These two. Are adorable. Spending any amount of time with them, and you’ll know they were meant-to-be. After being friends for a while, with frequent hang-outs and racquet-ball games, Mickey decided to go for it and asked her on their first official date.  Playing hard-to-get and going into that night thinking they’d leave as just friends, Natalie quickly learned she was wrong. Mickey took her fishing, made a fire, FILLETED and cooked the fish they caught, and totally swooned her. Both Natalie and Mickey left that night knowing that they had found the one, and within days had said their first, “I love you’s.” With a proposal six months later out in California, the two started planning a beautiful November wedding. I was blown away by the simplicity and beauty in the day, with brilliant reds, browns and pine cones as the main decor of the day. Mickey and Natalie were stunning themselves, and it was a blast spending the day with them, and their close family and friends. I can’t say enough how cool it is to witness the love and support and EXCITEMENT from family and friends on wedding days, and I think people forget photographers not only capture the day, but the witness so much more than just moments to take photos of. It was so great to be there with Mickey and Natalie, and to snap a few great ones to start their new adventure together. Here’s to the Kocembas! Enjoy!

I first met Vanessa up at Camp Shamineau waaaay back in 10th grade. We stayed in the same cabin (Oak Hollow for any of you past attendees), and I remember thinking she was the coolest…not to mention she had the most beautiful hair. Fast forward a few years later and we were reunited through my best friends at Bethel, who it turns out had been best friends with her since middle school, and her hair was still…amazing. Vanessa is one of the sweetest, most funny, and Christ-centered girls I’ve ever met. Anytime she would come up from Iowa State for a visit, you always felt so fulfilled and uplifted. Being able to be part of Van and Jason’s wedding day was an incredible honor, because it was one of those days where it was completely full of joy from start to finish. I understand I use the phrase, “just the best,” a little too often, but sometimes there is really no other way to describe an event or experience, and that’s exactly how I feel about spending their wedding day with her family. Every moment and every speech was full of love for Vanessa and Jason, and was completely honoring to who they are as individuals, and now as a couple. It can be said that this celebration was one that you never wanted to end, and felt sore for days after because you (worked) and danced so hard. It was a beautiful day, and I’m so excited to share the photos and LOVE that was non stop, all day, just the best kind you can imagine. Enjoy!

This fall has been full of great opportunities, several of them being second shooting for some truly amazing and talented photographers. On this particular day, I got the chance to shoot with a friend from high school Jess Nolan, and it was a blast! Dylan and Michaela are high school sweethearts, who fell in love up at Dylan’s cabin, and it has been non-stop ever since. It was a beautiful day to celebrate, and though it’s not a full blog post, I thought I’d just post a couple of my favorites from the day!!

August 11th was one beautiful beautiful day! Ever since this wedding was in the books, Anna was on top of every single detail of her and Adam’s ultimate dream wedding. Married at The Woods Chapel in Orono, and going with a “peacock” theme, Anna truly thought of everything, and with the help of her friends and family, the day came together phenomenally! Anna and Adam have practically been together since high school, and it was so fun to be part of the day with all of their family and friends, who were truly celebrating the sweet love they have for one another. Thank you for letting me capture the day, it was truly an honor!

It’s hard to even put words together to describe the beauty of Jenna and Jesse’s wedding day in Trimont, Minnesota. As I was driving down the day of, I was so full of excitement and anticipation knowing not only the beautiful and joy-filled couple I was about to photograph, but the details of the day I just knew were going to be phenomenal. I think this wedding might be the truest thing to the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words” as I drove into the park and couldn’t believe how dreamy it was. What was so special in all of it though, was that every thought and detail put into the day was all inspired by and put together by Jenna and Jesse’s families. Hand-built tables by Jenna’s grandfather, old family wedding photos, vintage vases, hay barrels, smores, home-made jam, popcorn and lemonade stations…the list goes on. It was truly an honor to be part of day full of so much joy and celebration with two people and their families whose love for each other was unbelievably eveident, and I am so so happy to share these images with you today! Best of luck to you both as you enter a new life together as newlyweds and medical students!

Wedding Coordinator: Lasting Impressions

Ceremony and Reception Site: Trimont Cedar Park

Caterer: Gerhardt’s Catering

Videographer: Capture Studios

Cake: HyVee Bakery

DJ: Sota Sounds

Flowers: Sadie’s Floral

Rental Items: Apres Party and Tent Rental

I’m not usually a “post-one-photo-for-a-sneak-peek” kind of gal, but these two make the exception. I’m afraid if I post more than one sneak peek from Jenna and Jesse’s wedding this last weekend, I just won’t stop. Can’t wait to share the rest with you soon!