Katelynn & Gabe Marry at The Barn at Stoneybrooke | May 24, 2026

The Photos

May 27

Throughout this wedding day, I couldn’t stop thinking about how lucky we all are. Of course, Katelynn and Gabe are fortunate to have found each other so young and to look forward to a lifetime together. They are also blessed with the most incredible support system I’ve ever seen—one that lifts them up and cheers them on. From caring, involved parents to family friends who feel like family (Hi, Mommaids and Dadsmen! 👋🏻), and siblings who are like best friends, these two never have to search far for advice or a friendly chat over coffee.

Bonus: Katelynn is the daughter of Merv and Jenn Engel of The Barn at Stoneybrooke, making it extra special for her to marry at home with so much of that support system working or having worked there. They all understood the assignment and executed it flawlessly. The tablescapes, floral arrangements, and even the linens were stunning. My favorite detail was the floating candles with submerged flowers inside the vases—absolutely beautiful! The food from Yoders was delicious, and the party—I couldn’t believe how packed Marx Event Group kept the dance floor all night! Every vendor, including myself, felt blessed and honored to be part of this joyful day. They even asked for a picture with all of us!

Katelynn looked gorgeous in her two dresses (three, if you count her mom’s altered wedding dress she wore in the morning). 🤩 I love it when brides change into a shorter, dance-ready dress for the celebration. Everyone let loose and had an amazing night fueled by as much caffeine as they could drink from the Revel Coffee cart and plenty of sugar from Penny’s Ice Cream cart. Gabe was Katelynn’s rock all day, carrying himself with poise and kindness. They complement each other so perfectly.

It wouldn’t be my blog if I didn’t mention how fun it was to finally see my friend, Jenn, be the mother of the bride. She glowed with pride and joy as she floated around the venue in her beautiful dress. Watching her and Merv let go of two of their children through marriage has been so meaningful. I will always be thankful for the friends and mentors they’ve been to me over the past eight years.

While we are all undeniably grateful for how we stumbled into each other over the years, I feel like it doesn’t fully recognize the effort we put into our friendships, family bonds, and professional relationships. All types of relationships require effort—especially marriage. What I am truly thankful for is having people in my life who are willing to work hard to be part of my life—my family, my friends, and my professional team. I think Katelynn and Gabe would probably agree. While it can sometimes be challenging to accept everyone in our circle just as they are, it’s worth celebrating their willingness to work toward a shared vision of the future. I know that, for their particular circle, faith plays a significant role in their bond. I’m in awe of it.

Katelynn and Gabe, your marriage will be both the most beautiful and the most challenging relationship you’ve ever experienced. It’s difficult to walk away when you live under the same roof and depend on each other daily! But with support from your circle—each person sharing advice and their own experiences—you can overcome anything. I’m grateful to be a small part of your circle, and I’ll always be there for you, too. You’re fortunate in many ways, and you deserve all the happiness that comes your way. I can’t wait to see your relationship grow over the years! Okay, enough talking—go look at your pictures and enjoy your honeymoon! Love you! And don’t forget to check your email later today for a surprise! 😘

With love,

Megan