Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Megan & Aaron

I love fall weddings! The crisp air and the beautiful afternoon light that filters so perfectly through the amber, orange and yellow foliage. Megan & Aaron had what can only be described as a perfect fall wedding. You may recognize this adorable couple from a blog post about their engagement photos earlier this summer... http://blog.angelicangles.com/2007/06/megan-aaron.html I was delighted to find one of their engagement photos featured on not only their programs but also on their invitations. What an incredible compliment that was!
The personal elements Megan & Aaron brought to their wedding made the day so much fun. Even their puppy Tyson had some say in the festivities. They also had one of the most entertaining kissing games I have ever seen at a reception. Rather then the traditional tinking of the glasses they called upon their friends and family to do a little performance. Megan owns a dance studio in town, so it seemed perfectly fitting that in order to get the bride and groom to kiss the guests would have to don a pink tutu and turn a perfect piroet. I would so love to share those photos with you! Megan's father did offer me a substantial bribe though to keep his dance moves under wraps;) I'm sure it's just because he didn't want to show his daughter up on her wedding day! Megan & Aaron thanks for a wonderful day. You really made Karen and I feel like guests at a great party... I hope you had as much fun as we did!

Megan & her sister made thousands of these delicious candies...



Check out these centerpieces.. such a simple idea but what an impact they made on the ambience of the room.... gorgeous!


Friday, October 26, 2007

Sugar & Spice

and everything nice... that's what little girls are made of. This past week I had the opportunity to photograph not one but two beautiful newborn baby girls. First up was Callie. Callie is the daughter of Tamra and Jason whom I first met a couple of years ago when I photographed their wedding. Since then they have become like old friends. It seems I'm constantly hearing their names from clients or running into them at weddings. I really should be paying Tamra a commission for all the wonderful referrals she sends my way. What a treat these two are! So, so sweet and full of energy. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind they are going to be wonderful parents.







Not more then a day or two later little baby Isabelle paid me a visit. She was celebrating a milestone that day... her one week birthday. I just adore photographing newborns in that first week. What a miracle how tiny and fragile they are. Really is their anything sweeter then the soft whimperings of a sleeping newborn?! I can't think of anything that compares. It was only a few weeks earlier that I met Isabelle's parents Johnas & Jessica in the studio for a maternity session. I know I've said it before but I truly mean it when I say I am so blessed to be able to capture these momentous occasions for my clients. What an honor to be a part of this exciting time. Jessica & Johnas your daughter is breathtaking, she certainly lives up to her beautiful name. I can't wait to see how much she's grown for our next session.




Robin & Andrew

October 13th I traveled to Kenosha for a wedding I'd been anticipating all year long... the wedding of Andy & Robin. To say that I've known Andy for a little while now is a gross understatement. I've known Andy as far back as I can remember. When my little brother Andre' first started playing little league he met Andy; they have been best friends ever since. Basically I have two younger brothers. So when I got the phone call earlier this year asking me to photograph his wedding my first reaction was, can't be.... He's still my baby brother.. he can't possibly be getting married.
Believe it or not Andy is all grown up and he has most certainly found his perfect match. Robin it was a true pleasure meeting your family. They are so warm and welcoming. I especially enjoyed finally meeting your brother.... his candidness during your ceremony will forever live on in my mind as one of the best spontaneous moments I've ever witnessed at a wedding. Truly unforgettable and utterly adorable. I must apologize to my regular blog visitors.. I don't think I could really do the moment justice by putting it into words here. Thanks again Andy & Robin I hope your honeymoon in Hawaii was full of many more beautiful spontaneous moments!





The highlight of the evening was definitely the best man's speech... I have never heard a better more entertaining, heartwarming speech.... and I'm not just saying that because he's my brother:)
I have to post one more photo here of my parents. It was such a treat to photograph a wedding where I also got to hang out with my friends and family. Although I credit my dad with first planting my interest in photography by lending me his 35 mm SLR many, many moons ago... it's rare that I get a photograph with him in it... he tends to be the one behind the camera. Who would have thought?!? I just adore this moment I caught of them together...


