Destination Wedding at Graystone Valley in Branson, Missouri | Amy + Austin

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Today’s wedding was an extra special one for me to document. Not only because it was a destination wedding at the fabulous Graystone Valley in Branson, Missouri, but also because the groom Austin and I practically grew up together!

From kindergarten through high school, Austin and I knew one another, had similar interests, and were involved in similar activities like band. Eventually Austin and I graduated though and he made his way to Mizzou, and as fate would have it that’s where he met Amy! The two were quick to fall head over heels for one another, and their love is what brought this traditional, classy, and infinitely sweet wedding day together!

Cute and casual selfies of Missouri wedding photographer with the bride and groom.

Starting the Day Off Right

The start of Amy and Austin’s wedding day made it immediately apparent just how much the day meant for them and their loved ones. One of the first examples of this was when I noticed one of Amy’s bridesmaids was working on finishing a gorgeous, HANDMADE purse as a gift for Amy! Amy was over the moon with excitement, showing off the purse to everyone around. It was just one of many moments of pure joy as Amy and her gals got ready on site at the wedding venue.

Afterwards we would all make our way outside for some wedding party portraits as Austin and his groomsmen were soon to arrive.

Photograph of white leather heels, leaves and the couples's wedding rings in a spherical ring box organized on top of a white veil.

Amy’s dad made this spherical ring box for them out of wood. It was absolutely stunning.

Missouri wedding photographer captures the bride's white block heels on top of a table, alongside the couple's rings and a bouquet of flowers in front of a scenic window.

A close-up of the bride's engagement ring and wedding band, as well as the groom's silver and gold wedding band.

Two images of the bride getting ready for her special day. On the left is a black and white image of her wearing "bride" slippers, and the right image is of her in lounge apparel with a purse slung over her shoulder as she smiles at the camera.

One of Amy’s bridesmaid’s MADE that purse for her!! Amazing.

The bride is smiling and laughing with her family as they assist her with putting on her wedding gown.

A black and white image of a bride standing behind her bridesmaids outside her Missouri wedding venue.

Bridesmaids in matching black dresses hype up their bride in a green forest while they laugh and hold flower bouquets.

A stunning bride flaunts her wedding gown and smiles as she runs through a forest at her Missouri wedding venue.

The stunning outdoor space of Graystone Valley made for the perfect backdrop for these photos and the wedding day itself, a true gem of a wedding venue and the perfect option for a destination wedding in Missouri!

Bride smiles into the distance as she twirls her wedding dress in the middle of a forest.

A photograph of a bride and her bridesmaids lined up together as they hold matching bouquets in their hands.

St Louis photographer captures a photograph of bridesmaids leaning into the bride and smiling for a picture in the middle of a forest at Graystone Valley.

Two wholesome images of bridesmaids fixing and straightening out their friend's wedding dress as they laugh together.

A black and white image of a bride's best friends fixing her bridal cape in the middle of a grassy lawn in the forest.

Images of the back of the brides dress, including her veil and little white flowers in her bun.

A black and white image of the groom sitting inside the Missouri wedding venue with the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Two images of the groom with his groomsmen. The left of them smiling in an organized formation on a set of stone stairs, and the right image of them raising a toast.

The groom and his groomsmen, in matching attire, fix their tuxedos as they walk in front of the black building at their St Louis wedding venue.

Images of the groom smiling in a forest green colored tuxedo, the date of his wedding is embroidered onto the collar of his jacket.

After a lovely first look for Amy and her bridesmaids, and some epic portraits for Austin and his groomsmen, it was time to get the ceremony underway!

Images of the wedding officiant's binder on a chair and the couple's octagonal shaped wedding altar, which is covered in white flowers and has a phenomenal view of the mountains in the distance.

An image of the couple's beautiful Missouri wedding venue at Graystone Valley, including the chairs set up in the lawn facing the altar.

Missouri wedding photographer captures an image of the octagonal altar that overlooks the green hills and mountains in the distance.

Outdoor Destination Wedding Ceremony at Graystone Valley of Missouri

The ceremony space of Graystone Valley is absolutely breathtaking. The vast, rolling hills of endless green forests set the scene as the backdrop for what was sure to be an equally beautiful ceremony.

Two images, the left of the groom's mother sitting in a chair with a corsage on and a fan in her hand, the right image of a man and little girl taking in the beautiful scenery outside the venue's building.

A man and flower girl looking outside while awaiting the wedding ceremony to see the seats beginning to fill with guests.

The guests begin to arrive for the wedding ceremony on a beautiful partly-cloudy day at Graystone Valley.

Two images, the left of the groom walking with his mother down the aisle, and the right image of a man walking the flower girl in a white dress down the aisle.

