Jake & Destiny // Fall Hopwood, PA Wedding

If you’re looking for a sweeping & romantic proposal story, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Destiny & Jake’s story simply does not play out that way.

However, if you are looking for a strong & steady friendship story, built on unwavering love & loyalty, that refused to give up or back down – you are 100% in the right place. Because those are exactly the key pieces of Destiny & Jake’s story.

After connecting post-high school, becoming friends, and getting to know one another better than anyone else, Jake approached Destiny’s parents & asked for their permission to marry her. They turned him down. They said that they were too young & that they hadn’t known each other long enough to be making the big decision to marry. Obviously, that would be quite the blow to receive as a young guy – can you imagine?

Upset, but determined, Jake didn’t go anywhere. He didn’t break up with Destiny, he didn’t run & hide, he didn’t throw a temper-tantrum to her parents, he simply acknowledged their concerns & agreed to wait. This was it for him – Destiny was the one – and he would bide his time for as long as he needed to in order to marry her.

Fast forward about 2 years, and Destiny’s parents ended up being the ones to breach the “marriage” topic again. They teased Destiny & Jake about wanting grandchildren and their response back was: but we’re not even married yet. To which her parents basically replied: well, what are you waiting for? Shocked at the complete 180º change in attitude, Jake asked the question: “Does that mean you’re giving us permission to get married?” And they said, “Yes.”

With that response, Jake & Destiny jumped head first into wedding planning! Even though some of the logistics changed as they planned, their main wedding vision stayed the same: small & simple. And with that, they had the most beautiful wedding this past Friday afternoon, surrounded by their very closest friends & family, dodging raindrops, smiling from ear-to-ear all day long.

Jake & Destiny: you guys have been such a pleasure to get to know & work with over the last few months!! Your fierce loyalty to one another, your steadfast & quiet love, as well as your servant’s hearts make your relationship with not only each other but with your families, an absolutely beautiful thing to witness. Every love story is completely different, and it was my honor & privilege to be able to capture your small, simple, quiet, and so joyful “Day 1”.

Destiny! You were simply radiant all day long!

Instead of having a traditional “5 year old” ring bearer & flower girl, Destiny & Jake asked an older couple from their church to play the roll. They were absolutely adorable & took their jobs very seriously!

After their ceremony (and after consulting the radar), we went to the Friendship Hill National Historic Site in Point Marion, PA for their portraits. After raining off & on all day long, we ended up with almost our full scheduled portrait time – and no rain! We left just as it was starting to rain again & it rained for the rest of the evening. We literally could not have planned it better if we’d tried!

All of their colors just popped outside!!

From there, it was over to the reception – which Jake & the groomsmen & some other guys had been in charge of decorating that morning! Destiny gave them detailed diagrams of what everything was supposed to look like and they went to town!

OKAY – we MUST talk about this cake!!
I think I can safely say that this is the most epic cake I have ever seen at a wedding! And you’ll never believe this, but Destiny made the entire thing herself!! YES! She had shown me a picture of what she really wanted to make for her cake (and after attending culinary school, she had the skills to achieve it). So, even though I was slightly prepared, I was still absolutely blown away by how beautiful it turned out!

Destiny (along with Jake’s help) made all of the cookies too – and I have to say: they were perfectly delicious!

I’m not going to lie: I love a good cake smash!!

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

Ceremony Venue: Oak Grove Church of Christ in Lake Lynn, PA
Formal Portrait Location: Friendship Hill National Historic Site in Point Marion, PA
Reception Venue: AMVETS Post #103 in Hopwood, PA
Catering: AMVETS Post #103 in Hopwood, PA
Cake & Cookies: Made by the bride!
Invitations: DIY by the bride
Hair: Mary Buttermore at Vinny’s Salon in Uniontown, PA
Bridal Gown Retailer: David’s Bridal
Bridesmaids Gowns Retailer: Patty’s Bridal Elegance in Uniontown, PA
Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Cantalamessa Formals in Uniontown, PA
Florist: Shop N Save in Uniontown, PA
DJ: Linda & Rick
Videographer: L Visuals in Uniontown, PA
Favors: Mia Bella
Photographer: Kara Abbey Photography in Irwin, PA