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Crystal Bridges Wedding Reception Details for Lindsey and Caleb

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Hey everybody!

There are Benny Awards nominees all over the place in this post!  Lindsey and Caleb, along with the team at Bates-Reed Events, designed a wedding masterpiece!  It was stunning from head to toe.  And since there ceremony and reception were at Crystal Bridges (where lighting is fabulous), our job was a breeze!  Let's dive in!


I just love the FEEL of everything!

This room... this light!

And this STUNNING bouquet!  Breathtaking!

Also, I loved watching Amanda from Bates-Reed putting this cake together (who knew that was in her job description?!).  Such a beauty!



More from this divine wedding coming your way over the next couple days!

Talk to you soon,
Dale


Crystal Bridges Wedding Portraits of Lindsey and Caleb

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Hey everybody!

We set the scene yesterday for Lindsey and Caleb's Crystal Bridges Wedding - their details were so beautiful! Today I'm sharing more beauty by showing y'all how in love this couple is.  During their ceremony the preacher shared their story and I swear to you... love poured out and filled that place!  Lindsey got sick early in their relationship and tried to break up with Caleb "because it wasn't fair for him" but he wouldn't let her.  They've been together ever since and love and mutual adoration pours out of them.  Y'all... that's beautiful!






We got special privileges to shoot in the galleries (can you believe it?!?! I can't!) and I got SO inspired being surrounded by classic art with our couple.  How fun is this?



This couple exudes style, love, and fun.  More from their wedding at Crystal Bridges is hitting the blog tomorrow, yay!




Talk to you soon,
Dale

Wedding Portraits Inside Crystal Bridges Galleries for Lindsey and Caleb

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Hey everybody!

I've never photographed wedding portraits inside an art gallery before.  While I wasn't able to use flash and the lighting was set to view art (not photograph portraits), I was able to read the light and use my own little non-flash light to fill in shadows to create some really neat portraits with Lindsey and Caleb at Crystal Bridges.  Here are some of my favorite wedding portraits from the galleries and the grounds at Crystal Bridges.















Talk to you soon,
Dale

Crystal Bridges Wedding and Reception for Caleb and Lindsey

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Hey everybody!

Our coverage of Lindsey and Caleb's Crystal Bridges wedding ends today with the story of their sweet day.  The day was pulled off to perfection by the Bates-Reed team and Crystal Bridges provided such a sweet backdrop for the ceremony and reception.

Lindsey's girls were there to support her, pray for her, and help her get ready to marry Caleb.

Her daddy walked her down the aisle outside at Crystal Bridges.

This location was so neat (it was the first Crystal Bridges ceremony I've photographed at this part of the museum, and I loved it!).







I'm always in awe of the light in the Great Hall at Crystal Bridges.  Isn't it a cool view out that back window?  So neat.

Fabulous naked cake...



The bridesmaids and groomsmen had a lip-sync battle which had our couple dying!



Sweet ending shot with streamers (and they had bells on them, so it sounded so pretty as he dipped her back).  Just perfect.





Talk to you soon,
Dale

Gunther Family Portraits: A sweet story from the mom

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Hey everybody!

I've got a really special post today.  I wanted Amanda to write the story from her perspective, and I just love the way she told it. Y'all... read this!


"A couple of years ago God started to put adoption on our hearts. We went through the paperwork process and opened our home as an adopt only home for the state of Arkansas. We waited and waited for God to give us our child, but the phone never rang. During the waiting time, I started to wonder if we should also open as a foster home. I told God that if He would give JJ the new job he had applied for and give me a bigger house THEN I would be a foster mom. We took a leap of faith and became a foster home. In January, Christopher and Matthew came into our little house. In March, JJ got the job offer he was hoping for. And in July, all four of us and the dogs moved into our bigger home. Did you notice that God didn't do it my way? In His perfect timing, God kept all of his promises to our family. On August 12 Christopher and Matthew officially became Gunthers and we so joyfully became a family forever." 


















