I forget how big Rapid City is and how many schools there are. It is hard for me to wrap my head around people not knowing all of their classmates, because I grew up in a town of 400, and I knew everyone’s names (and their families) at least five grades ahead of and behind me.

Andrew + Meghan are both from Rapid City and they went to different schools, so they didn’t actually meet until they started working together. They got to know each other and become friends before they started dating. Which, I think, is a pretty awesome start to a life-long relationship. :-)

I just wanna say, thanks so much for choosing to frolic in the forest with me! ;-)

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I love a good South Dakota sunset!!

Andrew + Meghan – It was such a pleasure spending time with you the other evening and I am SO looking forward to your wedding *next* month!! :-D

Joshua and Whitney had me falling in love with my job all over again this past weekend. The constant look of love on their faces, the timeline that stayed on time, the pure joy of these two starting their marriage, and the overflowing love and support of SO many friends and family members. It is SUCH a great feeling to love what I do, and to be able to share that wedding day excitement with my couples. :-) I hope you enjoy a few of my favorite images from this beautiful wedding!

Before Whitney had her first look with Joshua, she had a first look with her bridesmaids – and it was *so* sweet

Still, nothing beats seeing your groom for the first time on your wedding day. :-)

I LOVE this next photo of Whit admiring Josh’s ring – simply adorable.

Sometimes couples have a difficult time deciding whether or not to do a first look, because walking up the aisle is such a special moment. But look at Joshua’s face. I think that even after having a first look and doing all their portraits before the ceremony, there’s still a whole lot of magic in that moment… don’t you?

High fives to being married!!! :-)

A pretty fine lookin’ wedding party, wouldn’t you say?

Josh + Whitney – Oh man, my heart is overflowing as I am going through your images, thinking back on your wedding day. You two are so much fun to be around – I had such a great time photographing you and watching your day unfold. I hope you have the happiest of ever afters and enjoy your upcoming honeymoon to the fullest!!

 Anthony + Brittany are such a laid-back, light-hearted, fun-loving couple – and it was such an honor for me to photograph their wedding in their hometown of Beresford, South Dakota. They’ve been dating since high school, they have the cutest little boy, and they now have had their perfect wedding day. A day full of laughter and love. :-)

First looks are still my favorite part of the day… so much love and excitement shining!!

Their little boy did SO WELL for photos and for *most* of the ceremony…

Anthony + Brittany, I love you guys, but my favorite part of your ceremony was Tate clapping along to the music. :-) p.s. Hasn’t he gotten so big since your engagement photos??

Brittany loves a cute pair of shoes, but also understands enough is enough when it comes to comfort, and walking through a wave of bubbles. :-)

I see a lot of lovely centerpieces, but this was pretty AND fun!! Here’s a before and after showing the instruction note “Memories, advice, or best wishes… write a note to the Mr. & Mrs.” and then some sweet responses. :-)

But who cares about centerpieces when you’ve got THIS gorgeousness happening outside!!! :-)

First dance! Good thing I made you guys practice outside… this is perfection!! ;-)

My favorite thing about Anthony + Brittany? They’ll go outside to take photos whenever I ask. :-)

Anthony + Brittany – I had such a wonderful time spending the day with you on your wedding. Thank you for going outside for more (and more) photos. You are so sweet, and Brittany, I miss your giggle already!!

Helloooooo, summer!!! It has been a busy month full of weddings and engagement sessions, as well as office and yard work. Fresh air makes everyone more productive, right?

1. New grass!! – Last week, Lance and I worked on our front yard for six straight hours. We shaped the dirt and seeded grass and put down a germination blanket (the wind in our hill-top neighborhood is ridiculous, and we didn’t want to put in all that hard work to have the wind blow all our seed away…) When I came home from last weekend’s wedding, there were these little sprouts waving ‘hello!’ Only a few more weeks until the rest of the seeds take root and fill in! :-)

2. Summer drinks – When it’s hot out, I like to have my fridge stocked with cool treats. My new favorite drink? Iced chocolate chai. I brew extra-strength chai tea, store it in the fridge, and when I’m ready to cool off, I mix it with chocolate almond milk over ice. Yummmm!

3. Mini Swingline – Office work seems so much more enjoyable with my cute little stapler.

4. Dahlias – I like to think these colorful potted flowers in front of the house made up for the lack of a front lawn earlier in the month.

5. Date night!! – Lance and I went out to eat at Piesano’s (our favorite pizza place in town) and took a stroll around the Outdoor Campus West.

p.s. Several of my ‘favorite things’ make an appearance on Instagram as they happen throughout the month. If you’d like to follow along, and even see some sneak peeks from weddings and engagement sessions, come follow me – my username is studiolb!!

Matt + Kate have such a great sense of humor (a.k.a. we get most of each others Michael Scott quotes) – it was so much fun to walk and talk with them during their engagement session.  I didn’t want them to go back home to Omaha!! Soon enough, their wedding day will be here and I’ll get to hang out with them and their closest friends + family and I absolutely can not wait! :-)

Okay, so this is the real reason I didn’t want Matt + Kate to go back home. I could have listened to them make up songs for hours!! Which, I’ll have you know, were equally romantic and hilarious.

Matt + Kate – I hope you had a wonderful time out in the hills and that engagement photos were right up there with cake tasting. :-) It was so good to see you again and I am SO looking forward to October!!