It was almost midnight on New Years Eve. Peter had joined Sophie and her family in Michigan to ring in the New Year and attend her cousin’s wedding the next day. Once the ball started to drop he stood up and tried to get Sophie to join him. She thought he wanted to kiss her – which she had no intention of doing, standing in the middle of the room with her family watching. After reluctantly joining him he dropped to one knee and asked her if she wanted to do something special with him in 2011. Surrounded by her family, he asked her to marry him and she said yes.

When planning a wedding it can be easy to get lost in the details. To forget about the purpose of the day, worry about frivolous things, and get caught up in everything that the wedding is not. If you read the first post from Sophie and Peter’s wedding you know that their day was chalk full of details, personality, and diy projects. Despite their obvious inspiration and hard work they never lost sight of what they wanted their wedding day to truly be. Balancing these two sides and not letting one take over the other is a difficult task not easily achieved. It take a lot of effort to keep a wedding day about the wedding and yet have it personal and inviting enough to not look like the rest. They managed to perfectly marry the planning and details with the wedding and create one of the most unique weddings I have been a part of.

Today I invite you to take a closer look at the wedding day. This of course centers around the ceremony, which is only partly told through the photographs. It was Sophie and Peter’s intention to have a wedding ceremony that had a time for worship and singing, and time for prayer, and a time to exchange the vows that last til eternity. The choose their friend, Jim Ehrman to officiate and he spoke some of the most honest, accurate, and challenging words on a wedding day. Jim asked family and friends to describe Sophie and to describe Peter and the word that came up the most for both of them was driven. They work better together than apart when they put each other first – which really is what a marriage is all about. While I could go on an on about the wedding day I’ll leave you with the pictures and hope you enjoy once again looking into the lives of Sophie and Peter and the day that brought them together.

We pick back up before the ceremony, after the first look when the bridal party got together for a few pictures before heading to the church. It was drizzling at this point, but it didn’t last long and cleared up for the rest of the day!

The church was close to bursting at the seams filled with happy guests ready to witness the wedding. Sophie and Peter chose to be married there for several reasons, including the fact that it was the same place that Sophie’s parents and grandparents wed. The great thing about doing a first look – in my experience – is that it adds so much to the wedding day. The moments walking down the aisle are just as emotional, but being able to share your thoughts, excitement, and anticipation before the ceremony while you are alone and not in front of all of your guests, is something you can’t replicate.

Each reading, song, transition and story was purposeful and meaningful to both of them and soon the congregation as they witnessed the ceremony unfold. 

After a joyous exit, the bridal party loaded in to the Mog and headed back to the farm. The Unimog is an german truck known for it’s off road capabilities, and has made Sophie’s dad known throughout the county since he comes to plow people out in winter. After having the truck shipped from Germany he assembled it to his liking and it has become a staple in the family and community, so naturally it was a part of the wedding day. 

This might be the first picture I’ve taken while driving. Don’t tell. We stopped at the neighbor’s barn on the way to the family farm for some pictures…

The ground that was a cornfield less than a year ago was completely transformed into a grassy enclosure perfect for a wedding reception. To see all of the details from the reception head over to the first post, or continue on with the rest of the evening’s events.

The party had begun and lasted in to the evening as people danced till they dropped. It was a celebration, and one that I so enjoyed being a part of, so thanks again for inviting me along and three cheers for the newlyweds! hip hip hooray!

I don’t know if Mylee and Leo’s lives are normally serendipitous but since I’ve met them things seem to keep falling in to place. Sure, it’s been the little things, but it’s just another reason that makes their relationship feel right. We started their engagement session on East Ave in downtown Rochester and were stopped in our tracks when we saw the word love scrawled on a brick wall near us. Yes, it’s simple and easily replicated, but there it was just waiting for us. I love each chance to explore and document a part of the city and work with all of the different textures and colors that come with it. Mylee and Leo fit in perfectly in bright and bold blue and they shared different sides of their relationship as we talked, walked, and took some pictures. As they plan for a day that will bring family and friends together and start their lives as husband and wife I’m excited to join them on this journey. I am looking forward to next August, but until then enjoy a more natural and everyday look at the relationship of Mylee and Leo in what we call an engagement session.

I could start each day with a vanilla latte like this one, and for the three days I was in Portland I did. There was no reason not to, especially since I don’t know where I can go in Rochester, Buffalo or the western New York area to find one like this (but if anyone would like to point me in the right direction please do). While it’s a lot harder to find a bad cup of coffee in the northwest, this trip I found the best over at Barista. Jimmy + Marianne, whose wedding I photographed this weekend, told us it was the place to go and we weren’t disappointed. Their coffee – and this drink in particular – could change even the staunchest unbeliever. On top of that, everyone working there was friendly and welcoming and made me want to become a regular.

Portland is just such a livable city. I know I’m not the only east coaster who thinks so as many residents made the move from the east or midwest at some point as I found in conversation. I’m not sure if I could actually do so myself but it’s fun to entertain the idea for a while, walking around and sampling eats from food carts. Food has certainly been one of the highlights of the vacation, and if you can’t tell it’s only because I didn’t want to spam facebook or instagram with too much information. We love good food and cooking and being able to eat such fresh seafood as well as such local and inventive dishes has been a treat. In the past three nights we have had small plates at Tasty n Sons, local steak from butcher and restuarant Laurelhurst Market, and sushi complete with a train that carries dishes around from Sushi Ichiban. I could go on but before I turn this in to a food blog I’ll stop.

