ABOUT THYME FARM DOOR COUNTY WEDDING | ERIN & JOHN

Kelsy & Butch McCartney September 2, 2015

We chimed in on Erin & John's wedding day just as Erin was just about to slip into her truly stunning Vera Wang gown. She shared a heartfelt moment with her Dad before being escorted by a classic Door County Trolley to Sunset Beach Park in Fish Creek, where an especially handsome groom awaited her. :) Erin & John's bayside ceremony was blessed with abundant sunshine, live music, and the support of all of their loved ones. After soaking in the rays as they became husband & wife, Erin & John snuck away to the Fish Creek Marina where we were in heaven photographing this gorgeous new Mr & Mrs!!

At About Thyme Farm, guests enjoyed cocktail hour and passed hors d'oeuvres on the lawn while Lily & Ben Larsen set the scene for an amazing night with their talented duo of live music! While Erin & John made their way from hugs to laughs to smile-filled conversations, their amazing wedding planner, Chandra from Door County Event Planners, put the finishing touches on a timeless, beautiful barn celebration awaiting them just footsteps away. Heartfelt toasts, sparkly tear-filled eyes and sweet little moments between Erin & John as well as delicious food from Alexander's led right into one of the most perfect Door County sunsets we have ever captured and, from there, their dance floor went from 0 to 100 in record time! :)

Erin & John, we couldn't be more thrilled for the two of you and are so honored to have photographed your wedding celebration! Hoping we'll be able to get together soon now that you're so close, and we're wishing you a wonderful lifetime together as husband & wife!

Love, Kelsy & Butch

About Thyme Farm Door County wedding photography with Contax 645, Pentax 67 and Hasselblad 3.5c on Fuji Pro 400H, Kodak TriX 400 and Ilford 3200 film.

DOOR COUNTY ENGAGEMENT | LILY & NICK

Kelsy & Butch McCartney August 28, 2015

We've known this lovely bride-to-be, Lily, for years and have adored her since day one. She's as sweet and fun as they come, and after photographing her brother's wedding we immediately felt like she was our little sister too. :) Did we mention Lily's Mom was Butch's middle school teacher!? The connections are truly endless in Door County (one of the many things we love about it)!!

Fast forward to last year when we noticed a certain handsome gentleman, Nick, appearing in photos more & more while Lily's joyful smile was getting brighter & brighter! Of course being the photo goofs that we are, we secretly crossed our fingers that when the time came, we might hear from her with exciting news... and we DID!!! :)

Lily & Nick's Door County engagement session fell on a beautiful evening in Sister Bay. If we're telling the whole story, storms were looming as we drove over from Wausau but they cleared just in time for us to have a beautiful sunset and romantic evening light... two of our favorite ingredients for a gorgeous engagement session! We started at the most charming coffee shop, Drink Coffee, where Lily & Nick had a giant cookie made with their wedding date. We loved capturing these two on their charming patio in bustling of Sister Bay! Next we made our way to Garden Gables, a stunning wedding venue owned by Lily's brother & his wife. Were we ever lucky photographers to spend time with Lily & Nick around this stunning property (where we had been hoping to photograph for over a year)! Finally, it was only fitting that this picture perfect couple would have a gorgeous sunset over the bay to top off an amazing evening of smiling around the county. :)

Lily & Nick, you could probably tell by the huge smiles on our faces all night, but we are already counting the days until your wedding next September and couldn't be more thankful we'll be there to photograph every moment!!

Love to you both, Kelsy & Butch

Door County Engagement Photography captured with Contax 645 and Pentax 67 on Fuji Pro 400H and Kodak TriX 400, scanned/developed by Fast Foto.

HORSESHOE BAY FARMS DOOR COUNTY WEDDING | RACHEL & CHARLIE

Kelsy & Butch McCartney August 25, 2015

When you think about a wedding in Door County, Wisconsin, you think of a few things: effortless natural beauty, water, and romance. Rachel & Charlie's wedding celebration at Horseshoe Bay Farms was all of these things and so much more! Those familiar with Horseshoe Bay Farms know that no wedding has ever taken place there before. Rachel & Charlie are truly lucky to have the fortune of having their wedding at this incredible property. With Carrie at Door County Event Planners at their side, they took on the giant slice of charm the Farms has to offer and turned it into the wedding of their dreams!! Where do we even begin?! :)

Rachel and Charlie started their wedding day at Grey Logs, a bayside property between Ephraim & Sister Bay owned by Charlie's parents. With a view of the water the ladies got dolled up while the guys went boating and eased into the day. Rachel & Charlie's first look took place on a twisty boardwalk leading from a house in the woods to the shore and, from this point on, smiles never left their faces!! These two have an ease about them that feels like you have honestly known them for years & years, and photographing them along the bay was like a dream!! After portraits they arrived to their ceremony on the water where some of the most authentic words of wisdom and advice about marriage were shared by their officiant as he pronounced them husband and wife. A table overflowing with glasses of champagne awaited all of their guests to keep their hands happy as they crossed the street to the reception at Horseshoe Bay Farms. Rachel and Charlie welcomed each loved one to cocktail hour under the most stunning floral arch we have ever seen, and from there the celebration began!!

