Merlo Park, Stirling City Ca Wedding Photographer: Michael + Hailey Skytte

“The couples who are meant to be are the ones who go through everything that’s designed to tear them apart and they come out even stronger.”

This statement holds especially true for Hailey and Michael. They give off such a low-key, relaxed vibe but they have been through a lot in their journey together and have forged a bond that is unbreakable as a result.

May 28th, 2022 was crisp and dewy as there had been rainfall the evening before but everyone was excited for the wedding ahead and no clouds could dampen their spirits! When we arrived the bride was busy arranging the floral arch at the ceremony site. Time was of the essence and Jena and I were more than happy to jump into action to assist so Hailey could begin working on her hair and makeup. While we worked on florals, a few friends of the families also came to help out and the four of us girls had a blast listening to music and arranging flowers together! Everyone was so caught up in how much they were enjoying their activities that they barely noticed the hours going by; in no time, the floral arch was complete and it was time for Jena to meet up with Michael because it was his turn to look sharp in front of the camera. During this time,  Michael gushed about how excited he was to see his bride. He spoke about how he was focused on being in the moment and taking his time to live each second of the day. He was so excited to marry the woman of his dreams he didn’t want to waste any time fussing over getting ready— he had a wedding to get to! However, by looking at the photos you wouldn’t be able to tell that there was any rushing involved- he looked stellar; the epitome of a classic, handsome, and stylish groom.

Back at the venue, Hailey was having her hair done by her stepmom, Shanelle, in the bridal suite. They both have a wicked sense of humor and there was a lot of laughter in the room! Meanwhile, Hailey’s mom Shar, was everywhere! She was like Wonder Woman in the background making sure everything was perfect for her baby girl on her big day.

Hailey was literally shaking with excitement while getting ready and even had a few sips of Champaign to calm her nerves. She wore a gorgeous unique lace gown with a form-fitting silhouette from Unforgettable Boutique which was just breathtaking on her. Her bracelet was a gift from her mother. Some of the more sentimental touches were a tiny bluebird pin that was attached to her bouquet it is an heirloom passed down by the women in her family as well as a lovely gold ring. Hailey and Michael chose not to have a bridal party which created a beautiful moment for her mother to be the one to help Hailey into her dress. After this intimate moment with her mom, her grandmother pinned her blue bird before she went to the chapel for the first look with her dad. There is just something about a father seeing his daughter “all grown up” on her wedding day that creates a connection between the two that is so incredibly wholesome.

When Michael returned to Merlo Park, he and Myron their officiant took a special moment for a prayer at the chapel. It was a  beautiful moment to be amongst the trees in the quiet where they could reflect upon all they had to be grateful for this day and every day. They also took an extra moment to remember those who were with them in spirit. After closing out their prayer Michael was ready to greet his guests.  The seats were filling and the guests were dressed in shades of purples and creating a lovely compliment to the couple’s perfect day.  The music cued and soon the procession started.  Michael ushered his mom and Hailey’s mom to their seats and patiently waited for his bride to make her way through the woods.   Hailey was a vision.   Her father held her steady and walked his little girl to her new beginning.   Once Hailey reached the end of the aisle her stepfather joined them and linked arms with her and both her dads gave her away.  Michael was beaming with joy, he was smiling so big we couldn’t take our cameras off him.   We knew that Hailey would want to remember that handsome grin for the rest of her life.   The ceremony was beautiful, Hailey’s stepmom shared a bible verse before Myron lead everyone in a prayer.  The couple chose to perform a cord tying ceremony to signify their union.  Hailey and Michael shared their personal vows while all of their guests quietly wept with joy and pride.  Hailey and Michael exchanged their rings of sapphire blues and sealed the ceremony with a kiss!  As the guest trickled down to the reception they stopped along the bridge to feed the rainbow trout.  We quickly managed the family formal photos and excused everyone to join in the cocktail hour.  We took Hailey and Michael to the top side of the park where they could share a quiet moment together.  We took a note from Michael and really lived in the moments for these portraits.  We had plenty of time and the couple was relaxed and bringing their modeling “A” game! When we finally made our way to the reception the couple was soon embraced and swept away by all of their lovely guests.  Jena and I took this time to capture candid images of the guests and of the details.  We even enjoyed a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade a labor of love from the bride and groom.  (Yummmmm!)

Soon the bride and groom invited everyone to the dance floor as they shared their first dance, Michael picked out their first dance song when he was working on a fire and every time it came on it brought Hailey closer to him. The song was Cover me up by Morgan Wallen and the moment was emotional, beautiful, and fun.  Hailey was joined by her father as they danced to Zoe Jane by Staind a song I had yet to hear at a wedding but was perfectly fitting at this moment.  Michael’s mom joined him with the classic Mamma’s don’t let your babies grow up to be Cowboys by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson swaying and singing along the pair giggled.  Hailey’s mom then joined her baby for a dance to My Wish by Rascal Flatts where there were tears in nearly every eye watching.  It’s moments like these where you may not know the mountains they’ve climbed but you can feel the monument at the moment. This wedding had these moments tucked in their vows, dances, and toasts that brimmed with deep happiness and love where without warning the moment would overflow and take its audience by storm.  Hailey and Michael were surrounded by loved ones.  But how could you meet this couple and not fall in love with their golden hearts?! We sure “CAUGHT A VIBE”. The toasts further proved the richness of their character and their devotion to one another.