Talk to you soon,
Dale

The Cubs, Cece's Speech, and My Dream.

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Hey everybody!






I used to dream that the Cubs would win the world series. I've been a lifelong fan (if you scroll back years and years on here, you'll see) and the lovable losers will always have a huge piece of my heart, my hope, and my spirit.



The other night, I had a different dream.  It was a good dream. In my dream, Cece said, "outside" as in... I wanna go outside. Of course, to reinforce that behavior I took her directly outside so she could see that her words meant something to my ears.  It was a good dream. Nothing fancy, nothing fantastical, just my daughter talking.





But I woke up sad.



Over the course of her 2.5 years, I've heard her say a couple words; believe it or not, she has said "ousted" -- which is how her cute little mouth would say "outside" -- a couple times before (probably 8 or 9 months ago). I've since learned that children with autism can "forget" words.  And the more I've studied, the more I realize it's more like they "can't locate" the words they want to pull from their brain and say.  It's terribly frustrating because I know that she knows them.  I know that she thinks them.  I know that if I tell her we are going to go outside, she'll start heading to the back door.



A parent's dream is a powerful thing.  I'm using it as a goal to reach toward, and to fight for.  I don't know that Cece will ever say a sentence to her "Daaaa" but I'm here with open ears.  As for the Cubs, well... I'd take a World Series ring as a consolation prize.







Talk to you soon,

Dale



Chenal Valley Wedding Portraits for Ashley and Rory

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Hey everybody!

I've been loving all this Benny Backlight lately!  I feel so inspired by light and what I've been able to make it do for my images, and when we timed Ashley and Rory's wedding portraits at Chenal Valley in Little Rock... everything fell into place perfectly! I absolutely adore this couple (I can't wait to tell you what they did after their first meeting tomorrow on the blog) and I'm so proud of these images!  Have a look...





Talk to you soon,
Dale

Little Rock Wedding of Ashley and Rory: Details

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Hey everybody!

Okay, y'all have already seen some dreamy portraits of the stunning Ashley and Rory... so check out some the beautiful and elegant wedding details from their special day! Seriously, a blush and ivory dreeeeeeam! And their cakes?! I love how the fresh roses and chocolate dipped strawberries waterfall down the side of the cakes. GORGEOUS!













Talk to you soon,
Dale

Little Rock Wedding of Ashley and Rory: Sweet, Emotional Story

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Hey everybody!

Aren't Ashley and Rory the best? They are not only gorgeous, they are some of THE sweetest people I have ever met. Right after their first look, he took her up to the stage to pray with her and take communion. It was, hands down, my favorite part of the day! They met at Ole Miss where he was a baseball player and she was a Diamond Girl. Isn't that adorable?! HOTTY TODDY!

Take a look at their sweeeeet wedding story...

That dress!! I die.



Such a precious moment!

Model bridesmaids much?!



Ashley was an emotional beauty during the first look. Rory was nurturing and affectionate (My favorite, y'all!).

Mere's shot of it...


My shot of it... I'll never forget this moment.

The SWEETEST.





This girl ended up being my best friend thanks to a little game I like to call "peek-a-boo" ;)

Yay!!! Congrats you two!

















Talk to you soon,
Dale

Elizabeth Grace Mattiza Newborn Pictures

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Hey everybody!

One of our most favorite Benny Brides has a Benny Baby! Precious Elizabeth Grace Mattiza was born August 16th and we had the privilege to photograph her the following week. Newborn babies are one of my favorite things to photograph because, after becoming a dad myself, I realized how precious these little gifts from God are.  Congratulations to the Matizza family on the beautiful little girl.

















Talk to you soon,
Dale

Isabel's Bridal Portraits at Autumns Ridge Plantation

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Hey everybody!

This girl has it all, y'all. She's absolutely stunning, she's brilliant, and she's a little sweetie pie! We hit it off immediately when we sat down to plan her bridal portraits at Autumns Ridge Plantation, by the end of our shoot we were already planning to shoot her vow renewal in 5 years... haha! For her Autumns Ridge bridal portraits we thought we'd do something special, so we added a horse to the shoot.  Yep, bridal portraits with a horse... at Autumns Ridge... does it get better?  Nope.

