I was absolutely terrified of the weather forecast for Saturday. One hundred percent chance of snow and LOTS of wind. Thankfully when it did snow, it wasn’t much. And the wind nearly blew it all off the road. So driving was fine, but outdoor pictures were absolutely out of the question. Or so I thought. :-)

I suppose when you plan a wedding for mid-November, you expect there to be some kind of bad weather. So when I casually mentioned that we maybe could do a couple photos outside, if we found a less windy spot, if she’d like…. she immediately responded OKAY! Let’s do it!! And I was SO glad she wanted to. I think Darin was a bit more apprehensive to go, but I also think the photos are a great reminder of the weather that day. Who cares if their hair was a little windblown?

And the details. Oh, the details. The lace overlay on her dress. Her blue suede shoes. The flowers they arranged. The candle-lit walkway at the ceremony. The sparkling reception decorations. So so so lovely! I was in detail heaven! :-)

Okay, enough gushing. Look how GOOD these two look!!! Darin + Michelle, I am SO excited to have been your wedding photographer! You are a perfect match for each other and it was such a treat for me to document that! :-)

Yeah, just a little windy… :-) And you can see their getaway truck in the reflection!!

Hugs from dad! I love moments like these. :-)

ceremony | Bethlehem Covenant Church, Wheaton, MN

reception + catering | American Legion, Wheaton, MN

wedding gown| Jean’s Bridal, Wilmot, SD

groom + groomsmen tuxes | The Affair, Wheaton, MN

hair | Jody Nelson, mother of the groom

flowers | online

cake | Malane Brandenburger (best cake I’ve EVER had at a wedding!!)

Ken + Brittany were SO excited to get married when I saw each of them getting ready on Saturday. But amidst all of that excitement was calmness. Not only were they so excited, they were SO ready. And they couldn’t wait to get started!

Brittany was helping her bridesmaids with their finishing touches and directing her personal attendant to the church over speakerphone. But as soon as her mother walked in the door, she was taking her dress off the hanger – she just couldn’t wait to put it on and go see her groom!

When I went to get Ken set up for their first look, he nearly jumped out of his chair. No hesitation. No teasing joke of “do I have to?” He couldn’t wait to see his bride.

Their ring bearer and flower girl rocked their duties – they were such troopers for pictures, AND those are Ken + Brittany’s ACTUAL rings on the pillow!!

I LOVE secret passageways in churches. I can spy on the couple and get reactions like this without distracting all the guests! :-)

Prayers for the new couple!

ceremony | Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, SD

reception + catering | Best Western Ramkota, Aberdeen, SD

wedding gown| David’s Bridal

groom + groomsmen tuxes | Brides N’ Belles, Aberdeen, SD

party bus | Lifetime Limousine, Aberdeen, SD

flowers | From the Heart, Annette Stein, Aurora, SD

cake | Cakes by Emily, Emily McDaniel

dj | Rat Pac, Elkton, SD

Life has been so wonderfully busy the past two months! So incredibly wonderful that I spent three whole weeks doing nothing but editing and celebrating!!

Celebrating the love of other couples with their engagements and weddings.

Celebrating the company of my nephews.

Celebrating my ENGAGEMENT!!!

1. Isaac has a new haircut and he looks JUST like his big brother. Until he smiles. :-)

2. Jonas’s favorite part about fall is filling up the pumpkins (leaf bags).

Every time I see my nephews, it’s the highlight of my month… but this month, my MOST favorite thing was when….

3. Lance proposed!!!!!!!!

Best. Month. Ever.

:-D

From the moment I arrived to photograph Ryan + Terra’s wedding, I was blown away. Every little detail about this wedding was thoughtfully planned to make someone and everyone feel special. From the personalized dress hangers to the surprise bagpiper at the ceremony to the baseball themed reception and breast cancer awareness ribbons. Not only did Ryan + Terra plan to make everyone feel special, their friends and family even surprised them with a FLASH MOB at the wedding dance!! Terra said it perfectly. “I have the best family ever!!” And what an honor it was to be a part of it!! Enjoy *some* of my favorites… there are LOTS more where these came from!!

Ryan + Terra’s first look was absolute perfection. :-)

Ryan’s son Kaden was absolutely excited to be a part of the day – he even helped with the unity candle during the ceremony and did great!!

Seriously. There are SO many images I wanted to share, but I just had to narrow them down for the sneak peek!!

The next two are tied for my favorite wedding portraits. Ever.

Even their wedding party was stellar!! It started to mist during the end of outdoor portraits but the guys didn’t mind and *thank*the*lord* they let me finish the last three images I needed before we headed off to the ceremony!

There were a lot of ‘reasons’ to get Ryan + Terra tucked away before the ceremony, but the really it was to surprise Ryan with the Bagpiper Terra had hired!!

And it TOTALLY worked. Not a dry eye in the house!! Ryan’s family is very much Irish and the bagpiper was the perfect way to honor that!

After they exchanged rings and vows, their parents and grandparents came up to give them a blessing. SO MUCH LOVE in this family!!!

Okay. One more favorite wedding portrait. Hooray for being married!!!

Ryan + Terra shared such a beautiful first dance, and so did Terra and her father. I love the way her sisters are watching from the corner of the dance floor. :-)

And… the moment you’ve all been waiting for… the FLASH MOB!!!! So much fun in this photo!!!! I especially love grandpa bustin’ a move. :-)

And Terra’s reaction following. :-) Seriously. They have the best families EVER!!!

ceremony | Custer Lutheran Fellowship Church, Custer, SD

reception + catering | Sylvan Lake Lodge, Custer, SD

wedding gown| Maggie Sottero

bridesmaid dresses | Lasting Impressions, Sioux Falls, SD

groom + groomsmen tuxes | Tip Top Tux

flowers | Jenny’s Floral, Custer, SD

cake | Piece of Cake, Rapid City, SD

dj | Flipside D.J. Service, Brian Blair, Rapid City, SD

Ryan + Terra – From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!! For having me. For being so wonderful to each other and your families. You are both so beautiful, inside and out.

p.s. Can you get married again next year? I miss you already. :-)

He was kind. He was smart. He had a good job. He drove a safe car. He was too good to be true. And he was everything she needed.

Together they are wonderful. With each other and with her daughter. Despite losing a close family member just days before the session, Zack + Betsy were strong, they held each others’ hands and they showed me just how in love they are and how excited they are to be getting married in a few months. And I can’t wait to be there when they say their ‘I do’s in front of their closest family members and friends!!