Weddings like Aubrey + Mary’s completely blow me away with the perfect combination of love, silliness, and sunshine peeking out just in time for photos. :-)

Mary and I met a few years ago, and we instantly hit it off (and judging by the speeches I heard on Saturday, this is a pretty common occurrence). She’s a great friend, and everyone lucky enough to be in her life is truly blessed. She also has a great circle of family and friends, but when she met Aubrey she hit the jackpot. He is her perfect gentleman with a hilarious sense of humor.

Seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day! :-)

Aubrey + Mary got engaged on the top of Harney Peak, and since Sylvan Lake was sort-of on the way to their reception at the Game Lodge from their wedding at the Chapel in the Hills, we prayed for no rain, few tourists, and headed up!

WORTH IT!!!

Wall Drug donuts!!!!! They were a hit. Especially with Grandpa. ;-)

Don’t worry, Aubrey, I’m sure that some day someone will believe you met on Farmers Only.

Gosh, how do I begin to thank you guys for having me photograph your wedding? It really was the perfect day, which I truly believe is a preview of what your marriage will be. I am honored you asked, and I can’t wait to watch your happily ever after play out!! :-)

Also, there were two studio lb brides at this wedding!!! Remember Megan? She had similar storm clouds threatening her big day. :-)

Is it just me or should these ‘laura loves…’ posts be called ‘laura loves elodie’ from now on? Because really, our world pretty much revolves around her!

This month, Elodie has decided she LOVES to be outside. Playing in the dirt, picking flowers/grass/weeds, carrying the watering can, and walking up and down the sidewalk make her the happiest.

What I love about all this outside time is that she takes AMAZINGLY LONG NAPS!!!

The only thing more exciting than getting married has to be starting a family. Sure, there are lots of similarities between the two… the planning, the waiting, the excitement, and then letting the ‘big day’ happen how it’s supposed to happen. The major difference is that you can never fully understand or prepare for how much LOVE you will feel for this teeny tiny person you’ve created!

Most of my wedding couples don’t live in the Black Hills, so I send my congratulations via email/text/facebook when I see they are joining the world of parenthood. With Luke + Cori, I was so honored (and thrilled) that they asked me to document this wonderful new journey of theirs. (You guys, real-life congratulatory hugs are WAY better than heart and smiley-face emojis.) :-) You remember them from their canoe engagement session and their woodland wedding, right? Now here they are, happier than ever to meet their little boy in just a few weeks!!!

Luke + Cori – thanks again for inviting me in to your life as you prepare for this exciting life change!! You are going to be such awesome parents. :-)

“Say bye bye to chunky baby thighs.”

Since Elodie loves to walk now, she has taught herself to squat in order to pick things up. If she lands on her butt, she must either crawl or walk on her knees to the nearest piece of furniture to pull herself back up to a standing position. With all these squats lately, I’m seeing her rolls turn in to muscle!

Her favorite part of the day is watching out the window for daddy to come home for work. Sometimes we’ll see someone walking a dog, and she’ll point and say “ruff, ruff!”