Six years ago, Erik met Laurie in his hometown Philly while playing a hot and intense game of badminton. It was true love at first birdie! Since then, they moved to Madison, got a really cute dog named Kima, and planned a beautiful, offbeat, nature inspired wedding. There were many moments that really stood out to me and Heidi but the best part was one we couldn’t photograph. The bride and groom walked down the isle to The Talking Heads! How fun is that? Definitely one of my all time favorite bands.

Aldo Leopold Nature Center is located just about 5 minutes from my studio. I’ve been there many times, my son has gone to camp there, but I have never shot a wedding there before this! It was so much fun and beautiful and there were so many opportunities for photos! Everyone was so open, candid and friendly, emotional, loving and you could tell they all really cared about Laurie and Erik. We really enjoyed capturing the essence of this magnificent day. Congratulations to the happy couple!

This gorgeous day really came together with some wonderful vendors including a sweet taco bar from Blue Plate! Here is a little list of everyone involved!

Venue: Aldo Leopold Nature Center // Second Shooter: Heidi E Johnson // Floral: Daffodil Parker // Officiant: Glenda Kenyon // Catering: Blue Plate Catering

It was a perfect sunny day in October. Bright, clear, warm and full of family. This was one of those weddings where you could just feel the love bouncing off of everyone. I was lucky to get a copy of their ceremony on paper and I just wanted to share the opening lines of the welcome introduction spoken by their officiant Heather Wolowik.

“ Today is a celebration. A celebration of love, commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it for forever. Brian and Mignon have invited you all here today to share with them this celebration of their love and desire to join their lives together in marriage. We are all here to honor the beginning of their new life together. We are here to listen, to love, to dance and celebrate and to send them into their future with our loving support.”

I love hearing words spoken like this at weddings. Celebration is something that we should all do on a regular basis. Celebrate cleaning your house, getting an oil change, finishing your taxes, remembering to call your brother on his birthday. It may not have to be a giant party like a wedding reception, but just maybe something small. Like going out for coffee instead of making it at home. Or getting a babysitter to go on a date with your significant other. Or instead of Netflix, rent a new release! Spending time with family is always a celebration for me so whenever I get a chance to be with them, I am happy.

Mignon and Brian included his kids and brought the whole family together with a beautiful Unity Ceremony. Instead of sand or candles, they used colorful crushed glass, each family member with a different color, and poured it into a vessel that will be fused into an incredible work of art.  I hope to see it someday! I’m sure it is magnificent!

The Barn at Harvest Moon Pond was at its usual perfect self and we had an incredible time shooting this wedding. There were so many details and thoughtful ideas that all went into making the perfect day. I hope you enjoy the photos I picked out as my favorites. It’s always hard to do when there are so many beautiful people and things to photograph.

Vendors: Second Shooter:  Melissa Austin   //  Venue: Barn at Harvest Moon Pond  //  Wedding Planner: Betsy Pearson – Piece of Cake Consulting  //  Videographer: Calen Albert Cinematography  //  Caterer: Upstairs Downstairs Catering //  Florist: Daffodil Parker  //  Music/Photobooth: Celebrations-John Sherman  //  Mair/Make-up: Be Inspired Salon  //  Dress: Vera’s House of Bridals

Our final wedding of the 2016 busy season was one of the most inspiring and emotional endings I have ever had. It was my very first gay wedding and I am so happy that Heidi and I were able to be a part of this momentous event for Nick + Michael and capture every amazing detail!

When I think back to the day of the wedding, all I can remember is how joyous everyone was.  We walked into their house full of amazing friends and loved ones, all getting ready together and drinking and laughing. These people are the kind of people I want to be around every day and throughout the day, there was never-ending laughter, cheering, hugging and dancing. It was such an amazing thing to witness.

We had so much fun taking photos at the Capitol with the wedding party and family and then just a few moments alone with the Grooms over at Yahara Place Park (one of my favorite places in Madison!).  The ceremony and reception took place at Madison Turners which is a fantastic venue for dancing and fitting in close to 300 guests! I was overwhelmed with the happiness, acceptance, emotion and just plain YES!

Here are just a few of my favorite moments from the big day. There are so many more but alas, I can only fit a small sampling of the amazing day. If I had to use three words to describe this incredible wedding, it would be: Unforgettable, Emotional, and FUN. Enjoy!

Vendors: Second Shooter: Heidi Johnson  // Ceremony and Reception: Madison Turners // Officient: Diana Kessel // DJ: Midwest Sound // Men’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse // Women’s Attire: David’s Bridal // Cupcakes: Becky Huttenlocher // Catering: Hyvee

The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – it’s all that matters. – Audrey Hepburn

Ashleigh and Nick’s fun, classy, romantic and Swiss inspired wedding was one of those weddings where I came home and felt like I had just witnessed something really truly special. From the bride’s Audrey Hepburn bridal style to all of the groomsmen’s crazy socks, it blended together in a way that was absolutely perfect.

The day began when I arrived at the Cinema Hair Studio downtown to capture Ashleigh and her best friends get beautified. Heidi was working with me that day so she hightailed it over to the Blackhawk Country Club to get some fun groomsmen shots of Nick and the boys. I love when we get to shoot this way and show them afterwards what was going on at the same time. The Madison Club was just as beautiful as ever. I took advantage of the beautiful Library Room and hallways for some photos of the ladies. Heidi, of course, got a shot of the guys under that GIGANTIC Moose downstairs in the bar.

The ceremony was pretty special with Ashleigh’s Man of Honor, Kurt, singing and playing the piano to a classic Elton John tune and other amazing music as well as advice from various guests.

Of course, my favorite part was going out on Monona Terrace and capturing some fun moments with the wedding party and just the bride and groom. The color of the dresses was indescribable. I’ll go with “grayish blue” hahaha. It was so pretty with the pastel flowers from Momentum Floral.

Did you see that cake and the donuts??? And the cupcakes?!? Oh my God!. I had one of the donuts and it was something like basil raspberry or blueberry rosemary, I don’t know but it was the best donut that I have ever had. BLOOM BAKE SHOP is AMAZING!

The last thing that I was completely blown away by was the dramatically fun and carefree manner of dancing between the bride and groom and then with their parents and Nick’s aunt. There was twirling, dipping, lifting and strutting. It was awesome. I think these two are going to be happy forever. Congrats you guys!

Vendors: Second Shooter: Heidi Johnson // Venue: The Madison Club//  Dress:Vera’s House of Bridals// Groom’s Attire:Banana Republic // DJ: Jukebox Bandstand // Floral and Deor: Momentum Floral and Decor // Cake: Bloom Bake Shop