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Day After, Wedding

After a fun engagement session and their fabulous wedding, I was lucky enough to spend some more time with Jessica and Derek after their Big Day.  More than just an excuse to wear her gorgeous dress again and to see her new husband all decked out in his tux, they weathered the steamy temps to get some beautiful and romantic portraits in a more relaxed environment.   With jam packed timelines typical of a wedding day, this session allows the bride and groom to just be together and enjoy each other’s company without any stress or demands.  And these kinds of portraits were very important to Jessica, a girl after my own heart!  Jessica and Derek, thank you for letting go and trusting me with this session.  Besides being such a dashing duo, you’re so fun, so kind, and so wonderful!  Let’s get straight to their images, shall we?  

After hopping a plane to Venice, they enjoyed a serene ride through the canals. 
Ok, ok…so maybe we didn’t go to Venice, but this is the next best thing in downtown Indianapolis!

Passers-by congratulated the newlyweds. 

Love this one!

Jessica, you are such a beautiful bride!

The gondolier sang to them in Italian.  Swoon!
Gorgeous light, gorgeous couple!

Even the geese wished them well!

As did the kayakers!

That’s amore!
Quiz: Name the movie featuring that line!  Leave your answer in the comments! 

After disembarking the gondola, we strolled around in the beautiful evening light. 
Favorite!

Work.it.out!  Yes, yes, yes!

More favorites!  

This was one of those moments when the light, the mood, everything was just perfect.  LOVE! 

Jessica and Derek were excited to leave for their Hawaiian honeymoon bright and early the next morning.  Perhaps they were imagining relaxing on the beach here.  ðŸ˜‰

Seriously beautiful. 

Fierce and fabulous!

Well hello there, newlyweds! 🙂

Jessica and Derek, I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to share in this important time in your lives.  It has been such an honor and so much fun to work with you both!  See you soon!

Day After | Jessica + Derek

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Just a quick post to wish you all a happy weekend!  And to share a preview of what’s coming up on the blog:

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sneak Peek: Day After | Jessica + Derek

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In the Midwest, the weather can be quite unpredictable.  Especially in the summer.  And specifically on Race Day!  Unlike the weather, their day would be very predictable.  Why?  Simply because they knew at the end of the day, they would be married.  And that was what mattered most to Jessica and Derek.  Their wedding was small and intimate, beautiful and perfect.  Just like their love.  Their closest family and friends surrounded them on a sunny, Midwestern summer evening, and their hearts rejoiced as they celebrated into the night.  Since their engagement session, I have grown more and more excited for their Big Day.  And with good reason!  From Jessica’s glamorous vintage wedding day look, to Derek’s dapper appearance, to the elegant ballroom at the Village of West Clay, it was truly a spectacular day.  Jessica and Derek, thank you so much for trusting me with your wedding day.  You two are such a wonderful couple, and I’m so grateful to know you.  Wishing you all the best forever and ever!

Jessica’s hair and makeup were absolute perfection, by Britt at West 86th Hair Design.

Jessica’s ring is absolutely to die for!  I was slightly obsessed with it!

Jessica and Derek have a collection of lovely antique items in their home.  They worked just perfectly with Jessica’s vintage glam details!  I was in heaven!

It was as if this area of their home was created just to hang Jessica’s wedding gown! Love!!!

Gorgeous bride to be in gorgeous light.  

Upon arriving at the Village of West Clay, Jessica’s cousin, Lindsay, helped with her dress. 

Final moments before seeing her soon to be husband, Derek, at their First Look. 

Ohhh Jessica!!!! You were such a stunning bride!  So beautiful!
Then Jessica’s father came in to see her.  

Meanwhile, Derek was outside waiting to see his bride for their First Look.  Thank you, Jessica and Derek, for incorporating this into your day!  It was just wonderful to witness these next few moments…

I get butterflies when I see this next image, just like I did in the moment!

Derek was beaming as he turned to greet Jessica.  They both were so excited!
So sweet!

These two were so sweet together!  Derek helped Jessica with her necklace…

 …and Jessica pinned on his boutonniere. 

Then they worked it for the camera before the family photos began.  

So gorgeous. 

 Since their wedding was so intimate, and since they opted for a First Look, we had plenty of time for photos of the two of them before and after the ceremony. 

Love this one!

Watching as guests arrive for the ceremony. 

Jessica descended the stairs, as it was finally time for the ceremony to begin!
 

