INTIMATE ROMANTIC MADISON WEDDING-DANNY & RACHEL

Rachel and Danny had an intimate romantic wedding in Madison. Madison is one of my favorite places so when I found out the wedding would be at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, a classically beautiful church, doing photos at the Wisconsin State Capitol after and the reception Brickhouse BBQ I was bursting with excitement.

Rachel looked stunning and was glowing on her wedding day! Now if you have read my blog before you know I love when couples choose to do a first look but I understand some wanting to keep with tradition. Danny and Rachel wanted to wait to see each other and it made for a beautiful moment, as Rachel walked down the aisle Danny couldn't hold back the emotion. The wedding was smaller than I am used to but you could tell just how each person in attendance cherished both them. The wedding ceremony was full of laughter and personal stories and following the ceremony we got a group photo with everyone in attendance. Rachel is a girl with a love for photos, much like myself, so we planned lots of time to go to both The State Capitol and Picnic Point Park in Madison. While I know some in the wedding party were getting antsy I was loving every minute of the 3 hours we had for photos after the ceremony. The Capitol building made for a beautiful backdrop that allowed for the bridesmaid's navy dresses to pop with color and the golden light shinning through the colorful fall leaves at Picnic Point made for another stunning backdrop. I think if you look at the images you can see it was worth it!

The night finished out with the reception at Brickhouse BBQ which served a mouth watering meal of barbecue and cheesecake for dessert. I think this is a new must spot in Madison for me from now on, the brisket was to die for! The third floor was reserved for the wedding, with a loft that had games and a patio with market lights strung overhead it kept that intimate warm feeling that was felt throughout the entire day. Thank you again Rachel and Danny for sharing your special day with me, it was amazing!

Fall Wedding Wausau, Wisconsin-Cassandra & Andy

Cassandra and Andy’s fall wedding in Wausau, Wisconsin couldn’t have been more wonderful. When I meet with Cassandra earlier in the year she told me how important family and photography were on her wedding day. Fast forward to the Monday before the big day when Cassandra’s grandfather passed away, while it was a difficult time she and her family wanted to continue with the wedding day and make it not only a celebration of Cassandra and Andy’s love but of life overall. The importance of family could be seen throughout the day from the stitching of the wedding date in into her wedding dress by Cassandra’s grandma, to the flowers arranged by Andy’s aunt, and the tattoo Cassandra got only day’s prior in her grandfather’s handwriting. She hind that tattoo during the week so the first time her parents would see it was when she was in her wedding dress, a moment that made us all tear up.

Cassandra was also very excited to have everything fall in Wisconsin be a part of her big day. The bridesmaid dresses were a rich burgundy color, sunflowers and a small blue piece of cloth from her grandfather in her bouquet. At the reception pumpkins along with family moments decorated the hall at the Holiday Inn, Rothschild. We couldn't have had better weather with the rain holding off for the bridal portraits at the Stoney Creek covered bridge. While the trees weren't at peak colors the small pop of red in the leaves along with the red covered bridge made for a beautiful backdrop.

Thank you again Cassandra and Andy for letting me document such a wonderful day.

The Waters Oshkosh Wedding| Caitlin & Josh

Caitlin and Josh had the most amazing classic and romantic fall wedding at The Waters in Oshkosh, WI. The venue was built in 1903 as the Oshkosh Yacht Club with Nantucket-inspired porch and balcony facing the waterfront. When we arrived at the venue friends and family were bringing in decor, flowers, everything needed to create a beautiful day. You could tell by the amount of people who showed up hours early to help out this day was not only about Caitlin and Josh but about their families too. After getting dressed in a beautiful bridal room filled with light, the couple shared a “first look” on that balcony where the two couldn’t stop smiling and you could see the love between them. I am always an advocate for a "first look" as it gives the couple time to be alone before all the actives of the day, and makes for some of my favorites photos of the day.

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for a fall wedding in Wisconsin, the ceremony was on the grass facing Lake Winnebago following guests mingled inside and out on the porches during cocktail hour. The dinner space was decorated with personal touches like Caitlin’s favorite candy, Skittles, and the cake topper with the letter "P". Gorgeous light pored in from the large windows and large chandlers added to a sense of warmth in the room along with the beautiful flowers from Petal Pusher Floral.

The day had been mostly cloudily so we weren't sure were would be able to get in the sunset photos we had planned for. But during dinner with the last few minutes of daylight the sun peaked out and created a beautiful pink sky allowing us those few last portraits of the day.

Caitlin and Josh thank you for allowing me to photograph your beautiful wedding day!

