Jonathan & Taylor’s New Year’s Eve Wedding in Farley, Iowa

There was fresh snow on the ground, holiday lights still hanging in the trees, and the last few hours of 2021 were slipping away. Jonathan and Taylor decided to get married on the most celebratory night of the year, and honestly, it showed in every single frame. These New Years Eve wedding photos have a kind of energy we don’t always get to bottle up. From a traditional Catholic ceremony at St. Clement Church to a gold-drenched reception at Farley Memorial Hall, this day had warmth, weight, and a midnight countdown that brought the house down.

Getting Ready at The White Loft

Taylor and her crew took over The White Loft that morning, and the vibe was immediately infectious. Champagne flowing, laughter bouncing off every surface, and a Christmas tree still twinkling in the corner like the holidays weren’t quite ready to let go. Her Justin Alexander gown hung in the hallway, sleek and minimal with long sleeves that felt tailor-made for a December bride. Jonathan’s suit waited on a wooden armoire nearby. The rings sat together on a warm, candlelit surface. We love those quiet detail moments before the day picks up speed, because they ground the whole gallery.

Then everything got loud in the best possible way. Taylor’s mom helped her into her gown, and the bridesmaids, all in black off-the-shoulder dresses, just lost it. Wide eyes, open mouths, a group hug that nearly took Taylor off her feet. It was chaotic and emotional and exactly the kind of moment we pull in close for, because you can’t recreate that later.

First Look in the Snow

Jonathan and Taylor did their first look on a quiet, snow-lined path surrounded by bare trees and fresh powder. He turned around, and there was zero hesitation. Taylor ran straight into his arms, and the two of them just stood there, holding on. That kind of stillness in the middle of a busy wedding day is something we always look for. They gave us plenty of it.

Portraits came naturally after that. The snow gave us a clean white canvas that made every frame feel cinematic. Black suit against white powder. Ivory gown against dark tree trunks. A bouquet of cream roses and gold-tipped greenery held against a fur stole. We shot wide to let the landscape do the work, and it delivered. These winter portraits practically composed themselves, which is a photographer’s favorite thing to say because it’s almost never true. This time it was.

Ceremony at St. Clement Catholic Church

St. Clement Catholic Church is the kind of space that stops you in the doorway. Soaring Gothic arches, stained glass catching what was left of the winter light, and a carved white altar still flanked by red poinsettias from the Christmas season. We love a church with that kind of architecture because it does so much of the heavy lifting visually. The acoustics carried every word of the vows, and candlelight softened everything, making the whole space feel warm despite the cold pressing against the windows outside.

After the ceremony, the wedding party spilled out into the snow and the energy was contagious. Fur stoles draped over black dresses. Bouquets held high. Groomsmen grinning and shouting. Everyone was genuinely celebrating the fact that these two were officially married on the last day of the year. If you’re considering St. Clement for your own ceremony, just know that the combination of that interior and a snowy exit gives you a gallery with serious range.

A Gold-and-Greenery Reception

Farley Memorial Hall was a completely different scene by the time guests walked in. Gold chargers at every place setting. Evergreen garlands running down the center of long tables. Geometric lanterns glowing with candlelight. A welcome mirror read “Jonathan and Taylor, New Year’s Eve 2021” in flowing script, and a table loaded with party hats and noisemakers made sure nobody forgot what night it was. The cake from Sprinkled Confections, a two-tier beauty with gold leaf and fern accents, anchored the dessert table perfectly. Our favorite kind of reception styling is the kind that tells you exactly who the couple is, and this one did.

Once the dancing started, the floor filled fast and never cleared out. We switched to black and white for a lot of the reception because it matched the mood: Jonathan pulling Taylor close for their first dance, guests cheering with drinks raised, and then that midnight kiss surrounded by every person they love. New Years Eve wedding photos carry their own momentum. Nobody needed convincing to celebrate. They were already there for it. That shift from candlelit ceremony to full-blown party energy is something we live for, and this night delivered it in a way we still think about.