Rachel and Kyle’s wedding is coming up quickly (Rachel had the day count at the tip of her tongue) and we were so lucky to get a gorgeous Sunday afternoon after having to reschedule due to cold weather twice. Like any engagement session, my goal is to tell my couple’s love story and to reflect their personalities through a collection of images. We started brainstorming : I always ask some questions to find out what my couples want, even if they don’t know it themselves. What kind of backdrop do you prefer: urban or natural? What kind of activities do you like to do together? How did you meet or fall in love or get engaged? With Rachel and Kyle, the urban setting seemed perfectly fitting and since they love to play games together and had coffee on their first date, we started the session in a coffee shop with their favorite game. By the way, if you haven’t played Shut the Box, you should. It could easily become one of your favorites too. Then we found some cool ways to incorporate their dog Lou into the images.
I love the range of emotions that these sessions bring out in couples. Everything from capturing the moment where Kyle briefly teared up & Rachel’s sweet smile when he kisses her to the goofy competitive spirit that came out during a heated match of Shut the Box is important to me. Because it’s important to them. It’s how they are together. Right now. In the final months before their big day. It’s also most likely the first time that that they have those moments captured in a photograph, which becomes a way to remember the beginning.
These are some of my favorites from the afternoon. Enjoy.
The wedding of Sarah & Justin was simply gorgeous and filled with much love and laughter…and fresh snow! By the time this romantic evening wedding was starting, there was only enough snow left to add to the ambiance of the evening. The family only ceremony was held by candle light in the Pilgrim Chapel, a small and incredibly intimate setting. Then the party kicked off at The Uptown Theater on a much larger scale. The toasts were both fun and meaningful and the first dance was a great way to introduce Sarah & Justin as newlyweds. I always love the father/daughter and mother/son dances, and as usual the joyous emotion got to me and a tear slipped. They know how to throw a party, and every one had a great time dancing the night away. If only the guests were more successful at staying away from those tempting candy hearts at the tables than me…
Ceremony: The Pilgrim Chapel
Reception: Club 1000
November 3rd may have been the most beautiful day of the fall. The sun was bright, the wind was still, and the temperature was warm. Jay and Amy were preparing for the day of their dreams. Amy and her girls returned from the saloon and took a moment to enjoy each other and some breakfast before Ashley (her bridesmaid as well as makeup artist) began the makeup process. Amy had gorgeous wraps for her bridal party to wear as well as a photo of both her father and mother to attach to her bouquet. Meanwhile, Jay and his guys were at the Cathedral of Saint Peter for his mom to pin on the boutineers and wait. The Catholic ceremony was gorgeous, as any wedding at the Cathedral of St. Peter is. After the ceremony, we had some time afterwards for formals as well as fun images of the newly married couple and bridal party. We took advantage of the grounds and steps of the church as well as travelling downtown for some fun urban images. The reception was cocktail party style at Hotel Phillips. Everyone had a great time.
So many congrats to Jay & Amy! You are a sweet couple and I can’t wait to see your next steps in your life together.
Wedding Ceremony: Cathedral of Saint Peter, Kansas City, Kansas
Wedding Reception: Hotel Phillips, Downtown Kansas City
Wedding Flowers: Michael’s Heritage Florist
Wedding Day Makeup: AshleyMaurin Rodden of Lover Cosmetics
Cake: Icing on the Cake KC
DJ: Complete Music
Welcome to this world of ours, sweet baby Connor Allen. I have anticipated your arrival for longer than you can imagine. You are the hope I had for your mom and dad since before you were love in their hearts. And now you are here, safe in your parents arms, little fingers and toes stroked lovingly.
In these images, Connor is only 7 days old. I love everything about newborns, but his little piggies did wonders for my soul. I love the way the hairs on his head swirl perfectly, the way his lips pucker, and that gassy smile he gave right after throwing a touch of a fit. You are precious. You are perfect.
I’ll never forget the moment I found out Jeff and Tara were going to have a baby. Actually, my husband had intuition about it beforehand and we had the debate that we have had a couple times before that. It goes like this “Maybe they have news. Do you think they could be pregnant?”. And most of those debates were proven with the fact that they just wanted to share a few beers. But not this time. I cried with joy. Since then I have been blessed to see the maternal side of my friend blossom, the excitement (and fear) grow in both of them, and gotten to answer a few parenting questions. Jeff even asked Mike one night about the process of changing a diaper; and I can tell you how happy it made him to have something to teach Jeff rather than the other way around. The babe is due any day now, so I figured it would be a good time to share their maternity photographs. This way, you can all see what a gorgeous, happy, and loving mamma looks like when the baby is right around the corner.
