Almost two weeks ago, my friend Halley came in to the coffee shop where I work and we got to talking about our lives lately, what we’re up to, wedding photography, January 2nd…. :-) Halley set up Chad and Brianne a couple years ago and they JUST got engaged and are planning their wedding for this January. Then, Halley set me up with Brianne and her mom that night!

For their engagement session, Chad drove us all around in a canyon near Rapid City – take a good look at all these photos, because I will probably never take my car through that terrain for a session!! :-)

Their engagement story is one of the sweetest I’ve ever heard!! Bri + Chad are very much outdoors people. They’ve done some hunting and fishing together, but Bri had never been night fishing. Bri reeled one fish in and made Chad unhook it for her. Fish are pretty gross to touch, I’m with her on that. Before Chad tossed the line back in, he attached a little something to the end of the line (don’t worry, it wasn’t the ring!). Bri reeled the line back in, pulling up weeds and muck from the bottom and swung it over to Chad again to unhook it. This time, it wasn’t a fish, it was a metal plate with a fish carved onto it . He wiped it off, told Bri there was something written on it and couldn’t make out what it said and got down on one knee, showing it to her as she read “will you marry me?” *awwwwww* :-)

Congrats, you two!!! I’m so excited for your wedding this January!!

Check back this evening for the rest of my favorites from Bri + Chad’s engagement session this weekend!!

I first met Kendra when we were getting ready to go on a spring break mission trip our freshman year of college. Dave came along a couple years later as the new music guy at the newman center who helped whenever he could to either sing or play guitar (he’s awesome at both) and most times Kendra would be on piano (she’s awesome at that). I remember playing board games over at Kendra’s house with some friends one evening and Dave showed up! (I still only knew him as the new music guy, but eventually I remembered his name :-)) As the night went on, people went home one by one and Dave was one of the last people to leave. It wasn’t long after that night that Dave kept showing up more often and spending more and more time with Kendra.

A couple weeks ago, I was having lunch with my friend Becky (also Kendra’s best friend since they were little kids) and we were talking about how it wouldn’t be much longer before Dave and Kendra get engaged. Sure enough…that weekend he proposed!!

Since they have only been engaged for a week and a half, their excitement level was still pretty high for taking photos!! I think that smiles are always bigger, and hugs and kisses last longer when the couple is just newly engaged (or married). :-) Between almost every photo, Dave would give Kendra an extra kiss on the cheek or hug her a little tighter. Kinda made me want to go in for a group hug, but I have to keep some professional boundaries…

Thanks, Dave + Kendra for having me do your engagement photos!!! Best of luck planning your wedding this May!!

This upcoming weekend I have two weddings – Joel + Andi on Friday in Sioux Falls and Kyle + Alyssa on Saturday in Howard!!

Since next week all I will be doing is editing, I knew I needed to get some packing and cleaning done before tomorrow. Mom came on Tuesday and left this afternoon, and I couldn’t have gotten so far without her here to help! Of course it wasn’t all hard work all the time, it never is when it’s me and mom. We were loading my old desk into the van which was backed up to my door (facing North). I was sitting in the back of the van and she was bringing me the drawers to re-assemble it in the van so it would sit right behind the front seats. Serious as can be, she says “we have to move the van, this drawer goes on the top  North side.” The desk was also facing North so drawers were on either the East side or West side. We couldn’t lift anything for a while because the giggles took up all our energy. Oh, mom. I love you.

Here is Andi and  Joel – their wedding in Sioux Falls is a Friday evening ceremony with a dessert reception to follow – very casual, just like them!

And here is Kyle and Alyssa, their wedding in Howard is Saturday afternoon with a full reception and dance all night! Party in Howard!! :-)

Check back next week for images from each of these weddings!!

I met up with Christine + Aaron at McCrory Gardens last night for their engagement session. I have known Christine for a few years because of 4-H – we were Council/Amabassadors together. I am so excited for her and Aaron – they are so happy together and so comfortable around each other and in front of my camera! I wish you two the best of luck with finishing school and your wedding in May!