Yesterday was the end of an era. My love for the Raters family started in middle school when the oldest, Morgan, and I became good friends.

Fast forward a whole bunch of years, and I took the youngest brother's senior photos. Then I photographed Morgan & Josh’s engagement photos, then their wedding in 2017. A few years later, and it was the middle's turn. Justin & Reilly (who I also did senior photos for, because #smalltown) got married in 2021.

And finally, on June 15, 2024, the saga was complete when baby Joel married the farmer's daughter.

We’ve loved Joel and Kinzie for along time. I met Kinzie super early into their relationship at Justin & Reilly’s wedding, and put her in my phone as Kinzie Raters because I knew when I met her that she would be the one.

When we’re lucky enough to see them (usually on the day after it rains, because that’s when they aren’t farming, and Joel isn’t at the firehouse), it’s always a ridiculously good time. Whether we’re playing board games, reminiscing about growing up in Crawfordsville, or eating insanely good pizza from McGoo’s (a seriously underrated Northern Lafayette pizza joint, and a local firehouse favorite).

We’ve been crazy excited for their wedding for a long time, because we’re just crazy excited about them as human beings and as friends. 

And the day didn’t disappoint.

Kinzie started with her maids and fam at her dad’s house and Joel got started right down the street at the house Kinz and Joel currently live in before everyone met up at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Lafayette, Indiana. 

We took their detail photos in the sanctuary. The church features soaring wood ceilings flanked by walls of ornate stained glass which made for some sick light for a flat lay. (Huge shout out to Carol, Janet, and Don who were some of the nicest church staff we’ve ever worked with). 

Since Joel became a firefighter, he’s grown out a sweet mustache (it’s a firefighter thing). The big question going into the day was if he was going to keep it. Mike was PUMPED when Joel arrived at the church with the full 'stache. In typical Joel fashion, we also learned he purchased his tie, watch, and socks from Kohl’s 24 hours before the ceremony, all from the same end cap (of course), and still managed to look fly as hell.

Kinzie did a first look with each of her bridesmaids, a nice touch that gives each person a private moment that’s usually really sweet (spoiler: it was really, really, really sweet). We took a few pictures of the whole crew, then tucked them away and brought out the groomsmen for a few pictures before Kinzie and Joel read letters they had written to one another.

They wanted to see each other for the first time coming down the aisle, and boy was it worth it. Immanuel’s sanctuary has a looooooong aisle, and we knew Joel was going to be emotional. His reaction was everything. A few sweet words from the officiant, an exchanging of rings and vows, and a big ol’ kiss sealed the deal, and Kinzie and Joel officially became husband and wife. 

The plan had been for Joel and Kinzie to drive away in their family’s jet black ’69 Corvette Stingray. Joel had been talking about this for WEEKS. We had a whole thing planned. We were gonna drive away, go find some Indiana backroads and take some sick portraits of them driving and hanging out in the car. 

Unfortunately, the fuel pump gave out in the church parking lot, which meant no James Dean moment for Joel, but a few guests contributed a convertible BMW as a substitute (not too shabby). And spoiler alert, that’s not the end of the Corvette story, but that’s a story for a few paragraphs from now.

The reception was held at the their family farm, in their gigantic, gorgeous, white pole barn. As their guests left the church to head to the farm, we hung back to do a few formals in the church sanctuary and to give Kinzie and Joel a little bit of time to hang out without everyone there. 

After the short drive to the farm, we got the party started right out of the gate with speeches and dances before dinner. 

After great speeches from the dads, the best man, and the maid of honor, they mingled with their friends and family for awhile before we took them out in the “weeds field” (Editors note from Mike: "Kayla, it’s WHEAT field") behind the barn for sunset portraits. 

I told you the Corvette story wasn’t done. The family managed to get the Fuel Pump fixed, and 10 minutes before the sun dipped below the horizon, we heard it rumbling up beside the barn. Ya’ll. Holy sh!t. Hoooooly forking shirtballs. Check out the pics. That’s all. James Dean Moment realized.

They threw the barn doors open when the sun went down, and the dance floor was absolutely packed for HOURS while the fireflies sparkled in the fields beyond. 

Then…the DJ played Farmer’s Daughter. Everyone dancing surrounded Kinzie and Joel and scream/sang at them before Kinzie’s dad came out and gave Joel a huge hug. I may or may not have been able to see through my camera.

Between the Prime Rib, Brisket, BBQ Mac N Cheese, Hawaiian Rolls, and donuts for dessert, Mike rolled rather than walked out of the reception at the end of the night.

They’re off to St. Lucia for their Honeymoon and we couldn’t be happier for them.

Joel, Kenzie, we love you guys so much! Enjoy the hell out of your honeymoon, and get back here so we can play some more board games and eat more pizza please and thank you.