Wedding: Kara & George

It wasn't that long ago that I blogged about Kara and George's Engagement Pictures.  That session was so much fun that I knew their wedding was going to rock!  I was not disappointed.  Kara and George were married on May 1st at the Grand River Center here in Dubuque.  They live in the Chicago area and chose to get married in Dubuque because its a lot prettier here than there (ok so not the whole reason, but enough for me) :)  Kara called us one day in a panic wondering if we were booked, since we were not she booked us on the spot without meeting us first.  We talked for awhile on the phone and it felt like I was talking to an old friend by the time we hung up.  This is what Kara and George's wedding day felt like.  From seeing George and the guys first thing to the last picture it felt like we were old friends.  There is not doubt in my mind that their love will last forever!

We started with the guys while Kara was finishing getting ready.  It was so easy to get them to relax and smile.  I love that! PS This was taken up in the River Room at the GRC and its awesome!

This was a fun picture to take.  I have to admit it was a little strange to be lying on the ground with these guys standing over me.  Some day we'll post the picture that Randy took while I was taking this one!

I love this picture of George.  What a great looking guy and just so joyful!

George and Kara chose to do a first look.  Like I said with Erin and Wade's wedding blog, I LOVE it when couples choose to see each other before the wedding.  The couple gets a intimate moment before all the craziness begins which (according to them) makes them more relaxed for the rest of the day.  Here are some shots from their first look.

The First Look also gets some built in time for the bride and groom on the big day.  Here is a great photo to get the day started together!

Owen was ready to start the fun after the first look.  I am still in love with those blue eyes!

I'm not sure that Kara or Colleen had any other facial expressions the entire day.  Every time I looked at them they had a big smile on!

I know they are not looking at the camera but this is my favorite family picture from the day.  I think its great that they are all making the same face!  Way to go!

Kara, you make one fabulous bride! PS Colleen did the flowers and they looked great!
RWAR!

For place settings they had champagne bubbles in little buckets.  It was so cool, although I would hate to have been the one to set them up.

Kara and George did all their own decorating and I think they did a fantastic job.  Its all the little things at the wedding that make a difference.

They had their ceremony on the patio at the GRC (yes where Randy and I did too) and we caught this moment during the recessional.  Those are always some of my favorite pictures from the wedding.  There is so much joy and love that it shines in the photos and this is no exception.

Kara's flip flops were awesome!

I had to put this one in for fun.  There was a Badger bus in the lot on our way over to the Stone Cliff and the guys told George he should just hop on and see whats happening.  Too bad the driver had closed the door before he got there.

Shawn was trying to steal Kara from George.  I'm not so sure George was objecting here! :)

No Kara did not hit her brother, but it looks like it so it makes this photo extra fun!

Beautiful!

George and Sally keeping the dancing going!

The last photo of the night.

Kara and George, thank you for letting us share in your day.  You are a blessed couple with lots of great things in your future.  Click here to see more pictures from their wedding day.

Wedding: Erin & Wade

I know that we haven't been keeping up with our blog lately.  We have been researching other formats and things to try, but haven't found anything we like yet (or at least for the price we like) :)  So these next couple weeks will be catch up to let you all know what we have been up to.  If you're on Facebook check out our page there for all the sneak peeks and other fun adventures.

Anyhoo...where did I leave off on the blog.  Oh yeah, Erin and Wade's wedding.  This was our first wedding for the year and man did they help us start out with a BANG!  We got to go to my hometown, Cedar Rapids for this one so it was super fun for me!  Erin and Wade were married at St. Judes Church in Cedar Rapids.  We met them in the morning and were with them the whole day.

Erin's shoes were fierce!

Her dress with Anna's flower girl dress.  Such a pretty color!

Erin apparently really likes socks so I had to get this shot!

Its the little things that make a wedding lovely, like this green sash on her dress.  It just made it so perfect.

Randy had the guys outside while Wade was waiting for Erin to finish getting ready.  Great looking group of guys I'd say!

Erin and Wade chose to do a first look, which is when they get to see each other before everyone else in a private moment (except for Randy and I of course).  I love these moments because the emotion is so palpable.  You can just see the love in their eyes.

Checking each other out!

This is one of my favorite pictures from their day.  They both just are just so in love!

Anna had so much fun being the flower girl.  She really liked her mom's boquet!

She was also very excited to get to the bottom of the aisle and be with dad for the ceremony.

I love it when there are BUBBLES!

After the ceremony we headed over to Noleridge Park for some outdoor pictures.  The bridal party never stopped making me laugh!  Here is a great moment in the park!

Here is Austin and NBA helping out!

Anna was so pretty all day, but I think she looked the best wearing her mom's veil!

Speaking of veil...Steamy :)

I love this picture of Erin.  She just looks so beautiful and happy!

So Serious!

After the park we went to the Longbranch Hotel in Marion for the reception.  I couldn't help but take a picture of all the lovely goldfish at the reception!

Mike was gettin all up in my stuff!

I love this picture from their first dance.  I hope they remember this feeling for the rest of their lives.

Now this kid had the moves!  He is doing a great thriller dance here!

The bubble machine was a big hit.

SHOW ME THE MONEY!

This was a placemat that someone had colored in.  Cute!

It was a great day and we want to thank Erin and Wade for letting us be a part of it.  Congratulations and may you live happily ever after :)  Click Here to see the full slide show!

Twin Cities Fun!

So Randy and I have been on the road A LOT lately.  We spent Easter in St. Louis with family and have been non-stop ever since.  Of course on our travels we have had our cameras.  I spent April 10th and 11th in St. Paul with my girls.  I actually lived up in the Twin Cities Metro area after graduation from Luther for about a year before moving back south.  There are things I miss (Cities 97) and things I don't miss (traffic).  I really miss being around my friends, they are my soul.  I will never have a sister (unless of course Scotti or Steve get movin!) and these girls are the closest thing to a sister that I can have.  They asked if I would bring my camera to ladies weekend so they could have some new head shots.  I was like yeah, how hard can that be?  Sara is just amazingly beautiful.  I don't think she knows just how gorgeous she really is.

I think Sara might kill me for putting this on the blog, but it really shows how much fun we were having!  You rock that look sista!

I love this next picture.  She just looks so classic!

Then there is Kaye.  Without looking she has become such a dear friend to me.  I feel like we really missed out not being closer while in school.  I hope that our friendship continues for many many years.  You just look stunning in this picture!

In the next picture you look awesome!

This next picture was just for fun at the end, but its one of my favs.  It really shows just how much fun we had and how many teeth we have too ;)

Ladies, I don't know how to thank you enough for the love, support and encouragement you have given me in the last few years.  We have all been through so much together that I can't imagine my life without you!  As you both enter new phases in your lives I wish you nothing but happiness because you deserve nothing but happiness.

Ok, now to the boring stuff :)  Randy and I took a workshop up in the Cities the 17th and 18th to learn about some of the latest and greatest photography techniques.  It was 2 days of awesome!  This first picture I snapped while our instructor was talking about some settings and playing with some things on the menus.  If you know me you know I am a hands on learner so of course I took my camera out and started to play.  Just as I was getting things right he turned and said "of course you're not doing this on your camera right now!" and looked right at me.  I nearly busted a gut right there.  Its a good thing he has a sense of humor!

In this next one he was demonstrating something :)  No, he wasn't taking a picture, but I think its funny I got a shot of him demonstrating with the cap on.

Seriously though we learned a lot and are looking forward to putting it to good use with the upcoming wedding blitz!  We start this weekend with Erin and Wade in Cedar Rapids!  I can't wait!