Gorgeous Wedding at The Grand Ivory | Leonard, Texas

Tears welled up in my eyes and blurred my vision countless times as I edited Jenna and Ivan’s touching wedding day, making it nearly impossible to see my screen. I thought I’d never finish their gallery. But I surely did and it’s a wedding and a couple that will always be close to my heart. I’d like to share the back story.

Back in 2019, I was standing in line at a darling book shop in downtown Phoenix for Jordan Lee Dooley’s Own Your Everyday book tour. All around me, over 100 women were waiting in line for the event to start, and right in front of me stood a tall and slender woman with the most vibrant fiery locks I’d ever seen. We started talking and instantly I was captivated by her kind nature, gentle spirit and piercing blue eyes. Her name was Jenna. I truly loved every second of our conversation. On my drive home that night a thought popped into my head, “One day I’m going to photograph Jenna’s wedding.” 

We kept in touch through Instagram and three years after that night I received an inquiry in my inbox, Jenna was engaged and she wanted me to photograph her wedding! I squealed with joy and didn’t miss a beat sending a reply. 

Jenna and her fiancé, Ivan, faced a common issue to newly engaged couples… geography. They were transplants to Phoenix, Jenna from the East Coast and Ivan from the West Coast. So, instead of making half the family travel all the way, why not make all the family travel half the way?? They looked at a map of the US and thought, “hmm Texas is right in the middle.” After tonsss of research, phone calls, conversations and weighing all the options, they booked their wedding at The Grand Ivory, nestled in the scenic countryside of North East Texas. The Grand Ivory is a one hour drive from both Dallas Love Field and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, making it a great option for a destination wedding.

Shortly after they booked the venue, they officially booked me! This was truly the realization of a 3 year dream! BUT… life is never quite so simple. One month after they booked me, I started not to feel like my normal self. After a few weeks of denial, two little lines on a pregnancy test confirmed what I could hardly believe to be true – I was pregnant! I was somewhere between shock, utter elation, and pure joy. But my little guy apparently had not checked my wedding calendar, because he was due just one day before Jenna and Ivan’s wedding. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t ball my eyes out when I came to the realization that I’d no longer be able to photograph their wedding day. After much consideration I presented them with two options, #1 refund their money so they could hire a different photographer or #2 I would find an associate to photograph the wedding day, but I would still do their engagement photos and plan everything with them as normal. To my delight they chose option #2!! 

Before Jenna and Ivan told me their decision I already had my dear friend and fellow wedding photographer, Erin, in mind to serve in my place on their wedding day… and hallelujah, she was available!! She even had a recommendation for a second shooter, Allison, who ended up being an amazing addition to the team. I talked on the phone with Erin numerous times leading up to the wedding explaining how I do things and sharing specific details that I’m very careful not to forget about on wedding days. Haha, undoubtedly Erin was fed up with me when all was said and done. I couldn’t help myself, I wanted every detail to be captured perfectly for this special couple and I wanted them to feel truly loved and valued by the photographers on their wedding day. I am happy to report that Erin and Allison absolutely KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE STINKIN’ PARK!!! After the wedding Jenna texted me, “They were truly the best people to be surrounded by on our wedding day.” Not only did Erin and Allison bring their expertise and creative photography skills, but they also brought with them a peaceful and joyful presence that I know blessed everyone they interacted with. I feel honored to have friends who could so perfectly represent Sarah Conrad Photography that day, but most importantly who could represent the Lord so well during this precious wedding day.

It was such a joy to walk alongside Jenna & Ivan through their season of engagement and to have the honor of editing and delivering their beautiful wedding photos. In a conversation with Jenna after the wedding she told me that her favorite moment was, “The first look. For me and my personality it was perfect getting to see him, talk to him and be with him. It was so sweet to have that [uninterrupted] time together. The chaos of the day, the week, that all melted away the moment I saw him and calmed my nerves.” When asked what his favorite moment from the day was, Ivan didn’t hesitate in saying that it was the first look as well. This is such a testament to the power of doing a first look! All wedding days go by so fast, making it crucial to carve out special alone time together throughout the day. I’m glad Jenna and Ivan prioritized doing a first look and so happy that it became their mutual favorite moment from their wedding day! 

THE CREATIVE TEAM

venue: The Grand Ivory • floral design: Rain Florist Designs • hair & makeup: Get Pretty Gals • cake: Cakes By Tayte • catering: Five Star Events – FarmHaus Catering • coordinator: Events by Esme • dj: Vida Events – Valente • videography: White Elm Films • photography: Sarah Conrad Photography • my incredible associate photographers: Erin Lane Photo & Film and Allison Klein Photography • invitations: Minted • bride’s dress: Wedding Belles Bridal Boutique, designer: Morilee • bride’s shoes: Kate Whitcomb • bridesmaids’ dresses: Revelry • bride’s ring: James Allen • groom’s ring: Shane Co. • groom’s suit: Men’s Wearhouse • officiant: Pastor Brad Chaney