James & Laura | Fall Wedding at Green Gables Restaurant in Jennerstown, PA

Seven years ago, while Laura was still in college and James was in the Navy, a dating app introduced this Florida-girl to a Nebraska-boy. Neither were super-seriously looking for a “soul-mate” relationship, but they found an easy-going friendship with one another that only grew deeper and stronger over time.

And time did what time does best and weeks bled into months which bled into years.
Laura graduated from college and James finished his time in the military. His great love of the outdoors naturally led him to become a Park Ranger, which took him on adventures all over the country – and Laura went with him.

Their adventures took them to Michigan in the fall of 2020.
They had talked about getting married, but whenever Laura envisioned James proposing, she assumed it would be super low-key and chill – something along the lines of them going out to a nice dinner and him presenting her with a ring from across the table.
But James had a different idea up his sleeve.

It was fall, and so they had decided to take advantage of the season and have some photos taken of them and their dog, Sergeant. With the help of James’s sister and their photographer, James planned out a proposal right in the middle of their session (and as a photographer, I can whole-heartedly say this was an amazing idea).
Laura was 100% clueless that anything out-of-the-ordinary was happening, so she was authentically shocked when James popped the question in the middle of having their photos taken.

James and Laura did finally land in the Pittsburgh area, so that they could put down roots and be near James’s sister and her family – which is what brought us to last Saturday and their intimate fall wedding at Green Gables Restaurant in Jennerstown, PA.

Saturday was one of those perfect fall days that everyone dreams of for their wedding day, but rarely seems to come around. Golden sunshine, leaves at peak color, crisp air – it was like we had strolled right into a fairy tale. And I honestly can’t think of a better way to describe the day on Saturday, but as a fairy tale.

James and Laura – I was so honored to be a part of celebrating your wedding day. You both just seem so genuine, steady, and remarkable. Your relationship with one another is so deep, full of meaning, and authentic – it’s rare that I meet people with such a substantial, immovable, dependable feel – which added this incredible layer of validity and gravity to your day. Saturday was simply the best day (and part of me wishes we could go back and do it again and again). I hope you both are having the most relaxing, adventure-filled honeymoon as you travel and explore together!

This is the journal that Laura was writing in when she first met James! She brought it along so that she could show him the first entries she wrote about him seven years ago.

Because they were having a very small, intimate wedding with only their closest family and friends, Laura and James decided to do a First Look. That way, we could do all of their formal photos before their ceremony and they could join their family for cocktail hour immediately following a few photos with their dog post-ceremony!

Does this not look like something directly out of a fairy tale?!

James’s reaction to seeing Laura was one of my favorite ever: pure joy!

And then I got to meet Sarge! Isn’t he beautiful?

Instead of a traditional wedding reception, Laura and James planned a laid back evening of trivia, sprinkled with speeches and toasts by their family and friends, and TONS of delicious food! It was such a delightful evening full of beautiful words and friendly competition.

No wedding is complete at Green Gables without some night-time photos in the lawn by this incredible tree!

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

Ceremony & Reception: Green Gables Restaurant in Jennerstown, PA
Catering: Green Gables Restaurant in Jennerstown, PA
Bridal Gown Shop: One White Lane in Pittsburgh, PA
Florals: DIY by Laura
DJ: Jared with Radical Trivia in Pittsburgh, PA
Photographer: Kara Abbey Photography in Irwin, PA