In over a decade of wedding photography I can honestly say, this was a first for me! I was so excited to hear from Claire that she was engaged and in need of a photographer for her wedding. Then she proceeded to tell me about the “twist.” …Nobody would know they were getting married until the wedding day! Pretty much immediately I responded with an “Okay, I’m in!”

Now, it was actually back in 2019 that they got engaged. It was not in the plans to keep their secret for quite so long, but due to Covid they had to postpone a couple times. From May to November to finally, on July 30, 2021 they were able to make this wedding happen!

So the plan was, Josh would be telling their friends and family that he was going to pop the question and wanted to throw a surprise party that evening for Claire. Everyone gathered excitedly at The Mezz at Crawford Brew Works in Bettendorf, Iowa to “surprise” and congratulate the happy couple. I’m sure they couldn’t wait to pull one over on Claire and discuss potential plans for the wedding.

Little did they know, the happy couple already spent the afternoon getting ready, sharing a first look and taking wedding portraits at Vander Veer Park with Josh’s kiddos, Martin and Evelyn! The kids were in on the secret for the last couple of weeks, and I am impressed at their abilities to keep it hush-hush!

The big moment finally arrived for Claire and Josh to make their debut. It was truly everything I imagine they’d hoped for. Their loved ones were absolutely shocked to see Claire walk in wearing a wedding dress! I glanced over at my assistant Terry (aka. my mama) and noticed her eyes were leaking just like mine. It was so special, so fun, just an amazing moment they will NEVER forget!

Claire promptly grabbed a microphone and announced that they had already been engaged for well over a year and would actually be getting married RIGHT NOW. An audible gasp filled the room and once again, everyone was surprised, as I later learned that many of them initially thought the couple eloped and were just coming to celebrate. Within minutes, the room had been flipped from an engagement party to a wedding…seriously, it was awesome. It meant a lot to their family and friends to witness the ceremony and be a part of something so unique.

It was definitely a wedding to remember and will be one heck-of-a story to tell for years to come!

Extra special thank you to the incredible vendors who helped pull this surprise wedding off! It was unconventionally amazing and turned out to be an absolutely beautiful wedding day!

Venue: Crawford Brew Works / https://crawfordbrewworks.com

Dessert: Whisk QC / http://www.whiskqc.com

Flowers: HyVee

Balloons: Pumped / pumpedxv@gmail.com

Decor: Rolling Hills Event Rentals / http://www.rollinghillseventrentals.com

Catering: Zeke’s Island Cafe / http://www.zekesislandcafe.com

Haire & Makeup: PURE Hair & Beauty Lounge / http://www.purebeautyloungeqc.com

Claire + Josh / a wonderful surprise wedding in the Quad Cities