Amy & Keegan // Thousand Oaks Backyard Wedding

To re-share their love story from my engagement blog post of these two: Amy & Keegan first met back in high school when Amy was a teacher’s assistant, & Keegan was an absolute class clown. They were opposites in almost every way—Amy was helping grade homework assignments, quietly working alongside an American Sign Language teacher, and Keegan was cracking jokes and making everyone & anyone laugh in the back corner of the class. They noticed one another & interacted minimally, but it wasn’t until about 5 years later that the spark between them really ignited.

Reconnecting on a night out while home for the holidays, Amy & Keegan finally really hit it off. They began dating pretty quickly after, and three years later, Keegan dropped to one knee in Mammoth & asked Amy to be his wife. She.. spoiler coming.. said yes. :)

I’ve known Keegan since 6th grade, and have loved him dearly every moment since our paths first crossed. As a TRUE class clown myself, people like us really gravitate towards one another, and I have countless amazing memories with this goofy boy. We stayed close until we graduated high school, and when I heard (a few years later) that he was dating my beautiful Sign Language Teacher’s Assistant AMY (yep, she was MY T.A. too, yet we somehow only had 6 solid conversations.. all in ASL), I was so overjoyed for the two of them.

Throughout their engagement & wedding-planning process, Amy and I became the best of pals. With her magnetic smile, a warm and inviting energy, and the biggest, most generous & loving heart of all-time, Amy is someone you just want to be around. Becoming her friend, I felt so lucky to be along for the ride over the span of a few years as she figured out what her & Keegan’s wedding would look like, where it would take place, and when the heck would happen.

After planning & re-planning their wedding for various dates due to a few obstacles & unforeseen circumstances throughout their engagement, Amy & Keegan finally chose a date in late October to say “I do.” I still remember getting the text from Amy that said “IS THERE ANY WAY YOU ARE FREE OCT 30?!” and the rest, as they say.. was history.

When Halloween-Sauer-Wedding-Weekend finally arrived, I was so hyped to finally capture Amy & Keegan’s day and work alongside my go-to partner in crime Tiffany. As I’d imagined it going 100 times in my head, and in 100 conversations with Amy leading up to the day, this couple’s wedding was perfect in every dang way.

With emotion-filled, intentional, & exciting energy woven throughout every moment of the afternoon and evening, each part of their celebration was more memorable than the last. The morning began with sweet first-looks with Amy & her dad and then with the bride & her groom. In an absolutely gorgeous strapless glistening gown, Amy dropped jaws left and right: her dad couldn’t help but wipe away tears when he first saw his daughter as a bride, and Keegan nervously giggled through their first look in awe. During family photos before the ceremony, Keegan’s dad couldn’t keep it together, needing to continuously pause for a few moments to get himself together. He cried, then Keegan’s brother cried, and then Keegan’s mom cried.. like beautiful crying Sauer dominoes (lol).

Later, the couple officially wed at a stunning circular ceremony designed by Tiffany’s outstanding imagination, adorned with perfect florals from Camarillo Flower Shop. Keegan welled up as Amy floated down the aisle, a grin spreading across his face like I’d never seen before in the decade and a half I’d known him. The backyard where they wed, at the home of a dear family friend, was filled to the brim with love. As 100+ family and friends watched on, the couple shared handwritten personal vows, accomplishing the perfect balance of 1) cracking jokes and 2) meaningfully sharing their deep love for one another. Keegan’s brother bawled his eyes out through just about every word, and it was a joy to watch + capture. The couple, guided by Amy’s brother who served as their officiant, sealed their union with a kiss and practically RACED back up the aisle after being announced as husband and wife.

Later, after a tasty taco dinner, terrific toasts, and tender first dances, the Sauer wedding dance floor lit up like the fourth of July. This iconic reception cemented its place in history as one of THE greatest parties of all time. Keegan & Amy’s friends and family showed up so ready to celebrate them, and the party kept rolling hour after hour with a remarkable sustained momentum. The DJ ended up extending his time thrice to accommodate the never-ending energy of this wedding party…

Keegan is notoriously a dancing king, and unsurprisingly, he showed out at his wedding reception. Boogying the night away with his new wife, his family, and his dozens of friends, the groom animatedly sang along to a rotation of 80s hits and 2000s classics.

Guests enjoyed the TASTIEST carnival-style mini donuts from a little cart (I ate 10) and partied their faces off until late into the night. From being lifted on their friend’s shoulders, to dancing together in the center of a circle of their favorite people, to smashing wedding cake in each other’s faces, I think it’s safe to say that Amy & Keegan lived their best damn life the day they became Mr. & Mrs. Sauer.

I love these two forever, and will always remember their epic wedding celebration.

Congratulations, Sauers!!!