Lexie and I were 4-H Council/Ambassadors together in high school, we will both share the same wedding anniversary, and we both have an appreciation for small towns with abandoned houses and roughed up doorways. :-) So naturally, I couldn’t wait to meet the man of her dreams and photograph their love. Hope you enjoy!!

How many times did I tell you September was going to be a great month?? Joe and Becky wrapped up September with a fun, DIY-filled wedding with perfect fall colors and a dance that almost made ME want to party all night! (And that’s saying a lot – when I’m not at weddings, I’m normally in my pajamas by 8pm!)

It takes a lot of time, patience and craftiness to pull off a DIY wedding – and let me tell you, Joe and Becky did it right. From the flowers to the chalkboard signs, to the twine-wrapped mason jar centerpieces and the cupcakes – EVERYTHING was well done. I wish I could photograph their wedding again this weekend, and the weekend after that. Of course, it helps that they are both SO in love with each other that photographing them is not even work – it’s pure delight. :-)

Okay, okay, I’m a big sap, I know. Let’s look at their pretty pictures!!! :-)

Only teeny tiny women with itty bitty feet will tell you that four-inch sparkly peep-toe heels are ‘comfortable.’ Oh, Becky, I am still so jealous of your wedding shoes!!

This was as close to serious as these guys could get – and it only lasted for a split second!!

Did I mention the ribbon wands and lace+string balloon backdrop? SO MUCH DIY FUN!!!

I just LOVE the way you two look at each other!!!

I think the key to a perfect DIY wedding is to start with an already beautiful location. Case in point: Hotel Alex Johnson.

ceremony | Ruby’s Garden, Spearfish, South Dakota

reception | Hotel Alex Johnson, Rapid City, South Dakota

wedding gown | David’s Bridal

groom’s suit | Halberstadt’s

hair + makeup | SpaMeD

cake | Jerry’s Cakes & Donuts

cake topper | Etsy – sweet reverie

dj | Tiki Man Entertainment – Mike Malone

Joe + Becky – Thank you, thank you, thank you for having me as your wedding photographer!! You guys had SUCH a perfect day and I was so honored to be a part of it!!

It really can’t be said enough… I LOVE my clients!! Kris and Ashley’s intimate Black Hills wedding was full of charm, thoughtfulness, and so much love that I simply did not want to stop photographing and leave at the end of the night!!

First, let’s talk about these gorgeous flowers. SO lovely. Those creams and pinks set the tone perfectly for the romantic ceremony I’m about to show you. :-)

 Kris, you look way sharper than Kevin Costner. :-)

 Ashley, you are so adorable. :-)

 Even the moment when Kris was seating parents before the ceremony was sweet – mom hugs are the best!!

 All smiles… and a few happy tears… :-)

 Perfect Black Hills wedding location. Right there.

 I don’t think these two took their eyes off each other for more than a minute during the ceremony!!

 Husband and wife!!!!! :-D

 Simply stunning!!

 Before we headed to Deadwood for dinner, Kris + Ashley’s family had a little slideshow surprise for them. :-)

And finally off to supper at Jake’s where they all sat together, soaking in the events of the day and enjoying their time together.

wedding gown + flower girl dress | David’s Bridal

groom’s suit | Men’s Wearhouse

hair | Maddison’s Too Salon & Spa, Spearfish, SD

flowers | Bent Willow Designs, Spearfish, SD

 ceremony | family cabin near Lead, SD

dinner | Jake’s at The Midnight Star, Deadwood, SD

 Kris + Ashley – I had SUCH a wonderful time getting to know you two!! I am so excited for what your future holds. You have such a special love for each other and it it s so apparent even in the way you look at one another that it warms everyone’s hearts around you – especially mine. I truly enjoyed photographing your love and I hope this isn’t the last time you are in front of my lens!! :-)

Wow. Just wow. I am still blown away by the fantastic-ness that was Ryan + Jaime’s wedding this past weekend!! I know it was their theme for the wedding, but the day really was full of SO much love, laughter and memories! When I walked into Jaime’s parents’ house, I could hear the dance music playing from upstairs where the girls were getting ready. I walked in on a full-on dance/zumba party!! And some beautiful details in lovely natural light. My favorite. :-D

 The fun and excitement just kept on coming!! After Jaime was dressed and had all of her accessories on, she did a twirl for the girls. And nothing could have dampened the smile on her face…

… not even happy tears. Jaime had a first look with her dad and it was SO perfect. That’s the only word to describe it. Tears, giggles, smiles, hugs. My favorite moment from the entire day was this one. I’m tearing up just thinking about it again!!

