Gettysburg South Dakota Wedding | Josh + Mercades

As a South Dakota wedding photographer, I’m always grateful when a wedding day brings things back to what truly matters: two people committing their lives to each other, surrounded by their favorite people. Josh and Mercades’ Gettysburg, South Dakota wedding was exactly that kind of day, simple, meaningful, and centered on the heart of their relationship.

I first met these two in the Black Hills for their engagement session a few months before the wedding. They were down to earth from the start, the kind of couple who makes you feel instantly welcome. So stepping into their wedding day felt less like showing up for strangers and more like celebrating with people I’d grown to know.

What made their day so refreshing was its authenticity. They chose a traditional approach to their celebration. A church ceremony followed by a reception at the local community hall. No theatrics. No over-the-top decor. Just a true reflection of the way many South Dakota families have celebrated for generations. There’s something incredibly grounding about a day built around marriage instead of spectacle, and this one honored that beautifully.

Family was woven into every moment, including one of my favorite parts of the day: portraits with their dog. It added the perfect personal touch and brought out the sweetest smiles from everyone around them.

Throughout the day, the focus stayed on connection, the bride adjusting the groom’s boutonniere, friends laughing as they lined up for photos, and quiet little moments between Josh and Mercades that spoke louder than any elaborate backdrop ever could.

Their gallery became a gentle snapshot of a wedding day that didn’t need extravagance to be meaningful. It was honest, joy-filled, and entirely theirs.

Explore more South Dakota weddings and engagement sessions on the blog to see additional stories and inspiration.