 

 A favorite!  Reminds me of one of my favorite photos from my own wedding day.  🙂

Reverend Ida-May Hanson performed their ceremony. 

  All smiles as they exchange rings.

 Married!!! ♥ ♥ ♥

 What a perfect day for a perfect wedding! 

 Jessica’s dad signs the marriage certificate.

 Guests enjoyed the sunshine during cocktail hour…

…and the newlyweds and I ventured off for a few more portraits. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 To the reception! Another favorite!

Introducing Mr. and Mrs.! 

Toasts were given by the bride’s father and brother, Mitchell. 

Their cake was so pretty, so intricate, perfectly matching their wedding invitations, table numbers, and theme for the day!

Guests watched as they cut their cake in harmony…

 …then decorating each other’s faces, as if planned!  You two are so good!  😉

 A sweet first dance to Train’s “Marry Me.”  Favorite! And I love that song!  
If you haven’t heard it, I highly recommend listening to it! 

With such a beautiful evening full of amazing light, we just couldn’t resist a few more photos. 😉

Derek, I love the way you love her.  Favorite.  Yes, yes, I know, I have more than one favorite. 

 Jessica, you are stunning. 

Those eyes!!!

Time to dance!

I love when people cut loose on the dance floor!  
Jessica’s brother, Mitchell, was a dancing machine all night!

 Mitchell’s best friend was giving him a run for his money on the dance floor!

 

Jessica and Derek, I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to document and witness your wedding day! I will never forget it! Your family and friends are amazing, you are both loved so very much!  
And I couldn’t be happier for you both!
Cannot wait to hear all about your honeymoon in Maui! 

Village of West Clay Wedding: Jessica + Derek

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Fall 2009: Her voice was happy and upbeat.  On the other end of the phone, I could tell she was smiling.  For she was talking about marrying the man of her dreams.  Jenny and her fiance were finishing up school, so we decided to keep in touch and meet as soon as our schedules allowed.

Fast forward to Summer 2010:  Happy, upbeat Jenny and I arranged to meet at the local coffee shop to talk about her wedding.  The day she had been envisioning ever since she knew that he was The One.  They walked inside, hand in hand, and sat down at the table.  Jenny and Eric were beaming.  And from that moment I knew their wedding would be so incredibly special.  We clicked instantly, and talked quickly and excitedly about all the details they were planning. 

Summer 2011:  Jenny and Eric’s Wedding Day had finally arrived!   All the planning had paid off.  And their dream of an outdoor wedding was becoming a reality.  Except one thing…the weather.  More on this in a minute…

Jenny and Eric, I’m so happy that our paths crossed!  I wish you all the best as you start this exciting new chapter in your lives together.  I hope your honeymoon in Cabo was all that you dreamed and more!  And now for the images!  Family and friends, please feel free to view Jenny and Eric’s online gallery.

Jenny, her bridesmaids, and future Mother-in-law started the morning getting ready at 541 Salon.  

  I loved Jenny’s Mom’s reaction to seeing her daughter for the first time on her wedding day!

What better way to start celebrating the special day than with a bubbly toast? 
The bride’s fabulous makeup was expertly applied by Sara Brown of Skin Ritual.

Jenny’s sister and Matron of Honor, Lauren, and bridesmaid, Jamie, watch as Jenny’s makeup artist works and shares some makeup tips.  

 

 Meghan, another beautiful bridesmaid.  And lovely Lauren laughing and having fun!

 

 Time for the veil!

Then it was time to make our way to Plum Creek Golf Club for photos with Eric and the groomsmen.  What a handsome bunch!

 

 Meanwhile, Jenny was getting ready in a secluded location. 

Jenny loves pink…and so do I!  Those flowers, those shoes!  Love, love, love!

Once the guys were hidden away, it was time for Jenny and her ‘maids to work it out for the camera.  

 Nicolette, the adorable flower girl!

Jenny, you are beautiful.  Sooo beautiful!

 Off to the ceremony!

Remember the one thing I mentioned at the beginning of Jenny and Eric’s story?  Well…the day started off with a mix of clouds and sun. As the ceremony drew closer, so did the clouds.  And rain. And wind.  Minutes before the ceremony got underway, guests were rushed inside Plum Creek Golf Club as rain drops poured from the sky.  Jenny and Eric had chosen not to see each other before the ceremony.  Messengers with weather reports darted back and forth from Jenny’s bridal suite to Eric’s room.  It looked like the rain may pass right over if they waited 25 minutes or so.  And that’s just what they did!  What a delightful day it turned out to be!

