Down the Aisle: Brett + Sarah

A-Team all the way! It literally rained (different degrees of severity) all day today for Brett + Sarah's wedding.... but did they let it get them down? No way! This is a mega-post.... too much goodness to resist. You've been warned! :) Here we head out for some portraits. (Notice that you can actually see the rain falling, and Sarah still has a smile on her face!)

The wedding was at Country Pines, so we had lots of green, rustic stuff to play with!

Isn't that flower in her hair just perfect??? It makes me want to marry Emir all over again so I can skip the veil and rock the flora...

I LOVE these next two shots! The gentleman with the hat looked so interesting to me... and how could I resist anyone who shows up with a classic vintage treasure for a camera!

Awe geeze.... do we have ta?

Back-up was in full effect! :)

Cute kiddo alert!

I love the depth in this image from the ceremony...

I get a lot of requests from peeps all around the country who are interested in tagging along with me on a wedding shoot. Yay for volunteer assistants! But what I have to warn you is..... it's not easy! Just ask Emir.... he comes with me every now & then and when he does, I am routinely in awe of the patience he has towards me. I'm so used to working alone, that I'm not very good just plain bad at knowing how to accept/manage help. (That, and.... I'll admit that it's hard to shake the many years I spent as a bossy big sister... but I AM working on it! ;) Emir, you are a saint. Thank you for putting up with me! I love you, love you, love you!!!!

So here I was trying to get some shots of our lovely bride and groom.... and.... here's Evan. When I tried to take his photo earlier (see above), he wasn't having it. And here, during the middle of the ceremony, he couldn't get enough of me! :)

Evan worked the camera for quite awhile before his attention was diverted... leaving me with a clear shot.  (Well.... that.... and I just came in for a close-up. Evan is only so tall you know! ;)

You guys were rock-star good sports! Thanks so much for your cooperation and willingness to work with the rain, instead of against it! :)

Down the Aisle: Andy + Kristin

What a lovely day for a wedding! And the way things looked all morning and into the late afternoon, who would've guessed? Here's a sneak peek at all the fun I had with these two and their families today!

A young couple, I'm pretty sure their entire wedding party was of the single variety.... Check out all the fish in the sea for the bouquet toss! (It may be hard to see, but that crowd was DEEP!) I hope the gentlemen took good notes! :)

It's pretty out of order for me to include this image from the ceremony here.... but before I call it a night, I just had to give a shout out to the ladies who comprised this incredible chorus. All friends of Kristin and Andy..... their sound was absolutely sublime! Nicely done ladies!

Down the Aisle: Drew + Jamiee

When you want to go where everybody knows your name.... forget 'Cheers.' Head to Snyder. The small town charm was off the charts for Jamiee and Drew's wedding! Jamiee grew up in the house down the street from the church they were married at, across the street from her grandparents and only a stone's throw away from her elementary school. The family business is located behind the house... and just behind the business... is the reception hall. Everything you need, right in one spot! As we walked through the streets, residents were quick to honk their horns or even dash out their front door to say hello and give a wave (surely right before they joined us at the church for the ceremony!). I imagine that they've all enjoyed watching Jamiee grow up as life passed by on Oak Street. Today, it was one big, huge, happy family celebrating the beginning of Jamiee and Drew's next adventure!

Their wedding day was the 13th...

Incredible shoes deserve some camera love too!

Jamiee's family and friends did an amazing fantastic outrageous job of decorating the reception hall. It was truly transformed. Paper lanterns are always pho-tastic! :)

CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS and best wishes for a future where you can live, laugh and love... together forever!

Down the Aisle: Aaron + Jen

Will it? Won't it? Yes? No? Maybe? It did. Then.. it didn't. Then, it did again. If rain means good luck on your wedding day, these two are set for life! :) Despite the rain and the eventual decision to move the ceremony indoors, Jen and Aaron were the epitome of positive thinkers who kept their chins up because they knew that at the end of the day, they'd be married. And that was really all that mattered. In the end, they got the best of both worlds... and gorgeous photos to boot. Here's proof that a surprise indoor ceremony can still rock your socks off! :)

Do you think Jen knows she's glowing with hollywood starletness?

Be-YOU-tiful Jen!

Vogue to the max! I can't decide which I like best of these two!?

Here's her hollywood leading man (who is also quite into photography and is a fellow artist/creative type!).   I love these two shots!

Gorgeous details...

The ceremony was performed by candlelight by a good friend of theirs... very extra special!

After the ceremony, Aaron and Jen took advantage of a break in the rain to pay tribute to some very special family members with a monarch release.

Family and loved ones were definitely with us in spirit! Here, one of the monarchs lands on Jen, where it stayed for quite some time.

The celebration included the vintage vocal talents of Michael Walker. He was phenomenal! (Check out his microphone!)

You did it you two! You pulled it off.... and it was absolutely sublime! Now you can relax and enjoy yourselves on your Euro whirlwind! Safe travels and bon voyage! ;)

Down the Aisle: James + Rena

Beautiful. Rena was beautiful. The weather was beautiful. The forming of a new family..... is beautiful. I had the distinct pleasure of being part of the beginning of James + Rena's new adventure.  And let me tell you, it was photo-licious, all the way! Here are some quick faves.... The gals got ready at Rena's sister's house. Here, Rena's shoes sit atop of grandmother's old dresser..... with antique photos from past generations.

Way to work it ladies! Always a photo opp, always!

A series of good ol' fashioned gorgeousness. I love these next three images....

On to the church! This was the second time I've had the opportunity to photograph at this church, and it is every bit as incredible in person as it appears in photos.

These next two are my FAVE FAVES.... as in, my favorites of all my favorites! Boo-ya! Look at that sky! And that vogue glam! Are you serious!?!?