Friday, October 19, 2007

Jessica & Cynthia

When I first met Jessica & Cynthia nearly two years ago now, they were already knee deep in the plans for their wedding. Their excitement was incredibly addicting. It was evident after our first meeting that this would be an event like no other with attention paid to every detail of the day. Also evident that first day.. the commitment these two share for one another. Fast forward nearly 24 months and all that remains a constant. The love and devotion Jessica and Cynthia share for one another is truly inspiring. There was not a dry eye in the house. As they excited the church with giddy smiles of excitement I found even my own eyes wet with tears of joy for this beautiful couple.
The elaborate fall event Jessica and Cynthia planned turned into a late summer wedding of nearly 88 degrees. That certainly was not in the plans! Regardless of the temperature the fall inspired menu Bellini's created was fabulous. To make the mood complete Lucido Felice Quartet played some out of this world dinner music. If you have a need for a quartet I highly recommend you check this group out.. they are incredible. Not only did they play the classics beautifully for the ceremony, they also livened things up a bit at the reception with a little Dave Matthews, Queen and even a song or two by Metallica. www.shinyhappy.org Jessica & Cynthia congratulations again. It was truly a pleasure working with you and your families. Cynthia's father gave a wonderful speech about how he has learned so much about love from watching his daughter grow and her relationship with Jessica .... thank you both for including me in a brief lesson of my own.







Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Andrea & Fernando

To bring the month of September to a close we have Andrea and Paco. Andrea was a bridesmaid in the wedding of Karly & Scot which I photographed last March. You may recognize their wedding - the first photo you see on my website was from their ceremony. It's always neat to see familiar faces who become like old friends... not to mention there is already a comfort level established since we've worked together in the past. Karen (my assistant) second shot Karly' & Scot's wedding so she was eager to join me again for Andrea & Paco's.
This wedding and reception were both to take place at the same location Forrestal's Gallery in Middleton. To avoid too much down time for their guests Andrea & Paco decided to do all of their family and wedding party photos prior to the ceremony. We had a ball shooting on the Capitol lawn and got tons of great photos. Back at Forrestal's the ceremony took place in their outdoor garden. It was an incredibly moving ceremony as both Andrea & Paco wrote their own heartfelt vows.... Paco took his a step further and even vowed to love Andrea unconditionally when she cheers for her Chicago teams! The love between these two filled the air and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Andrea & Paco it was a pleasure working with the two of you. I hope you had a wonderful, relaxing time in St. Lucia.







Not only is this cake gorgeous but it smelled like you just walked into a chocolate shop.... yum


The evening highlight was a heart wrenching speech by the brides younger brother..



Beth & Jeff

The strong winds of Friday gave way to a beautiful calm day for Beth & Jeff's outdoor wedding. What a perfect day for a rooftop wedding at the Monona Terrace! I met Beth early at the Terrace where she had budgeted some extra time prior to the ceremony for us to play around with photos. I usually think the colors of the carpeting at the terrace are too overwhelming for formals, but in this case the colors were a perfect match.
After an incredible service the wedding party traveled to the Capital for some additional formals. What a fun group these guys were! There was definitely no shortage of laughter in the air. Unfortunately a stop at a local bar on the way to the reception changed the mood a bit when poor Allison took a fall that sent her to the emergency room. What a trooper this bridesmaid was... before heading to the ER she stopped at the reception to be a part of the grand march. Talk about commitment! Hope your on the mend Allison:)
Following a show stopping performance by Omar the evening was wrapped up with some funky moves on the dance floor. This was one heck of a party. Beth & Jeff you are such an incredible couple who are surrounded by some of the nicest friends and family I've ever met. Thanks so much for allowing me to be a part of your day.





The First Dance ...

This ringbearer was seriously ripping up the dance floor. He partied hard
and crashed even harder!

Friday, October 12, 2007

Sarah & Beau

Dreaming of Californication.... meet Sarah & Beau the newest residents of sunny California. These newlyweds had quite the summer. Planning a wedding, getting married and then moving cross country. When these two make plans they make them big! Having so many miles between you and your family must be incredibly difficult... but the families of Sarah & Beau have got to be comforted by the fact that they are making this move together. I did not have the pleasure of meeting Beau prior to the wedding day. Within five minutes of seeing these two together their love and dedication to one another was glaringly obvious. They were stealing private kisses all night long:) Such romantics. Congratulations again Sarah & Beau... I hope your finding time to soak up some sunny for us poor, cold Wisconsinites!



I think the ringbearer was a little disinterested in the ceremony...