A bride and groom stand in front of a large blue pickup truck in the middle of a field in Central Nebraska

An Unforgettable Western Wedding in Broken Bow, Nebraska

As a wedding photographer, my job isn’t just to take pretty pictures. It’s to capture the feeling and emotion of a moment in a way that reflects your heart, vision, and love story. Celie and Weston’s western wedding in Broken Bow was all about togetherness. Their community gathered from all over to celebrate with them, and it was one of the only times in their life they had all of their loved ones in a single place! Celia and Weston didn’t want perfectly posed portraits. They just wanted a way to remember how it felt when all the people they loved came together. It was an honor to capture their celebration and give them a tactile way to remember their day.

A long-sleeved wedding dress hanging in front of a wedding

A necklace and rings laid out on the yellowing keys of an old piano

Getting Ready & First Looks

There were so many incredible details in Celia and Weston’s wedding day, starting, of course, with their outfits! Celia wore an elegant white gown paired with some killer suede cowboy boots and an engraved leather garter. Her bridesmaids were her “something blue” and each wore a different shade and style dress. Weston and his groomsmen wore classic black jackets and jeans paired with cowboy hats.

Celia did a first look with her bridesmaids, father, brother, and Weston’s father. But none of those were quite as emotional as her first look with Weston! I took them to a private section of a grassy field so they could have a few quiet moments together. Though they both told me they were nervous about being photographed, these few moments helped ground them. I try to be as unobtrusive as possible while I shoot your wedding—especially during intimate moments like a first look! I can quietly step in and direct you when needed, but mostly, I fade into the background and allow everything to unfold naturally.

During family portraits just before the ceremony, they got their wish and so much more. When Celia was young, she lost her sister. The family has always believed that she visits them as a dragonfly. Up until family portraits, there hadn’t been a single bug around. But the moment the family came together, three to four dragonflies appeared out of nowhere and circled everyone! It was such a perfect moment, and I was so happy I was there to capture it!

A bride sliding an engraved leather garter onto her leg

Five bridesmaids in blue dresses react to seeing a bride in her wedding gown

A groom getting dressed for a western wedding

A large group of groomsmen in black suit jackets, jeans, and cowboy hats

A bride taps a groom on the shoulder during a first look in a sunny field

A bride and groom stand in a sunny field of wheat

Individual portraits of a bride and groom at a western wedding

The bride and groom's families surround them in a field

An old man in a beige cowboy hat kisses the bride on her forehead

From the Sentimental Ceremony to a Non-Stop Party

Their ceremony took place in a large, open field. Everything about the set up was simple and focused on what mattered most: the commitment Celia and Weston were making to each other! They exchanged handwritten vows that brought everyone to tears, branded a new kitchen counter with their initials, and sealed it all with a kiss!

Before we transitioned to the reception at the Broken Bow Municipal Building, I stole Celia and Weston away for some more portraits. We traipsed around the field, capturing photos with movement and energy, before stopping in a nearby bar. These photos have a completely different feel, capturing a more fun-loving, edgy side of their relationship. We got photos playing pool, taking shots, and pregaming the reception.

When Celia and Weston first inquired, they told me their reception was going to be a party, and they were right on! They transformed the Municipal building into their dream western wedding reception, adding string lights, florals, personal details, and family photos to give it that cozy, lived-in feel. As soon as the wedding party entered the room, the energy exploded. Dinner and drinks were served, speeches were given, and the dance floor was full from the moment it opened! Celia and Weston got their wish for a wedding that was built on connection and quality time.

A large wooden cross in an open field facing rows of wedding guests seated in white folding chairs

A groom watches the bride walk down the aisle during their western wedding ceremony

A bridesmaid in a silky blue dress wipes her tears with a tissue

A groom dips the bride to kiss her in front of a large wooden cross

A bride and groom stand in front of a large blue pickup truck that's parked in the middle of a field

A bride and a groom laughing and embracing in a field during sunset

A bride and groom playing pool at a dive bar

A bride and groom taking shots at a dive bar in Nebraska

Western Wedding Photographer in Nebraska

There are a lot of kinds of weddings out there, but weddings like this are always going to be my favorite. Because they’re not about perfect poses or Pinterest pictures; they’re about being present and celebrating the commitment of marriage. That was what stuck out to me the most at Celia and Weston’s wedding: they were just so undeniably happy to finally be married.

So if you’re looking for a wedding photographer and simply can’t wait to get married and spend time with your people, I think we’ll get along great! Check out my wedding photography packages and inquire to learn more about working with me!