More church awesomeness... .from the inside....

Vintage park glam.....

Which naturally wouldn't be complete if the boys didn't do something in front of all those urinals.... (did I just include the world urinals on my blog!?)

James, Rena and Miss Ella make three!

Their reception included incredible surprises like James singing Rena not one, but TWO songs while serenading her on guitar. Score! I tell ya, gentlemen, if you can play an instrument and can even only half-way hold a tune.... you hold in your power, the ability to seriously melt some hearts. Nicely done James! ;)

Thank you for inviting me to share such a special day with you and your families. Wishing you love and happines for many, many years! :)

Down the Aisle: Megan & Brandon

Weddings are a peculiar thing. Somehow, even amidst all the frenzy, the frazzle and stress.... it all just works out. Even if your ceremony rehearsal leaves you with lingering questions, if the shoes that you thought you packed are still at home (with a car load of other things you meant to bring to the church), and you ran 30 minutes late at the salon.... it all works out. Weddings are just magical that way, and Megan & Brandon's was exactly that---- magically perfect. I mean, they nailed it. Way to go you guys! They nailed it so well in fact, that this blog post is mega huge! Special shout out to Megan & Brandon's parents and the wedding party for being so extra fantastic to work with. :)

These are my first glance faves... narrowed down from 144 picks. Way too much good stuff goin' on in there! :) Enjoy!

Boys will be boys.... thanks for being good sports and playing along!

Megan & Brandon gave each other a wedding day card. Here, they read what the other wrote. Too cute!

See what I mean about fun?! You guys are a hoot!

A little Jamaica inspired send-off....

Congrats to you and your families! I am honored to have been invited to share in the beginning of your new adventure. Take Jamaica by storm and travel safe! :)

Down the Aisle: Anne + Tim

You know how sometimes when you're around great people, you just feel like you've known them forEVER!? That's how I felt the minute I walked in the room and saw Anne standing in her wedding gown and met Ruth.... her mom. With a huge grin on her face she gave me a big hug and I thought to myself.... "I have the best job ever!! What a great day we're going to have today!" And great day it was! The wedding took place at Anne's parents' house in Bruning, NE. Everything was perfect... even the rain fell on cue (only during appropriate moments... like during the reception while everyone was gathered under the big white tent). It was like a scene from a warm heart-felt romantic comedy starring the likes of Julia Roberts. Even the water cooler was awe inspiring!

Anne with her Grandpa. Isn't he cute?

Anne was stunning and Tim, who couldn't wipe the smile off his face... was one of the most emotionally expressive grooms you've ever seen. What a pair!

This is her parents' drive way. Photo-tastic!

Their day was laced with musical song. I knew something was up during the ceremony when guests were asked to sing along to "Thou True Vine, That Heals" and "Heart with Loving Heart United" and instead of sounding like... well... what most mixed groups of folks sound like when singing together in public... they broke out into multi-part harmony!

Gordon Miller continued the ceremony with some wisdom, well wishes, and an entertaining quote from "Married Lovers, Married Friends."

Anne did her own flowers (with some help from the incredible women in her family)..... they were beautiful and smelled absolutely heavenly!

The musical motif continued as their entire group of guests sang as a send-off before Anne + Tim climbed in their horse-drawn carriage and rode off into the sunset. Simply amazing! :)

Anne + Tim: You and your families are truly blessed! Congratulations and much love to you all!

Down the Aisle: Jon + Nicole

The weather gods blessed Jon + Nicole with an absolutely glorious day for their wedding! What a treat! I just got home and these images jumped out as quick faves.... Enjoy! (PS: Remember the wedding invitations I designed for them? Turns out, no one wanted to send back their RSVP cards because they wanted to keep the photos so.... Nicole used them as center pieces and let folks take them home as wedding favors. How cool is THAT? Color me flattered!)

Amazing eyes!

Cute kid alert!

Another cute kid alert.....

Your day was perfect! Have a great time in Cancun! :)

Down the Aisle: Jenn + Adam

I've been looking forward to Jenn & Adam's wedding since their love shoot. They were so easy to work with (and such rock stars in front of the camera), I knew today would be pure joy. The only hard part? Narrowing down my list of  favorite shots for a blog post that doesn't crash your computer! :) I started with about 120 favorites... and got it down to about... 30-ish. Too fun! This was when they saw each other for the first time.... (I love the tears!)

Jenn wore these cute lil' shoes... complete with a good luck penny from dad!

This lil' guy was such a flirt!

Jenn's uncle is a florist in Iowa. These are his works of art. Gorgeous!

The little guy needed a nap. There's no place like the here &  now!

I LOVE this image!

The weather cooperated for this lovely ceremony!

I love sand as an alternative to a unity candle. So artsy (and great for venues where they don't allow fire)!

Gosh guys... I don't even know what to say. Your day was smooth like butter, and you both were AMAZING. I'm so happy to have been able to be part of it!!!

Straight Talk: Kjerstin & Joel Tell it Like it Is!

Back in February, Emir and I made a trip out west where we had the opportunity to connect with the ever fabulous Kjerstin & Joel as well as two radtastically great guys... the Bui Brothers. I wanted a way to show future (and potential future) clients what it's really like to work with me as your wedding photographer. What better way than to hear it straight from people who've been there, done that? :)

The Bui Brothers are real pros at capturing the client's side of the story. So easy to work with, and absolutely know their stuff. If you've seen their online presence, I have to tell you, they do not disappoint in person.... Thanks so much guys!

A  super special thank you to Kjerstin & Joel. You two are nothing short of treasure!

PS: This whole event came about through twitter, where I first met Lan and Vu Bui. We hit it off, and eventually got to break bread in California. How cool is THAT?  Two cheers for social media!