July was incredibly busy. In the best way possible. When I was planning to share July’s edition of ‘laura loves…’ I had so many fun sessions to share with you, and then I went home for some needed family time, and then another fun session to share, and then MORE family time.

So, now that it’s AUGUST I now have a moment to share the things I was loving the most in July!

1. kid food – my brother, his wife and their two boys came to visit me this past weekend and I had SO MUCH FUN shopping for kid food for my older nephew. (Buying food for a 3-year-old is much more fun than buying baby food for an 11-month-old…) I was finally able to blame getting Coco Puffs and Trix on my nephew! Not that I don’t mind buying sugary cereal (I do it all the time), but this time I felt just a little less guilty. And the snack foods? So cool!! They make applesauce in a squeezable packet! No mess! No spoon needed! The nephews might have gone back home, but these snacks are definitely still being enjoyed. :-)

2. Aunt Carla – my aunt lost her battle with esophageal cancer this past month and I was able to spend a few days with my family and travel with them to her funeral. I definitely miss her and the way her eyes would tear up during a good laugh, but I know she is in a better place and no longer suffering. I’m so thankful to have the flexibility in my career and understanding from my clients to take some personal days to be with my family on such short notice.

3. Glee – it’s hard for me to watch a new show without starting from the beginning, so while I was in Sioux Falls staying with my bff Jill, she got me started. And I couldn’t.stop.watching. I enjoy Brittany’s crazy comments, Emma’s sweetness, Sue’s outrageous threats, Puck’s guitar playing, and Artie’s Safety Dance.

4. Audible – turns out it’s a lot easier to read a book on the boat/in the car/at the pool/while doing laundry when it’s an audiobook. I’ve already ‘read’ Heaven is For Real, Something Borrowed, Bossypants, and I just started The Help. Any other audiobook suggestions to add to my list?

She saw him walk in from across the room. His friend overheard her making a comment about his sexy work boots and how that must mean he has good morals. He introduced himself and they danced the night away.

Almost one year later, they were staying in the Black Hills and Jerry had planned a romantic evening in after going out for supper. Flowers, wine, etc. The flowers showed up early, sending Jerry into a frenzy. It’s a good thing he frequently gives unexpected flowers to Laura – she still had no idea what was going on. When his ‘planned’ moment came and the flowers had already been there for a while, he started to get nervous. But then, “I Wouldn’t Be A Man” by Josh Turner came on and he asked her to dance. The perfect moment presented itself.

Jerry + Laura – I am SO excited to photograph your wedding this October! I can’t wait to watch you continue your life-long dance!!

You know when you’re so excited to do something because you know in your heart it’s going to be so great? That’s how I felt on my way to photograph Brent + Laura’s wedding in Beresford this past weekend. I met Laura several years ago, but it was only a couple months ago that I met a glowing, soon-to-be bride and the man that made her smile bigger than ever.

Brent + Laura are some of the funniest, easy-going people I know and it was such a treat to watch them begin the rest of their life together.

Let’s start from the top – the shoes. Oh, my, the shoes. :-)

Their first look was so sweet as well as funny. I was instructing Brent on how to ignore me and just take a moment to check out how beautiful his bride is. His response: “what if she doesn’t look that good?” I told him to trust me, she looks AMAZING. Watching them interact, I’m pretty sure he agreed with me.

See? AMAZING.

Laura’s something new, old, borrowed and blue were three generations of rosaries (hers, her mother’s and her grandmother’s) that she carried in a pouch with her bouquet.

Such a precious father-daughter moment before walking down the aisle.

ceremony | St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, Beresford, SD

reception | Bridges at Beresford

wedding gown | Heartstrings Bridal, Hopkins, MN

bridesmaid dresses | David’s Bridal

groom + groomsmen outfits | Men’s Wearhouse

hair + makeup | Studio 26, Sioux Falls, SD

cake | Sunshine Foods, Brandon, SD

caterer | The Home Place, Parker, SD

dj | Pinnacle Productions, Sioux Falls, SD

Brent + Laura – from the bottom of my heart, thank you so SO much for inviting me to be your wedding photographer. I had a wonderful time getting to know your friends and family and watching you begin the rest of your happily ever after! :-)

Remember that amazing marriage proposal at Sylvan Lake a couple months ago? Well, lucky me, Brent + Kelcey asked me to be their photographer for their wedding this winter and so we met up in Sioux Falls this weekend for their official engagement photos!

Brent + Kelcey met at a mutual friend’s birthday party about a year ago and he put his number in her phone under the name “Brent Call Me.” And so she did. But he was going out of town that weekend and wouldn’t have cell phone reception… but he might be on Facebook chat. So she sat on her computer all night waiting to hear from “Brent Call Me” who was unavailable to call. :-)

They finally met up later that week and have been inseparable ever since!

When Brent called me to ask if I would be available to photograph the proposal, he had known for a while that he was going to ask Kelcey to marry him. When they pulled up to Sylvan Lake that chilly day in April, they saw me taking photos and decided that would be a good spot to take some photos of their own. They walked over, took a couple photos and Kelcey almost immediately said “Okay, let’s go. I’m cold.” “Wait, I have something to tell you,” urged Brent. And, well, you know what happens next. :-D

It was SO much fun to see Brent + Kelcey again and to hear more about them and their story!

Ken + Brittany were first introduced by a friend a long time ago, but nothing really happened until a year ago when their paths crossed once again and something sparked. After about a year of long-distance dating, Ken decided he wanted Brittany closer. He picked out a ring and had it in his vehicle for a couple weeks until the perfect moment presented itself.

They went to a playground and Brittany said she was ‘acting like a little kid’ running away from Ken and going down the slide. Ken challenged her to a race down the slides – he got to the bottom of her slide first. ring in hand. she said yes.

they both won.

Congrats on your engagement, Ken + Brittany! I am so excited to photograph your wedding this November!!