A black and white image of the bride inside the Missouri wedding venue, smiling brightly and holding a bouquet of flowers in her hand.

As the ceremony began, everyone awaited Amy’s entrance with bated breath, including Austin himself. As Amy made her entrance, Austin’s face literally lit up with excitement! Amy looked practically radiant as well, wearing her fabulous wedding dress, hair pins from her mother’s flower crown, and her sister’s veil for some added personal touches.

An image of the groom waiting for his bride at the altar while this groomsmen stand lined-up behind him.

The bridesmaids smile and wait for their friend, the bride, to walk down the aisle while they attempt to shade themselves from the sunlight.

The bride links arms with her father and holds her flower bouquet as he begins to lead her down the aisle.

The groom in his dark green tux and bowtie spots his bride as she walks down the altar.

Guests stand and surround the bride and her father, who are linking arms, while they celebrate her marriage.

The bride and her father are surrounded by loved ones. He smiles at her before she joins her groom to stand at the altar.

A black and white image of the bride and groom holding hands in front of the officiant.

Images of the officiant speaking to the bride and groom, as well as their family.

The officiant speaks to the bride and groom as they sit next to each other and hold hands in front of the overlook.

Family members of the bride and groom smile and listen intently to the wedding ceremony.

The bride and groom stand in the sunlight as the listen to the officiant and hold hands.

As the ceremony progressed, it was time for Austin’s best man to give him the rings, only there was one tiny problem. Amy’s father handmade the ring box which was super cool, but incredibly difficult to get out of an interior suit coat pocket!

St Louis wedding photographer captures the groom getting emotional and putting his head in his hand at his wedding ceremony.

It was such a hilarious moment, even as Austin hid his face in embarrassment. Aside from this lighthearted bit of stress the ceremony was strikingly beautiful, and before too long Amy and Austin were officially newlyweds!

The bride and groom lean back and laugh while holding hands at the altar as their best friends stand behind them and laugh as well.

Two images, on the left the couple kisses at the octagonal altar under a blue and cloudy sky, the right image from the view of the bridesmaids of the couple walking back up the aisle.

A black and white image of the newly-wed couple holding hands and walking up the aisle.

The husband and wife hug and celebrates their wedding in front of the altar.

Couple kisses on a set of stone stairs at Graystone Valley as they leave the altar as husband and wife.

It was now time for some outdoor portrait photos, as when you have a space like Graystone Valley that’s surrounded by the gorgeous Missouri countryside for your destination wedding you take as MANY portraits as you can!

St Louis wedding photographer captures a photograph of the bride and groom with their family in front of a stone wall lined with plants.

Two images, on the left is a image of a vintage bus themed photo booth, "The Shutter Bus" and the left photo shows the husband helping his wife with the back of her wedding dress.

Unfortunately there was a slight wardrobe malfunction, which caused Amy to need a dress swap into her rehearsal dress. Thanks to Austin and her bridesmaid’s quick action we remedied this swiftly, and honestly it couldn’t have worked out better!

Husband and wife kiss after their ceremony while their close friends and family surround them with their arms out and celebrate them.

A black and white image of the newly-wed couple kissing while their close friends and family pose with their arms out and celebrate them.

The bride and groom's friends and family take a silly picture surrounding the couple as they kiss in the lawn of their wedding venue at Graystone Valley.

The bride and groom walk through their friends as the clap and cheer. The bride is holding her husbands hand and a bouquet of flowers while they laugh together.

The husband and wife laugh together while they walk with their hands locked. Their friends yell and cheer behind them.

Missouri wedding photographer captures a picture in black and white of the husband and wife wearing their wedding bands.

The couple links arms and poses in front of the flower-covered octagon shaped altar under a blue cloudy sky on their wedding day.

Man and wife sit together in a rock formation, her legs crossed in front of her as she holds the bouquet of flowers.

Okay but like… are we in Missouri or the Amalfi coast??

Missouri wedding photographer gets a shot of the bride and groom's attire, the man in a green and black tuxedo and the bride in a modern high-neck reception dress holding a bouquet of flowers.

Husband hold the bouquet and spins his wife romantically in the middle of a field at Graystone Valley in Missouri.

Couple holds hands and walks through the field at their Missouri wedding venue together after their ceremony.

St Louis photographer captures a canopy of trees and bright blue sky Graystone Valley.

Two images, te left of the couple posing outside by the greenery and trees and the right image captures the husband and wife walking into their reception while smiling and holding hands.

An Indoor Reception for Their Destination Wedding at Graystone Valley in Missouri

All that was left now was for Amy, Austin, and their loved ones to have the time of their lives celebrating together, and they did just that!

