This is it: the moment the world officially changes. The vows have been spoken, the rings exchanged, the kiss sealed under the weeping willows of Coxhall Gardens, and now, finally, walking back down the aisle as husband and wife for the very first time. Her bouquet is triumphantly raised like a victory flag, his grin is ear-to-ear, and every single guest is on their feet, cheering like their favorite team just won the championship. This is what “just married” looks like at one of Indiana’s most romantic outdoor ceremony sites.
Captured on the lakeside lawn beneath Coxhall’s willow grove in Carmel, Indiana, this recessional photo is pure joy. The late-afternoon sun filters through the branches, wrapping the newlyweds in the afternoon glow while the lake sparkles behind the rows of white chairs. The bridesmaids in their mix of pinks are still dabbing happy tears, and the groomsmen are clapping like crazy.
As your wedding photographer, this is one of the moments I wait for all day (because I know what's about to happen). The recessional is short, maybe 20 seconds, but it’s electric. I’m already positioned at the end of the aisle before the officiant even says “I now pronounce you…” so I never miss the exact instant their hands lock, the bouquet goes sky-high, and the smiles explode.
The willow ceremony site at Coxhall Gardens was practically made for moments like this. Those sweeping branches create a natural tunnel of green that frames the aisle like a cathedral, the lake adds depth and serenity, and the open lawn gives guests plenty of room to leap to their feet and cheer. Whether you have 60 guests or 200, the space feels intimate yet grand.
I always take two angles of the recessional:
Nine times out of ten, the wide shot ends up as a giant canvas in their home, because it doesn’t just capture a walk. It captures a feeling.
If you’re dreaming of a Coxhall Gardens wedding where your recessional feels like the victory lap of a lifetime, let’s make sure we freeze it forever, bouquet in the air, love on full blast, and every person who matters most cheering you into your new chapter.
This is what happily ever after looks like when it starts under the willows. I’d be honored to capture yours.
Captured with the Nikon Z9 in natural light and a 70-200mm lens at 70mm.
ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/250
Edited to look like film.
Location: 11677 Towne Rd, Carmel, IN 46032.