 And if that wasn’t enough of an emotional roller coaster for Jaime, we went to the other side of the house for her first look with Ryan. More happy tears and giggles!! :-)

 Before the ceremony, the flower girls were practicing their bell-ringing duties for Ryan + Jaime’s first kiss as husband and wife. :-)

 For all those wondering if having a first look takes away from the excitement of walking down the aisle… it doesn’t. :-)

 Sometimes I wish I was a videographer so I could record their vows – Ryan + Jaime’s were the cutest I’ve ever heard!!

 Mr. and Mrs.!!!

They danced away from the ceremony – really, did you expect anything less from these two??

 *THIS* right here is the reason I’m a wedding photographer. That love-with-your-whole-heart and excitement of being married. This is just moments after they walked (excuse me, danced) back down the aisle.

 During that ever-so-sweet moment, I heard cheering. Yes, cheering. Not the sweet, polite, post-ceremony congratulatory applause. But cheering. I turned back towards the ceremony to find Jaime’s parents also dancing down the aisle. Seriously – could this day get any more fun?

 The answer to my previous question? Yes. The day got MUCH more fun. Crazy-fun to be exact. Jaime is a Zumba instructor, so naturally the party started with a great dance workout. I have another photo of Ryan in the back *trying* to keep up with Jaime. But for the sake of his pride, I’ll just leave that one in their private gallery. ;-)

 And the most fun of all happened in Ryan + Jaime’s photo booth. Every time I turned around these guys had different wigs and props on. :-)

bride + bridesmaid dresses | David’s Bridal

groom + groomsmen suits | Audra’s Bridal, Rapid City

hair + makeup | Candy Alexander, The Hairloft, Rapid City

bride’s accessories | Etsy (jewelry – CreationTwinne; sash – DiamondWeddingVeil) (or just search for ‘swirly’!!) ;-)

flowers | Robin Stevens (mother of the bride), Heather Leon & Jami Ferguson

ceremony | Jaime’s parents’ backyard

officiant | Mary Maisey-Ireland

reception | Rushmore Waterslide, Rapid City

caterer | Dave & Darla Hagel (friends of the bride)

dj | Flipside DJ Service

 Ryan + Jaime – I can not thank you enough for inviting me to be a part of your day!! I had SUCH a wonderful time!! I feel like ‘fun’ is not an adequate word to describe the day because it was so much more than that. I know it’s been said a hundred times by now, but I really do wish you the best and I hope your marriage is full of wonderful memories!! :-D

Mike and Emily’s wedding day was everything that everyone had been hoping for. Rain for the crops in the morning, a nice breeze to keep everyone cool in the non-air-conditioned church, and a b-e-a-utiful bride for Mike to carry off into the sunset. :-)

 First looks are my absolute favorite part of the wedding day. But my second favorite part of Mike + Emily’s wedding day was during Mike’s speech at the reception when he told everyone about their first look. How he turned around and was absolutely overcome with joy as he saw his gorgeous bride in her wedding gown.

THAT, my friends, is why I love first looks. When time stops and all that matters is each other. When words can’t express how excited you are to be getting married. So all you do is hug and kiss and cry a little bit and say “WOW” over and over and over again. :-D

Oh yeah, and speaking of the day being everything everyone had hoped for… helloooo blue skies!! :-)

Favorite!!! Mike + Emily told me there ‘wasn’t much’ around the church for taking photos, but when I found this little corner and the wind got a hold of Emily’s veil, I squealed with excitement and maybe even jumped up and down (just a little) after capturing this photo. :-)

Emily’s bridesmaids… and sisters… so sweet!!

I’m not sure what was on Mike’s mind during this moment… maybe “gosh, she’s pretty” or “I hope I don’t mess up repeating the vows,” but I LOVE both Emily’s dad’s and Mike’s dad’s expressions. Melts my heart a little. :-)

“The love of my life.”

ceremony | St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Granville, Iowa

hair | His & Hers Salon, Hospers, Iowa

wedding gown + bridesmaid dresses + flowers | vendors from Orange City, Iowa

reception | Hospers Community Center, Hospers, Iowa

caterer | Kelly’s Catering, Hospers, Iowa

limo | Luxury Rides, LLC., Alton, Iowa

Mike + Emily – Aaaaaah, thank you so so much for having me!! I had such a blast photographing your wedding!! I think everyone I talked to was SO shocked that I came all the way from Rapid City just for you guys – but I would do it again in a heartbeat. :-) I hope you are having a wonderful time in Hawaii on your honeymoon – I can’t wait to show you some more images!!