Gabe + Ellie chose to have a small, mid-week wedding ceremony out here in Custer State Park and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Quiet, calm, and beautiful, much like the two of them and their love for each other.

Gabe + Ellie – I loved being a part of your wedding day – thank you so much for having me and taking the extra time to wander around the park for photos. I hope you had a fun, love-filled reception at home this weekend!

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!

There is a special place in my heart for brides with style like Jen’s. The soft ruffles at the bottom of her dress plus her GORGEOUS flowers… I was in love! And so is Wade – just wait until you see their first look!!

They had planned to wait until the ceremony to see each other, but then decided walk up the aisle together, so we did a very quick first look right before they walked outside to get married, and I LOVE that I could capture that excitement for both of them in one photo! :-)

Jen couldn’t stop smiling – and neither could I!!

Shawn + Christie’s river-side wedding was beautiful and casual at the same time. The River Rock Lodge has the most scenic overlook to the Missouri River, and the set-up made the day feel more like a family reunion where guests could mingle, eat, wander, and enjoy the breeze on the patio.

Another example: Christie’s TOMS wedges = comfy… Christie’s wedding gown = GORGEOUS

How often do you see a bride get down on the floor to put her own shoes on? LOVE!!

A sweet first look and a big gust of wind. :-)

I do love the Black Hills, but East river isn’t so bad…

Christie and her dad were the most smiliest father-daughter duo I’ve ever seen walk down the aisle!

I LOVE that when I told Shawn + Christie to ‘do a little dance’ on the dock, they did THIS!!

When we got back to the lodge after doing photos down by the river, the lighting was so beautiful and the sky was like cotton candy, so we just *had* to take a couple more photos. (All of my couples know that I’m never done with portraits until I say “just one more” once or twice.) :-)

A final example of how this wedding was both beautiful and casual… belting out their first dance song under cafe lights and a twilight sky.

Shawn + Christie – Thanks so much for bringing me out to Pierre for your wedding! I may have cried big tears over leaving my baby girl for a couple nights, but you and your love + excitement on your wedding day made being away the best it could have been! Thanks for being so wonderful!! :-)

David and Sarah’s vintage-inspired backyard picnic wedding was the perfect way to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend, and Copper Canyon Lodge was the perfect setting for it!

These two walked so fast they were almost running to the ceremony – they just couldn’t wait to get married!!

Sarah’s dress was her grandmother’s from when she got married – she just made a few modifications, but don’t you love all the details?! And that it’s pink!!!

Their one request was to have a photo like her grandparents – I would love to see the ‘original’ and how the dress changed!

The picnic theme was brought to life by all the bunting that Sarah made, the salads, burgers and kabobs, and the variety of desserts made by David’s mom!

David + Sarah – Thanks for inviting me out for your special day! It was definitely worth waiting ten years for – it was perfect!! (I’m still so giddy about that cloud!!) I hope you enjoyed every moment of your wedding, as well as every day you’ve been married so far. :-)