102619-002 It was a chilly October morning, when I arrived at All Saints Church in Cedar Rapids.  I had not had the pleasure of photographing at that church before, but I am so glad I had an opportunity to!  What a lovely church!! 102619-005 Clayton and Ashley's flowers were stunning; filled with fall colors and some of my favorites, blue thistles!!  Her dress was gorgeous as well.  I love the layers of chiffon in the skirt, they created beautiful movement, and the bling in the lace on top was lovely! 102619-014 102619-024 102619-026 102619-032 102619-044 102619-048 102619-053 Ashley got dressed in the church basement before heading outside for her first look with her father.  I love father-daughter first looks!  Maybe it's because I have daughters or because I was so close with my own father, but these moment really get me right in the feels.  Love it!! 102619-062 102619-065 102619-067 102619-072 102619-082 102619-087 Clayton and his groomsmen got ready for the day in the church library.  Apparently, no one was experienced with tying real bow ties, so they got ready with a little extra assistance from YouTube. 102619-089 102619-103 102619-134 102619-136 102619-138 102619-146 102619-150 102619-163 102619-170 This moment.  This moment is the moment Clayton saw Ashley for the first time on their wedding day.  His face says it all, pure love and overwhelming joy. 102619-171 102619-181 102619-221 102619-224 102619-252 Clayton and Ashley first met while attending grad school at Mt. Mercy, but did not meet until their final class at the end of 2014. Ashley came into class late so she had to sit in the front of the room, and all she remembers is this loud guy in the back laughing and cracking jokes. In January 2015, their capstone class took a trip to Belize and that is where their friendship began to grow. Over the next two years they would get together with mutual friends for happy hours and Clayton also dog sat for Ashley a few times.  They have two bichon-shihtzu boys.  "We always joked we were surprised we never met sooner based on all of the mutual friends we have. One of them including a close family friend of mine and a co-worker of his who kept laying the groundwork to both of us that we should go out on a date!" Ashley shared. 102619-254 102619-271 Following the ceremony, we captured a few formal portraits in the church with their bridal party and family.  Many of Clayton's family members had flown in from Cameroon , Africa to celebrate their wedding with them. 102619-277 102619-290 102619-305 102619-330 Once we finished in the church, we headed over off for a few stops before the reception.  Check back soon for the rest of Clayton and Ashley's beautiful fall wedding day!