Sacred Heart Wedding: Athena + José

When I met this couple last winter while sporting a prego belly, I knew they would be a great couple to spend the day with. Unfortunately we didn’t get to have the engagement session together since it was rained out twice! As expected Athena and José’s wedding day was jam packed full of family, friends, and plenty of fun. We started with getting ready images at Athena’s mom’s house then traveled to the beautiful, historic Sacred Heart church. I can’t even begin to describe the energy of the ceremony. Everyone in attendance had a smile on their face and enthusiasm in their voices. The joyful choir had the congregation as well as the bride and groom grooving along with the music.

The vintage Rolls Royce from Timeless Transport was icing on the cake for their day. A classic, beautiful car that seemed to float over the road as it drove them to our next stop, Lauritzen Gardens.

Their night ended up at the Holland Performing Arts Center and just like everywhere else we had already been, it looked incredible. A perfect backdrop for an exciting evening celebrating their love. By incorporating new and old traditions to the reception lineup I know their guests were entertained all night. I loved watching the ladies grasp hands and go under the tunnel made by the bride and groom while running through the room to the fast paced music.

Athena and José…your wedding day was perfect and everything a marriage should be about: Love, Joy, and Togetherness. Thank you for the honor of commemorating your special day and I know it’s merely the start to something even more incredible than what you have now.

St. John’s Creighton Wedding: Angela + John

Sweet love . . . that’s a good way to describe this couple. When we did their engagement session last fall they told me how they met over TCBY yogurt. John would show up conveniently when Angela was working and order the same thing each time. He was definitely sweet on her.

I’d say they’re sweet on each other after looking through these images. Angela and John’s wedding this past weekend at St. John’s was a perfect way to transition out of full time mommy mode and back into photographer. They made it so easy to click, click, click away and capture the essence of the day. Her beautiful eyelashes, his slightly scruffy beard, perfect elements to nuzzle up against. No wonder I found them cuddling up to each other all day.

Details are always a favorite of mine to capture. I love this rich, vibrant purple that was incorporated many times throughout their wedding.

Have you ever seen a prouder Papa? While standing next to his beautiful daughter and soon to be bride he just looks so happy. This image of Angela’s sister giving her a quick peck on the cheek was captured just minutes before she walked down the aisle. The bridesmaids and I were keeping her company in a teeny little room close to the entrance.

All my best to you Angela and John! I enjoyed every minute  we spent together celebrating your relationship. I hope you’re enjoying your honeymoon and spending it relaxing and savoring each minute with one another. Safe travels!

To see more of Angela and John’s spring wedding, feel free to check out the slideshow for a full scope of the day.

Elmwood Park Outdoor Wedding: Lauren+Todd

As I’m preparing for the 2011 Wedding season I wanted to blog some of the beautiful weddings I was fortunate to be a part of last year.

Lauren and Todd, I hope you’re enjoying life as newlyweds and have a fun night planned on your upcoming one year anniversary! Can’t believe it’s gone so quickly. We had such a great time the night we photographed their engagement images and their wedding day certainly didn’t disappoint.

We were fortunate to experience beautiful weather for their outdoor ceremony at Elmwood Park. There were so many unique touches that personalized the day for them. Todd’s fun sense of humor was present at the ceremony when the ring got slightly stuck on his finger. I loved the look on his face I was able to capture as you’ll see below. Lauren’s brother read an amazing poem he wrote specifically for the day that tugged at all of our heartstrings. The wedding party rocked the exit with their brightly colored bubble guns. It’s all these fun little events that truly made the day memorable.

Click here to see the slideshow with many more images from Lauren and Todd’s Wedding day!

My new little assistant

Her daddy and I have waited patiently and prayed for this miracle and she has finally arrived, beautiful as ever. There is an angel baby in heaven who preceded her that makes us even more grateful for this gift.

Born with a full head of hair, the same color as her daddy’s beard, here she is… baby girl London Everleigh. She may have my nose but every other feature belongs to Chuck including her dark blue eyes.

February 5th, 2011 – 6 pounds 11 ounces – 20 inches long

I can’t begin to say how thankful I am that my friend Stephanie Kraft-Terry was there to capture the events of the day. She graciously put together a slideshow in record breaking time and had it posted on the internet the very next day. Chuck and I sat in the hospital bed and watched a recount of the event as tears streamed down our faces.

So where do I start on the subject of motherhood? Everyone told me it was a life changing event, duh. It is in so many ways. I’ve tried to jot down or at least mentally journal little points that I want to remember. And the photographs, oh boy, I have already purchased a separate external hard drive and labeled it “London” because it will quickly be filled with photographs and videos of her. And you know what images are my favorite? Not the posed, setup shots. I love the everyday images that show how we live our life and love on her. Most of these are taken with the iPhone and that’s okay since that’s what we have closest to us at the time. It doesn’t matter as long as the memory is captured.

So on to share a few more images of this little light in our life. Of course her mama adores her and it’s easy to see in this image that Stephanie took on her birthday. When they wheeled the bassinet into my room I kept thinking, “I can’t believe that’s my baby!”.

My favorite part of this journey is to watch my husband with her. He was never really into babies before she came along. I’ve probably seen him hold three in his life and two were his nephews. He has become the father, the protector, the lover of cute little miracles.

So here we are on this ride, joking about how we won’t get any sleep for the next eighteen years. Yes, it’s tough, it’s life changing, but of course it’s worth it! We’re finding that out more and more each day.

Engaged: Hayley & Andrew

Hayley and Andrew . . . their personalities are amazing. I’ve known Hayley as a friend of a friend but am so glad I get to work with her more closely now. The first time we met to discuss her wedding she gave me a big hug and that proved we’d be sure to get along well. She is vivacious, funny and beautiful all at the same time. And Andrew compliments her so well with his slightly quiet, protective nature.

I knew their engagement session would be a good time spent laughing and I wasn’t wrong. We had some evil mosquitoes to contend with but with some bug spray we handled it. Hayley even emailed me after the fact to say thank you and to say “I have to tell you what Andrew said when we left… that was so cool, I can’t wait to see them. This wasn’t anything like church! hahaha I had to laugh about that. What a good sport even with the mosquitoes”.

Our evening outdoor session gave us some great images and I’m happy that Hayley and Andrew chose to incorporate them into a guest sign-in book for their wedding day. Designing it was a good time and I know they’ll love it when they receive it this week.

June will be here before we know it and I hope that we have a beautiful day with weather like this one minus the annoying insects. Take care Hayley and Andrew! Thank you for being so wonderful and fun to work with.