{ Nikki + Tom = ENGAGED! }

I love our brave couples - brides who are not afraid of their dress touching the ground, grooms who think nothing of walking out into a field on a rainy day, and couples like Nikki and Tom who prepare to meet with freezing temps for some wintery engagement photos! A few days before Nikki and Tom’s engagement session, we were in contact about the weather: high of 7, snow. Usually we don’t keep our sessions on for that date if the temperature is below 20, but with this winter being so chilly at all times, any number without a negative sign in front of it didn’t seem so bad. Still, I would be in boots and a coat, with thirty shirts underneath; Nikki and Tom would be in their well-planned engagement outfits. She said it would be no problem and they weren’t worried. Sure enough, through wind and snow and cold, Nikki and Tom were laughing and smiling as though our high of 7 was a balmy Wisconsin 30.  Their courage paid off as we got the opportunity to create the perfect winter engagement photos including hot cocoa, a vintage sled and a cozy wool blanket.  We are looking forward to Nikki and Tom’s wedding coming up this fall; Congratulations you two!

{ Rachel + John = ENGAGED ! }

This engagement session was a particular joy to us not just because it was in Door County (where I’m from) and done in fall (my favorite time of year), but because Rachel is one of my closest friends. Rachel and I became friends 15 years ago, and though we went to separate colleges and fate moved her out to the southwest, each time we talk it’s as though no time has passed. While living in Arizona she met John; together love was easy - natural, relaxed and meant-to-be. Their relationship was tested when he was stationed (though the Air Force) in Korea. But they made it work, even falling asleep next to each other over Skype. <3 They knew they had found the one person out there meant for them, and being smart people, they wouldn’t be silly enough to let that go. Rachel and John flew in for their engagement session and to plan other details for their wedding that will take place in Door County this summer. We had a perfect fall day for photos - bright colors, cloudy sky - a photographer’s dream. The entire afternoon was relaxed and playful - a wonderful chance to catch up with good friends and make photos that told their love story. Congratulations, Rachel and John; we are really looking forward to your wedding day!

{ Clarissa + Adam = ENGAGED ! }

I can’t even express what a sweet couple Clarissa and Adam are.  They both have a great sense of humor, a close relationship with their families, and there is this playfulness about their exchange that is immediately apparent when you meet them.  Clarissa and Adam met three years ago as coworkers.  At first they didn’t like each other, but then they became friends (even so close that she was giving him relationship advice regarding other girls) and then a couple.  Together they like to play bingo, chase around their doggy Bella, and spend time outside.  For their engagement session we combined the two sides of their families: the location was Adam’s family farm, and the super fun yellow truck we involved was recently restored by Clarissa’s grandfather.  The day itself was gorgeous - cloud cover and a hazy fog gently subduing the fall colors.  This made for such a wonderful day of shooting for us, giving us the opportunity to create soft, intimate photos for the couple.  Clarissa and Adam will be getting married next fall, the same weekend Ben and I said our vows three years prior (gotta love a fall bride!)

{ Jackie + Chris = MARRIED ! }

Jackie and Chris’s wedding was all classic romance - from the fitted lace gown and blusher veil, to the lovely gold bands and bouquets of white carnations. Everything about it felt honest, romantic and timeless.  When we first met last year, Jackie told me it was destined to rain on her wedding day, and she was certainly right.  The reasoning for this is that her husband, Chris, is a weatherman, and it would only be the most perfect joke of nature to give them a day full of rain.  Well, Jackie was right; not only did it rain but it stormed and thundered and caused the power to cut in and out during their ceremony.  Through all of this, however, they both kept their good humor and nothing could wipe the smiles of excitement and joy from their faces.

The weather made our job a little more difficult, but it also rewarded us with dreamy fog while they were getting ready, and stunning bright greens, oranges and yellows for the formal portraits. Rain has a way of drawing color out in the environment - making everything brighter and richer.  All rainy day brides might be brought good luck, but rainy day October brides are also brought intense color and a chance for some beautiful pictures. ;)  We loved being a part of every minute of your day, congratulations, Jackie and Chris!

{ Jamie + Nick = ENGAGED! }

It’s wonderful to find kindred spirits in our clients - people who love things that we love. So when I heard that Jamie and Nick love to spend their summers camping together, I was already have daydreams of firelight and creamy hot coffee. Jamie and Nick went to middle school and high school together and even grew up down the road from one another. Their romance started early on, and eight years later he proposed to her on her Birthday, moments before leaving for dinner with their families. What a lovely way to celebrate. :) Jamie and Nick love fall the way we do; they will be getting married next October in Door County and wanted to have engagement photos taken the same time of year. It was a chilly afternoon at the park, so by the time we got to camping pictures, we were all ready for a crackling fire.  It took the three of us, Nick, Ben and I, at least twenty minutes and half a leaf blower manual to get a real fire going, but it was worth it for gorgeous light and some dreamy camping photos. Congratulations, Jamie and Nick!