Here are my favorites from the session:




Talk to you soon,
Dale

Slone turns TWO!

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Hey everybody!

If I have any say in who Cece marries, my vote is going to be cast for Slone Brown. This two year old is a little wild man, but can also be sweet and affectionate. He adores his mom and likes to rough house with his dad.  Best of both worlds... and y'all... he's so stinking cute!! And... TODAY is his birthday! Yay!




I love this {growing} family so much!

WHEEEEEEEEE!!!

How BEAUTIFUL is this mom? Oh my word!

Stylish and wild from head to toe.




Talk to you soon,
Dale

My Crazy Weekend - Surgery+Weddings

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Hey everybody!

Like many (ahem, ALL) guys I know, I'm not quick to admit I'm sick, and I'm less quick to accept help for it. Last Wednesday night after meeting with my friend Amy Duggar (we had to plan out her wedding day and make that big ol' family shot list) I had been feeling pretty icky and it really caught up with me and got BAD. I was out working at one of my usual spots on my book (yay!) and I decided I needed to get home, but was unable to drive. I had a friend pick me up and 1/2 way home I said, "um... please just take me to the hospital."

A few hours later, what felt like food poisoning and major stomach cramping and pain, all localized to my appendix. The doctor came in and confirmed our fears: appendicitis. I told the doctor that I'm a wedding photographer and have never missed a wedding, nor will I ever miss a wedding so I'd like to move the surgery to Monday. He said that was fine if I didn't mind DYING. Hahaha! So, we had the surgery first thing Thursday morning.

Let's fast forward over the next 48 painful hours.

**Saturday, Eileen and Chad got married at Hunt Chapel in Rogers, and I was there to take pictures the entire time.
**Sunday, Amy Duggar and Dillon King got married at Horton Farms near Bentonville, and I was there from noon to midnight shooting that one as well.

I'm thankful for God's perfect timing. If I had waiting a day to go in I likely wouldn't have been able to shoot Eileen's wedding and would have been devastated. I'm also thankful my little stomach attack didn't happen on Saturday or Sunday... haha! Oh, and lastly I'm thankful for my mom who came down from Joplin to be my nurse and friend while I recovered. She's a sweetheart, y'all! I wish you could meet her! There's no momma better on the planet.

Anyway, just thought I'd drop a line about my crazy little wedding weekend for you, and to say that I absolutely LOVE my job - it never seems like work, and I am so thankful for my clients this weekend who were so sweet to me and appreciated me being there.





Talk to you soon,
Dale

Jordan Bray Gunter's Bridal Portraits

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Hey everybody!

Gorgeous bride alert! Jordan Bray... ahem... Jordan Gunter is such a gorgeous girl with a beautiful heart. Her wedding was so sweet (I can't wait to share something WILD that happened, and how sweet she handled it), but anyway... enough about that... this is about her bridal portraits, which we took at Autumns Ridge outside Fayetteville. I've been shooting a lot of bridal portraits at Autumns Ridge plantation, and it's so diverse (and beautiful) that I can shoot 10 sessions without duplicating a shot! Here are some of my favorites from Jordan's bridal sessions there...





Talk to you soon,
Dale

Dillon King and Amy Duggar's Wedding Photos: Wedding Portraits

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Hey everybody!

***first off... note... please don't pull these images and repost or use them in any way without contacting me first: dale@benfieldphotography.com  - thanks! :)

I'm about to start a few posts covering the wedding of Amy Duggar to Dillon King.  Since I sold exclusive, first pick rights to wedding images to People Magazine, I had to wait until today until I could post anything (isn't that just crazy?!).  Anyway, it's Thursday now so I have the okay to post anything that is not running in the magazine... yay!  I wanted to start off with a few of Amy and Dillon's wedding portraits. She of course is SO natural in front of my camera, and Dillon and I have become such good buddies over this engagement process that he is also photogenic. :)  Here are a few of my favorites from their wedding portrait session on the wedding day...








