A Bourbon-Filled Celebration at Whiskey Thief Distillery | Frankfort KY Wedding Photography

This reception marked day two of Isabel and Ben’s wedding weekend in Georgetown and Frankfort, Kentucky, and if you read about day one, you already know this weekend was a pretty great one. You can see their intimate ceremony and those gorgeous Kentucky golden hour portraits [HERE].

While the first day was intentionally small, with just immediate family and their bridal party, day two was all about bringing everyone together. Friends, extended family, bourbon, dancing, and a whole lot of celebrating made their reception at Whiskey Thief Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky one for the books.

And as their Frankfort KY wedding photographer, I was very much here for it.

Wedding Portraits Among the Bourbon Barrels

We started photography before guests arrived so Isabel and Ben could have some time for portraits without trying to squeeze everything in once the party got going. With multiple levels and so many different backgrounds, this space is so fun for portraits! We wandered around the distillery for portraits of the two of them, along with group photos with their family and bridal party.

And let me tell you: bourbon barrels make a pretty excellent wedding photo backdrop.

We got some seriously iconic shots of the two of them tucked in among the barrels, plus plenty of fun group photos before everyone else showed up. It was a nice little pocket of calm before the celebration officially kicked off.

A Very Quick “Ceremony”

Since the first day had been so intimate, Isabel and Ben wanted to give their guests at the reception a little taste of the ceremony experience. So, partway through the party, they pulled everyone together for a very unofficial mock ceremony.

And by official, I mean the bridal party lined up, the officiant asked, “Do you Isabel?” and “Do you Ben?” They said “I do,” kissed, and then everyone went right back to partying.

Honestly? Perfect.

It was short, sweet, and just enough to make their friends and extended family feel like they got to be part of the wedding itself.

They Buried a Bottle of Bourbon. Obviously.

One of my favorite parts of the day actually started way before the wedding.

When Isabel and Ben first booked Whiskey Thief, they buried a bottle of bourbon at the venue to dig up on their reception day. So, naturally, the time eventually came to unearth it.

And the timing could not have been better.

As they dug up the bottle, the sun was setting behind them, and the sky turned into this ridiculous mix of colors that made the whole thing look like it had been planned for a movie. Their best man called it “one of the top three Kentucky sunsets” he’d ever seen, and the bride said no one would believe the photos were real. It looked so much like a film set from Singing in the Rain that I’d have to agree.

After they found the bourbon, Isabel and Ben hung around for a few more minutes for some final photos, kisses, laughs, and even an impromptu dance or two beneath the sunset.

It was one of those parts of the day that wasn’t overly planned or complicated. It was just the two of them enjoying the moment, and that made the photos even better.

All the Little Things

There were plenty of other details that made the reception feel completely like Isabel and Ben.

Their welcome table included wedding photos from loved ones who came before them, which I absolutely loved. Their maid of honor and best man gave speeches, everyone spent a suspicious amount of time around the bourbon, and at some point, a fat black cat showed up and decided the cold floor was exactly where he wanted to be.

A+ wedding guest, honestly.

There was dancing, laughing, hugging, drinking, catching up with old friends, and all the wonderfully chaotic little moments that happen when you bring a whole lot of people together to celebrate two people they love.

And then there was that sunset.

Between the bourbon barrels, the buried bottle, the dancing, the ridiculous Kentucky sky, and Isabel and Ben laughing their way through all of it, this was one of those wedding days where everything just worked.

10/10 perfect day to wrap up a perfect weekend. 🙂

If you’re planning a wedding at Whiskey Thief Distillery or looking for Frankfort KY wedding photography, I’d love to hear what you’re planning. I’m all about capturing the big moments, the weird little moments, and everything in between without making your wedding feel like a giant photo shoot.

Love these photos and looking for authentic storytelling photography or videography on your wedding day? Reach out on my website for a for a free consultation! ^^