A Stormy Summer Wedding at St. Jude Church for Avery and Joe

Avery Kundrick and Joe Wheeler have spent over eight years together and the love they share was evident during their summer wedding at St.Jude Church in Erie, PA.

The Beginning

When Avery was a senior in high school, she played Ultimate Frisbee for a local college. Joe joined the team as a freshman, and Avery saw him across the field one night. At the next game, Joe was wearing a shirt with his name on the back, which Avery used to look him up on Facebook. She sent him a friend request, he accepted it, and he messaged her that same night with his phone number.

What the couple didn’t find out until later is that they shared a mutual friend long before they came across one another during Ultimate Frisbee: Joe’s cousin Dakoda. Joe knew that Dakoda and Avery went to the same high school, but because it is so big, the thought never crossed his mind that the two may know each other. Then, one day, months into their relationship, Avery mentioned her friend Dakoda, and Joe realized the connection. Now, Dakoda teases the couple and brags about how he knew them both before they even knew each other.

The Proposal

Joe was the one who proposed, and it’s quite the story. He told Avery they needed to pick up his truck at his brother’s house. When they got there, it was sprinkling outside. Joe told Avery he needed to change the memory card in one of his trail cameras, and he asked Avery if she would like to join him. As they walked back to the tree line, Joe suggested they take some funny pictures in front of the trail camera for his siblings to find later. As Avery began posing, Joe turned her to the side, got down on one knee, and asked her to marry him. Everything was caught on camera. Those pictures are sure to be just as valuable to the couple as their wedding photos will be.

Summer Ceremony at St. Jude Church

Avery and Joe had their wedding at St.Jude Church in Erie, PA. The intricate stained-glass windows gave the ceremony a soft light that photographed beautifully.

Their reception was held at the Masonic Temple.

We took the bridal portraits at Perry’s Monument at Presque Isle State Park. We raced against some severe thunderstorms, but luckily it resulted in some gorgeous rain photos.

For the veil shot, we used their friend Zach (and the prevailing winds) to hold it in place.

Husband and Wife

Now that Avery and Joe have said “I do,” the rest of their lives is before them. We wish them the very best and know their love story is only just beginning.

Do you need a photographer for your Erie, PA wedding? Send me a message to set up an informational meeting. In the meantime, take a look at some other weddings I’ve recently photographed.

• Becky and Tom’s Perfect Pittsburgh Wedding at the Pennsylvanian
• Mindy and Justin’s Intimate Presque Isle Beach Wedding
• An Intimate Wedding at The Schoolhouse with Amy Lynn and Tommy