Shannon & Jason

Congrats to this beautiful couple, Shannon & Jason.  Love, joy, kindness, smiles, and true beauty shines from these two.  Their wedding day was nothing short of perfection.  They waited to see each other until the walk down the aisle, so we had so much fun ahead of the ceremony taking a few pictures and getting ready...

Make-up is applied with care, the pocket square is folded just so, and the rings are safely pocketed away.  And in just minutes, this gorgeous bride walks down the aisle to her groom.  The ceremony was filled with joy and a true gratefulness for what God has given each of them and for Him being the best foundation for their days ahead.

They are the cutest!!  Next up...a few pictures of the them and the entire crew before the party begins...

Metamora Fields did not disappoint as we all began one of the best celebrations ever.  Elegantly decorated and cozy-warm away from the October flurries outside!  

May God bless you two for many many years to come.  Marriage already looks good on you.

Lauren Spillman | Indianapolis Wedding & Family Photographer | Family First

Chelsea & Sean

Congrats to this beautiful couple!  Chelsea & Sean's wedding was perfect in every way...and the 20mph winds made it especially memorable.  Chelsea, the master planner, had every detail just right.  However, the true Master Planner brought these two together Saturday to be an amazing force in His kingdom.  I have no doubt so many will be brought closer to Jesus through knowing them.  Let's take a look at their special day at Zyntango Farms ...

These handsome guys were a calm, cool, collected bunch.  True friends and brothers from many seasons of Sean's life.  Sean's best man and brother, Donovan, made sure Sean was looking his best for the day...mission accomplished.  The ladies were putting on their finishing touches in the gorgeous barn.  Chelsea was absolutely stunning...

She's gorgeous right?!?!  Clearly Sean agreed and could not believe how blessed he was as he looked at his bride for the first time.  After soaking in precious moments of silence together, we braved the wind for a few memorable photos...

Guests waited anxiously as the wedding party began walking down the aisle.  Chelsea was escorted by her mom, and her sweet dad watched from those beautiful clouds above. It was a perfect ceremony in every possible way.

We all had a bit more fun capturing the moment in time when all of Sean & Chelsea's beloved family and friends were together...even this World Race bunch representing many states.

And then the first dance, a few sunset pictures, and an emotional mother/son and father/daughter tradition...held tight by the many strong and loving men Chelsea still has on this earth as cherished mentors.  I doubt there was a dry eye in the crowd.  Oh, and cake...can't forget the cake!

Before the storms came in, the dance floor was busy and laughter filled the air.  It was truly a celebration of such an amazing couple.

Congrats Sean & Chelsea!  It was an honor and joy to be a part of your wedding day!  I'm excited to see what path God has for you both together!  XOXO

Lauren Spillman | Indianapolis Wedding & Family Photographer | Family First

Mackenzie & Evan

Everything about this Friday night wedding was perfection.  God blessed them with amazing weather, even in the middle of an Indiana July...and the sunset was beyond magical.  Mackenzie and Evan were surrounded by hundreds of their dearest family and friends as they became one.  Every detail of the day was covered.  The flowers were incredible.  The signage was the work of an extremely talented friend.  And the venue, The Sycamore at Mallow Run Winery, was pure wedding bliss.  Take a look...

Mackenzie cherished the preparation time with her mom and all her closest friends.  Everyone was calm, joyful, and trying to soak up every detail of every minute.  She is stunning, isn't she?  And Evan was relaxing with his guys in what Mallow Run calls the 'man cave' before the ceremony.  This handsome groom was so ready to see his bride though.

And the wedding party?  The sweetest that they come.  These lovelies were all smiles as they helped Mackenzie celebrate.  This bride has certainly been blessed by so many wonderful friends and family.

Evan had quite a crew of great guys too.  And a mom that was all smiles all day.  It was clear that any of them would do anything for Evan and were so honored to be a part of his wedding day.

Preparations are done.  Two hundred guests have arrived.  String quartet begins to play.  Just look at Evan waiting patiently for Mackenzie to round the corner and come down the long aisle.  They did not see each other ahead of time, so it was truly a moment to remember.  The ceremony was perfect in every way...not to mention gorgeous.  

Have I mentioned how beautiful and sweet this wedding party is??  

After their first meal together as Mr. & Mrs., they snuck out of the reception to enjoy sunset on the winery's grounds.  The sunset was unreal.  A true gift from God on their wedding day.

The reception was nothing but fun.  Dancing, talking, eating, and yes, she did shove a little cake in his face.  And yes, she did have a toy gun in her garter.  And yes, there was a bit of fighting and diving for the bouquet and garter.  So fun is an understatement.  It all ended with sparklers and a Corvette exit.  Perfection.

Thanks for letting me be a small part of your wedding day, Mackenzie & Evan.  You are undoubtedly going to enjoy many wonderful years of marriage together with God as your foundation and focus.  Congrats!

Lauren Spillman | Indianapolis Wedding & Family Photographer | Family First

Hakes Family

It's always a joy to spend a few hours with this family.  They are fun-loving, laid-back, and oh-so-adorable.  These kids just keep growing right before my eyes...and multiplying!  Congrats to Sara and David on their precious addition just a few weeks ago.  Now you have four perfect kiddos and a beautiful marriage to hold it all together.

