Such a great photo of Melissa & John at the Wildlife Refuge Park in Bloomington, MN!

One night, Melissa and John happened to be at the same Hardee’s in Rogers, MN. She caught his attention immediately; he couldn’t keep his eye’s off of her. He knew he had to introduce himself. He walked over to her, and in his deep, nervous voice, he introduced himself to her. They were talking for quite some time and exchanged numbers by the end of the night. After texting back and forth for two months, they decided it was time to go on their first date. They continued talking and dating, and they both realized what they had was something special. Melissa’s daughter, Riverlyn and John have been planning out his proposal to Melissa for quite some time. They wanted it to be very simple and cute and John wanted Riverlyn to be a part of it. He proposed in their living room during one of their family nights. It was sweet and simple, and exactly what Melissa wanted.

Melissa and John’s ceremony was held at the Round Prairie Lutheran Church in Glenville, MN. My favorite part of the day was when we took pictures at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Park. We took pictures in this beautiful, open field. It was also a very special day because I could tell how close this family truly is with each other when Riverlyn was taking pictures with them. The bride and groom pictures we took looking over the river with the clouds were some of the best views we had this year! They turned out amazing!

Their reception was held at the Crowne Plaza Aire in bloomington, MN. It was such a fun group of family and friends. They had a ton of fun dancing all night and taking goofy pictures in the photo booth! The part that really stood out to me at the reception was the couple’s first dance. It was such a beautiful moment because Riverlyn was dancing with them. They are such a close knit family and that was the moment I could tell that their love will last forever!

Ceremony venue – Round Prairie Lutheran Church – Glenville, MN
Reception venue – Crowne Plaza Aire – Bloomington, MN
Additional photographer – Jan Bernau – Glenville, MN
Officiant – Pastor Kent
Hair stylist – Selah Salon– Kami Hirschey – Anoka, MN
Makeup artist –  Face to Face with Violett – St Louis Park, MN
Band – Shane Martin Band
Stationer – Rogers Printing – Rogers, MN
Photo Booth – VIP Photo Booth Rental – Lakeville, MN

Christina & Michael partying it up in the limo after their ceremony!

This is a love story that all began in the twelfth grade. That’s right, senior year of high school was the year these two felt something special. They felt a bond that they knew would last forever. They were both a part of a mentoring program that welcomed the incoming freshmen. Each year the seniors hosted a themed dance for the freshmen, and that year it was “celebrity red carpet.” Christina was struggling with finding a costume so she braided her hair in pigtails and resorted to her grade school uniform, declaring herself as Britney Spears for the night. Believe it or not, Michael found himself in the same situation with nothing to wear, so he dressed as Kevin Federline. Their coincidental attire attracted them to one another immediately, and they danced the night away! Who would have thought that Spears and Federline could bring two strangers together?!

Jumping forward to November 19, 2014, Christina and Michael had plans to go out for their weekly date night out. They went to dinner at Maxie’s Southern Comfort, and during dinner, Christina noticed that their old high school teacher, Mr. Yaeger was at the restaurant and approaching their table. He invited the two to see the high school after dinner and check out the new performing arts center, and they were both so excited to be back at their high school. As they were making their way through the school, Mr. Yaeger insisted that they needed to see something in the gymnasium. As they walked in, Christina noticed yellow rose petals on the floor, and Michael walked her to the spot where they had their first dance as Spears and Federline. He got down on one knee and said, “I couldn’t imagine starting the next chapter of our lives anywhere else but where we first met. Christina Marie, will you marry me?” With tears filling in her eyes, she said “yes!”

Their wedding was an absolute fairytale. After we took their first look photos, they gave each other a card and a little gift. They both opened their cards and immediately started smiling. They accidentally got each other the same card; which takes us back to their senior year of the coincidental Spears and Federline outfits. But if that isn’t a good sign, I don’t know what is. They had a traditional wedding in a beautiful church: St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church. During the ceremony, the two of them sat next to each other, and I couldn’t help but notice the two stealing glances at each other throughout the whole ceremony. After their ceremony, we took stunning pictures of the two at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

After pictures, we rushed over to The Grain Exchange for the reception. Before the husband and wife made their big entrance, they had their bridal party make a funny entrance before them. They said they would give twenty dollars to the couple with the best entrance. The winners shotgunned a beer together, which was pretty hilarious. The decorations at the reception were all pink and champagne colors and it looked absolutely gorgeous at the venue. The one thing Michael REALLY wanted was an LED dance floor, and the guests went crazy over it. Let’s just say these two danced the night away again, like they were Spears and Federline.