Jena and I feel so lucky to have gained Hailey and Michael as friends and we cannot wait to watch the rest of their lives unfold and see all their adventures.

We hope you all enjoy reliving this amazing day!

Cheers to many years!

Vendors:

Venue: Merlo Park

Hair: Shanelle Dolan

Catering: Jalapeno City

Curros: OG Curros

Dress Boutique: Unforgettable Bridal Boutique

Grooms Attire: Men’s Warehouse

Fort Bragg Ca Wedding Photographer: Mr. & Mrs. Abernathy

The days leading up to the wedding day were filled with a constant urge to check to see if the weather was going to be clear for the wedding day.   

Ky and Katie had planned a beautiful ceremony out on the Navarro beach in Albion Ca,  about 25 minutes south of Fort Bragg Ca.  The weather was calling for rain all weekend without any anticipated breaks.  Needless to say, we all were crossing our fingers and sending out hopes and prayers for a window of good weather.

They say rain on your wedding day is good luck.  They say “tying a knot and the knot gets wet, the knot becomes tighter and stronger” Therefore a blessing of a strong marriage to the couple on their wedding day.  It was very fitting for this couple because they would be handfasted and literally tying the knot.

Rain or shine, Jena and I were ready to capture this amazing couple’s wedding and make it the best it could possibly be.  There were no little black rain clouds going to come and cloud up our excitement for this wedding.   We Macgyver’d rain shields for the cameras and we picked up some rain ponchos ready for an adventure.

Traditionally Jena and I ride together to weddings.  Listening to playlists that are going to set the tone.  This particular morning we were listening to my wedding playlist.  We picked up Katie to meet Ky for their first look. She was reserved and quiet, likely concerned for the weather. However, this was her wedding day it was time to be excited and to leave the worry behind. For me, the weather could not ruin their day, it would just elevate the story.   Jena and I gushed about how stoked we were for their first look, and our plans to rush away to the redwood to capture their portraits. Katie seemed to relax.  It wasn’t until her first look with Ky until she fully let go of the worry. 

We planned the first look to be on the porch of the Navarro Inn.  The Navarro Inn is a historic building that is one of the two last standing buildings of the former town of Navarro that was lost to a series of natural disasters the town suffered an earthquake in 1906, a flood in 1907, and a fire that took most the remaining town in 1913.  The inn has been restored over the years which provided us a planned safe haven from the rain on this wedding day.

When we arrived at the inn Ky was awaiting his bride.  Jena directed him to the edge of the porch to wait for Katie.  There was a light mist in the air along with excitement.  Katie walked up to Ky and touched his shoulder.  He had to take a breath and prepare himself before he looked at his bride.  Katie left him in awe.  The couple embraced and mutually melted into each other’s arms.  Jena and I wept behind our cameras.  After the first look took us all by surprise Jena and I let the couple have a moment to themselves without an audience.  Once ready we continued with a few images before heading into the redwoods.  

The redwoods were wet, but it wasn’t raining.  The trees would drop some rain from their branches here and there but IT WASN’T RAINING!   I had so much fun in this particular part of the day because they gave me artistic freedom and allowed me to play with the lighting as I needed.  Ky and Katie nailed the poses and made some magic.  While never leading on that it was sooooo cold in the woods. Once done we all jumped in the car and warmed up before the beach ceremony.  

Once we arrived the family and friends were at the ceremony site excited to watch these two incredible people be married.  The beach was windy, a little chilly but it WASN’T RAINING!  What a fantastic gift the universe could give this couple.  

Ky led the ceremony walking in with his and Katie’s mom on either arm.  As he waited to see his bride come down the aisle he was stunned at her beauty once more.  Katie was walked in by her dad, he looked proud of his daughter and the man she chose to marry.   The ceremony was preceded by a beautiful handfasting where the fathers of the bride and groom presented their family cords and the officiant had a white cord that completed their bond.  While hand fast they exchanged their rings and once done they slid out from the loose knot and pulled it tight.   

They became husband and wife.

Ky and Katie shared their first kiss as a married couple in front of their closest friends and family.  The small crowd made a loud celebratory cheer.   They were married! 

After the ceremony, we snapped some shots on the beach before meeting back up with the family at the inn.  As we were shooting the formal family images the mist came in, Light, cool, and drizzly.  The universe had given us the gift of a rain-free wedding.  It was so magical and perfect.  

The following Friday the couple celebrated with their friends who were unable to attend the ceremony at their reception hosted at Wine Time in Chico Ca.  The reception was intimate and fun.  The guest list was small but the love was all there.  The couple shared their first dance, which was followed by the father-daughter dance and the mother and son dance.   The couple cut the cake and shared their first bites.  However afterward, the couple had a new tradition I had never seen before.  The guests voted by money who will receive cake in the face.  The person with the most money gets the cake in the face.  Ky won, or lost…. But he was gifted a handful of cake to the face from his bride, and she seemed to have a lot of fun with it too. 

Jena and I had such a fun time getting to know Ky and Katie a bit more and we were welcomed by their friends and family which always enriches our experience as a wedding vendor. 

I speak for both of us when I say that we had such a wonderful time. Wonderful is truly an understatement. We feel so privileged to have captured your wedding events and to visually retell the story for many years to come. 

We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness

Cheers!