There are ideas that you dream up and hope to one day fulfill.  That dream is crafted and perfected and idealized in your mind.  It consumes you.  There comes a point at which you have to act on it, or know that you’ll one day wake up weeks, months, or years later wondering what could have been.  Until you ask.  So I asked and received a “Yes!”  After several yes‘s and some no‘s, a little dream of mine became a reality.  A sparkling gold with touches of aubergine and fuscia kind of reality!  With the generous help of several wedding industry peers, a late summer day was made brilliant, exciting, and oh so beautiful!  Please see all credits at the end of this post, plus a Slideshow with a few extra images!

Many, many thanks to this fine list of wedding professionals who gave of their valuable time and expertise, with our main goal of providing inspiration to future brides and grooms planning their special day.  It was an absolute pleasure to work with each and every one of you!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Happy Friday!  I’m jumping on the blog to quickly share some images from Jen + Andy’s wedding at their private family cabin in Shelbyville.  I promise that their full blog post is coming very soon, however, I just can’t wait to share a few more images until then!  Although rain drops (many, many rain drops!) fell during the course of their wedding day, the weather did not dampen anyone’s spirits!  Just as everyone knew it would be, Jen and Andy’s wedding day was beautiful, absolutely beautiful.  And perfectly heart-felt.  Full of gorgeous details and color, nestled in the woods, surrounded by dearly loved family and friends, under the bride’s most favorite tree in all the world, she promised her heart and forever to Andy.

I always enjoy looking back over the previous year’s images.  Not only to relive fun and beautiful moments, but also to see how far I’ve come in this photography journey of mine.  One of the things I love about my job is that there is always something to learn, something to experiment with, something to challenge me.  Most of all, I love that I get to meet and work with such wonderful couples and their families during one of the most important times in their lives.  It is truly an honor, and I’m so thankful to be chosen to document the occasion.  And now for some – ok, many! – of my favorites images from 2012, in no particular order.

On a beautiful August morning, they prepared for the walk down the aisle, the heartfelt vows that would have everyone, including me, teary-eyed and more in love with love, and the kiss that would make it official.  Blue skies and bright sunshine made Avon Gardens sparkle and glisten with anticipation and happiness as two souls would soon be bound together as one among the flourishing plants and lush green grass, despite the summer’s heatwave.

Claire prepared in the bridal suite, along with her mother and bridesmaids.  Soft light streamed in as she put finishing touches on her makeup.  She quietly added a beautiful pearl necklace, and held on to her grandmother’s handkerchief.  For in just moments she would be meeting her soon-to-be husband in the garden.

Meanwhile, Mike and his groomsmen occupied the mens’ quarters as they tied ties and shoe laces, buttoned vests, and donned their jackets.  For in just moments he would be greeting his soon-to-be wife in the garden.

Mike waited for her in the garden.  As Claire approached him, they both smiled to themselves, knowing that in just moments they would be together forever.

And on that beautiful August morning, in an enchanting garden, surrounded by their dearest loved ones and closest friends, they promised their hearts would forever belong to each other.

Claire and Mike, thank you so much for the honor of documenting your wedding day, it was one that I will never forget.  You are truly blessed with a sweet and loving family and circle of friends.  I hope that your honeymoon was beyond amazing!  Best wishes for a lifetime of happiness and love to you!
Family and friends can view the Online Gallery here.  A huge thank you to Claire and Mike for your patience with me…shooting the wedding a month before the arrival of our little boy, coupled with the fact that he was a little early, has been a challenge to get everything accomplished as I would have hoped!  Without further adieu, here are some of my favorites from their lovely day!

To see more of Claire + Mike’s Avon Garden Wedding, please feel free to enjoy this slideshow:

It was a day that had been a long time coming.  They met at Purdue a few years back, and they knew in their hearts that they had both found exactly who they were searching for.  Both of them have eyes that sparkle, and when they are together, they sparkle that much more.  Leanne and Dustin planned a beautifully unique outdoor ceremony, surrounded by loved ones and friends.  It’s safe to say that they made everyone’s eyes sparkle more on their special day, because we were all lucky enough to witness their love, professed in front of all present, from that day forward to walk as one.  Ohhhh, Leanne and Dustin!  Thank you for the privilege of documenting such an important day in your lives, it means so much to me.  You are both so warm, so caring, so full of life and love, and I’m so glad I was there to share in it all.  Congratulations to you both!  I hope you had a fabulous time in sunny Jamaica!  Friends and family can view Leanne and Dustin’s entire online gallery here.  Sit back, relax, and get ready for a super long post to start your weekend!