Alanna & Chris

When Chris first started working at UW Hospital as an RN he didn't really know too many people. New job, new city... loads of new opportunities. It was apparent to his coworkers very early on that Chris was a genuinely good guy. A great coworker, confidant and so compassionate with his patients. It was these simple day to day observations that led Lindsey, a fellow nurse to give Chris her dear friend Alanna's phone number. It was her beautiful name that struck Chris first and pushed him to call. Afterall with a name that beautiful how could he go wrong?
They met for their first date December 8th in the midst of a snow storm. They huddled over warm cups of coffee and hot chocolate at Starbucks and talked about life. They warmed their hands on their mugs and disguished their flirtatious blushing of the cheeks with frequent comments about the weather. As the minutes made way into hours and the snow began to cover the steps of the state capital Alanna & Chris began to talk about more then just life, they began to talk about their plans and their life. For it was obvious that from this moment on they would be connected in a way that would draw their separate lives together into one perfect unit.
When I first met Alanna in January she was planning a September wedding. But life threw them a loop and I got a call earlier this year asking me what dates were available to possibly move their wedding forward. Alanna's father is suffering from colon cancer and it was important to them both that he be present and feeling as healthy as possible the day of the wedding. When I heard the reasoning for the move it was pretty much a guarantee that we would make any date necessary work for their wedding. Alanna & Chris I hope that your wedding day was all you dreamed it would be. I'm so very honored to have been a part of your day!














a private moment.. favorite!







Everytime I look at this photo I once again crave brushetta from Bellinis... so good!





I absolutely am in LOVE with this photo of Alanna & her father! I think it goes without saying but I'll say it anyway... favorite!



Alanna had Chris' ring engraved...

Sarah & Jeremy

When Sarah first met Jeremy there was just something about him that drew her in. He was charming, attentive, and he had beautiful deep warm eyes. But if you ask me what it was that drew Sarah in I would say it definitely had to be the blue hair. Huh? What? Your probably asking yourself did I read that right? Yup. When Sarah and Jeremy first met Jeremy had a full head of blue hair. The stories differ at this point... was it a lost bet, a dare, or simply a fashion trend that never fully caught on? Doesn't really matter. All possibilities point to the same fact.. that Jeremy has a colorful personality. And it's that genuine, make you laugh right down to the core of your stomach personality that drew Sarah in on that very first day and has kept her there ever since. And boy do these two like to laugh! They smiled, giggled like school children and belly laughed there way through a warm summer Saturday as they exchanged vows in front of their closest friends and family members.

Sarah & Jeremy it was such a pleasure spending the day with you two. Thank you for making us laugh and for being so relaxed as the craziness of the day unfolded! Congratulations again!






No this really shouldn't come as any surprise after hearing the blue hair story... it also happens to be one of my favorites!



















At the reception the groomsmen changed into colorful Chuckies... love it!



Ending the evening with some fun in Celebrations photo booth!

Melissa & Sig

Melissa & Sig are the kind of people who don't like to sit still for long. Hiking, biking, blazing new trails... they are always on the go. It's one of the many reasons why they work so well together. Whether it's running a marathon or simply going for a hike on vacation they support and motivate each other in a way that's simply admirable.
So while hiking in Yosemite on a not so distant vacation Melissa had no worries as she followed along in the foot steps Sig was laying out in front of her. Left, right, left right.. they hiked along the mountain side as their footfalls fell in rhythm with their beating hearts. As the day wore on and the hours passed and the sun began to sink in the sky it became apparent that they were lost. With the campsite nowhere in sight Melissa's heart raced and fear swept past the protection of Sig's support and began to pull at the corners of her mind. The darkness soon overtook the sun's last rays and Melissa found her eyes brimming with tears as they finally stepped out of the woods and back safely into their campsite. She turned to Sig to find that he too had tears in his eyes... for Sig though these were not tears of exhaustion or relief, he had some very different thoughts on his mind. It was only then that he pulled the ring from his pocket and asked his hiking partner to spend the rest of her days sharing this adventure of life right there by his side.
Melissa and Sig it was such a pleasure photographing your wedding! You are both such beautiful people inside and out and the incredible weather show we experienced on your wedding day is just further proof of that.


Melissa got ready at her parents home that had these beautiful windows.... and as you can see.. she was stunning!









Love these two! They totally hammed it up for me.



See what I mean about that incredible weather show? For those of you camera nerds.. other then adding a little contrast these outdoor images are basically straight out of the camera. The sky was literally this beautiful!







Definitely one of my new all time favorite photos.. absolutely in LOVE with this image!

Darby & Tim

There is a poem by Horace where a well known Latin phrase originates... "Carpe diem" or - Seize the day. If you talked to a hundred people my guess would be that nearly all of them would say this is what they want most from their lives. To Seize the day. No one wants to live a life that's mediocre. Even so we often find ourselves overcome by day to day tasks, family matters, work deadlines and our goals of living a full and rich life are slowly pushed to the side. Only a select few truly live their lives with "carpe diem" as the center stone of their lives. Allow me to introduce you to Darby & Tim.

Hiking, biking, traveling, kayaking, kite boarding, sailing... you name it, Tim & Darby have done it and done it with Gusto. They first met while participating in a study abroad program in Australia nearly a decade ago and they haven't stopped celebrating life together ever since. Darby once told me that in life there are 'fun makers' and there are 'fun takers'.... Tim & Darby are certainly the makers. Within 5 minutes of being in their presence you'll find you simply can't help but smile. Their energy is magnetic. It zaps you with all of it's strength and in no time you'll find you've been inspired.... renewed with a sudden desire to live your life to the fullest possible reaches.

Sunday evening overlooking the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, amongst their friends and family Darby & Tim became husband and wife. They made official what everyone in attendance already knew... that their hearts were forever enter twined with love, compassion and a true dedication to carpe diem. Those not in attendance may question how it took nine years to get to this bluff... but the answer to those who know Darby & Tim best is plainly clear. They were busy living their lives... seizing the day.

Darby & Tim thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your day. It was such an incredible honor to document the love of two people I consider very dear friends! I hope you had an amazing time on your honeymoon sailing around the Caribbean. Yup.. you heard me right. How rockin is that honeymoon????



So how would you expect the wedding day to start for a couple as active as Tim & Darby? Canoeing??!?! Good guess!



One of the ring bearers and the flowergirl practicing their smiles.



Finishing the canoe trip... don't you just love her shirt? Favorite







Now you might be asking.. is that the bride doing her own hair? Yup... that's right. How many brides do you know that are relaxed enough to do their own hair the day of their wedding???





First meeting.. Tim & Darby saw each other before their ceremony since it was later in the day... I love first meetings. They're so sweet!





Something tells me these guys LOVE their uncle. Favorite



Favorite





Favorite! Love how this looks tropical... who knew Michigan was so beautiful?



A slightly more vintage feel...



AHH! Just loved this setting... could have photographed there all day.









Location, location, location... check out this ceremony setting.



If this photo doesn't make you smile then you have no heart.. there I said it. Favorite!





Darby you are gawgeous! Seriously you were looking fierce girl!



Tim was looking rather sharp as well!



Yeah how cool is it to make an exit on a chair lift? Favorite!



Tim & Darby's welcome speech included a top 10 list of reasons why you should wait until you're 30 to get married.



The Copper Box Band performed at the dance. If you are in need of a band for your wedding look no further.. these guys are awesome! No one was ready to leave the dance floor when their set came to an end.



Favorite!



And one last favorite from the day. Thanks Darby for requesting this photo!