The bride and groom's wedding guest applaud their entrance to the reception as they stand in a large, open room with exposed beams to create a rustic feel.

The couple kisses at the front of the room behind a decorated table, the woods show behind them through the windows.

The newly-wedded couple laughs as a guest in a floral dress approaches them and chats with them as they eat dinner.

Two images, the left image of table four's candle arrangements and the right image of the best man holding a microphone and speaking at the reception.

I know I’ve been calling Amy and Austin’s wedding at Graystone Valley a destination wedding, but it wasn’t until the reception that I realized that this wedding was practically a University of Missouri reunion! During Amy’s dad’s speech he shouted “M-I-Z!” and half the guests chanted back “Z-O-U!” It was such a surreal experience, and one of the many fun and heartfelt toasts. Among these toasts was also Amy’s sisters, who decided to give their speech together which I LOVED!

Missouri wedding photographer captures a black and white image of the bride and groom's friends cheering and holding drinks.

An image of the Missouri wedding venue, circular tables decorated with candles are filled with the bride and groom's loved ones .

The bride, her husband and their best man are spotlighted at the front of the room while everyone listens intently as the father gives a toast.

The newly-wed couple giggles at their table as they listen to the bride's father speak about them to their loved ones.

The groom holds his wife's hand as she wipes a tear from her eye during emotional speeches.

A low-lighted image captured by St Louis photographer captures the beautiful scenery outside Graystone Valley.

Sitting next to the groom, the bride holds her hand in front her mouth while she laughs at her father's speech.

The best man holds a microphone and stands in front of the newly-wed couple as they sit at their table and smile during his speech.

The bride, her husband and the best man are at the front of the reception room, everyone listens intently as the father gives a speech.

Two of the bridesmaids hold fans and present a speech next to the bride and groom, who are sitting and smiling at their table.

St Louis photographer captures a black and white image of the bride and groom's shoes. She is wearing white block heels with bows and he is wearing black leather dress shoes.

Next were some incredible first dances, first up were Amy and Austin.

The bride and groom dance at the front of their open-windowed reception venue under a black chandelier

After that was Amy and her father who danced to a song about swimming in a lake as a kid. At the same time someone handed Austin a photo of Amy as a child swimming with her father which was a SUPER sweet touch!

The groom laughs while he shows the wedding photographer a baby picture of his wife, and the bride dances with her father.

Lastly it was Austin and his mother’s turn, which was so precious to witness as I’ve known these two for over 20 years now! CRAZY!!

The groom dances with his mother, holding her close to him. Various guests dressed in browns, blacks and greens dance to celebrate the wedding as well.

Ending the Day in Style

The rest of the evening progressed with Amy, Austin, and their guests having the best time together, both indoors and outdoors. Outside there were a fair share of lovely moments including a groomsman watching his girlfriend finish an Ironman race in Hawaii! This was especially cool as some of the other guests who knew her rushed over to congratulate her. There was much more for the guests of this destination wedding to enjoy outside of Graystone Valley and amongst the gorgeous Missouri countryside. This included an epic photo booth bus, corn hole games (which Missourians take VERY seriously by the way), a fire pit, and more!

Two wedding guests smile and hold foam light sticks in the dark as they dance at the wedding reception.

The bride and groom laugh and have a drink as their friends and family surround them, dancing and partying outside their venue at Graystone Valley.

The couple raises their hands and shouts happily at their party, and Missouri wedding photographer captures a image of their three-tiered wedding cake with a cake topper of them kissing.

Inside the venue was a celebration that seemed to last ALL night. Fueled by a delicious dinner, tons of cannolis, and some wonderful cake, Amy and Austin danced the night away with their friends and family. A picture perfect end to an already one of a kind amazing wedding day!

The bride and her friend look up and shout on the dance floor at their Missouri wedding venue.

The bride, in white platform converse, and her bridesmaids kneel down to the ground and laugh with drinks in their hands.

The bride, groom, bridesmaids and other guests all dance together on the dance floor to celebrate the wedding.

Bride throws up peace signs and duck lips for a funny photo while guests dance around her at her reception.

Bride and groom take a picture showing off their new wedding bands, they kneel down and take a funny and artistically blurry photo of them on the dance floor.

I’m so glad to have been able to document Amy and Austin’s destination wedding here at Graystone Valley in Branson, Missouri! These two have attracted a wonderful array of people into their lives. Celebrating amongst them and documenting all the joy of the day was SUCH a pleasure and something I’ll be reliving for years to come!

For another look at a destination wedding check out Elise and Abram’s celebration in Tennessee. If you’re ready to book me to document your wedding day be sure to send an inquiry through my contact page and we can start planning your day together!