It’s here!!! The wedding you’ve all been waiting for ever since Joe proposed to Brittany last year! :-) Get ready for a whole lotta beautiful glamorous-ness because their wedding was full of it! Starting with THOSE SHOES!!!!

My faaaaavorite photo when a bride gets ready is her putting on her earrings. Plus, check out Brittany’s muscles! She works out. ;-)

FIRST LOOK!!!! Another favorite. Okay, three favorites from one moment. I just can’t help myself!

Check out these bridesmaids!!! I love a pink dress, but these girls totally rocked theirs!!

First looks will never, ever ruin the excitement of that ‘walk down the aisle’ moment. In case you were wondering… :-)

Huge hugs to this wedding party for taking a few minutes from the limo for some downtown photos.

Genuine hands on a bride’s back make me melt. Every. Time.

What I love about Sioux Falls is its variety of wedding + reception venues. Icon Events is GORGEOUS, which was clearly a perfect fit for Joe + Brittany’s reception. :-)

Thanks, you two, for inviting me along on this journey of yours!! I am so happy to have gotten to know you and I look forward to seeing where life takes you! :-)

Oh, July, where do I start with my favorite things? Oh yeah, our baby! :-)

Every month I think “our baby is just so much fun,” but this month really has been fun! Elodie has mastered rolling from her back to her tummy, and is starting to sit up all on her own. She loves to be tickled and to play ‘peek-a-boo’ with her burp cloth. She also loves when mommy sings and dances with her – I just wish Little Bitty Pretty One was a longer song.

Another thing I’m loving this month are my succulent babies – since I started my leaf propagation journey back in May, there was so much growth on the leaves I felt I needed to move them into 2″ pots (so they could grow without being disturbed for quite a while). But then I over watered them and bugs started to grow and feed on their roots. :-( Back in to trays they went (this time without soil) and *finally* they are starting to grow new roots!

Is it silly how I wish my plants would grow faster and my baby would grow slower? :-)

Luke + Cori’s wedding was better than I ever could have imagined – and I imagined great things for them! Their first look, their vows, their willingness to pose for portraits whenever I wanted, all the thoughtful details, and the loving friends + family…. all of it was perfect!!

Wanna see the ‘glow’ of being a newlywed? Here you go! Luke + Cori opted out of a receiving line so they could snuggle with each other just a little bit more on their big day! (I didn’t mind one bit.)

Now, I’m not one to usually share photos of speeches/toasts, but the way Cori looks at Luke just makes me go *awwwww* :-)

Me during the reception: “I’d love to steal you guys for a couple minutes if that’s okay.”

Them: “Okay!”

BAM! Gorgeous light and a quiet little moment for them to soak in the fact that they’re MARRIED!!

Luke + Cori – Thank you SO MUCH!! For being perfectly you on your wedding day. For letting your love be silly and beautiful and for sharing it with all of us. The world needs more couples like you to show us just how fun being married can be. :-)

Ken + Natalie had the most beautiful day in Spearfish Canyon for their wedding. Plus, they were surrounded by the most wonderful + supportive families, so all in all it was a pretty magnificent day. :-)

Outdoor ceremonies tend to go quickly, but they are always full of sweet (and sometimes silly) moments.

These next two are my favorites!

I love how the Latchstring at Spearfish Canyon Lodge feels like a giant living room – a cozy place for everyone to mingle and enjoy their meal!

Ken + Natalie – it was so great to meet you! It was such a pleasure to watch you get married and witness all the love that your family and friends have for you. I can tell you are going to have a long and happy life together! :-)

Get ready for a whole lotta glam gorgeousness!!! Jaden + Megan’s wedding was held at the Martin + Mason Hotel in Deadwood, which was the perfect setting for their big day.

Megan – you are STUNNING!!! I wish you could wear your wedding gown every day because it was PERFECT on you!!

First looks melt my heart every time – but especially this time. :-)

Wedding ceremonies are pretty special, but it’s the unexpected moments that make them unforgettable. Like when flower girls go back to pick up the petals, or when your uncle officiating the ceremony mis-pronounces your husband’s name. ;-)

Guess what my favorite moment of the day was? This one!! After Jaden + Megan were pronounced husband and wife and walked back down the aisle, *this* happened. And it was so, so beautiful. :-)

Is it silly that my favorite part about the Martin + Mason are their hardwood floors and chairs? I want this to be my dining room!!

Okay, another favorite moment – the way the held each other during their first dance… BEAUTIFUL!!! You guys can come model for me anytime, mmmkay? Thanks.

Jaden + Megan – Thank you so much for having me! I hope you have enjoyed your first few days as Mr. and Mrs. and continue to have as much fun as you did on your wedding day (because it was a *lot* of fun). ;-)