When a wedding has ten attendants for each the bride and groom and the colors are pink and GLITTER, you know it’s going to be a party. A very pretty party. :-)

Shantell and her glam squad. :-)

Shantell was the dancing-est bride I’ve ever seen! Wiggles and jumps all the way up the aisle to Fernie. :-D

When you ask Fernie and Shantell to do a formal portrait, this is what you get… followed by snuggles. :-)

Their reaction to Shantell’s maid of honor singing her speech. With backup dancers.

Fernie + Shantell – Thank you for bringing your amazing selves and friends + family to South Dakota for your wedding!!! I wish we could do this every single weekend! :-)

Bobby + Lindsay ventured over from East River to have their engagement photos done in the beautiful Black Hills, where they will also be having their wedding this November! By that decision alone, I can tell you that they are two of the smartest people from Sioux Falls that I know. ;-) Also, they’re pretty great in front of a camera. The way they snuggle is like a puzzle – they fit together just perfectly! 

Bobby + Lindsay – Thanks so much for traveling out here for your engagement photos! It might sound like I’m wishing the summer away (which I kind of am – one day in the 80’s and I’m already melting), but your November wedding can’t come soon enough!!!

Weddings like Aubrey + Mary’s completely blow me away with the perfect combination of love, silliness, and sunshine peeking out just in time for photos. :-)

Mary and I met a few years ago, and we instantly hit it off (and judging by the speeches I heard on Saturday, this is a pretty common occurrence). She’s a great friend, and everyone lucky enough to be in her life is truly blessed. She also has a great circle of family and friends, but when she met Aubrey she hit the jackpot. He is her perfect gentleman with a hilarious sense of humor.

Seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day! :-)

Aubrey + Mary got engaged on the top of Harney Peak, and since Sylvan Lake was sort-of on the way to their reception at the Game Lodge from their wedding at the Chapel in the Hills, we prayed for no rain, few tourists, and headed up!

WORTH IT!!!

Wall Drug donuts!!!!! They were a hit. Especially with Grandpa. ;-)

Don’t worry, Aubrey, I’m sure that some day someone will believe you met on Farmers Only.

Gosh, how do I begin to thank you guys for having me photograph your wedding? It really was the perfect day, which I truly believe is a preview of what your marriage will be. I am honored you asked, and I can’t wait to watch your happily ever after play out!! :-)

Also, there were two studio lb brides at this wedding!!! Remember Megan? She had similar storm clouds threatening her big day. :-)

The highest honor a wedding photographer can receive has to be a tie between 1) photographing another photographer, and 2) photographing the sister of a previous bride. This past weekend I had the privilege of documenting Mackenzie‘s sister’s wedding and it was the perfect start to the wedding season.

My favorite fact about Joe + Ashley is that they met through the Newman Center at SDSU (it’s where my husband and I met, as well as several of our married friends). Another fun fact is that they were in a photography class together, which gave them an excuse to go on dates that were technically for photo assignments, so it’s kind of like God *and* photography brought these two together!! :-D

Okay, okay, I’m over-the-moon excited for these two. You get it. Time for photos!! Let’s start with THAT DRESS!!!! Lace, buttons, and a fluffy tulle skirt – it’s what dreams are made of, right?!

Natural beauties! Especially the flower girl – she was beaming (and twirling) all day long!!

Don’t let these tough faces fool you – they seem to be genuinely nice guys. But they make a good photo, right? :-)

Hearts in my eyes for DAYS over this next photo!!!!

Joe + Ashley – thank you SO MUCH for having me!! It meant the world to me to be a part of your wedding. I hope you enjoy your sneak peek and I can’t wait for you to see the rest!! :-)

Also, me with the sisters!!! Love you guys! Thanks for being so fun and sweet and for finding the best husbands. :-)