Guests mingled and enjoyed passed appetizers while the Allegro String Quartet serenaded them before entering a stunning Sperry tent decorated to the nines! Helene at Flora Flowershop created a unique centerpiece for every single table and with evening light fading to candle light, it made for the most elegant and romantic evening! Deliciousness served by Mission Grille & live music from Dynasty brought the house down as Rachel & Charlie's guests piled onto the dance floor immediately!!

It was the kind of evening we could have photographed forever. We feel incredibly lucky to have been Rachel & Charlie's photographers. Thank you two so much for trusting us to capture your once in a lifetime day.

Love, Kelsy & Butch

GLEN VIEW CLUB CHICAGO WEDDING | CATHERINE & ANDREW

Kelsy & Butch McCartney August 20, 2015

Catherine & Andrew were introduced by a friend and they started dating in the summer of 2013. One year later they had dinner plans and Andrew forgot his wallet, so he ran back to get it before they continued on with dinner at a french restaurant. When they got home afterwards Andrew's place was decorated with roses, petals and candles, serving as the most romantic setting to propose to Catherine with a stunning ring they hand selected together! :)

In planning for their wedding, Catherine & Andrew left not one detail overlooked! Catherine has a studio in downtown Chicago where she designs lovely wedding invitations & paper goods at Charm Studio. We can only imagine how many times she was asked what her own wedding invitation might look like leading up to her & Andrew's wedding day! ;) Needless to say, we were absolutely blown away. By hand, Catherine drew a crest combining elements from each of their family crests, which was used throughout their wedding on the invitation (with gorgeous calligraphy by Bien Fiet Calligraphy) as well as their escort board, menu chargers, table numbers and more!

After a beautiful ceremony at the church Catherine grew up with, we arrived to Glen View Club where her parents are members and were absolutely in love with its exquisite architecture and landscaping. With a beautiful palette of white, light green and hydrangea blue, Catherine & Andrew's wedding celebration was timeless and elegant! Their wedding day was blessed with endless sunshine and we couldn't get enough of the Club's giant oak trees, which made for a perfect portrait spot with this most classic bride & groom! :)

Guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the patio before entering one of the most grand settings where greens hung from giant chandeliers, Catherine's hand-drawn crest marked each table, and Fleur brightened up the light-filled room with white & green centerpieces. Catherine & Andrew were seated at a long table with their bridal party, all of whom dined on the most darling hydrangea blue plates. After sneaking Catherine & Andrew out for photos during a perfect sunset, they cut their cake and were welcomed to the dance floor by High Society Band. We couldn't help but smile when guests immediately flooded the dance floor!

It's almost impossible for us to describe the amount of JOY overflowing in one room with everyone Catherine & Andrew love most; let's simply say, you had to be there to experience it. And goodness, are we ever feeling lucky to have been there with this amazing new couple and their wonderful families!! Thank you, Catherine & Andrew!

Love, Kelsy & Butch

Glen View Club Wedding Photography captured on Contax 645, Pentax 67 and Nikon F100 with Fuji Pro 400H, TriX 400 and Ilford 3200.

RAMHORN FARM WEDDING | MELANIE & MICAH

Kelsy & Butch McCartney August 11, 2015

Every single loved one at Melanie and Micah's beautiful Ramhorn Farm wedding celebration felt the love they shared. From the way they light each other up to the heartfelt handwritten vows they exchanged, the best way to describe Melanie & Micah's wedding day is POWERFUL.

First, we must say the Ramhorn Farm property is absolutely immaculate. Upon arriving, it's almost as if you're swept away to Italy with endless landscaping, lush greens and charming spaces every way you look... and, Chickens!! :)

Melanie & Micah's ceremony surrounded by fields was made even more special with their darling little Cavalier puppy, Fritz, as one of their ring bearers as well as readings done by several family members. Afterwards, guests were welcomed to cocktail hour with passed appetizers and lavender infused champagne. The reception was styled to perfection by Evenement Planning with gorgeous flowers by Jane Kelly Floral! Dinner took place at long wooden tables in a cozy courtyard under the stars, and definitely no shortage of cheersing. But first, to kick things off, Melanie hopped on the microphone to sing a french version of "La Vie En Rose" that brought nearly everyone to tears. Hands down, one of the sweetest wedding moments we have ever seen :)

It was honestly a day meant for storybooks, and we couldn't be more grateful to have been there to capture countless moments exploding with joy!! Thank you, Melanie & Micah, for the giant honor of photographing your wedding!

Love, Kelsy & Butch