Down the Aisle: Amanda + Chelsea

I first met Chelsea years ago when I had the honor of creating her senior portraits, and to hear that she was planning a wedding made me feel as excited as it did old!  (Where has the time gone anyway?) Mother nature smiled on us last Friday as we captured these portraits in the gorgeous light of the setting sun...

A frame and two adorable flower girls are like frosting on the cake, making any image that much sweeter...

Chelsea nailed the schedule for the day, and we reaped the benefits with this light...

The kids! So sweet, so helpful, so eager to be part of the fun...

Congratulations ladies... I'm so thrilled to be part of your day!

Down the Aisle: Pepper + Liz | Lincoln, Nebraska Wedding Photographer

What joy. Pure, happy, light on your feet... joy. Liz & Pepper's wedding was the first on my calendar for 2010.... and it couldn't have been better. Their day was wrapped in an envelope of peaceful calm. Liz, the ever cool & collected bride, appeared to be happily enjoying every minute of her wedding day.

At the end of the night, I gave her dad a hug and told him how happy I was for them... and that I especially loved his toast. He just smiled and said, "It's so easy. When it comes from the heart... it's simple." Word up. :) I think that's why Liz & Pepper's day was such a breeze.... they have been dating for 7-ish years.... and from the looks of it, their hearts were already married. Yesterday's celebration was simply making it official. Everyone knows it's right.... and that confidence inspired the beautiful day that officially began their new wedded adventure.

Church: Eastridge Presbyterian Reception/Catering: Wilderness Ridge Flowers: Stem Gallery Cake: Cakes by Char

Ummmm.... yeah. Gor-geous shoes!

Love this!

With a name like Pepper.... you know this is one cool dude. Pepper and 'the guys' played cards in the church basement before the ceremony.... (and taught me some fancy card-playin' vocabulary. I always just smeared the cards around in a pile b/c I can't shuffle to save my life.... but apparently there's a term for that... it's called 'washing.' I feel so official  now!)

First look....

L.O.V.E!

How fun is this?

We headed outside so we could make good use of Liz's gorgeous coat. She's had it for years, and it just so happened that it was a perfect match for her dress! Gotta love that.... :)

She also had a pair of fancy wintery gloves to go with it. I love the elegance of winter weddings!

Moments before walking down the aisle, I spotted Liz in the back hall way peeking through the door/window. I couldn't tell for sure if she saw me and was looking at the camera (I was trying to be transparent!).... or past me at Pepper at the front of the church.... but I love this image.

I grew up down the street from Eastridge Presbyterian Church, and after 10+ years of shooting weddings, would you believe this was the first wedding I photographed here? C-razy! The church had a lot of great light and interesting architectural lines. I can't wait to go back! Pastor Jim Crelin, as entertaining as he was enlightening, performed the ceremony.

The perfect location for a winter themed wedding reception.... the Lodge at Wilderness Ridge.

Another L.O.V.E!!!

So cute.

The cake was gorgeous! Made by 'Cakes by Char,' Liz said it was inspired by another cake featured on my blog. Yay!

The flowers and centerpieces were all done by Stem Gallery. They always do such an incredible job!

Liz is so darn gorgeous!

Thank you both, so much for entrusting me with the memories of such an important day. I am truly honored! It was delightful to be part of your families for a day..... best wishes for a fun (and safe!) winter escape to the slopes! :)

Down the Aisle: Chad + Lindsay | Wedding Photographer Lincoln

Truly a gold medal performance! It was 30 degrees out, but from the looks of these two, you'd never know it! When I arrived at the church, I was curious to see what Lindsay's take would be on the whole weather situation. She walked right up to me and insisted, "We're still going outside!" Naturally, I was happy to oblige!

Chad actually carried Lindsay up a hill, over a barbed-wire fence and through a wet, soggy field for this shot. Incredible!

This was the point where fingers and toes were numb and it was time to head back.... :)

Remember Stanley? He made a surprise appearance just for this photo (he also was mentioned in the program. True love I tell ya!)

This book is a family heirloom bible. Too cool!

