Thinking of Krista and Simon just makes me smile.  Like all the time.  I love that Krista always says whatever is on her mind and she is up for whatever life brings her.  In this case, it was Simon.  Simon's Air Force background may be intimidating to some, but with one conversation you can easily see right through to his big juicy heart.  He adores his Krista!  She lights up in the arms of her Simon!  (enter "sigh" here)  

The North Shore was a special place for them to celebrate their union.  Having gone to school in Duluth and dating adventures around, Grand Superior Lodge was an ideal fit and perfect setting!  On this day, who would have guessed six inches of fresh snow would fall in April, gifting us a last wintery wonderland to explore.  In true Krista and Simon fashion, they said "heck with it" and stuck out their outdoor wedding vision, overlooking the rocky shoreline as huge flakes descended upon us all.  What an epic site to behold!  

I applaud your adventurous spirit and for reminding me each time I photograph your Love Story, why I love my job so much.  You have something truly special.

There are moments in a photographer’s life where you look back and ask yourself, “Did that really just happen?”  I have had my fair share of those moments with Ashley and Beau to date.  It started with our adventurous Engagement Session when Ashley insisted on wearing her dress out onto the ice at -5 degrees, complete with black high-heeled shoes in the quest for the perfect Save the Date shot.  Well, none can question the end result (as I loved every square inch of their card).  These two also happened to have the cutest puppy known to man, so his debut on camera I would call my second moment.  A third moment took place when Beau was offered a circa 1920’s mansion for us to use as a backdrop for their first meeting photos; a “lake-version” of the Hearst Castle if you will…and huge accolades in my book. 

Their wedding party could not have been more awesome (no news flash here).  Ashley with the help of Mimi Design and her incredible sister Amanda had every detail imaginable covered to fit their nautical summer wedding.  You could tell guests were thoroughly impressed!  The insane talent at Capture Studios worked alongside us to document every aspect of the day.  The details were fun, but what stood out were the genuine tears the two shared at Wayzata Community Church.  “Just perfect,” a phrased coined by Dad and I would later hear echoed.  Lafayette Club was ready to show off its charm as doors were cast wide open and guests clamored into the ballroom to see the ending of this fairytale.  At the end of it all, I had to tell myself this DID really happen. 

And my heart was happy.    

What happens with Argentina invades Minnesota in the middle of the summer for an epic event?  Well, let just say us midwesterners got a crash course on how to celebrate a wedding!  Michelle and Mati planned a fabulous weekend of festivities for all their favorite people in the world and no one left disappointed.  The hospitality was unbelievable thanks to the acute attention to detail Michelle's mother Nicole paid to the wedding plans.  Both families made me feel like family, I am so grateful.  

The vision was to take a blank slate, an old theater of the Aria at Jeune Lune, and throw their Phantom-of-the-Opera-like touches on it.   Candles cascaded from every corner as Sally from Mother of the Bride really outdid herself as did our friends at Arts and Flowers.  The ceremony was emotional blending Mati's Catholic roots with Michelle's Protestant background seamlessly.  Following a few fun stops with the excited wedding party, it was time to eat and dance the night away!  We closed the party down as two very in love individuals disappeared into the music of the night. 

These two were determined to plan just the most magical experience along the waterways of St. Paul and invited their favorite people in the world to join in the fun.  The boardwalks along Harriet Island Pavilion were ideal for guests to stroll and stare at the skyline before the ceremony.  As Ben locked eyes with his Sarah and promised his life to hers, we all knew this was forever as his friends can speak to his loyalty & integrity.  Sarah's beauty was something to behold, and her dress even made this photographer speechless.  Ben would also second that motion. 

The reception was so well organized and the creative design was carried out to perfection thanks to Sarah's catering background and the assistance of the fabulous Hailley Leverty & L'event!  Every time we turned around there seemed to be a new prop to incorporate in the fun.  The final touch that everyone will remember was a moving lantern lighting ceremony along the riverbank.  Guests took to lighting the pale orange globes and like large fireflies they took over the midnight sky to everyone's amazement.  What a sight; a little girl's fairytale come to life and one with a very very happy ending.

This was a day everyone was looking forward to!  You could just feel it in the air and all their fabulous friends came dressed for the party and to rock the night away.  As the anticipation built, Shandra was finishing her final touches in the bridal suite with her close girlfriends.  This day had some old-holiwood touches, and Peter was about ready to star in this storyline.  The two laid eyes (and hands) on each other atop the grand staircase of the Semple Mansion and shortly after, we invited friends in on the fun!  

Following the intimate ceremony, we snuck the wedding party down the street to one of the best skyline views in all of Minneapolis.  Since these two have a little So Cal vibe in them, Shandra and Peter busted out their longboards for a little ride, both sporting their new wedding kicks.  The house-party atmosphere back at the mansion was something special as toasts rang out.  It was about time to start the party!  I have a feeling the party never really stopped.  Thank you both for your friendship and a future thank you for a longboard lesson or two.  See you rockstars soon for a sequel!

It's fitting that this wedding follows my trip back to Guatemala.  See, Susan played a big role in putting me in touch with those in need of love at the far edges of the world in Guatemala.  As friends, we have dreamed many big dreams of what love can do in the world, and much of Sooz's life has been dedicated to connecting and giving love.  Today was finally her day to receive love.