{ Jessie + Jerry = ENGAGED! }

Jessie and Jerry are highschool sweethearts - they are the couple who saw life’s challenges and changes only as a way to strengthen their relationship.  Meeting them, you would have no idea that they have been dating for seven years; you would assume they met a few months ago and were just at the beginning of a new romance.  For Jessie and Jerry we wanted to create photos that showed this sweetness and gentleness of their relationship.  We started off at Lambeau Field which is where they had their very first “official date”: a Packer game at age 15.  (A cute little side-note: both of their mothers were along for that date!) ;)  After Lambeau we had a little playtime with their adorable and energetic puppies Bruce and Leroy, then moved on to some classic autumn romance pictures.  Fall is our favorite time of year and it was such a pleasure to be out with Jessie and Jerry celebrating crunchy leaves, cute boots, and of course, the engagement of two wonderful people!

{ Michelle + Patrick = MARRIED ! }

I cannot say enough about how gorgeous Michelle and Patrick’s wedding was!  We met Michelle at her parents' home in Green Bay where she was about to get dressed in the most stunning gown with the best bunch of bridesmaids swarming around to help, teasing her to lighten the mood, and serving up a little bubbly to celebrate.  Michelle wore her grandmother’s ring and vintage earrings to compliment it.

With Michelle done up and ceremony-ready we drove to a local park to meet Patrick for the first look.  Here we got to see the most humbling expression on his face when he saw his bride-to-be - beyond priceless.  Everything about Michelle and Patrick’s day had this genuine and free-spirited feeling to it; there was nothing but joy expressed from every guest and every family member (including the sweetest daddy ever, waiting to walk his baby girl down the isle).

As the ceremony ended, we did a few photos at Heritage Hill, before heading over to Green Bay’s main attraction for some fun photos showing how excited everyone was to be celebrating with the newly married couple.  It was a pleasure being a part of your day; congratulations and a toast to many years, Michelle and Patrick!

{ Ashley + Eric = MARRIED! }

I cannot stress the simple beauty of Ashley and Eric’s Wedding this August.  Everything was just right - little pops of color and romantic details without going into opulence.  Her dress was an a-line with a colored sash and no train.  The clean design of it was so gorgeous and flattering and the vintage buckle at the waist was a perfect highlight point.  The other thing that made it wonderful was her bridal party who were incredibly in-tune with Ashley’s every need and so excited for the union.  The bridesmaids and bride even busted out a choreographed dance as a surprise to everyone at the reception... and these girls... they knew how to move!  Everything was exactly what a bride could hope for: simple, fun, beautiful and romantic.  Congratulations Ashley and Eric, we wish you many years of happiness!

{ Rachel + Ken = ENGAGED ! }

Rachel and Ken had their engagement session just a few short weeks before their wedding day.  They did this because the engagement photos were something they wanted just for them - an intimate portrait of exactly who they are together.  This is what is at the heart of engagement sessions - creating something just for the two of you to cherish.  The couple met at Epic, a company in Madison, when they both started working there at the same time.  She had moved to Wisconsin from Indiana, and he had come all the way from Georgia.  When they clicked, it was almost immediate.  He proposed to her 18 months later on their way out of a favorite breakfast joint, the Hubbard Avenue Diner in the cute little town of Middleton.  This is where we had their engagement session, bumming around the little town they love so much.

Rachel and Ken got married August 10th in beautiful James Madison Park; wedding photos to follow shortly. :)

{ Candis + Joe = MARRIED ! }

We love weddings that manage to blend together different themes into one beautiful wedding day - such was the case for Candis and Joe.  The ceremony itself was lovely and traditional, with all the Catholic reverence and pageantry brought together by a incredible pastor who knew the couple well and spoke about them personally.  The details were a bright magenta (the pure essence of summer!) with burlap and natural wood accents to keep it grounded.  Candis carried down a bouquet wrapped in her grandmother’s necklace and Joe’s mother got a few moments alone with her son to pin on his corsage.

This is the way it is with Candis and Joe... they are the couple who would never get lost in all the “to-dos” and “should-dos” but rather know how to keep that exact focus on what is important: their family and the vows that would make them a family.  I can’t explain what a beautiful feeling it is to watch two people who are so right for each other and bring out the very best in one other join their lives together.  It reminds me of what a blessing our job is.  Congratulations, Candis and Joe!

Personal Post: My Brother Got Married!

This past weekend I was blessed to be a part of my younger brother’s wedding as he married his fiance, Arlyn.  It was a stunning outdoor ceremony over the lake in Manitowish Waters with many handmade details, and little touches to make the day feel special.  The weather could not have been any more perfect and it was such a joy to celebrate with all the family and close friends that gathered together.

