I love it when a couple is so excited to get married, that it shines through their smiles all day long. That’s what happened to Tim + Teresa – you’ll see. :-)

Above right and below right – amiright or what? Those megawatt smiles say it all – they can’t wait to be husband and wife!!!

Again with the smiles!!! :-D

Thanks, Tim + Teresa, for 1) being head-over-heels in love and excited for the beginning of your marriage, and 2) for inviting me to be a part of your day. I hope you’re having a wonderful honeymoon and I can’t wait to show you the rest of your photos when you get back!! Congrats again, I wish you two all the best!

Sometimes my wedding couples are so busy before the wedding (moving, finding new jobs, traveling from another state just to get married in the Black Hills) that it doesn’t work out for us to meet until they day they say ‘I do.’

Such was the case for Kasen + Beth. I got to meet them on the day of their mid-week wedding and it just so happened that I instantly fell in like with them. Thank goodness for the internet and my constant gushing over sweet, fun-loving couples. It’s easy for the right couples to find me. :-)

Kasen + Beth are nothing short of sweet or fun-loving. They had the most intimate, meaningful wedding ceremony and they couldn’t stop smiling at each other the entire time I was with them. (p.s. They have the most adorable smiles – you’ll see.)

I *love* this photo of Beth and her mom – I hope they treasure this forever, and I hope someday if Beth has a daughter, she takes a picture like this at her wedding.

Kasen + Beth – I hope your first few days of marriage have been wonderful, despite all the packing I’m sure you’re doing in preparation for the big move. I’m so happy you will be South Dakotans soon, and if you ever plan a trip to the Black Hills, I’d love to finally take you out for ice cream!

Check these guys out – they’re sweet, in love, and SOOOOO excited to be married!! My favorite combo. ;-)

This next photo is my ‘first favorite’ – the one I loved as soon as I took it, and then posted to Instagram as soon as I had it backed up! :-)

… and then the rain came. So we scrambled over to the Game Lodge to take cover, and get a few photos under said cover. :-)

Thankfully the rain stopped for us to get wedding party photos done, but then it started again until ceremony time – it’s as though someone from up above just knew we had a wedding to do!

LOVE THIS!!!! I’m smiling ear-to-ear all over again just looking at their excitement of being announced MR & MRS!!!

Just before the ceremony, Lindsay’s cousin (I think?) said ‘Grandma’s here for the wedding’ and set this butterfly on her bouquet. And then it stayed there for the WHOLE CEREMONY!! And for the next few photos. How precious is that?!

I loooooove it when couples have a little down time scheduled before heading over to the reception – we had the prettiest light for photos – and the rain stayed away!! :-)

The cupcakes, oh the cupcakes!! I may or may not have been bullied into having more than one. Peer pressure is real, you guys! ;-)

Steve + Lindsey surprised their guests with a choreographed dance – there was a collective ‘awww’ when they started, it was so sweet!! :-)

Lindsay’s parents will be celebrating their 40th anniversary (can that be right?), so they had a song played just for them and I looooooove how in love they still are!!

Steve + Lindsey – Thanks for being so flexible with the change in forecast! Again, I apologize for the humidity and bugs – I guess they just wanted you to feel at home?? ;-) Also, I soooo wanted to post our ‘pouting because of the rain’ selfie, but I just couldn’t end the post with sad faces – I had too much fun with you guys!! I hope married life is treating you well so far, and I hope you take your new boat out as much as you can this summer! Love and hugs, Laura.

Seven years of doing what I love (photographing people in love) and it just keeps getting better!! I’m so happy that Rod + Angie found me and hired me for their intimate Fourth of July wedding in Custer State Park!

We met a few days before the wedding for ice cream and they told me they would be the most laid back, easy-going couple to work with. I thought ‘yeah, sure, okay, we’ll see how the day goes.’ You see, most of my couples are laid back and easy-going couples… and here they are challenging to top that list?! But man, oh man, not only were they super relaxed, they were SO stinkin’ adorable in front of my camera!! :-)

Their first look:

I imagine Rod was whispering sweet nothings into Angie’s ear. *This* is is exactly why I keep my distance during first looks – so couples can feel free to be themselves and tell each other exactly what they’re thinking and feeling. :-)

Rod, I love how you look at Angie. :-)

These two have a lot of fun together. You know how I know? This next photo sums it up perfectly.

This blog post showcases my favorites of the day, but this next photo? My favorite of favorites.

Rod and Angie didn’t have any attendants, so instead of having a big, long, procession, they walked with each other up the aisle – how fun is that?!

A guest came up to me during the reception and asked if I noticed Rod’s secret service posture during the ceremony – I did, but I also caught this little smirk. You’re welcome. :-) Angie, on the other hand – well, I’m pretty sure she smiled through the whole thing!

Gosh, I can’t get over how cute you two are!! Angie, your beaming smile, and Rod – do I see something in your eyes? Don’t worry – you can always blame it on ‘allergies’ if you need to maintain your tough guy persona. ;-)

The beautiful thing about small weddings is that couples get to visit with their guests – just imagine all the wonderful memories Rod + Angie gathered that evening!!

Another fun memory for them? The huge rain shower and pea-sized hail that came down during dinner. Then, the sun pushed the clouds away and I selfishly stole Rod + Angie away from their guests. 

Thanks, again, you guys for having me photograph your wedding! You really did top the list of laid back, easy-going couples I’ve worked with and I will be forever grateful for having met you both!!

Mark + Katie traveled all the way from Washington state to have a beautiful backyard wedding at Mark’s parents’ house in Rapid City on the first day of summer. And. Then. It. RAINED. But it couldn’t have happened to a more laid back, carefree couple. They had their first look under the cover of the back patio, then went to the front of the house when the rain started coming down sideways, then relaxed inside with their family + friends while waiting for the storm to pass.

Finally the sky cleared and everyone came outside for the ceremony and a few portraits – in the most beautiful light! (I may have been jumping up and down with excitement)

We weren’t outside for long before another storm pushed its way in – but I didn’t mind, because LOOK AT THESE TWO!! They make threatening clouds look gooooood! :-)

Back inside for supper, cupcakes, and more relaxing. The perfect ending to a perfectly imperfect day. :-)

Thanks, Mark + Katie, for being so happy and relaxed and letting me steal you away for some photos down the road! This was probably my favorite first day of summer ever! :-) Best wishes to you both and have a safe trip back to WA!