Half of our time together was full of laughter, jumping around, hide-n-seek, watching cows, picking flowers, and braving the wind.  The other half was a bit calmer.  Just look at sweet Beatrice!  Five pounds of pure sweetness.  

Always a pleasure Hakes Family.  Thanks for letting me be a small part of your life during such an important time.  Can't wait for all four kids to run circles around me next time!

Lauren Spillman | Indianapolis Wedding & Family Photographer | Family First

Jana & Douglas

Congrats to Jana & Douglas...such a Christ-centered, loving, and extremely giving couple.  Their special day was filled with friends and family that loved each of them so dearly.  It was evident that over the past years, Jana and Douglas had selflessly loved and helped so many friends.  Today was their day to be loved...to look around the room at the hundreds of people, from many seasons of life, and know they have a special connection to each of them.

Their bridal party was full of fun!  We were even blessed with gorgeous weather that we had yet to see all year so far.  There was a little bit of prep for the big day too...

The sanctuary was filled with so many friends and family...but no one wanted to see Jana more than Douglas.  Keeping with traditions, they had yet to see each other before she elegantly walked down the aisle.  So rooted in their faith, it was not surprising that they wanted the very first part of the ceremony to be worshipping God through beautiful music.

They said "I Do!"  Now on to the party...

Conversations and laughter were flowing through the reception hall rapidly.  The party even continued outdoors with a bit of midwestern corn hole action.  It was truly a party.

And just like that...they were off!  It was the most perfect day for the most perfect couple.  I am excited to see what God does through them as a couple, because He sure did use them daily to encourage others during their single hood.  Congrats Jana & Douglas!  Such an honor to be a part of your wedding day!

Lauren Spillman | Indianapolis Wedding & Family Photographer | Family First

Bethany & Mark

Congrats Bethany & Mark!! Such a wonderful couple!  The day was filled with love, laughter, and laid-back genuine celebration and support.  Such a joy to be a part of it!  Let's start with the rehearsal, including an unforgettable fake proposal...

This crowd could've enjoyed each other all night long, but there was a wedding to get ready for!  Early in the morning the ladies gathered to get ready.  And the sweet moment with Dad?? Priceless.

Plenty of last minute preparations for the guys too...including figuring out those bow ties.

And perhaps the bride and groom's favorite moment of the day...their first look.  It was followed by a few sweet quiet moments before they went down the aisle.

In a gorgeous wedding venue, The Silver Fox, friends and family gathered to support and cheer on the couple to marriage.  

This wedding party was SO loving, accepting, and fun, and even I felt part of the family!  So, there were no delays...on to the party!  I loved the early wedding and brunch with mimosas idea...complete with a pool table and donuts.  Love.

And no wedding is complete without dancing!

All the best to you Bethany and Mark!  It was such a privilege and joy to be a part of your wedding, and part of your family, for the day.

Lauren Spillman | Indianapolis Wedding & Family Photographer | Family First

Amy & Jonathan

This dynamic couple could easily power the world with their joy!  They are made for each other.  God will no doubt use them in big ways.  It was a perfectly gorgeous freezing cold Saturday with rare snow covering the ground in Memphis, Tennessee.  Oh, but the inside of this church and the stunning Amy walking the aisle might just top the beauty of the outdoors.

Before this breathtaking evening wedding began, there were quite a few preparations...along with TONS of hugs and laughter.

And the celebration continued at the beautiful Memphis Botanic Gardens.  These two newlyweds literally ran right to the dance floor and never once sat down all night.  Not once.

This dance floor was never empty.  Ever.  It was a reception full of so much energy and love.

After a few weeks to relax in New Zealand, these two are off to Italy to begin their life together.  They have been brought together by God to do his work there.  Watch out Italy...you're going to fall in love with this Mr. & Mrs.

Lauren Spillman | Indianapolis Wedding Photographer | Family First

2016 Highlights

2016.  I can't believe it is gone!  Personally, it was a wonderfully exhausting year of change.  We moved with three little boys.  Enough said.  God kept me afloat throughout it all....and He continues to bless me with clients (FRIENDS) to keep my brain and creativity alive and well!  I have loved getting to know each of these families and hope to see them all again in 2017. 

Although there are TONS more pictures of each of these 49 families, I picked out my personal favs.  Join me in seeing Love, Laughter & Light through the eyes of kids, brides, dads, babies, grandmas, grooms, and, of course, moms.  

Although each of these families have a "everyone looking at the camera smiling" picture in their gallery...it is rarely the most cherished shot of the day.  I absolutely adore getting a toddler's true laughter, capturing the genuine love between mom and dad, and freezing the pure joy of a wedding day.  2016 did not disappoint with the laughter and love of all these Signature Lime families!

Hard to pick a favorite picture, isn't it?  I'm thinking that's mostly because ALL of these families are top-notch...and it's the families that make the picture, not the photographer.  

Lauren Spillman | Indianapolis Family & Wedding Photographer | Family First