ken + brittany MARRIED!!
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Ken + Brittany were SO excited to get married when I saw each of them getting ready on Saturday. But amidst all of that excitement was calmness. Not only were they so excited, they were SO ready. And they couldn’t wait to get started!

Brittany was helping her bridesmaids with their finishing touches and directing her personal attendant to the church over speakerphone. But as soon as her mother walked in the door, she was taking her dress off the hanger – she just couldn’t wait to put it on and go see her groom!

When I went to get Ken set up for their first look, he nearly jumped out of his chair. No hesitation. No teasing joke of “do I have to?” He couldn’t wait to see his bride.

Their ring bearer and flower girl rocked their duties – they were such troopers for pictures, AND those are Ken + Brittany’s ACTUAL rings on the pillow!!

I LOVE secret passageways in churches. I can spy on the couple and get reactions like this without distracting all the guests! :-)

Prayers for the new couple!

ceremony | Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, SD

reception + catering | Best Western Ramkota, Aberdeen, SD

wedding gown| David’s Bridal

groom + groomsmen tuxes | Brides N’ Belles, Aberdeen, SD

party bus | Lifetime Limousine, Aberdeen, SD

flowers | From the Heart, Annette Stein, Aurora, SD

cake | Cakes by Emily, Emily McDaniel

dj | Rat Pac, Elkton, SD

ryan + terra MARRIED!! black hills wedding photography
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From the moment I arrived to photograph Ryan + Terra’s wedding, I was blown away. Every little detail about this wedding was thoughtfully planned to make someone and everyone feel special. From the personalized dress hangers to the surprise bagpiper at the ceremony to the baseball themed reception and breast cancer awareness ribbons. Not only did Ryan + Terra plan to make everyone feel special, their friends and family even surprised them with a FLASH MOB at the wedding dance!! Terra said it perfectly. “I have the best family ever!!” And what an honor it was to be a part of it!! Enjoy *some* of my favorites… there are LOTS more where these came from!!

Ryan + Terra’s first look was absolute perfection. :-)

Ryan’s son Kaden was absolutely excited to be a part of the day – he even helped with the unity candle during the ceremony and did great!!

Seriously. There are SO many images I wanted to share, but I just had to narrow them down for the sneak peek!!

The next two are tied for my favorite wedding portraits. Ever.

Even their wedding party was stellar!! It started to mist during the end of outdoor portraits but the guys didn’t mind and *thank*the*lord* they let me finish the last three images I needed before we headed off to the ceremony!

There were a lot of ‘reasons’ to get Ryan + Terra tucked away before the ceremony, but the really it was to surprise Ryan with the Bagpiper Terra had hired!!

And it TOTALLY worked. Not a dry eye in the house!! Ryan’s family is very much Irish and the bagpiper was the perfect way to honor that!

After they exchanged rings and vows, their parents and grandparents came up to give them a blessing. SO MUCH LOVE in this family!!!

Okay. One more favorite wedding portrait. Hooray for being married!!!

Ryan + Terra shared such a beautiful first dance, and so did Terra and her father. I love the way her sisters are watching from the corner of the dance floor. :-)

And… the moment you’ve all been waiting for… the FLASH MOB!!!! So much fun in this photo!!!! I especially love grandpa bustin’ a move. :-)

And Terra’s reaction following. :-) Seriously. They have the best families EVER!!!

ceremony | Custer Lutheran Fellowship Church, Custer, SD

reception + catering | Sylvan Lake Lodge, Custer, SD

wedding gown| Maggie Sottero

bridesmaid dresses | Lasting Impressions, Sioux Falls, SD

groom + groomsmen tuxes | Tip Top Tux

flowers | Jenny’s Floral, Custer, SD

cake | Piece of Cake, Rapid City, SD

dj | Flipside D.J. Service, Brian Blair, Rapid City, SD

Ryan + Terra – From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!! For having me. For being so wonderful to each other and your families. You are both so beautiful, inside and out.

p.s. Can you get married again next year? I miss you already. :-)

jerry + laura MARRIED!! south dakota wedding photography
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I arrived at the church early on Friday to set up and find a good outdoor location out of the wind for portraits. But I didn’t get very far. I peeked in to say hello to Laura and found her in her wedding gown. Excited and ready to see her groom. Trying not to cry just yet, because once the tears started she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to stop them!

Jerry + Laura chose to have a first look, and by doing this they were able to tear up a little AND have time to re-compose themselves for pictures! :-)

We had fun finding unique spots inside the church for some portraits. Okay, maybe I had fun finding spots… Jerry + Laura had fun hugging and kissing each other. :-)

And look!! A perfect spot outside without gusting wind!!!!

