AJ + Michelle’s Classic and Colorful DIY Wedding! – Nebraska State Capitol Wedding Photography
Jun 17, 2016
Oh, where to begin on this gem of a wedding! Michelle and AJ’s wedding in Lincoln was filled to the brim with amazing DIY details and so much joy! We were so thrilled when Michelle asked us to come up to Nebraska to photograph her wedding. The icing on the cake was having the opportunity to photograph their portraits in the Nebraska Capitol Building!
The DIY detail that blew us away the most? Michelle’s parents live in Nigeria, and her mom purchased the material for her wedding dress at a Nigerian market and hand sewed her dress. It was beautifully done – and what a special wedding memory!
I love this quote from Michelle about the significance of wearing her pearls: “The pearl necklace has special meaning in what the pearls represent. Referring to Jesus’ parable in Matthew 13: Christ/the Kingdom of God costs everything, but he is worth the price; mirroring the Gospel, my husband and my relationship with him is that pearl of great price.”
One of the highlights of our day was AJ and Michelle’s portrait session in the Nebraska Capitol Building! It’s a gorgeous, gorgeous building, both inside and out. What a dream!
Our favorite thing about this bridal party was the way their joy poured out of their hearts! They were so happy for Michelle and AJ and such a joy to be around. Love these sweet souls! Would you believe that these bridesmaids dresses were hand-sewn by a friend, and Michelle crafted the guys’ ties and pocket squares?!
Michelle and AJ were such a joy and so much fun to photograph! We have a weakness for finding little “secret gardens” wherever we go, and this one was one of our favorites! Thank you for being willing to go on an adventure with us, guys! :)
The moment a bride walks down the aisle to her forever is a beautiful moment, indeed.
One of our favorite parts of the wedding day is our Just Married Moment. We get all the feels!!
AJ and Michelle’s brightly colored reception was so joyful! So many friends and family were there to hug on them and celebrate this special, long-awaited day!
We even got to see our favorite Piper and Leaf tea at the reception! Michelle had Piper and Leaf send her tea all the way from Alabama to Nebraska to celebrate her wedding, and these southern souls were incredibly happy. :)
Also, this kid might just get the “cutest wedding guest” award from us with his little watermelon slice!
AJ and Michelle, thank you so much for letting us take this journey with you! It was a special day, and your love for God and for each other really shone through. Hugs to you two, and we can’t wait to see where God takes you next!
*hugs*
Amber
A huge shout-out to these fabulous vendors who helped make this wedding fabulous!
Venue: Southview Baptist Church
A special thanks to the Nebraska State Capitol Building for allowing us to use their gorgeous venue!
Wedding Dress: handmade by Wilma Palmer, Mother of the Bride
Bridesmaid Dresses: handmade by Jenny Jo Johnson
Hair Artist: Heidi Tolar
Makeup Artist: Isabel Thune
Officiants: Timothy Palmer – Father of the Bride, and RD Fowler
Musicians: Peggy Huggenberger – Piano, Sarah Davis – Cello; Randall Palmer and Hannah Lambert – Vocals
Florals and Reception Design: All Designs; and friends of the bride and groom
Catering: George’s Gyros: Gourmet Grill
Cake Artist: Whole Foods Market, Jacie Persenaire, and Heidi Tolar
Artisan Tea: Piper and Leaf Artisan Tea Co.
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Fantastic shots! Fantastic wedding! And I’d have to agree with the cutest kid award!
I have tons of favorite pictures from this wedding, but I can never look at that very last picture of you twirling in your dress without my heart feeling very full with the memories of those moments. :)
Great photography and wonderful subjects…Can’t lose on this one.
Gorgeous wedding, bride and pictures. What a happy day!
Woot! Beautiful shots you guys! Sorry that I missed all the fun.
Just gorgeous! Praise God for the blessing of marriage!
“Marriage Rocks!”
The ordinariness of marriage becomes more beautiful each day! Also, it looks like you had a fabulous wedding with family and friends!
Gorgeous wedding! I so wish I could have been there! I’m so excited for you two and your future serving God together!
Well done! to Wilma on the wedding dress. I was impressed even before I knew she had hand sewn it (which I’m not surprised to hear). Thanks for adding this point. All the photos are fabulous, but my favorite remains that of Michelle and her four bridesmaids. Wonderful shot.
Great wedding with wonderful photos.
I love all these pictures!! I wish I could have been there for such this special day!
Beauty is the word that best describes these pictures. Stunning beauty. The beauty of the bride and groom, the friends, God’s grace, and the photography.
It truly was a beautiful wedding,and it had a beautiful message, and you are a beautiful couple! Thanks for letting us be part of your special day!
Wonderful photographs!Thank you Joel and Amber! They are beautiful memories of a beautiful and God-honoring day!