Ceremony venue – St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church – Milwaukee, WI
Reception venue – The Grain Exchange – Milwaukee, WI
Videographer – Wedding Films, Joel Peregrine – Milwaukee, WI
Officiant – Father Chuck Schramm
Hair stylists – Steven Edwards Color Group, Melinda Rosen and Amanda Schneider – New Berlin, WI
Makeup artist – Melody Sopa
Caterer – The Bartolotta Catering Company and Events – Milwaukee, WI
Cake designer –The Cake Lady by Karen Smith – St. Francis, WI
Florist – Jess Fleur Fun – Brookfield, WI
Dress shop/ designer – Amelishan Bridal (Jasmine Couture) – Hubertus, WI
Bridesmaids dresses – Amelishan Bridal – Hubertus, WI
Grooms’ suit – Tom James, custom suit
Groomsmen suits – Mens Wearhouse
Limousine – Blackline Limousine – Oak Creek, WI
DJ – Double Platinum DJ
Stationer – PaperWhites – Cary, NC
Jeweler – Kesslers Diamonds – Milwaukee, WI

What a good looking bridal party!

Who knew that this one physics class had the power to gravitate two strangers together? It was that class that lead to many years of chasing after one another. Katie was a senior at UW Madison while Marc was a first year Ph.D. graduate student studying physics as well. Marc was teaching his first class at Madison, and Katie just so happened to be in that class. Most people always spot a crush in a big lecture, but these two really had something special. He decided to ask Katie out once she graduated, because he thought that was the appropriate time! Of course she said yes!

They dated for a year, but Marc went to finish his Ph.D. in France, and the couple decided long distance would be too tough. In 2009 and 2010, they met back up in Dallas, Texas for New Years but then lost touch. But…2013 rolled around and they both happened to be living in Illinois, and the rest is history!

Their wedding took place in Madison, because why would they pick anywhere else? Their ceremony and reception was at the beautiful Madison Club. The wedding was small and intimate. Marc had the goofiest and most high energy personality I have ever witnessed. One of my favorite parts at their wedding was watching him wait to see Katie for their first look. He was so antsy and excited, but once he saw her, i’ve truly never seen a smile so big! Those are the kinds of moments everyone can tell these two are perfect for each other!

The colors at this wedding were a beautiful sapphire and white combination. The food was absolutely amazing, and they ended the night on the terrace to hangout and continue dancing. We also took some really great night shots in front of the Capitol. It only made sense to end their night downtown, in the city where they met!

Vendor List:
Ceremony venue – The Madison Club – Madison ,WI
Reception venue – The Madison Club – Madison ,WI
Officiant – Michael Kirby
Hair stylist/salon – Alan Koa Spa (Mae) – Madison, WI
Makeup artist – Alan Koa Spa (Mae) – Madison, WI
Caterer – The Madison Club – Madison, WI
Cupcake designer – Bloom Bake Shop – Middleton, WI
Florist – Daffodil Parker – Madison, WI
Dress shop/designer – Vera’s House of Bridals – Madison, WI
Maid of honor dress – Crystal Bride – Geneva, IL
Tuxedos – Jos. A. BanksDJ – Celebrations Entertainment – Madison, WI
Band/musicians – Quartessence String Quartet
Stationer – Magnet Street
Jeweler – State Street Jewelers – Geneva, IL

Ashley’s beautiful dress with her sapphire blue accents!

Becoming a doctor involves a lot of traveling and residency visits. It was during one of these visits that Ashley and Andrew’s paths crossed in one fateful city in Wisconsin. They were both paired with the same current resident to show them around the program and transport them to the pre residency dinner. Ashley arrived to the pre residency dinner in a beautiful cocktail dress, and Andrew’s eyes fixated on her as she walked in. They were the first two to show up, so naturally, they sparked up a conversation.

That night ended and they both needed some sleep before their big interviews the next morning. That next day was filled with interview after interview but by the end of the day, they both felt pretty confident. Andrew had noticed that Ashley was about to leave for the airport, so he casually asked if she would mind giving him a ride as well. Their shared four hour layover went by very fast in each others company, and they started having deeper, more in-depth conversations about their dreams,  fears,  aspirations, and plans for the future. As their time was sadly coming to a close,  Andrew slyly asked for Ashley’s number so they could stay in touch.

