This was a day I was looking forward to as much as the people getting married….or something like that! I have adored Jamie and Kyle since we almost got my truck stuck in a muddy field during their engagement session! It wasn’t exactly a traumatizing experience that bonded us together or anything…it was just REALLY funny. Jamie and Kyle’s is a relationship full of laughter. And of comfort and friendship. I knew their wedding day would be perfectly suited to who they are as a couple: Fun. Relaxed. Laughter infused into every moment. And Jamie has a laugh that is more than contagious. It grabs ahold of you and takes you along for the ride. I arrived for the day wearing my seat belt ;)
During our last meeting before the big day, we went over last minute details where it was casually mentioned that she was wearing a cathedral length veil…EEK! My.Favorite. What she didn’t mention was how insanely gorgeous her dress was! I couldn’t stop gushing over the design of the skirt! It gave the traditionally shaped gown a very soft yet modern feel…and it suited Jamie’s personality perfectly.
The girls may hate me for posting a picture of them not made up yet, but I absolutely adore Jamie’s mom’s reaction to seeing her only daughter all done up :)
That’s one GORGEOUS ring!!!!!
We were lucky that this wedding took place just on the cusp of the crazy heat we experienced this summer. Don’t get me wrong, it was still very hot and humid, but we weren’t melting ;) I was so thankful Jamie and Kyle opted for a First Look and finished all their portraits pre-ceremony. It gave us the liberty to make a last minute decision to head to a new location for all the pictures where we could stay as cool as possible in the shade of the woods.
Remember Alex and Tyler’s wedding from last summer? The entire family (mom + dad + son Jami) was part of the wedding party…Jami needed a bit of adjustment from mom before his moment in front of the camera ;)
Below, one of my many favorites from the day!
With extra time to burn, we made a short stop on the way to the reception for some laid back images with an urban feel…and I have to tell the story. Remember earlier I said how excited I was about Jamie’s veil? I was almost heartbroken when she told me she only wanted to wear it for the ceremony. I asked her a couple of times if she wanted to wear it for any pictures and she was all NO WAY! Well, since we’re friends and all….I made a second last minute decision of the day. I made her wear it for just a FEW shots downtown. I may have smirked a bit when she told me they were some of her favorite images from the entire ;)
Such a fun wedding party! So many of them have been in weddings I’ve photographed before…it’s like hanging out with the gang again :)
Jamie and Kyle, I absolutely adore you both to pieces! I am so glad to have been a part of your day. All the best to you both as you start the next chapter in your relationship as husband and wife. Continue to find love and laughter in all things you do…it will serve you well :)
Today, our family celebrates another birthday of a very special man. Grandpa Beitler (Tim’s maternal grandfather) turns 94 years young…and I do mean young. At 94 , he continues to amaze us all with his active lifestyle and insanely accurate memory for the most minute details of the last almost-century. We celebrated over the weekend and while the sweet cake was made for Grandpa, it was the rest of us that were treated with his stories of days and years past.
As we lost Grandma this summer and gathered for her funeral over the July 4th holiday, I am thankful that we were, as a family, able to spend so much time together. We all feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful example of a long, happy and faithful marriage.
And for our children to know your love as well…
We live for your stories. Stories of your youth. And of war. The stories seem more frequent lately and we all literally sit at your feet and soak up every detail…and we marvel at your memory of time and place.
Tim and I feel blessed to live near you and see you so often. You come to ball games and sit in the heat. And you take stats on tball and softball like it was a high school game. I wonder if you will ever know how much these little moments mean to us…and to Evie and Trenton.
Happy 94th Grandpa….blow out your candles!
It’s really hard to believe that Cali will be celebrating her first birthday this coming weekend! I will always remember getting the call on Labor Day last year while I was vacationing in Charleston to find out that Cali had made her arrival to our dear friends Stan and Kristen. It’s been quite a wild year for them as they’ve not only added a new member to the clan but also moved back to Indiana from Tennessee, made new friends and started new jobs and adventures along the way. I cannot tell you what a joy it has been to have them only a short hour away! Cali has grown before our eyes…so much better than through pictures!
Kristen is planning a button-themed party for Cali’s birthday and knew this custom shirt and tu-tu (from Maggie Moo’s Mom) would be a great complement to the festivities…and equally perfect for a quick session as well :)
I’m wondering if anyone has noticed the slightly bare spot on this pot of flowers from Cali picking them off…it was for a really good cause!
Cali has the cutest smile and BEST cheeks ever!
Miss Cali, I wish you a very Happy Birthday filled with lots of sugar ;) Kristen and Stan, we are so thankful to be a part of your lives and and share in the celebration of
Cali’s miraculous little life and what she means to all of us!