I’m so impressed by the colorful accents, the handmade touches were so amazing! Loved the moments with the bride and her parents :).
Gorgeous! Sad to have missed it. Wish you two lots of love and joy!
Beautiful.
These pictures are gorgeous!! It was such a beautiful day :-)
Love love love these pics. Love love love these people! I could hear Michelle’s laughter and excitement in each picture! Great job all!
Love the color! So obvious you love vibrancy and our prayer for you is that your marriage and your lives will be a vibrant testimony to who you are in Christ. Deb
I am IN LOVE with these photographs! They are stunning! They so perfectly capture such a beautiful day and an even more beautiful couple!
When the ringbear saw his photo he reminded me that to bowtie was also handmade! What. Beautiful photo of him and Aunt Michelle with the bowtie!
Aw yay!!! That was also one of my favorite pictures!
Such a beautiful wedding! And great pictures ;)
Great pictures! Even the ones that I wasn’t in ;) it was a fun day indeed. Don’t remember a FD Fowler though ;)
Amazing photography in the Capital, what a great way to tie in AJ’s love if history. How will you pick which ones to display in your new home? They are all gorgeous!
Awesome pictures!
What a beautiful day! Wish we could have made it!
A beautiful wedding captured by great photographers. What a wonderful day to begin many more wonderful days of marriage.
Beautiful in every way! It’s great to see bits and pieces of the day through some amazing pictures!
Thanks for shareing your Special day with all of us. We wish you so much happiness.
AJ & Michelle, congratulations on your wedding. God’s blessing on your marriage.
And you got some great photographers to shoot your wedding.
You should have asked me. I may not be better but I sure am cheaper. Just ask Mike. :)
Congratulations, AJ and Michelle! Lovely wedding – I love all the bright colors, and your mom did a fabulous job on your dress. Oh, and you’re stunning.
Oh, Michelle! You are such a beautiful bride! I am so happy for you! How special that your mom could make your dress and that Aunt Heidi could be there to do your hair! You look so happy! May the Lord Guide and Bless you both.
Beautiful pictures of a new beginning
Thanks so much for sharing! We are sad that we had to miss your special day. So am very thankful to see these. I can’t pick a favourite but I love the the one with you and your mom. Hugs to both of you.
Beautiful pictures!! I will echo my sister saying ‘a beautiful and God honouring day!’ …..Michelle, thanks for inviting me to your bachelorette party too! I was honoured!!
Michelle! Beautiful pictures! Those dresses were all beautiful (I loved the colors), and how meaningful that your mom made your wedding dress herself. I really enjoyed the wedding and reception. God bless!
So honored to be a part of your wedding. Love the pics at the capital!
I mean “capitol.” Argh. ;)
Beautiful photos of a big event in your lives. It looks like it was a lovely wedding. Loved the colorful bouquets.
Chris
I was not capable to be present, but these beautiful photos express that it was a fantastic day!! (I guess, I’ve to feel sorry for myself that I missed it…)
William, you were certainly missed! I’m glad you can see these- and the other pictures though. :)
Thank you for letting Rick and I share in your special day. It was beautiful in every way. The photos are wonderful and I would have a hard time choosing!
Where ever God leads you, I pray for continued blessings for you both!
It was great to hop through Lincoln to attend the wedding. Very cool blog post. It’s great to know some more of the details that went into the making of such a great day!
Thank you, Michelle, for sharing these pictures, we feel like we were there! So so lovely!
Beautiful plc hires, Thankyou for sharing. It was a lovely wedding, and you looked beautiful , Michelle. So special that your mom made your dress!
You looked great too, a.j!
The photographers did a wonderful job!
Blessings! Love Uncle John and Aunt Irene
This was such a beautiful and fun wedding! The details were so carefully and beautifully crafted and you did an absolutely incredible job of capturing everything!
Looks like it was such a beautiful day! Great pictures
I really enjoyed looking through all of your wedding pictures! They capture the happiness perfectly! Michelle, you look beautiful! I especially like the one of you two in the corridor of the Capitol!
Glad I was there! Pictures are amazing.
That’s so beautiful.I really love all these pictures.
Thank you so much for allowing us to join you on your BIG DAY! Beautiful ceremony and reception! I really like the “secret gardens” pictures…nothing better than being out in nature with the fresh air and privacy. Congrats Michelle and AJ and I hope you had a great honeymoon
Absolutely stunning photography and wedding! The images capture every detail and makes me feel like I was there. Just beautiful.
What wonderful pictures. You looked amazing Michelle in that beautiful dress your Mum made for you. And I loved the bright colours of the bridesmaids dresses.
Very happy for you both.
Beautiful wedding and wonderful photos. Thank you for sharing D.
you look so beautiful and happy. We are so glad for you both! Wish we could have been there.