Ryan and Mary were married in a beautiful and intimate wedding at Castle & Key in Frankfort, Kentucky, on July 17, 2020, and chose Reel Special to capture their wedding video.
Mary and her Dad have a tradition of always going to Keeneland together, and it just so happened that on one of these father-daughter outings, Mary met one of Ryan’s friends who instantly became a close friend. Before they parted ways that day, the friend asked Mary if she had any interest in meeting someone, and Mary agreed to consider it. After some coaching, Ryan’s friend passed along Mary’s phone number and the rest, as they say, is history.
Fast forward to their wedding day. After a rollercoaster of emotions and forced changes due to COVID-19, Ryan and Mary settled on having an intimate wedding at one of the most spectacular places in all of Kentucky, Castle & Key Distillery. Recently brought back to life after decades of neglect following its closure in the 1970’s as the Old Taylor Distillery, Castle & Key has been transformed into arguably one of the most beautiful and exclusive locations in the South to hold a special event. Nestled on over 100 acres in Franklin County, Kentucky, every inch from the once-abandoned castle to the world’s largest rickhouse (measuring at a whopping 534 feet) is now a canvas of possibility for wedding videographers and photographers who are privileged enough to shoot on the property.
When their wedding day arrived, Ryan and Mary made their final preparations on separate ends of the venue while their parents took their place seated in the sunken garden, a masterpiece of a landscape revitalized by award-winning designer Jon Carloftis. Mary chose to do a first look with her Dad before he walked her down the aisle, and it was without question one of the sweetest moments we’ve ever had the opportunity to capture between a father and his daughter.
The ceremony was simply perfect. Ryan and Mary made their vows to one another, then celebrated their new status as “husband and wife” with a kiss. The couple was introduced as the new Mr. and Mrs. Shive, and their smiles radiated the overwhelming happiness they both felt in that beautiful moment.
The evening concluded with Mary’s Dad offering a brief but deeply thoughtful toast to the newlyweds. He praised them for their strength and perseverance to proceed with their wedding in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and he honored his daughter and new son-in-law with sweet encouragement as only a proud and loving father could.
Ryan and Mary, what an honor it was to capture this special moment in your lives. We hope that as you and your loved ones look back on your wedding video, you will be able to relive and cherish your amazing day as if it were yesterday. We are so grateful that you chose us to capture it, and wish you all the best for a lifetime of memories to come!
Video: Reel Special
Photography: Photography by Adele
Venue: Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky
Dress: Couture Closet
Alterations: Darling Sew Shop
Officiant: Tim Roark
Flowers: Bloom Floral Design of KY
Cake: Martine’s Pastries
Hair: All that is Lovely // Lauren Prather
Makeup: Something Blu // Tamika Holifield
Rings: Rivard Fine Jewelry