by Jade
Hailey + Evan Baldwin
There are some wedding weekends that feel bigger than a timeline.
Not because of elaborate details or perfectly curated moments, but because you can physically feel the love surrounding two people from the second you arrive. The kind of wedding where family members are setting up chairs together in the morning, friends are running around helping with last-minute details, music echoes through the venue all weekend long, and every single person in the room feels genuinely invested in the marriage taking place.
Setting the Foundation
Friday morning began with decorating at the venue, where the space slowly transformed piece by piece into a place that would soon hold one of the biggest moments of their lives.
By evening, family and friends gathered back at the venue for rehearsal before heading to the Nodaway Community Building for dinner. The nerves of the upcoming day slowly turned into excitement as stories were shared across tables, laughter filled the room, and everyone settled into the reality that the wedding day was finally here.
The Calm Before “I Do”
Saturday began early as the bridal party arrived at the venue around 10 AM carrying coffee cups, makeup bags, curling irons, and all the energy that comes with a wedding morning.
Hair appointments started while music played quietly in the background and conversations bounced between mirrors and chairs. One of my favorite things about wedding mornings is how emotional they are without anyone realizing it yet. The hugs last a little longer. Moms pause to take everything in. Bridesmaids move between laughing and tearing up within seconds.
At noon, the groom party arrived with a completely different energy. Ties being fixed, jokes flying around the room, pacing disguised as confidence. The perfect balance to the emotional softness of the bridal suite. And then came one of the most intimate moments of the entire day.
The First Look + Private Vows
At 1 PM, Hailey and Evan shared their first look privately before the ceremony.
No crowd. No distractions. Just the two of them. They exchanged personal vows tucked away from the noise of the day, and honestly, those moments are always some of the most meaningful to capture on film. The nervous smiles, shaky breaths, tears, and laughter all unfold naturally when couples finally get a second alone together. It’s the kind of memory that becomes even more valuable years later.
Portraits + Pre-Ceremony Excitement
After the first look, the afternoon moved into bridal party portraits and family photos. The energy throughout the day stayed incredibly relaxed while guests slowly started arriving and ushers began seating everyone for the ceremony.You could feel anticipation building by the minute. And then suddenly, it was time.
The Ceremony
Every part of Hailey and Evan’s ceremony felt intentional, especially the music choices woven throughout the afternoon. The groom walked in with family to “From the Ground Up” by Dan + Shay, a song that perfectly reflected the foundation they’re building together. The wedding party followed to “Grow Old” by Florida Georgia Line, setting the tone for a marriage centered around growing together through every season of life. And then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. At exactly thirty seconds into “I’m Gonna Love You” by Cody Johnson featuring Carrie Underwood, the room rose as Hailey walked down the aisle. The second Carrie’s vocals entered the song, emotions swept across the room all at once. It was one of those moments where everything slows down for just a second. During the unity ceremony, Hailey and Evan poured sand together while “Love Your Love the Most” by Eric Churchplayed softly in the background, symbolizing two separate lives becoming one shared story. And once they were officially announced husband and wife, they walked back down the aisle to “’Til You Can’t” by Cody Johnson while guests cheered around them. Pure joy.
The Baldwin Celebration Begins
After the ceremony, the room transformed once again as tables and chairs were rearranged for the reception. One thing I’ll never stop loving about community-centered weddings is how everyone immediately jumps in to help. Within minutes, the ceremony space turned into a celebration space full of conversation, music, dinner plates, and dancing.
With Dan Taylor announcing and Randy Cooper serving as DJ, the reception officially kicked off with the entrance of the wedding party. Each couple entered the room individually with their own songs playing while guests cheered them on. Logan Carson and Cole Quick entered first, followed by Courtney Spray and Joey Kernen, Karoline Carlson and Dray Starzl, then maid of honor Haylee Meyer and best man Ryan Carlson. Finally, for the very first time, everyone welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Hailey and Evan Baldwin into the reception as husband and wife.
Speeches, Toasts + Dinner
Once everyone was seated, speeches began with heartfelt words from the maid of honor and best man. The room moved seamlessly between laughter and tears while stories about Hailey and Evan’s relationship filled the evening with warmth. Evan also spoke on behalf of the wedding party, taking a moment to thank the people who stood beside them throughout the journey to this day.Dinner followed shortly after with the wedding party dismissing first, followed by immediate family and guests table by table. For the next hour, the reception felt exactly how weddings should feel. Relaxed conversations. Shared memories. Full plates. Happy tears. The kind of atmosphere where nobody wants the night to end.
Cake Cutting + The Cash Grab Chaos
Toward the end of the meal, Hailey and Evan gathered around their wedding cake for the cake cutting ceremony while guests crowded nearby snapping photos and cheering them on.
But immediately after came one of the funniest moments of the night. The Best Man and Maid of Honor cash grab. Ryan and Haylee had exactly one minute to sprint around the reception collecting as much cash as possible from guests before bringing it back to the center of the room. The catch? Whoever ended with the lower dollar amount had to chug a beer or wine cooler of their choice.The entire room erupted into competitive chaos and laughter. Guests waved dollar bills around like bait while Ryan and Haylee sprinted between tables trying to out-strategize each other before the timer went off. It was one of those perfectly unhinged wedding moments that instantly becomes part of the story forever.
First Dances
As the reception settled back into a slower pace, the dance floor filled for the evening’s first dances. Hailey and Evan shared their first dance to “You Are the Reason” by Calum Scott, holding onto each other while the room faded into the background around them. Before the father dances, Hailey gave a heartfelt speech honoring the men who helped raise and support her throughout her life. It was deeply emotional and one of the most meaningful parts of the evening. She first danced with her dad Kevin before sharing a second dance with her stepdad Mike, creating two beautiful moments centered around gratitude and family. Evan then shared a dance with his mom Donelle to “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac, a dance that felt both nostalgic and deeply heartfelt all at once.
A Weekend Worth Remembering
Hailey and Evan’s wedding weekend wasn’t just beautiful because of the details or the timeline. It was beautiful because of the people. The way family stepped in to help. The way friends celebrated them so wholeheartedly. The way every part of the day reflected who they are at their core. As a filmmaker, these are the weekends that remind me why I love documenting weddings in the first place. Because years from now, these films become more than footage. They become voices you can hear again. Moments you can relive. Memories preserved exactly as they happened.
Hailey and Evan, thank you for trusting me with your story. What an incredible beginning to forever.