Talk to you soon,
Dale


Dillon King and Amy Duggar's Wedding Images: The Wedding Story and Details

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***first off... note... please don't pull these images and repost or use them in any way without contacting me first: dale@benfieldphotography.com - thanks! :)





Hey everybody!

Get ready for a MEGA post! I decided to combine the details and story of Dillon King and Amy Duggar's wedding into one post.  Their Horton Farms wedding was pretty much a dream. The weather was beautiful, her rose gold accents made me feel warm and fuzzy, and the day itself was full of fun and funny moments.  Time spent with Amy Duggar is time spent laughing and being entertained!

Like I mentioned above, she had rose gold accents throughout the day... her reception dress, her wedding band, and table settings... to name just a few.  Her dad surprised her with vintage emerald and diamond earrings which she wore as he walked her down the aisle to Dillon.

This dress - I love it because it's so classic and will never go out of style. It was stunning for her body type and the simplicity and beauty of the dress let the focus be on the bride.

Grandma Duggar said, "their cake is called a naked cake!" - yes, it is.  I just thought it was cute that she said it. Hahaha!


Our friend Bonnie (bonniedoesitagain.com) did Amy's makeup (and touched up her hair as the day went on) to perfection.  I chose this picture from all the ones I got of the two because the candid moment showed a lot of mutual respect and mutual admiration on each of their faces.


Doesn't Amy just look sweet and gorgeous in this classic dress?  Ahhhh, so happy for this bride!

Grandma Duggar helped button the back of it - you can tell having her grandma help with this special moment made Amy giddy.

Dillon King and Amy Duggar had a special first meeting before the ceremony where she walked to him and he turned around to this:  (it was really a fun and special time for the couple!)

We're used to posing big family group shots, but the Duggar family were just as used to it - hahaha!  (btw, I know I chose a shot with a couple blinkers... People Magazine chose the one I wanted to run, so I can't... hahaha!) Anyway, I know there's a lot of smack talk out there about the Duggar family (I don't watch the show, and don't get wrapped up in drama... and I don't listen to haters - Life is too short for that!), but I have to say they were all SO respectful and sweet to me. I only have the nicest things to say about them and my experience in working with them.

The girl Duggar cousins striking a FUN pose! I didn't know exactly what I'd get when I asked for them to be sassy or silly, but I just LOVE how this turned out.  You can look at each girl and see... "yep, that's ______."  So fun!

Before Amy Duggar walked down the aisle to become Amy King, Grandma Duggar prayed for Amy and Dillon's marriage and future together along with the bridesmaids.  This image really touches me, y'all!

Oh, yeah... had to take a selfie with this stunner bride!  Amy = flawless.



And then the bell (flower) girls walked down the aisle yelling "the bride is coming!" Completely precious!

Amy and Dillon have so much personality and weren't afraid to be themselves up on stage as they exchanged their vows and rings. Doesn't Amy look SO happy?

First kiss as husband and wife.  Amy Duggar and Dillon King, joined in marriage... Mr and Mrs Dillon King.

Then the bridesmaids and I ran away for a minute to shoot a few more fun shots - I really loved spending time with these girls on the wedding day.  We had fun all day, all night.  We danced till my feet fell off.

Awwww... happy laugh-y time.


And lastly, a few more portraits of the beautiful couple!

Thanks Amy and Dillon! You two were really precious and I was HONORED to be your wedding photographer!  Can't wait to hang!


Talk to you soon,
Dale

Pratt Place Wedding Portraits of Jordan and Travis

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Hey everybody!

I've got a doozy of a wedding to start sharing with y'all tonight!  Jordan and Travis were married at Pratt Place Barn and put together an amazing love story for their guests to witness.  Over the next few days I'm going to take you through their wedding day, but today I'm sharing some of my favorite to-die-for portraits of this stunning couple.  Get ready!  Yay!




