For the next four months, day and night, text messages were exchanged between the pair. Neither Ashley nor Andrew had discussed their favorite programs for residency, but they seemed to match in the same region. Ashley went to look at apartments the same weekend Andrew graduated and she asked if she could stay with him and his family for the weekend; he of course said yes! She met his family and friends for dinner after his graduation, and was so nervous to see what it would be like after all these months. But right when she walked into the restaurant, he hugged her, and in that moment, they both knew. Shortly there after, they had their first date, and on Saturday July 2nd 2016 they said I do under an assemblage of colorful umbrellas!

Ashley & Andrew’s wedding was held at Ashley’s family farm- The Holland Family Farm in Chariton, Iowa. It was such an amazing moment when Ashley’s father got to take her down the aisle in his tractor. Growing up on her families farm as an only child was very special to Ashley because she was able to spend a lot of time with her father. Even though it rained throughout their wedding day, we were still able to create some breathtaking shots with the couple and their bridal party under umbrella’s. The rain and mud didn’t phase Ashley or Andrew one bit, the couple didn’t care if they were getting dirty in the name of awesome photography, they just wanted to be together and have fun. They snuck kisses every moment they could throughout the day and you can tell by their images that all they wanted was to be together in each others arms for the rest of their lives!

Vendor List:
Ceremony venue – Holland Family Farm – Chariton, IA
Reception venue – Honey Creek State Park and Resort – Moravia, IA
Officiant – Pastor Ralph Kister
Hair stylist – Aleshia at Professional Designs
Makeup artist – Amanda Dettmer Mary Kay Products
Caterer – Honey Creek State Park and Resort – Moravia, Ia
Cake designer – Dawn’s Couture Cakes – Bloomfield, IA
Dress shop – The Bridal Cottage – Ottumwa, IA
Dress designer – Maggie Sottero
Trolly company – Centerville Iowa Trolly – Centerville, IA
DJ – Extreme Sounds DJ – Shannon Miller – Monroe, IA
Jeweler – Jareds

Beautiful close up of Ashley and Stephen’s wedding rings!

It was a polite favor for a work colleague and father that had Stephen casually standing at Ashley’s doorstep holding her green and yellow packer jersey the first time the pair met. During all of her packing and planning for her big move to a new city, Ashley had completely forgotten to pack her favorite football jersey and had left it behind. A quick inquiry by Ashley’s father to his coworker Stephen, found the couple exchanging cordial conversation on the front steps of Ashley’s apartment. Stephen had personally driven and delivered Ashley’s forgotten jersey to her so she could go out with friends that night and support her favorite team in style.

Ashley remembers thinking during that initial chance meeting, “What a catch! I have got to set him up with my cousin, Jill. He is rugged and handsome, just her type!” But…with a little prodding, Stephen convinced Ashley to meet up with him for drinks later that same night, and after a few drinks, a bit more conversation, and what turned out to be an enjoyable chance evening together, Ashley decided she wanted to keep Stephen for herself!

Ashley and Stephen pledged forever to each other in the same spot that Stephen asked Ashley to spend the rest of their lives together, at the Waterfront in Lacrosse WI. Friends and family traveled from near and far to share in the couples love, laughter and elation in vowing forever. The couple exchanged vows in front of a sheer chiffon canopy surrounded by elegant pillars, and white rose petals that lined the aisle of their intimate ceremony.

They toasted to their love, danced the night away in celebration, and fell into each others arms as husband and wife under a beautiful umbrella of vibrant fireworks lit off just for them.

Vendor List:
Ceremony venue – The Waterfront – La Crosse, WI
Reception venue – The Waterfront – La Crosse, WI
Wedding planner – Jessica Robey at The Waterfront – La Crosse, WI
Videographer – Sacred Light Studios – Minneapolis, MN
Officiant – Gary Krapfl
Hair stylist – Melissa Hammell from Simply Salon
 – Lansing, IA
Makeup artist – Esley Henkes
Caterer – The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern
 – La Crosse, WI
Cake designer – Addiecakes 
- La Crosse, WI
Decorator – JoEllen Zitzner and Jessica Robey
 – La Crosse, WI
Florist – Village Floral
 – Grantsburg, WI
Dress shop/designer – Charlotte’s Bridal, Martina Liana
 – La Crosse, WI
Tuxedos – Tony Bowls Manhattan Tuxedos
Limo/party bus company – Winona Wedding Planners
 – Winona, MN
DJ – Music Mix of La Crosse, Steve Michaels – La Crosse, WI
Stationer – Proline Printing – Viroqua, WI
Jeweler – Crescent Jewelers – La Crosse, WI
Jeweler – Paul Gross Jewelers – Wisconsin Rapids, WI