Paul + Amanda’s Custer State Park wedding was the perfect end-of-summer soiree. A sweet ceremony followed by dinner with their closest friends.

I love how the girls are all focused on Amanda’s dress, and she’s just standing there, beaming at her mother like “This is really happening!!”

A dress that allows you to sit down to put your own shoes on is a good dress. Comfort is key!!

Amanda chose to have a first look with her dad and it was the sweetest thing ever!!

Paul + Amanda have the *best* friends on the planet. Their wedding day was so full of fun and laughter  – exactly the way it should be!

I thought about cropping out the ‘squinty faces’ on either end of this photo, but then I decided that it really shows how much Paul loves Amanda. Glaring sunshine or not – he’s only got eyes for her. Plus, outtakes are just as enjoyable as sappy moments. ;-)

That tear on Amanda’s cheek!!! I thanked her later for letting it fall all the way to her chin. :-)

Love notes and a bottle of wine for their fifth wedding anniversary – I love this tradition! A wedding should be all about creating and nurturing a marriage that day.

End-of-the-aisle hugs and kisses = THE BEST!!!

Paul + Amanda allowed for plenty of time to wander around for photos after the ceremony, which allowed us to catch some amazing light between the trees!

Paul + Amanda – Thanks a million times for having me photograph your perfect day! I hope you are having a fantastic honeymoon so far!

Custer State Park will always be near and dear to my heart. It’s where my husband and I took our first vacation when we were dating, it’s where he proposed, and it’s our favorite place to hike. It’s also where many of my couples choose to begin the ‘rest of their lives’ together, and that in itself is so, so beautiful!

Favorite!!!

What I love about the bride + groom’s first dance is watching the emotions wash over them as they sway together and soak in the events of the day. The way they hold each other and share thoughts of how happy they are without even speaking. It makes my heart do a happy dance every single time. :-)

Brian + Ashley – YOU GUYS!!! We forgot to do a selfie!!!!! You’re probably so sad that you didn’t get a photo with me. ;-) Please accept this big, virtual hug and my sincerest apologies. I hope you love your sneak peek – I can’t wait to show you the rest of your images!! Thanks again for having me and best wishes to you on your ‘biggest and best year yet!’ :-)

Scott and Sarah had the most perfect, intimate, detail-filled, laid-back wedding and I was so excited to be a part of it!! We started with a quick little first look before walking over to the ceremony site at Blue Bell Lodge in Custer State Park.

Waiting at the ceremony were goody bags filled with water, tissues and a little fold-up fan. Sarah’s mother made these wonderful little bells with Scott & Sarah’s names, their wedding date, and CSP scenery – trees and buffalo. :-) They were a perfect way to ‘ring in’ the new couple! :-D

I love that Scott walked Sarah to the ceremony – they even shared a little kiss on their way over! :-)

Scott + Sarah had arranged for the park’s Jeeps to take everyone around the park – and to find the buffalo…

… which we totally did find!!

A little more portrait time before dinner – yay for being married!! :-)

I could have made a blog post just with all the fun little details at their reception (birdhouses, fabric napkins, chocolate-covered sunflower nuts, pinecones, a tin lunchbox, the list goes on…), but my FAVORITE was their ‘guest tree’ – so fun and so cute!

I also had a lot of fun with the rings – so many fun details to take photos of!!

ceremony + reception + caterer | Custer State Park Resort – Blue Bell Lodge

wedding gown | David’s Bridal

groom’s suit | Halberstadt’s

hair + flowers + cake + decorations | themselves!!

Scott + Sarah – Thank you SO much for including me in your big day!! I am so excited for you and I hope there are fewer than normal forest fires this summer so you can spend lots more time together. ;-)