You know when you’re so excited to do something because you know in your heart it’s going to be so great? That’s how I felt on my way to photograph Brent + Laura’s wedding in Beresford this past weekend. I met Laura several years ago, but it was only a couple months ago that I met a glowing, soon-to-be bride and the man that made her smile bigger than ever.

Brent + Laura are some of the funniest, easy-going people I know and it was such a treat to watch them begin the rest of their life together.

Let’s start from the top – the shoes. Oh, my, the shoes. :-)

Their first look was so sweet as well as funny. I was instructing Brent on how to ignore me and just take a moment to check out how beautiful his bride is. His response: “what if she doesn’t look that good?” I told him to trust me, she looks AMAZING. Watching them interact, I’m pretty sure he agreed with me.

See? AMAZING.

Laura’s something new, old, borrowed and blue were three generations of rosaries (hers, her mother’s and her grandmother’s) that she carried in a pouch with her bouquet.

Such a precious father-daughter moment before walking down the aisle.

ceremony | St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, Beresford, SD

reception | Bridges at Beresford

wedding gown | Heartstrings Bridal, Hopkins, MN

bridesmaid dresses | David’s Bridal

groom + groomsmen outfits | Men’s Wearhouse

hair + makeup | Studio 26, Sioux Falls, SD

cake | Sunshine Foods, Brandon, SD

caterer | The Home Place, Parker, SD

dj | Pinnacle Productions, Sioux Falls, SD

Brent + Laura – from the bottom of my heart, thank you so SO much for inviting me to be your wedding photographer. I had a wonderful time getting to know your friends and family and watching you begin the rest of your happily ever after! :-)

Remember that amazing marriage proposal at Sylvan Lake a couple months ago? Well, lucky me, Brent + Kelcey asked me to be their photographer for their wedding this winter and so we met up in Sioux Falls this weekend for their official engagement photos!

Brent + Kelcey met at a mutual friend’s birthday party about a year ago and he put his number in her phone under the name “Brent Call Me.” And so she did. But he was going out of town that weekend and wouldn’t have cell phone reception… but he might be on Facebook chat. So she sat on her computer all night waiting to hear from “Brent Call Me” who was unavailable to call. :-)

They finally met up later that week and have been inseparable ever since!

When Brent called me to ask if I would be available to photograph the proposal, he had known for a while that he was going to ask Kelcey to marry him. When they pulled up to Sylvan Lake that chilly day in April, they saw me taking photos and decided that would be a good spot to take some photos of their own. They walked over, took a couple photos and Kelcey almost immediately said “Okay, let’s go. I’m cold.” “Wait, I have something to tell you,” urged Brent. And, well, you know what happens next. :-D

It was SO much fun to see Brent + Kelcey again and to hear more about them and their story!

Ken + Brittany were first introduced by a friend a long time ago, but nothing really happened until a year ago when their paths crossed once again and something sparked. After about a year of long-distance dating, Ken decided he wanted Brittany closer. He picked out a ring and had it in his vehicle for a couple weeks until the perfect moment presented itself.

They went to a playground and Brittany said she was ‘acting like a little kid’ running away from Ken and going down the slide. Ken challenged her to a race down the slides – he got to the bottom of her slide first. ring in hand. she said yes.

they both won.

Congrats on your engagement, Ken + Brittany! I am so excited to photograph your wedding this November!!

I love having things planned. I have different calendars within my Google account to keep track of personal projects, business meetings, things to do, and birthdays+anniversaries. I map out my route for running errands so that I make the least amount of left turns possible. I categorize my grocery list by where the items are in the store.

But it’s nice when things happen unexpectedly. Like when a friend needs a ride and we end up spending the day chatting and walking together. Or when a client comes over to pick up photos and stays for ice cream. Or when flowers are delivered to my apartment ‘just because someone loves me.’ :-)

1. I hiked a mountain. F’real. From what I gather on summitpost.org, it’s a 3.5 mile (one way) hike with 1,100 feet of elevation gain. I couldn’t have done it without my best friend, Jill!! Thanks for not letting me quit!! :-)

2. Staycations. I enjoy playing tourist AND tour guide. :-) Here’s me with Lance’s family in Custer State Park.

3. Party Rock Anthem. I don’t know about you, but I’m shufflin every day.

4. The Gilmore Girls. I just finished season five, and if you’ve ever watched the Gilmore Girls, you know how crazy-exciting the season five finale is. Season six is the only one I don’t have, and I’m hanging on a cliff!!

5. Armadillo’s Ice Cream Shoppe. This past weekend their flavor of sherbet was raspberry cheesecake. And now I have a half-gallon container of it in my freezer. :-)

6. Bagel Thins. They’re the perfect snack size!