Custer State Park will always be near and dear to my heart. It’s where my husband and I took our first vacation when we were dating, it’s where he proposed, and it’s our favorite place to hike. It’s also where many of my couples choose to begin the ‘rest of their lives’ together, and that in itself is so, so beautiful!

Favorite!!!

What I love about the bride + groom’s first dance is watching the emotions wash over them as they sway together and soak in the events of the day. The way they hold each other and share thoughts of how happy they are without even speaking. It makes my heart do a happy dance every single time. :-)

Brian + Ashley – YOU GUYS!!! We forgot to do a selfie!!!!! You’re probably so sad that you didn’t get a photo with me. ;-) Please accept this big, virtual hug and my sincerest apologies. I hope you love your sneak peek – I can’t wait to show you the rest of your images!! Thanks again for having me and best wishes to you on your ‘biggest and best year yet!’ :-)

It seems as though this little girl has taken over my whole world. (What did I talk about before we had a baby?) But that’s a common thing that babies do, right? Moms (and dads) do anything possible to make their babies laugh, kiss their cheeks, smell the tops of their heads, take entirely way too many photos of them, and then after they’re asleep look through said photos because they’re just *so* cute you can’t stop looking at them. That’s normal those first few months… isn’t it?

It’s become evident that Elodie will always by one of my favorites each month. And by ‘one of’ I mean ‘absolute.’ But I write ‘one of’ in case my husband reads this. ;-) Still, I can’t help but share what she’s up to each month (and I hope you don’t mind). Since last month, she’s gotten two teeth and found her toes as well as her thumb – which makes going down for naps *so* much easier these days.

My other favorites this month? The super sweet and fun clients who have made my transition back in to wedding season a bit easier. Leaving the house causes a few tears to be shed (mostly just mine), but it’s been so easy to get caught up in the excitement of their day – love is so contagious!

Also, Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked – Have I professed my love to this ice cream before? My apologies. But my husband brought some home when I suggested he pick up some food while out running errands this morning. That guy sure knows how to speak my love language!

Dan + Megan’s Black Hills wedding was the definition of a ‘dream come true’ – the sweetest family, the most fun wedding party, beautiful weather, and a surprise solo from the groom during the ceremony!

But first, Megan’s dress + shoes… I was in LOVE!!!!

Getting dressed for the big day with a little help from mom. :-)

I loooooove the time I get with the bride and groom after their first look – the excitement of the day seems to wash over them! 

I love a good father-daughter moment. :-)

Here’s that surprise solo from Dan – it was a little bit funny, a little bit sweet, and complete perfection.

And it completely reduced the bridesmaids to tears. :-)

Dan + Megan – thank you, thank you, thank you for having me photograph your wedding!! You two are so special to my heart – I love your story and your love for each other. Please keep surprising each other and never stop having fun!

p.s. Thanks, Megan, for sharing your veils with me. (They looked way better on you.)

Matt + Kayla are so easy-going and easy to talk to. I have a feeling they are going to be super chill on their wedding day, too, which is the perfect way to soak in all the wonderfulness happening!

Congrats again, you guys – I can’t wait to see you in September!!

If you’re looking to elope in the Black Hills, this is how it’s done: with wildflowers and hand-written vows including a poem. :-) Josh + Hannah, thank you so much for inviting me to document your beautiful, intimate ceremony. I hope you are enjoying married life so far!