Romantic Industrial Wedding at the Sanctuary | the Schaefer's
I call this one the game changer
Sara + Doug’s wedding will always always always hold a special place in my heart because their wedding was when I felt something ‘click’ with my work and this amazing job I have the pleasure of calling mine. Their wedding felt like a turning point for me, almost as if my little side hustle (which is what it was at the time) truly launched and I began hoping that this side gig could one day be the main gig. And now it is!!! I think a lot of the credit is owed to Sara + Doug and their incredible day. I shot this wedding back in 2018 but you know what they say, it’s an oldie but a goodie.
Doug reached out to me - that’s right, he was the first groom in my experience to ever take the reins in the photog search. Although their wedding was in Illinois, they were were living in Orlando. Sara was working at Disney World at the time. I say all this just so that you can get an inkling of an idea just how freakin’ cool these two are.
They were the first wedding to be held at the Sanctuary, and this space is incredible. A one-stop shop venue AKA my favorite kind, Sara + Doug held their ceremony in the front half of the space and flipped the room for the second half. With the tall ceilings, large windows, strung lights and white brick walls, this was the PERFECT space for the romantic industrial vibe the Schaefer’s were going for. Check out their ceremony + reception decor set up for some MAJOR inspiration for your own wedding! The set up dreams are made of.
My favorite moments of their day: Doug’s giddy face when he first saw Sara, their killer FOOD made by Sovereign catering (an affiliate of the Sanctuary) which had something for everyone, their golden hour photos which are STILL some of my favorites of all time and the fact that they were their own DJs for their reception. Boy, was that dance floor on fire!
A fun fact… Sara + Doug moved to the Indy area several months ago and now Sara + I are in the same book club HAHA! I never knew this photographer/client relationship would be the gift that keeps on giving!!! I’ve always said that client = friend, and it’s never been more true than with these two <3
Their vendors:
Venue: the Sanctuary | Dress: BHLDN | Bridesmaid Dresses: AZAZIE | Hair + Makeup: Sam Pedroza
Florals: Nancy Kveton with the Sanctuary | Caterer: Sovereign | Second Shooter: Cristina Hope Photography
Interested in working together? Learn more about my services and reach out to chat!