Carl + Penny have been friends for quite some time. They have celebrated good times together and also helped each other through some not-so-good times. And this weekend was their time to start their happily ever after.

I will never get tired of photographing first looks!! The emotions and excitement are pure photography gold!! :-)

Sylvan Lake Lodge was the perfect setting for their cozy, fall wedding!

Carl + Penny were married just after sunset, which made the hills outside look like a winter wonderland!

Penny – you sure do throw a beautiful party… these decorations were perfection!

ceremony + reception + catering | Sylvan Lake Lodge, Custer Stat Park, South Dakota

wedding gown | Audra’s Bridal, Rapid City, SD

groom’s suit | Halberstadt’s, Rapid City, SD

flowers | Decker’s Floral, Newcastle, WY

cake | Peace of Cake, Holly Scott, Newcastle, WY

Trevin and Audrey had the perfect plan for their wedding day – they were going to get married and they were going to have fun. But there were also sweet, stolen glances. An emotional first look. Love letters. Fun dancing. Nurse/medic rival jokes. And more wonderful things that led to a perfect day!!

Their first look was SO beautiful. These next few photos are ALL from their first look – with hugs, kisses, smiles and tears, I couldn’t help but photograph every single emotion that was pouring out of them!! :-)

After their ‘moment’ we took a stroll down by Sylvan Lake, the backdrop of their wedding ceremony.

Trevin also brought his bike out to the hills, which is how their story first began – after finally getting Audrey to go on a date with him, Trevin picked her up on his motorcycle… and brought her home that night with a burn on her leg. Thankfully she’s a nurse and was able to fix herself right up. ;-)

These cupcakes are the reason I am so willing to travel to Sioux Falls as often as I do. Oh My Cupcakes in downtown Sioux Falls made these for Trevin and Audrey, and their friend Ashley brought them all the way to Rapid City in her car!! (and not too many went missing during the drive ;-))

These guys had SUCH a fun dance surprise for the guests!! After Trevin + Audrey’s first dance, the wedding party came up and each had their own little solo dance as well as a medley of other fun group dances. What a fun way to get the party started!!

ceremony + reception + caterer | Custer State Park Resort – Sylvan Lake

cake + cupcakes | Oh My Cupcakes, Sioux Falls, SD

Trevin + Audrey – It was such an honor being your wedding photographer!! Thanks so much for having me for your special day. I had such a fun time, it didn’t even feel like I was working!! :-) Love you both, and next time I come to SF we’re having a cupcake date!!

Words cannot describe how THRILLED I am to be Kris + Ashley’s wedding photographer this September! They are such fun, wonderful people and all they want is to get married! :-) And all I want is to photograph them all.day.long. :-D

Michael and Mellissa started out as college acquaintances. And after several attempts at trying to get her number and take her out on a date, she finally agreed to dinner. But it wasn’t a date. :-) But it must have been a good, non-date dinner because she agreed to see him again. And again and again and again. Which led to a proposal this winter and then engagement pictures this weekend! :-)

 I just LOVE meeting new couples! Especially during their engagement. It’s such an exciting time – they’ve been happily dating for a while and now they get to start planning for the rest of their lives together.

Jeff and Emily are such a great match. They met while studying at a bookstore and sparks flew immediately. I’m fairly certain they went to study a lot more often after meeting that first time. :-)

I love how these two fit together – ‘just like a puzzle.’ :-)