The 2014 issue of Black Hills Bride is out and I am so excited to share a little sneak peek of what’s inside!!

Lucas + Lindsey’s wedding was selected as one of the featured weddings this year (p75) along with a handful of other lovely Black Hills weddings.

For those of you planning your wedding in Rapid City, Custer, Spearfish, or anywhere within the Black Hills of South Dakota, make sure to pick up this magazine for all kinds of planning ideas, as well as a list of some of the best wedding vendors in this area. :-)

Fall finally showed it’s colors *just* in time for Pete + Angi’s wedding!!! It was a gorgeous day full of sunshine, smiles, and happy tears. But first things first… let me introduce you to my new friend, Jimmy Choo. :-)

I know it isn’t the easiest way to get into a wedding dress, but I think ‘up and over’ is my favorite to photograph. ;-)

This, my friends, is why I LOVE first looks – pure, happy, candid moments.

Angi also had a first look with her father and it was *so* sweet. I may have gotten the back of my camera a little bit teary…

While it’s my goal to get to know my couples during their engagement session (as well as take some pretty pictures), I love it when their ceremonies include personal stories that help everyone get to know them better as a couple – and cause a few giggles. :-)

Pete + Angi – Thank you so much for choosing me to be your wedding photographer! I truly enjoyed getting to know you and spending your wedding day with you. You are both such wonderfully fun people and I wish you all the happiness in the world! :-)

In the midst of our cold + wet fall we’re having here in the Black Hills, clouds parted and the sun shone down on James + Katie for their wedding day in Deadwood… and it made for the most b-e-a-utiful images. Pinterest, eat your heart out. ;-)

Look at these two – so excited to see each other and get married!!! :-)

Can you say *major hotties!?*

For the past few months, these two bikes have taken over James + Katie’s lives, and I think Nahla may have gotten a little bit jealous. :-)

But don’t worry, sweetie – mommy loves you!

I love me a sweet father-daughter moment!

James + Katie – I was so honored to be your wedding photographer! What a wonderfu/gorgeous/happy day it was!!

Matt + Kate were one of those brave couples last weekend who wouldn’t let a snowstorm/blizzard/snowpocalypse stop them from getting married! (For those of you unfamiliar with the outrageous storm we had in the Black Hills last weekend – 2-5 feet of snow blew in to the hills on 50+mph wind gusts and left many people stranded and without power for days. Not the kind of weather anyone plans to get married in.)

But no amount of snow + wind + power outages was going to keep Matt + Kate from exchanging vows and having a small reception with their friends + family who had gotten to town well before the storm started. I imagine it was a beautifully intimate ceremony and fun evening all around!

However, with most roads being closed in the hills, Matt’s parents and I, among many other guests, were unable to attend Matt + Kate’s ‘winter wonderland wedding.’ So on Monday, as soon as I was plowed out of my neighborhood, I called these two lovebirds and we set up a ‘just married’ session up in Deadwood. And what a treat that Matt’s parents stayed an extra day to be a part of the ‘reenactment.’ :-)

I wanted to re-create a part of their ceremony, so I had them face each other as if they were exchanging vows and I told them to think back on that special night they got married. Just then, Matt pulls his vows out of the pocket of his jacket. :-)

Matt + Kate – Thanks again for allowing me to come photograph you in your wedding attire! I think it is so beautiful that after two years of planning your wedding, the most important detail of the day was that you two became husband and wife!! Congratulations again, and hugs to you both! I know you will have the happiest of ever afters!

I *love* photographing people from the South. Mainly, because half-way through getting ready photos I start talking with a drawl and no one calls me out. Secondly, they truly are the sweetest. :-)

Lucas + Lindsey’s two french bulldogs couldn’t be a part of the wedding day, so Lindsey had two blue frenchies added to her manicure that day. :-)

Lindsey’s mother putting Lindsey’s veil on. *love it!!*

Over to Ruby’s Garden for their first look!! Pure perfection. :-)

I love that Lindsey couldn’t stop swishing her dress. :-)

GORGEOUS flowers by Bent Willow Designs in Spearfish!!

Favorite image of the day, right here!! Lindsey, you are truly stunning and you made a beautiful bride!

Instead of a unity candle or unity sand, or any other ‘unity trend,’ Lucas + Lindsey made the ceremony a bit more personal by tying a knot. You see, Lucas likes to rock-climb and so they tied two pieces of hiking cord (presented by each of their mothers) together with a common hiking knot. Hooray for personal/meaningful twists on traditions!! :-)

I always love seeing the excitement as the newly pronounced Mr. & Mrs. exit the ceremony!

Stunning setup by Table 4 Decor, cake by Piece of Cake, and dance by JD Productions – it was a beautiful evening!

I think Lucas was glad Lindsey was using her tennis shoes for the ‘shoe game’ instead of her wedding heels. ;-)

Dancing with her father. :-)

I am not one bit sorry I took Lucas + Lindsey from their reception to capture this sunset image for them. :-)

Lucas + Lindsey – Thank you so much for having me photograph your wedding! It was such a treat getting to know you this summer and I hope you have a fabulous time being married! :-)