Can I just say one thing? Proposals rock my world!! The very moment when he’s down on one knee, when she realizes this isn’t a dream – this is really happening, when a vacation goes from good to FANTASTIC! Thank you, Joe, for inviting me to witness your very special moment! I’m so happy that all the long-distance planning worked out on such a beautiful evening here in the Black Hills. Thank you, Brittany, for being surprised (we were so worried you’d figure it out!) and for being so gracious to let me follow you around with a camera while all those emotions were running wild! :-) Your relationship and love for each other (from the 30 minutes I observed) is beautiful and I am so thrilled for the two of you to be married!! Congrats again and enjoy this memorable time of your lives!

Sometimes my wedding couples are so busy before the wedding (moving, finding new jobs, traveling from another state just to get married in the Black Hills) that it doesn’t work out for us to meet until they day they say ‘I do.’

Such was the case for Kasen + Beth. I got to meet them on the day of their mid-week wedding and it just so happened that I instantly fell in like with them. Thank goodness for the internet and my constant gushing over sweet, fun-loving couples. It’s easy for the right couples to find me. :-)

Kasen + Beth are nothing short of sweet or fun-loving. They had the most intimate, meaningful wedding ceremony and they couldn’t stop smiling at each other the entire time I was with them. (p.s. They have the most adorable smiles – you’ll see.)

I *love* this photo of Beth and her mom – I hope they treasure this forever, and I hope someday if Beth has a daughter, she takes a picture like this at her wedding.

Kasen + Beth – I hope your first few days of marriage have been wonderful, despite all the packing I’m sure you’re doing in preparation for the big move. I’m so happy you will be South Dakotans soon, and if you ever plan a trip to the Black Hills, I’d love to finally take you out for ice cream!

Hey, look, I had enough photos from this past month to put together a collage like I used to do! Either that or *lots* more stuff happened. :-) Either way, I’m happy to share what this past month has brought – visitors, my bff’s baby bump, and bedtime snacks.

1. Catrons came to visit! Lance’s parents camped out here for the 4th of July, so naturally we had to get a photo of the whole group! p.s. Welcome to the group, Mike! :-)

2. Manual labor – Okay, so this one I’m not *so* excited about. But by the end of the summer I’ll be so glad that we have some lawn in our back yard! It’s hard to tell in this photo, but I had just wrangled a roll of germination blanket and was left covered in little green flecks.

3. Wheaties – the bedtime snack of champions. Does anyone else out there get hungry before bedtime and need a little snack? Growing up, I *always* had to have a bowl of cereal before bedtime. This photo is from the night of Steve + Lindsey’s wedding – I was tired, backing up my photos, and a little hungry. I took this photo and sent it to my mom, because she’s the only one who understands my need for bedtime snacks, and would appreciate my take on the slogan.

4. Brauns came to visit!! My parents drove their convertible out so we could truly enjoy a drive down Spearfish Canyon, followed by carrot cake at Cheyenne Crossing. ‘Twas a good time had by all. p.s. Please don’t mistake my husband for Rory McIlroy – he just really likes to wear bright colors.

5. My bff is having a baby!!! She’s due in September, and I can’t wait to meet the little one and watch my friend become a mother! :-)

6. Succulents – Thank goodness for plants that don’t need to be watered every day! These things are doing so well (minus that dried up little guy in the front of the big planter) they make me feel like I know what I’m doing. Which, for the record, I totally don’t.

Check these two out- they drove 5 hours just to meet me the one evening I had free while in Sioux Falls! They are so casual, cute, and comfortable in front of my camera, and I cannot wait to photograph them again in November for their wedding! That one on the right? FAVORITE!!!  Well, all of these are my favorites, but this tops the list. :-)

Check these guys out – they’re sweet, in love, and SOOOOO excited to be married!! My favorite combo. ;-)

This next photo is my ‘first favorite’ – the one I loved as soon as I took it, and then posted to Instagram as soon as I had it backed up! :-)

… and then the rain came. So we scrambled over to the Game Lodge to take cover, and get a few photos under said cover. :-)

Thankfully the rain stopped for us to get wedding party photos done, but then it started again until ceremony time – it’s as though someone from up above just knew we had a wedding to do!

LOVE THIS!!!! I’m smiling ear-to-ear all over again just looking at their excitement of being announced MR & MRS!!!

Just before the ceremony, Lindsay’s cousin (I think?) said ‘Grandma’s here for the wedding’ and set this butterfly on her bouquet. And then it stayed there for the WHOLE CEREMONY!! And for the next few photos. How precious is that?!

I loooooove it when couples have a little down time scheduled before heading over to the reception – we had the prettiest light for photos – and the rain stayed away!! :-)

The cupcakes, oh the cupcakes!! I may or may not have been bullied into having more than one. Peer pressure is real, you guys! ;-)

Steve + Lindsey surprised their guests with a choreographed dance – there was a collective ‘awww’ when they started, it was so sweet!! :-)

Lindsay’s parents will be celebrating their 40th anniversary (can that be right?), so they had a song played just for them and I looooooove how in love they still are!!

Steve + Lindsey – Thanks for being so flexible with the change in forecast! Again, I apologize for the humidity and bugs – I guess they just wanted you to feel at home?? ;-) Also, I soooo wanted to post our ‘pouting because of the rain’ selfie, but I just couldn’t end the post with sad faces – I had too much fun with you guys!! I hope married life is treating you well so far, and I hope you take your new boat out as much as you can this summer! Love and hugs, Laura.