yep. Was humidity at an all-time high? Yep. Did they have to make a really hard decision regarding keeping their ceremony outside or moving it inside due to incoming storms? Yep. Did it rain, thunder, and lightning during their beautiful outdoor ceremony? Yep.
But did any of it matter?
Not one single bit.
I think these two could have gotten married in the middle of Target dressed in futuristic space suits – and they would have still been just as happy.

It was truly the best day ever.

Abby created so many of her wedding details herself – including all of her florals! Aren’t they STUNNING?! She did such an incredible job!

This has to be one of the most unique ceremony photos I’ve ever taken!
The way the ceremony is set up at Fairman Family Farms is that the bride walks behind the ceremony space before walking down the hill to make her way up the aisle.

My lens was not dirty – it was raining during this part of the ceremony! I think it just made it all that much more beautiful!

Abby told me that they had been practicing this dip-kiss for half-way up the aisle for weeks leading up to the wedding day – and let’s just say: they completely knocked it out of the park!!

Thankfully, Fairman Family Farms has this great covered area that we were able to utilize to get started with some portraits while it was still raining outside!

I have SO MANY favorite images from Saturday – but this one is definitely up there at the top! It’s completely candid but perfectly sums up just how happy they were to be married!

Was it so hot that part of their cake melted right off? Yep.
Could I fix it in Photoshop to make it look like it was perfect? Sure.
But does that tell the story of the day? Nope!

Taking a few photos with Abby’s Grandparent’s classic car was a must! Dawson actually restores classic cars, so he was completely giddy to use this awesome “prop” for some of their photos!

Huge shout-out and thank you to the amazing team of vendors, as well as friends & family, who helped make Abby and Dawson’s wedding day absolutely perfect!

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Fairman Family Farms in Shelocta, PA
Venue Coordinators: Terry and Sandy Fairman
Officiant: Pastor Brian Parker
Invitations: Designed by the bride, Printed by Prints of Love
Bride’s Earrings: LittleWhiteCouturAU on Etsy
Bridal Gown: MB Bride in Greensburg, PA
Bridesmaids Gowns: AZAZIE
Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Warehouse
Wedding Rings: Zales and Hoovers
Florals: Created by the bride
Cookies: Jillybean’s Bakery in Latrobe, PA
DJ: Mixmaster DJ Services in Indiana, PA
Photographer: Kara Abbey Photography in Irwin, PA