I love catching couples sharing a quick moment during their ceremony. :-)

I also LOVE how Jerry can make Laura feel so comfortable, happy and in love.

She just can’t keep from kissing him! :-)

ceremony | Sun Prairie Baptist Church, Salem, SD

reception | Salem National Guard Armory

wedding gown + bridesmaid dresses | David’s Bridal

groom + groomsmen tuxes | Men’s Wearhouse

flowers | Floral Bokay, Salem, SD

cake | QT Cakes, Harrisburg, SD

caterer | Backyard Catering, Salem, SD

dj | WOW Entertainment, Sioux Falls, SD

Me, my college roommate Becky, and Kendra + baby Owen!!

And me with the Gengler girls!! :-)

Jerry + Laura – Thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your wedding!! It was such an honor for me to be there with you and your families. I truly enjoyed watching you interact and look out for each other throughout the day – from the emotional first look to the sock selection at your house to your first dance as husband + wife.

mitch + tawni MARRIED!! spearfish wedding photography
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If you remember from Mitch + Tawni’s engagement session and video, you’ll know they are country charm all the way. Their wedding day had so many fun details that were so THEM!! From the cowboy boots to the deer antler arch, the camouflage clothing to the personalized vows (for better or worse, during hunting season or active duty…) they had thought of everything. Even the wedding date itself was planned between hunting seasons!

Mitch + Tawni are so perfect together and I was so honored to be a part of the beginning of their ‘happily ever after!’

ceremony | Indian Springs Park, Spearfish, SD

reception | Wilbur Pavilion, Spearfish, SD

wedding gown | Maggie Sottero

bridesmaid dresses | Mori Lee

flowers + cake | mother of the bride

hair + makeup | Elicia from Salon One

caterer | Dickey’s, Rapid City, SD

dj | Riley Cassidy, UpTown Sounds, Rapid City, SD

videographer | Adam Jungemann, AJ Production Co.

alan + paige MARRIED!! brookings south dakota wedding photography
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For two years I have been waiting sooo patiently for Alan + Paige to get married. Paige and I used to have coffee dates all the time when I lived in Brookings, and the first coffee date after her left hand was being weighed down by a beautiful diamond ring, she asked me to be her wedding photographer. “Of course!!” I responded with absolutely no hesitation!

Over the next few coffee dates, we talked about her wedding plans, how the colors would be peacock greens and blues, how she really wanted some fancy new shoes, but would have to elope (with their parents and me, of course) to be able to afford them. And then was the coffee date when she had a picture to show me. Of her amazing Manolo Blahniks from Alan.

When I finally got to meet Alan at their engagement session, I knew he was perfect for Paige. Not only does he support her love for shoes, he supports her. From the gifts they exchanged at the beginning of the day, to the glances they shared during the ceremony, the way he carried her across the baseball field, and the way he held her during their first dance as husband and wife, I knew Alan was the perfect one to protect Paige forever. Duane, your daughter is in great hands. :-)

wedding shoes and engagement ring

I just love it when mothers are right there helping their daughters get ready. :-)

Paige gave Alan a cross on a chain and a book that she filled in with stories about them. He read a few stories aloud and I had to keep myself busy by taking pictures so I wouldn’t cry!

Alan gave Paige a beautiful bracelet – that her mom had known about for some time. :-)

I know I’ve said it before, and I’m going to say it again – isn’t my friend BEAUTIFUL?!

I LOVE that Paige wore her veil over her face…

… because it made this moment so spectacular!!

p.s. This is also their first look. :-)

I also love photographing at St. Thomas More in Brookings because I love capturing the parents’ expressions!

Alan – thank you for having wonderful ideas. :-)

How can you be an SDSU couple and NOT take pictures by the Campanile? It simply isn’t possible. :-)


During the typical ‘shoe shot’ I said “okay, now show me happy feet!” Alan couldn’t keep from dancing. :-)

The Old Sanctuary was decorated so beautifully with peacock feathers and lush greens.

Ten points to whoever can guess what song all these ladies are dancing to!!

ceremony | St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Brookings, SD

reception | Old Sanctuary, Brookings, SD

wedding gown | Allure Bridals

bride’s shoes | Manolo Blahnik

bridesmaid dresses | Bill Levkoff

groom + groomsmen outfits | TIp Top Tux

flowers | HyVee Floral

hair + makeup | friends of the bride

mini pies + caterer | MarketPlace Grille, Inwood, Iowa

dj | Ben Wise, Sound Co., Sioux City, Iowa

Alan + Paige – I love you guys. Thanks SO MUCH for having me be a part of your wedding. And now that you’re not so busy planning your wedding, lets have more coffee dates, okay?! :-)