Josh and I are our parents’ only children, and so we grew up as close as anyone could imagine.  We shaped one another’s personalities, we were each other’s constant playmate, and we fought daily like all close siblings do.  I feel beyond grateful to have a family I am so close with and a brother who is also a friend and confidant.  This wedding was a chance for Josh and Arlyn to express the love they have found together, but also for us to welcome Arlyn to the family.  With that, I would like to say so many congratulations to the both of them, and we wish you all good things!

Professional photography was done by April Zelenka of Madison.  I brought along my film camera and limited myself to just a single roll (true self restraint) to share my very favorite things about the wedding day. :)

Styled Bridal Photoshoot at La Grange Ledgestone Barn

A few months ago we were talking with Nichole at Petal Pusher about a new barn venue that would be opening up in De Pere; she said it was called La Grange and we should check it out.  We are more than pleased we did.  La Grange has all the charm and sprawling fields that you hope for when you imagine a country venue, but it also has many amenities that would surprise you - a stunning getting ready room complete with floor-to-ceiling mirrors, a spacious dance hall with exposed cedar ceilings and the experienced guidance of Sue Cashman who makes the process simple and allows couples nearly unlimited personalization.

We paired up with Sue to create a styled bridal shoot with a clean, airy, vintage feel.  Everyone who participated made the photoshoot so wonderful for us - it is always a pleasure working with talented, driven and artistic individuals.  I need to thank Nichole and her staff at Petal Pusher for the lovely peony and rose bouquet, Luke at Alfa Bridal for helping us choose flawless details, and Aaron at Dubois Formalwear for a perfectly tailored (and incredibly sharp) suit.  I would also like to thank our couple, Reggie and Danielle for being such ready and willing models and congratulate them on two happy years of marriage!

If you would like to find out any more details on the many talented vendors we worked with for this shoot, their information is below.

Venue:  La Grange Ledgestone Barn  www.lagrangegb.com
Bouquet and Boutonniere:  Petal Pusher Floral  www.gbpetalpusher.com
Tuxedo:  Dubois Formalwear on Broadway  www.duboisformalwear.com
Bridal Accessories:  Alfa Bridal  www.alfabridal.com

Also pictured.

Dress:  David’s Bridal  www.davidsbridal.com

{ Jennifer + Eric = Engaged! }

Jennifer and Eric have a story a little different than most of our couples.  They have actually been married for a few years already, but missed out on the opportunity to have the kind of wedding we, as little girls, dream of.  Now, with their beautiful family they will get the chance to celebrate and renew their vows with all the glamour of the perfect wedding.  Jennifer and Eric met through a friend years ago, and they connected when he came to the rescue as she was having emergency surgery.  This is just the kind of guy Eric is - someone you could depend on to be there when you need him, to be the strong and unwavering one.  Jennifer is the kind of person who puts everyone before herself, she is empathetic, strong-willed and stands up for everyone at that exact moment they need it.  Together they have Jocelyn, Mariah and Kyle who it was our pleasure to include in the engagement photos.  It was important to us to have some photos of just Jennifer and Eric together to reclaim some of that intimacy you have to sacrifice to be mom and dad, but it was also important to include the family, as they have become another chapter in their love story.  Congratulations, Jennifer and Eric; we look forward to your wedding next July!

Thanks to Bay Beach Amusement Park and Wildlife Sanctuary  www.baybeachwildlife.com

{ Michelle + Kevin = MARRIED! }

Michelle and Kevin's wedding was the celebration we photographers dream of.  With every little detail attended to: gorgeous floral arrangements, place cards tucked in wine corks, even bottles of wine for guests to sign wishing them well on future anniversaries.  Each little element spoke about exactly what Michelle and Kevin are like as a couple.  Throughout the day everything was incredibly relaxed, festive, and filled with a million tiny surprises to keep guests on their toes.  

It started with a moment alone for the two of them: the first look.  Kevin waited on the end of the bridge at Pamperin Park, nervous with anticipation, while Michelle slowly approached prepared to take away every bit of anxiety just by holding him in her arms.  There is something that feels so special about being chosen to be a part of such an intimate moment when a groom first sees his bride - the woman who will now become his family, who will be there for him through thick and thin, and everything in between.  First looks help us remember this moment, to hold onto it for longer.

Even as the rain came down in sheets outside the reception tent, the mood was joyous and guests were happy.  As dinner began, the heavy rain turned into a light shower, and the sun came out long enough to create a full rainbow arching over the tent, such a wonderful symbol for two people about to begin their lives together.  It was our pleasure to be a part of such a beautiful day with two people who really deserve each other.  Many congratulations, Michelle and Kevin!