Hometown farm engagement photos

I love when couples pick a location that means something to them for their engagement photos. So when Caitlin and Josh told me they wanted me to come to their home and the farm Josh works at in Watertown, WI I was all in! I have to say it was my first photo shoot that included a tractor and a hay barn but I think it turned out amazing. It wouldn’t matter where these two were you can see the love they share, Caitlin lights up with the biggest smile when Josh snuggles into her neck and makes her laugh. Add on top of that a dog that just wants to run around in the snow and you have a fun winter afternoon photo shoot.I can’t wait to capture the wedding day of these two at the amazing venue The Waters in Oshkosh, WI this coming weekend.

San Diego Engagement

Travel and photography are two of my favorite things! So when my Friend Alissa asked me to come to San Diego to take her engagement photos I knew I had to find a way to make it happen.Alissa and Dave had picked out just a few of the beautiful spots in San Diego and with such an amazing couple I knew no matter where we went the photos would be beautiful! With just two weeks until their wedding in Madison keep an eye out for the blog on that, they once again have some amazing spots and with a day planned full of family and love we can’t go wrong!

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Central Wisconsin Wedding

Despite most brides being worried about how they will look if they cry on their wedding day, I love it. Not to have ugly crying photos but it shows just how important the day is and I’m so honored to be able to document that! You could see that throughout the day of Brooke and Kenn’s wedding. From the start of the day putting on her dress to the “not looking” first look, to the ceremony itself Brooke could not hid her emotions. I think it’s great for a bride and groom to have a moment to themselves prior to all the craziness of the day beings. But many couples don’t want to see each other so we find a stop they can exchange cards or even a few words and it makes for amazing images. The love and fun Brooke and Kenn share with each other and their family and friends could be seen at every moment of their day!

Waupaca Wedding

While I wouldn’t choose the stress of changing your wedding date due to circumstances out of your control on anyone I’m so glad it happen to this couple. It was that situation that brought them to me and allowed me to document their amazing love for each other and their families. High school sweethearts Ali and Steve looked so in love and smitten with each other you would think they were still those teenagers who started dating 7 years ago. The love of their families was apparent to all of those attending big day as well, with everyone pitching in to make things run smooth despite the rain. The couple took it all in stride delaying the ceremony a bit but never bringing their sprits down. The wet grass brought out beautiful lush green that just added to the beauty of the day.

Waupaca Engagment at Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast

I was so excited to meet Ali and Steve and photograph them at Apple Tree Bed and Breakfast. I usually do engagements months before the wedding but unusual circumstance had me meeting and photographing this Sheboygan couple only 2 weeks before their wedding. I had never shot in the Waupaca area so I had to ask around but through a great network of local photographers I heard about Apple Tree Bed and Breakfast. It’s a great spot along the Crystal River that has an orchard, bridge over the river, a barn and amazing open fields around it, what more could a girl ask for!Ali and Steve were nervous coming into the session but after a short time they opened up and allowed me to capture the fun, playful, love these high school sweethearts have for one another. As you can see I even included a shot of Ali on her phone because according to Steve, that’s how he sees her most of the time. I can’t wait to document this amazing couple again at their up coming wedding this Saturday!!

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Green Bay Engagement Session

When I received an email from my former co-worker Adam I was so excited and honored he wanted me to shoot his wedding this coming May at Pamperin Park in Green Bay, WI. We talked and figured out a couple of spots for the engagement shoot but when we got there it was quite an adventure! The city walk what I pretty much expected the walkway and bridges in the background and both Adam and Becca were great willing to do just about anything. Right from the start Adam was his usually goofy self in front of my camera. Having worked with me at the Eau Claire Leader Telegram as a sports reporter he was used to being my stand in for sports portraits prior to the athlete getting there. But it was the second location at Wequiock Falls County Park that turned out to be a challenge. From the images I had seen online the park looked beautiful it was just getting to the falls that became and adventure but I think well worth the struggle with the images we got!

Christmas Cards Photoshoot

WinterFamilyPhotos

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WinterFamilyPhotos

WinterFamilyPhotos

It has become a tradition every year I come home for Thanksgiving for me to photograph my niece and nephew for the Femail family Christmas card. Years past we have always just taken photos while the kids decorate the Christmas tree but having done that so many times in the past I wanted to change it up a bit. After some online research we can up with a setting using my neighbors truck and some holiday props to set the scene. I also wanted to try and use "snow" to have the kids blow at the camera. While I love the scene and the props with the truck the snow blowing are my favorite images form the day! I hope you all enjoy them as much as I do.