Joel + Andi received the Sacrament of Marriage Friday evening at St. Mary Church in Sioux Falls. Everything was so simple – from the flowers to the bridesmaids’ dresses and groomsmen’s suits to the iPod playlist at the dessert reception. Joel + Andi’s wedding was totally about their marriage and having their close friends and family there to witness the occasion!

They opted to not see each other before the ceremony, so I started out with the girls getting ready at Andi’s maid of honor’s parents’ house near Harrisburg. I told Andi I don’t photograph anything inappropriate while she was getting into her dress, but I think she was a little nervous when I got this shot of the girls watching her put the dress on since she was standing between me and the girls!

Andi has such an awesome group of friends, and all of them were there watching and helping her get ready:

Even Dot was there to help Andi with her jewelry:

Isn’t she BEAUTIFUL?! Seriously, I am so lucky to know such wonderful and gorgeous people!!

And then to the church to meet up with Joel and the guys:

Before the ceremony I went in to the reception hall to get a sneak peek of all the treats!! It was so hard not to snitch some goodies!!

The wedding cake was made by Andi’s maid of honor, Amanda:

Andi just a few minutes before the ceremony:

Joel seeing Andi for the first time as she gets ready to walk down the aisle:

They totally snuck in a kiss during the sign of peace:

Mr. and Mrs.!!

After Joel + Andi cut the cake at the reception, the groomsmen stole Andi while Pat held Joel back – so much motion in this photo!! I think it’s a combination of them going so fast and me trying to catch up to get a photo!!

The next couple getting married at this wedding is Pat + Mackenzie – since they were both dressed up so nice I couldn’t help but get a photo of the two of them!! :-)

Congrats, Andi + Joel!! I hope you’re having a great honeymoon in Wisconsin!

My second wedding with Samantha was in Ortonville – Shawn and Kristin – she has such beautiful clients!!!

Kristin’s sister helping with her necklace:

Sometimes I like to catch the first glances of the parents:

Kristin had everything personalized from the girls’ getting ready shirts to charms on the bouquets and cake topper:

Shawn + Kristin exchanged cards right after their first look – so emotional!! LOVE IT!!

During the ‘formal’ wedding party photos, Sam was working with the girls and I borrowed the guys for some fun shots:

Can you tell I like ring shots? Guess what I used for this next one:

Just minutes before everyone came down the aisle:

From what I can tell, Kristin is SO her father’s daughter!!

Congrats on your marriage, Shawn + Kristin!!

Sam – Thanks SO MUCH for having me with you this weekend! I can’t wait to do it again!!

I helped my good friend Samantha Meyer with a couple weddings this weekend – the first one being Kiki + Wesley in Ottertail. I haven’t been a second shooter for almost a year now, so it was fun to go and talk lots of fun images without the pressure of getting all the important ones. :-)

The first image is of Kiki’s grandmother’s brooch that she had made into a hair clip. Can you say GORGEOUS!?!! Just wait until you see the bride…

Kiki’s dad helping her get her bracelet on:

And her sister seeing her for the first time all dressed up. :-)

Kiki stealing a glance at her soon-to-be husband:

Sam in action!!

The bridesmaids watching from a distance:

I love catching those glances that a couple shares during the ceremony!

Kiki’s father read a note that she wrote to her little sister when she moved away to college. Embarrassing for them, funny for everyone else! :-)

They had a wedding singer for their dance – I’ve never seen the movie but I’ve heard this guy is just as entertaining as Adam Sandler:

Kiki + Wesley – it was a treat getting to know you this past weekend! You make a very beautiful couple.

That’s right, my very first Rapid City wedding. I’m still amazed by how it happened – Tammy’s photographer had to cancel at the last minute because of a family emergency and Tammy’s bridesmaid Loni (my friend Mindy’s sister-in-law) gave her my information and the next day Josh called to ask for a contract and how to send payment!!

I met Josh + Tammy about a week after they called – they were in Brookings for a weekend and Mindy invited me over to meet them. After chatting with them for a little while and watching them interact, I knew their wedding was going to be awesome. They are such friendly, laid-back, lovable people and photographing them was super easy. Tammy told me that I wouldn’t have to worry about her being a bridezilla – she and Josh are the most care-free people they know.

After spending a week in the Black Hills, Saturday finally came around and Josh called me to give me the girls’ cabin number where they were getting ready….while he was in line to have lunch at Taco Bell. I thought to myself, “Really? Taco Bell for lunch on your wedding day? You really are laid-back!!” We joked about it later that afternoon – Josh was so nervous for the wedding, he was probably wishing he had eaten something a little less spicy. Tammy, on the other hand, hadn’t eaten at all before photos so during group photos she would sneak bites of graham crackers, peanuts, lunch meat, anything that was around! If you know me very well, you know that I get pre-wedding jitters, so it was so nice to know that I wasn’t the only one with butterflies!! :-)

Tammy’s dad was so funny – he came out wearing his dress shirt and pants with tennis shoes and wind-blown hair and announced “I think I’m gonna go to the wedding just like this.” Then later when he came out with the jacket on he kept the bright green $50 late fee card in the front pocket and asked if that was better. Wedding days that start with jokes always turn out to be the best. :-)

Loni tying Kiah’s bow:

First look! Someone got teary-eyed and it wasn’t me this time!!

Of course, Josh was joking around with Tammy during photos – I love laugh/smile combos!

Sidenote on this next photo: most of the editing was done on the sidewalk part of the image. If you’ve ever been to Canyon Lake, you know why. Ducks. Everywhere.

Josh’s daughter and Tammy’s daughter are so close – not only are they best friends, now they’re officially sisters!!

The weather was perfect for their outdoor ceremony at Canyon Lake Resorts.

Aren’t grandparents the sweetest things ever??

This is the “we’re REALLY sisters now!!!” face:

And this is the “WE get to ride in the limo TOO?!!!” face:

As soon as everyone got upstairs for the meal, Josh’s sister made a toast to Tammy and Josh – I love how Josh is proudly looking over at her!

And the classic best man’s toast laugh:

Mr + Mrs:

Father-daughter dances are always so beautiful.

Tammy + Josh – I can’t thank you enough for how great you are. Not just for having me as your wedding photographer but for being such amazing people. Tammy – I still can’t believe how busy you were finishing nursing school up until the final days before your wedding! Josh – I still can’t believe you ate Taco John’s for lunch on your wedding day!! :-)

Wedding #2 for me this weekend was Styles and Ashley in White – again, perfect weather and fun opportunities for photos!!

Ashley’s mom helped her get ready and all the girls watched as she prepared to be the beautiful bride for the day. I thought it was so awesome how obviously close Ashley is with her mom – you can just tell by how they look at each other and do what the other is thinking without saying a word.

Babies are magical – they can make anyone smile and want to cuddle with them – especially grandmothers. :-)

This was the first time I had ever seen a man help bustle the bride’s dress – it had to be documented.

Styles + Ashley – I hope the rest of your day was great and you’re enjoying your honeymoon! Thanks again for having me as your photographer!