Clayton fell into Susan's life and messed it up for good.  We all knew it, could see it, sense it, be caught up in it.  Her perfect compliment in every way, their sense of humor together overpowers even the most innocent bi-standard.  From the moment guests received their Save-the-Dates, everyone knew this would be good time to remember for years.  Clayton, being from the country, asked if I could find some way to incorporate that part of his life into the day.  I left him waiting for his bride to meet him atop a hillside, umbrella in hand.  You should have seen her kick off her shoes and run up the hill to meet her groom.  Almost symbolically, Susan tossed aside her umbrella and fell into his embrace under the protection of his one umbrella.  And thats how this day went: two became one.  God had his seal on it all. 

Following the colorful ceremony at Upper Room, Susan and Clayton emerged from the church with their sombreros ready for their fiesta!  Before joining guests, I figured it wouldn't be right in the world if we didn't take a swing at a pinata.  Clayton pulled out furry mustaches for their friends, some Coronas with complete with lime, and we started our own Cinco de Mayo party by stringing up the pinata underneath the Hennepin Avenue Bride.  One lethal whack by bridesmaid Laura sent the candy flying in every direction as friends hollered "Ole!" and danced around.  Was this really happening?  Gosh I love these people.  The reception was more of the same fun at the Atlas Grill, as friends belted out every song as if it was a sing-along with Clayton and Susan in the middle of the insanity.  And all was right in the world. 

Lindsay & Toby are two of the most down-to-earth warm people you will ever meet in life. High School sweethearts have something special about them I believe, and these two proved it.  Leading into the wedding, every conversation felt like old friends catching up on life and sharing in the excitement that lay ahead. 

The Landmark Center was the setting they chose for a wintery wonderland wedding, the only challenge is that the Minnesota thaw was in effect early!  Not to worry, we hunted down corners around St. Paul that still clung desperately to that valuable white stuff.  Lindsay’s girls love each other immensely, and we had fun jumping from the limo out into open fields in search of the perfect skyline frame.  Toby, having born into a baseball family, brought along bats and balls as we created our own Sandlot pick-up game in the snow.  Awesome!  This party rocked late into the night, and by the last cigar, it felt like one big family.  Thank you Lindsay & Toby to your loving families for making us feel at home.  Can we please hang again soon, friends!? 

Question: What do you get when you cross a small town boy from Minnesota with a spicy city girl from Chicago?  Add a style-queen mother with plenty of classic flare and you have the party of the year in Rosemont Illinois and a newly adopted member of their family.  After all, every family could use a photographer around the holidays?  Where to begin...

I go back several years with Jon's family, where we created our favorite image of 2007 at Jon's sister's wedding.  I kidnapped the bagpiper to join the rest of the kilt-cloaked wedding party as we stormed the open field, Sir Wallace style.  Jon knew the fun he was in for then, so when Kristin got a very special ring, I also got a ring...phone ring.  I couldn't say yes fast enough!  The Roots are just the sweetest family you will ever meet so a piece of me wished there was a short film made from when they first met Kristin's family.  It was so fun to watch these families melt together all weekend.  On the morning of their wedding, Kristin's father asked to squeeze his little girl one last time as a single lady before sending her off to be with her best friend and groom.  The ceremony was touching and sincere as they promised their lives to each other.  After, and with a dangerous amount of combustable energy, they handed over the wedding party to our photography team and away we went as we explored the greater Chicago area parks!  Many toasts, wildlife chases, and laughs later, we arrived at the Rosemont Convention Center.  What a sight!  Guests awed at sorbet served in custom carved ice blocks backlit with blue LED lights to go along with their very own ice bar.  Other impressive touches included their hollywood-style logoed wall and a white carpet as paparazzi guests fired away and the fabulous couple entered the ballroom and stepped to the dance floor.  At just the right point of the song, the heavens opened up and snow fell upon Kristin's white dress during her first dance with her handsome groom.  And they both lived happily ever after.  

It is hard not to fall head over heals in obsession with these two.  Both come from artist backgrounds and appreciate the quirkiness of life.  I learn just how awesome they were on my trip out to photograph their New York City engagement as we got to sample their life around the Big Apple.  When it came time for the contrast of their rural Wisconsin wedding along the St. Croix, true to form they put their own spin on it along with the help of the fabulous Mimi Designs.  A vintage NYC cab showed up to take us away as we chased the sun from field to field.  I am pretty sure it is common that one should really draw swords before you tie the knot, as long as no one get hurt.  You two make me laugh!  After our arrival back to the farm, guests gathered in an open field circled around the couple as they promised their lives to each other.  I felt as honored as anyone just being invited in to this inner circle.  Cupcakes arrived from New York as well as specialty Brooklyn Beer to give it the official Erin and Nick stamp.  I will never forget this day or these two fabulous new friends.  

From the moment I met Mallary, I knew she would redefine French Vintage.  From creative visions, to style boards, inspirational themes, to mixes & vibes, I had the right new friend who finally spoke my language.  Matt of course loves everything and anything Mallary puts her touch on, which is an ingenious move on his part.  The only piece that didn’t have her flare was the herd of surprise pink gorillas that flooded the dance floor.  What a perfect exclamation point to a day that had plenty!