Laura and Preston had the picture-perfect day for an outdoor wedding last fall.  True, it was a little chilly, but I’ll take that over heat and humidity any day!  Fort Wayne was the location chosen for their celebration as it provided the perfect meet-in-the-middle scenario for their families who traveled in.  The day began downtown in the bridal suite…details, details!

Laura is STUNNING!!!!  She is even more beautiful within.

Laura and Preston had the entire day expertly planned…which included a First Look!  Preston’s expression is perfectly Preston.  He knew Laura was approaching behind him and he was talking to me or her, I can’t remember!  I’m not sure if it was his nerves or just Preston being himself.  He is a crack up!  Best of all, Laura thinks so too :)

After pictures downtown (and a trip through the Burger King drive-thru), we picked up again at the park where the ceremony took place.

On the grounds, there is a great pavilion where the wedding party waited for the wedding to begin.  Another perfect opportunity for a few portraits of Laura in the gorgeous light!  She is pure joy!!!

The ceremony was gorgeous!  Tucked into a little corner provided by thick trees, it was a cozy affair with the added noise of leaves crunching underfoot :)  Another fun detail of the day, the Mayor of Fort Wayne performed the ceremony!

Off to the reception just a couple of blocks away.  The entire wedding party walked and lived it up while doing so!

Preston and his Grandma took a few crazy spins on the dance floor.  I see where Preston gets his fun-loving nature!

Laura and Preston, what a wonderful celebration of your love!  The day was more joyful and fun-loving than I can explain.  I hope you both have similar memories when you look back.

Thanks for the opportunity, the cheesecake and for rescuing my equipment from the trunk of the town car.  Seriously, I’m still laughing about that one.  All the best to you for a wonderful life together!!

Kari and Adam were married last September on the most gorgeous fall day you could imagine.  Surrounded by friends and family with an almost tangible feeling of celebration and excitement!  Kari was an absolutely stunning bride.  Her gown suited her personality perfectly, a little sparkle, a little something unexpected.  The more I photographed it, the more I loved it :)  Kari opted to have a bridal session just a few weeks before the wedding and thanks to the outrageous wind that day, we got some really fun images!

Kari and I started talking about her wedding way back at their engagement session.  She is a very detail-oriented girl…I like that in a bride :)  I knew her wedding would look beautiful!   Kari chose a bright coral color palette for the wedding…a color she describes as being the same as the inside of a grapefruit.  But her favorite detail of the day debuted at the reception in the centerpieces.

And finally, the handsome groom Adam.

After the ceremony, a few shots at the church before heading downtown.

Below right, one of my favorites from the day!  Very sexy :)

The reception was held at the Scottish Rite Center in Fort Wayne.  The ballroom was transformed with gorgeous florals, linens and uplighting.  And Kari’s favorite detail, the white ostrich feathers!

Kari and Adam, thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your day.  Your wedding is one I will always remember…so much FUN!  Looking back, it feels like I spent the entire summer last year surrounded by you and your wonderful friends.  I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my Saturday nights with anyone else ;)  Hope you are both enjoying your first year of marriage!!

Gorgeous couple, gorgeous wedding.  This day was a photographer’s DREAM!  The entire schedule for the day was planned around the photographs.  Maggie knew she wanted to implement a lot of different locations and together, we plotted the perfect balance of time and place :)  The day began at the Hilton downtown Fort Wayne in a room filled with Maggie’s dearest friends, breakfast goodies…and great light!

And in a room nearby (but on a different floor), a similar scene was taking place with the men.

Before wedding day, Dayne was certain that he didn’t want to see Maggie before the ceremony.  But Maggie’s desire for photographs along with our time limitations at the church, we all knew it would be best to have a First Look.  Maggie had one last look in the mirror before meeting Dayne downstairs for the first time.

Their First Look was one of my all time favorites!  I know Dayne wasn’t thrilled about it…at first.  I always leave that choice up to the couples.  BUT, about half way through the morning as we were all laughing and walking through downtown Fort Wayne, Dayne actually looked over to me and said something like, “Thank you for talking me into this.”  He was now able to spend the ENTIRE day with Maggie and all of their friends, relaxing and enjoying every moment together.

The above image of Maggie was taken just before she walked to the church for the ceremony.

And if you think having a First Look takes away from the moment the groom sees his bride coming down the aisle, think again…..

And here’s the BEST part!  Dayne’s grandmother owns a farm that is just a couple of miles from the church.  The entire wedding party headed there after the sendoff and we had over an hour to relax and shoot, shoot, shoot :) :)

Then it was off to the lovely reception at Bergstaff Place

Maggie and Dayne, words cannot express how much I loved working with you and your families.  I hope your day was everything you had hoped for and more.  Best of luck to you both for years and years to come…and thanks to Hank for the dance ;)