Talk to you soon,
Dale

Pratt Place Wedding of Jordan and Travis

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Hey everybody!

The story of Jordan and Travis' wedding day was super duper sweet.  Her beautiful blue accents where everywhere (hello gorgeous shoes - check the collage below!), and they also had some really sentimental pieces.  Whenever you see a ladybug in today's post, know that it's a symbol of Travis' recently passed mother.  I thought it was a lovely way to remember and honor her.



This bouquet... seriously.

I knew most of Jordan's bridesmaids before the wedding day, so getting them to be relaxed with my kookiness wasn't hard.  I love this relaxed portrait of the bride and her babes on the bed at Pratt Place Inn in Fayetteville.

Here, Jordan's mom is helping her daughter into her fabulous wedding dress. Jordan was all smiles, all day.

We did a first reveal with the bridesmaids that I was so crazy about.  We had them all turned around and Jordan snuck up behind... I gave the countdown... and then this...

Then of course we had to shoot a cutie pie pic of all these little darlings!

Then we did another first look, this time with the groom.  The maid of honor and matron of honor each pulled a door back as Jordan was waiting on the other side for Travis to look at her for the first time.  It turned out beautifully.

Then, it didn't take long for this to happen.  Such joy!

Then the boys were off to the ceremony.  In style.

This is one of my favorite moments from the wedding ceremony.  Let me tell you what happened.  The ring bearer (or, sign carrier in this case) was told by his mom "take this to Travis."  As he waited near the back, nervous, Travis walked to him and then was handed the sign.  Mission accomplished (and so cute!). Travis, going with the flow, carried the sign up his own aisle with the biggest smile on his face.

Our darling bride.


Oh, I forgot to tell you what happened. Mere got sick at the wedding and had to leave, so our talented Rachel came to the rescue.  So thankful for her!  And of course Jordan was a TOTAL SWEETHEART about it!  Crazy and scary, but thankful for the coolest clients in the world.







Ahhhh... this moment! The best!


Oh... SO MUCH MORE to share! Keep coming back!



Talk to you soon,
Dale

Pratt Place Reception Images for Travis and Jordan

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Hey everybody!

Jordan and Travis' Pratt Place reception gets its own details collage because there are just too many wonderful ideas not to include!  I got to work with some new vendors (not necessarily to the world... just new to Benfield Weddings!): Core Brewery (I love this local brewery - they are killing it with a great product!) brought the beer and the party. (more vendor details below)

This cake - total showstopper!


Also, Arkansas BBQ Co. food truck was there and had the most incredible barbecue (y'all... seriously here... the pulled pork and baked beans were so good I went back for seconds!) - I was in Hog Heaven! I hope both these vendors keep following me around from reception to reception.

Weddings at Pratt Place Barn are always so dreamy.  The lighting is magical and fairytale like, as it was for Travis and Jordan's first dance.







I don't typically include guest dance shots, but I had to put this one of our friend Brooke and her husband on here... it's too sweet!

Twirling princesses

Boom Kinetic brought the entertainment and totally brought the house down. Every time these guys play I know I'm going to get the best dance shots because nobody ever leaves the dance floor!



Rachel stepped in for Meredith at this wedding and was a total rockstar. Love this shot of our couple leaving the reception...

And my view, with good ol' Pratt Place Barn in the background.

Jordan asked me to get this shot with some of her bridesmaids and as soon as they drove away, I grabbed four and give it a go.  I "love" this. ;)


More portraits coming tomorrow, friends! Yay!



Talk to you soon,
Dale

The Finale: More Wedding Portraits of Travis and Jordan at Pratt Place Barn

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Hey everybody!

I'm ending the coverage of Travis and Jordan's wedding today with more portraits. I just couldn't get enough of this dazzling couple.  We literally shot for 10 minutes and got a million incredible portraits (okay... not a million... but a lot!). Here are some more of my favorite wedding portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Gunter. :)



























Talk to you soon,
Dale

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