2018 brought my first, and last wedding, for the year. I was honored to photograph the wedding of a sweet young couple in the California desert of Barstow, CA.
These two lovebirds met working the same job while attending college in Florida. Dustin, a red-headed Georgia-boy, with the appropriate nickname of Red, quickly decided this pretty girl from the middle of the desert in southern California was the girl he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
Robbi-Lynn grew up in the sands of the hot California desert. Her parents are part of a non-profit organization, The Nehemiah Corps. They travel to four different Christian camps scattered throughout the country and work on various construction projects the camp may have. Prior to that, they were on staff at Ironwood Christian camp, and that is where I first met Robbi-Lynn and her family, in 2006.
The bride and groom selected The Harvey House in Barstow, California to do the majority of their portraits. The Harvey House is an old railroad station that was built in 1885 and the history of the place is really quite fascinating. The architecture is stunning, with multiple archways, old brick and stucco, and gorgeous hardwood floors.
We began with a first look with the bride and her father, followed by a few gifts to the bride’s parents. This was really a sweet moment between the bride and her parents.
We also had the bride and groom’s first look at The Harvey House. I always highly recommend a first look prior to the ceremony for several reasons. First, it gives the bride and groom a chance to see each other and have a few moments of privacy, because it’s go-go-go and they probably won’t have another moment until after they have left the ceremony. Secondly, it lets them get the jitters and nerves out and helps them to be less nervous during the actual ceremony. Lastly, it allows the photographer to get more portraits prior to the ceremony so the wedding guests are not waiting around and getting bored while the bridal party is spending an hour with photos.
After we had the bridal party photos taken and immediate family pictures taken, we headed off to the church for a few sunset photos. A fun fact, the church Robbi-lynn and Red married in, was also the same church the bride’s parents were married in 24 years ago.
The ceremony was sweet and personal and such a precious time with the bride and groom.
Once they ceremony concluded, everyone headed back to Ironwood for the reception. Growing up at Ironwood, it simply made sense to host the reception for the bride and groom.
All the details came together for this special day for Red and Robbi-Lynn and it was such a pretty wedding. I was so excited to have a part of their big day.
On a side note, I hadn’t been back to camp in over six years. My mom traveled with me and she had never been to camp. It was a lot of fun to reconnect with old friends and introduce my mom to the place that changed my life one summer many years ago.
Red and Robbi-Lynn, thank you both so much for asking me to photograph your wedding! It was truly my honor and I wish you both the best of luck as you pursue God and start your journey together as husband and wife!
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2 Comments
Thank you for helping make this such a sweet and memorable wedding. Beautiful photographs of a very sweet and dear couple.
Thank you so much Jamie! It was my pleasure to photograph them!