I could just stop and stare, and look at these pictures in amazement of this little newborn baby and the fact that his parents are some of my best friends. I photographed him last week and meet him for the first time at just nine days old. He’s small but he packs a punch, as his mom likes to say.

Mom.

When I first met Sarah nine years ago at cross country preseason as a freshman in college we were far away from becoming moms. I knew we were going to be good friends within a few conversations and I think she did too, after she got over the fact that I was wearing tall socks when we met. (it was cool in high school what can I say). Nine years later Sarah is one of my best friends and has been close by through my adventure of starting a business, always willing to offer advice, listening ear and encouragement which has meant so much to me. I can’t wait to be there for Sarah as she takes on a new role as a mom to little Kingsley, who is adorable beyond words.

Sarah, a graphic designer, has a penchant for type and made the focal point of the nursery a large, lowercase, helvetica k. I think it was a good move and love the use of red through out the room. Sarah bought both the K + mobile on etsy: the k from : hindsvik and the cloud mobile from : babyjives.

… and the rain stayed away. Prayers were answered and Kim and Tim had a gorgeous wedding yesterday in Rochester, New York. It marked the beginning of a very busy weekend schedule this summer and added to the anticipation I have for all of the weddings I’ll be photographing. When I’m able to document moments like this, where the everyday becomes the extraordinary I remember why I love what I do. I can’t wait!

As a track athlete, Corrie was frequently in the gym, training and lifting and staying in shape. She knew the regulars in the gym and became one of them. One of those regulars was Brendan, a reserved upperclassman who often saw but rarely spoke to. She nicknamed him “gym boy” and talked with her friends about the guy she couldn’t stop thinking about. It didn’t take long before they went on their first date since Brendan had clearly been noticing Corrie the whole time. She programed him into her phone as “gym boy” and has kept it like that till this day.

On a warm sunny day I shot Brendan and Corrie’s engagement photos in Letchworth State Park and had a great time getting to know them as a couple. They were pro’s from the start and I can’t wait for their August wedding. Besides Letchworth’s natural beauty I feel like it looks different every time I photograph there. Of course, there is so much space you don’t have to be in the same place twice. Since Corrie is a painter and art teacher we planned to incorporate some painting in the session for an active and personal element. Brendan got a mini painting lesson and I think for the first time together they shared a canvas and enjoyed the outdoors while making art. Thanks to both of you guys for being up for an adventure at Letchworth and I hope you enjoy all of the images!

As I look forward to all of my upcoming weddings I can’t wait to see all of the details come together for each couple. The invitations, decor, flowers, printed materials, hand made elements and so on are always the result of lots of planning and decision making. Flowers are one area that I anticipate seeing since bouquets and boutineers are works of art in the hands of the right florist. These small sculptures accompany the wedding party on their day and can bring a pop of color, a hint of romance, and a contrast in texture. When used correctly they add so much to the overall look and feel of the day it’s reason enough for a whole post. I thought I’d round up a few of my past favorites in anticipation for what I’ll be seeing this year and perhaps this will give you a bit of inspiration as well! (above: boutineers by Sas Sa Fras)

Maria’s gorgeous bouquet by Holly Chapple Flowers perfectly complimented her Amsale dress.

Held by Matthew, Caitlin’s rustic bouquet created by Sas Sa Fras couldn’t have fit more perfectly with their November barn wedding.

Wheat was a theme throughout Mike + Nikki’s wedding and appeared on the invitation design and in the decor including the bouquets and boutineers from Wollom Gardens.

Beth was lucky enough to have her good friend Rebecca (of Rebecca’s Silver Rose in Oklahoma City) come to her wedding and create these lush romantic bouquets for her wedding.

Both Colleen (above) and Megan (below) went for a simple approach to flowers and made their bouquets by hand tying up a fresh bunch of peonies and hydrangeas.

Sas Sa Fras created this romantic and soft bouquet which is perfect for a summer wedding

Ginny’s stunning arrangement of sunflowers and calla lilies were accented by her grandmother’s brooch in the center.

For Blythe’s winter wedding she carried a bouquet with rustic elegance marked most notably by the thistles which added depth to the texture and color.

Sas Sa Fras created the dramatic bouquet above with stunning color from orchids, calla lilies and peonies.

At Julie and Eric’s wedding the bouquets were gorgeous all night long and took center stage at the reception as well.

Lizz’s all white bouquet stands out from the deep purple and burgundy in her bridesmaid’s.

Simple and sweet boutineers by Sas Sa Fras add variety by each being unique while also working well as a group…. and finally also by Sas Sa Fras one of my favorite bouquets. Aubergine calla lilies, green goddess calla lilies, foxglove and pincushion protea have a sculptural arrangement that features a large echeveria succulent. Gorgeous!

Where we currently live we were lucky enough to inherit a patch of asparagus in our backyard. All of the rain we’ve been getting has really been making it grow, which is reason enough to keep me from complaining about rain. We are enjoying it while it’s in season which adds an element of anticipation when you eat that way. Of course, before we ate it I had to take a picture because it looks so darn good!

Don’t stand still girls – run around your parents! Not the traditional shot but I think a welcome change from the usual.

This baby is adorable. One challenge with photographing between newborn and six months (or whenever they start to sit on their own) is that there is a limited amount of things they can do. However, it’s during this time that they start to be so much more expressive and responsive which is so much fun to photograph.

I think this set of four should be printed and framed together, don’t you? Look at that smile – it’s no surprise since he has such great parents

So glad it worked out to do this session yesterday and I can’t wait to photograph him again when he’s older!