Jeff + Alissa’s wedding was seven years in the making and it went SO well!! They had perfect weather, wonderful families and friends, and so much love happiness. And with that combination, you really can’t go wrong. :-) We started the day with beautiful lighting (my favorite)…

…and a sweet, tearful first look (also my favorite)!

It made me happy that there were no ‘sides’ for people to choose at this wedding. Even Jeff + Alissa’s parents sat together! :-)

I triple LOVE this image. Immediately after the ceremony, I found Jeff and Alissa sharing this little moment outside the chapel. Melts. My. Heart!!

And before we took off for the reception, we did a few ‘married’ portraits. :-D Ask me to do photos before AND after the ceremony and I’ll gladly say yes!!

Jeff and Alissa had the smartest centerpieces I’ve ever seen. Bridesmaid bouquets at the head table, and cakes at the guest tables!! Beautiful AND efficient. :-)

ceremony  | Augustana Campus Chapel, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

reception | Starlite Ballroom, Holiday Inn City Centre

wedding gown | Maggie Sottero from The French Door

bridesmaid dresses | J.Crew

groom + groomsmen suits | Men’s Wearhouse

hair | Ambiance Salon

flowers | Country Garden

cake | The Cake Lady

dj | Musical Edge

Jeff + Alissa – thank you so much for having me as your wedding photographer! I had such a wonderful day and I feel so blessed to have been a special part of it! I hope you are enjoying being married in Maui!! :-)

Michael and Mellissa started out as college acquaintances. And after several attempts at trying to get her number and take her out on a date, she finally agreed to dinner. But it wasn’t a date. :-) But it must have been a good, non-date dinner because she agreed to see him again. And again and again and again. Which led to a proposal this winter and then engagement pictures this weekend! :-)

When the weather was forecasted to be cloudy and rainy, Jaime said “it’s okay, we can just do ‘moody’ pictures!” And then I met them. And I’m pretty sure they can’t do ‘moody.’ Not with all that smiling and giggling going on. But to me, smiling and giggling uncontrollably is a sign of pure love. And I’d take that over moody any day. :-)

‘Photo season’ is well under-way and I can’t wait to share all the weddings and engagement sessions I have coming up in the next few months!! But before I get ahead of myself, here’s what I’ve been enjoying this past month – and I hope you like them, too!!

1. Polyvore – I don’t consider myself to be a trendy person. At all. I have no idea how to put outfits together for myself. But with the explosion of Pinterest I have found quite a bit of inspiration, which I take over to Polyvore and create my own outfit ideas – both for me and for my couples’ engagement sessions. I still have a lot of fashion sense to learn, so feel free to add me on Pinterest and Polyvore and share your outfit ideas!!

2. Scotch Sure Start packaging tape – Yes, the small things in life are what make me so happy. This packaging tape – it’s QUIET!!! Pure packaging bliss. :-)

3. The Lumineers – I’m loving their song ‘Ho Hey‘ (I belong with you, you belong with me, you’re my sweetheart!!!). It’s a short song, so I don’t mind letting it repeat more than once or twice.

4. Vegas with Jill – I told you we are good at hanging out and drinking coffee! :-) We spent a week in Vegas shopping, eating and being touristy. The highlight of our trip: seeing “O.” And lunch at Mon Ami Gabi.

For the past eleven years, Scott and Sarah have been friends. And at some point, that eventually led to being more than just friends. There was no real ‘first date’ for these two – just a lot of really good dates that were worth following each other around the country for.

I love when couples are so at ease with each other, it doesn’t matter if there’s a camera around. You can see the love and trust and comfort. In the way they smile at each other, hold each other and even just look at each other. It’s all there. And I LOVE seeing that in my couples!!