 
Jenny and Eric’s high school string quartet played beautifully during the ceremony.

 The groomsmen played a bit of a prank on the bride…they suddenly had misplaced the rings!  After the scare of rain, this was such a funny, lighthearted moment that set the tone for the fun evening ahead.

 Married!!!

 Just moments after walking down the aisle…so sweet!

 Nicolette was the first to run over and congratulate her favorite bride!

 While the guests enjoyed cocktails and hors-d’oeuvres, we set off to make some portraits of just the two of them around the perfectly kept grounds of the golf course.

 We hopped on golf carts and zipped away to a cool location.

 GAH!!!! You two are gorgeous.  Favorite!

 

 

 Then it was time to head back to get the party started!

Jenny and Eric did a fabulous job of beautifully coordinating each and every detail of their day. 

 First dance! 

 The weather was perfect the rest of the day, so we made good use of the beautiful evening light. 

This bridal party worked it out!  

 According to predictions, the world was supposed to end this day.  And zombies were going to take over the earth…or something like that.  So I asked Meghan, Nick, Jamie, Mike, Lauren, and Chad (Best Man) to do their best zombie impersonation…

 …however, this group is just too looking and too happy to really pull off the scary, horrifying 
zombie look. 😉  Thank you for being such fun! 

Hip-hip Hooray!!!

 

I love this next series on the steps…

 

This crowd danced the night away. All night long. Oh yeah!

The “little bit softer now” part of Shout!

Jenny and Eric, I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to capture your wedding day!  You are both such nice people, and I loved getting to know your family and friends.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart! 
Congratulations and best wishes for a lifetime of bliss!
P.S.  A huge thank you to my best friend and husband, Reggie, for assisting and shooting this day.  And for driving the golf cart like a pro!  I love you so much!  xo

Plum Creek Golf Club Wedding: Jenny + Eric

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Oh what a beautiful day Jenny and Aaron had for their spring wedding!  Remember their sweet engagement session?  Well, after that day, I was even more excited for their wedding!  Jenny and Aaron, you two make a perfect match, and I’m so happy that I was chosen to document your Big Day!  I love the way you’re at ease with each other.  The way you make each other smile.  The way you look at each other.  And witnessing that throughout your wedding day brought so much joy to each and every guest who was there.  I wish you all the best as you walk hand in hand into the future together.  **Family and friends, please feel free to view Jenny and Aaron’s engagement and wedding gallery here! **

 Jenny had fabulous shoes!  Loved them…as you’ll see!  😉

 What an absolutely gorgeous dress!  
Intricate beading, pretty buttons, and a stunning bridal capelet for the ceremony.

Jenny scribes a sweet little note to her future husband.  

Jenny’s great friend and stylist extraordinaire, Eva, made everyone look amazing. 

A little something old to wear for the ceremony – her grandmother’s ring. 

 Jenny, oh Jenny, you are beautiful!

And Aaron is quite dashing!  

 Gabby, you were such a fantastic flower girl!  You are adorable!

 The light streaming in through the windows gave Jenny’s veil a sweet glow.  Love it!

 Sneaking a peek at guests as they arrive just before the ceremony.

 Isabel, Danielle, Kimberly, and Natalie, thank you for being sooo sweet and sooo welcoming!
Wedding time!!!

 See what I mean?  They were just beaming!

 Married!!!

 A perfect bubble exit on a perfectly beautiful day!

Favorite!  Natalie loves her big sister!  

 This bridal party knew how to work it for the camera.  You guys rock!

Another favorite! Of course! 😉 

Then we were off to the reception!

 Aaron’s Grandmother made their lovely cake.  Grandma’s are the best, aren’t they?

 The groom’s parents react to the best man’s (and groom’s older brother) toast.  They had some of the best times as brothers!  Such great stories!  Let’s have another party so we can hear more of them, ok? 😉

The bride’s parents share a dance – you two are so cute!

Aaron’s parents are cute too!  Everybody loved dancing the night away…

 …especially Gabby, the flower girl, and Daniel, the ring bearer!

Jenny and Aaron, thank you so much for allowing me the honor to capture your wedding day!  I hope you have a fabulous time on your honeymoon!  All the best to you!!!

Wedding: Jenny + Aaron

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