The reception was held at the Lincoln Country Club and featured cake by none other than the Lincoln Cake Lady, Donna Roehrs. Several different flavors were available, including apple-caramel! Hello!!!!???? Heavenly! (Note the fish vase below.... the groom cake featured a 'gone fishing' theme. Nothing like real live fish to add to the ambience! :)

Can you feel the energy in this photo? Kids are so fun to watch at receptions. I love it!

Score!

Touchdown! Goal! Score. You guys found each other and are now a family. That's the jackpot right there! Congrats to you both!!!

Down the Aisle: Josh + Kelly | Wedding Photographer Lincoln

Oh my goodness! Not only were Josh and Kelly soooooooooo fun and easy to work with...... but Kelly confided in me that it was me (and the cake) she was most excited to have as part of her wedding day (in addition to all the obvious stuff like Josh... and their families, etc..... but.... no pressure, right?).   I love when clients are as excited to have me there as I am to be there! It means that we're all going to have a good time and great images are going to come from it.  Thanks for your smiles, your enthusiasm.... your heart! I'm madly in love with this image! As in, I'd happily marry it! (Ha! Remember when kids used to tease each other with that line!?) Seriously though.... L.O.V.E.

Hollywood called, they want their starlet back! :)

Autumn weddings in Nebraska are oh so yummy!

When I saw Kelly in her dress my jaw hit the floor. Va-va-voom!

Tryin' to bring the sexy back.... made for lots of giggles. :)

Yes please!

My **other** fave...... (all because of her heels lifted just off the ground......)

Oh my gosh! That was so fun you guys! Big hugs to you both!!!!!!!!

Down the Aisle: Tara + Chris

I just adore this couple. Yes, just simply adore them. They are fun, funky and so wonderfully easy going! Here's a sneak peek at Tara's dress... I was *lovin'* the rhinestone broach in the middle! Isn't that fab???

Her hands waited patiently in her lap while she got her make-up done....  I love how although she was quite calm and super chill all morning long, you can see the anticipation in her hands.....

Chris sent over a gift for Tara along with a card that made her laugh.... (recalling some funny business from the night before.... I'll just leave it at that. If you want to know the whole story, you'll have to ask them!)

These are the same red shoes Tara wore for their engagement shoot last year. (Albeit a newer, scuff-free pair.) When she told me she was going to wear red shoes, I knew I was in for a treat! :)

Don't you love the on-lookers above in the balcony? Ha ha ha! :)

Chris was sporting Husker argyle socks.... which he gifted to his groomsmen as well..... (coming up down below!)

Tara's super fab dress was nothing short of gorgeous..... she wore it like no one else could! I love this shot of the back....

She is just *so* gorgeous! Look at those eyes!

I just love this one....

I love the mix of rhinestones, feathers, and beads in her bouquet!

Wind has a knack for popping up at opportune moments sometimes! How cute is *this*?

I love the next two images for different reasons.... and couldn't decide between them.... so I broke down and am including both. :)

Chris didn't ask for much. He was a good sport all day, going along with pretty much anything I asked. The *one thing* he did make a point to let me know, was that he wanted a shot of him and the guys with their argyle socks. The only catch was, we had to somehow include Memorial Stadium. With the reception right across the street at Champions Club, it was a piece-o-cake. You got it Chris! :)

More husker fun....

Yes! Love this!

And here's a cherry on top! :)

On to the party! (Look at that beautiful (and delicious!) cake!)

Several different tables featured vintage portraits from Chris & Tara's extended family members. I love this tradition that seems to be popping up more and more. It's always fun to think that someday, when Chris & Tara are grandparents (or great-grandparents!) one of their images might end up at a wedding reception for their grandson/daughter somewhere. How would they ever choose which one??????? :)

Here's one of Chris's dad (I'm fairly certain). Aren't those tuxedos rad? How fun it would be to show up at a wedding and see the guys dressed like that!

I love Tara's expressive face...

Hooray for the feather in the hair!!!

I can't believe your day was finally here! It seems like forEVER ago that I first got to work with you for engagement photos... and now the two of you are a new family, making history today! I'm so thrilled to have been entrusted with capturing your day.... and hope you cherish these images for years and years to come!!!! xoxoxoxo