Some love stories begin with years of friendship. Others begin with one swipe at exactly the right time.

For Cody and Kayla, that moment happened on Hinge.

Kayla had almost reached the point of deleting the app, convinced it was time to move on. At the same time, Cody had only been on Hinge for a few days. Before Kayla closed that chapter, they matched. Looking back, it’s easy to see that God had a different plan for their story.

From the moment we started their engagement session at Wildcat Bluff Recreation Area in Vinton, IA, their connection stood out. They laughed effortlessly, talked with ease, and looked at each other with complete confidence and comfort. Instead of focusing on perfect poses, we simply captured the genuine joy they share every day.

One of my favorite things about Cody and Kayla is the strong foundation they’ve built together. They love Jesus, and that love shapes the way they care for one another and prepare for marriage. Rather than focusing only on planning a beautiful wedding, they’re intentionally building a Christ-centered marriage that will last long after the celebration ends.

This September, they’ll exchange vows during an intimate wedding surrounded by their closest family and friends. I love intimate weddings because they allow couples to slow down, stay present, and focus on what truly matters—making a lifelong covenant with one another before God.