Being Patrick and Kimberly’s photographer for their destination wedding was such a treat! The Inn at Whittier was a perfect location – scenic, secluded and so so beautiful. But what made the weekend even more enjoyable were Pat & Kim’s wonderful personalities and welcoming families.

With destination weddings, it’s common that I never meet the couple until the weekend of the wedding. Lucky for me, Pat & Kim were naturals in front of the camera. Their love and excitement was just so apparent, it was impossible to get anything but great images – which actually made it harder to narrow down my favorites for the blog!! :-)

Patrick + Kimberly chose to have a first look, which gave us a lot of time for all kinds of photos, but it didn’t take away any excitement of meeting each other at the end of the aisle. Patrick’s expression while watching Kimberly and her brother walk down the spiral staircase was so priceless!!

Whittier is a town known for it’s tunnels – you can’t get to the town by land without going through a 2.5 mile one-way tunnel – and only on the half-hour can you get in!!

Everyone who lives in Whittier lives in the same building. In the winter, this tunnel across town gives the residents no excuse to skip work!! We had fun exploring. :-)

Pat + Kim – I can’t say enough how great it was to meet you and what an honor it was to be your wedding photographer!! I had SUCH a wonderful time in Alaska!! I hope you two have a wonderful honeymoon and enjoy your time together as much as you can before school starts again!! And please, call me next time you’re in Rapid! :-)

My friends Adam and Josh from AJ Production Company also made the trip to be their videographers. I love working with them because they see things so beautifully and get just as excited about weddings and great lighting as I do!! :-) Check out their highlight reel for more Alaskan wedding wonderful-ness!!

Joe and Becky are totally the cool kids I wish I could be. They do all the fun things I only dream of doing – like going to concerts and seeing Conan O’Brien and taking annual vacations together. I’m just so lucky that people like Joe + Becky want me to take photos because I just love getting to know their stories – especially how they met and fell in love. :-)

These two are so great at focusing on the good and laughing at the bad. On their first date, they saw a really terrible movie – but the rest of the date was really great and it started a wonderful relationship. When Joe wanted to propose to Becky at this one certain super-secluded spot, there was an onlooker. He proposed anyway and now it’s just a funny part of the story. It doesn’t matter if things happen perfectly or not for these two, they’re just happy to be living life together.

Joe + Becky – thank you so much for choosing me as your wedding photographer!! I have loved hearing all of your stories with funny twists, and I can’t wait to be there for the next part of your story!! September can’t come soon enough! :-)

Jeff + Alissa’s wedding was seven years in the making and it went SO well!! They had perfect weather, wonderful families and friends, and so much love happiness. And with that combination, you really can’t go wrong. :-) We started the day with beautiful lighting (my favorite)…

…and a sweet, tearful first look (also my favorite)!

It made me happy that there were no ‘sides’ for people to choose at this wedding. Even Jeff + Alissa’s parents sat together! :-)

I triple LOVE this image. Immediately after the ceremony, I found Jeff and Alissa sharing this little moment outside the chapel. Melts. My. Heart!!

And before we took off for the reception, we did a few ‘married’ portraits. :-D Ask me to do photos before AND after the ceremony and I’ll gladly say yes!!

Jeff and Alissa had the smartest centerpieces I’ve ever seen. Bridesmaid bouquets at the head table, and cakes at the guest tables!! Beautiful AND efficient. :-)

ceremony  | Augustana Campus Chapel, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

reception | Starlite Ballroom, Holiday Inn City Centre

wedding gown | Maggie Sottero from The French Door

bridesmaid dresses | J.Crew

groom + groomsmen suits | Men’s Wearhouse

hair | Ambiance Salon

flowers | Country Garden

cake | The Cake Lady

dj | Musical Edge

Jeff + Alissa – thank you so much for having me as your wedding photographer! I had such a wonderful day and I feel so blessed to have been a special part of it! I hope you are enjoying being married in Maui!! :-)

Michael and Mellissa started out as college acquaintances. And after several attempts at trying to get her number and take her out on a date, she finally agreed to dinner. But it wasn’t a date. :-) But it must have been a good, non-date dinner because she agreed to see him again. And again and again and again. Which led to a proposal this winter and then engagement pictures this weekend! :-)

When the weather was forecasted to be cloudy and rainy, Jaime said “it’s okay, we can just do ‘moody’ pictures!” And then I met them. And I’m pretty sure they can’t do ‘moody.’ Not with all that smiling and giggling going on. But to me, smiling and giggling uncontrollably is a sign of pure love. And I’d take that over moody any day. :-)