Lauren and Adam's slideshow!

Carrie and Dave are Engaged!

Carrie and Dave are getting married in Sept! They're a soon to be husband and wife photography team, which made them super fun to shoot! It almost didn't feel like I was working (and part of the time I wasn't ;) )

I loooooove this.

This shot was a good excuse to stop for ice cream!

Fabulous.

Susan and Zach's slideshow!

A personal update.

Hello my faithful blog followers!
I don't usually write to much about my personal life here, but today I felt compelled to. I'll be turning a quarter of a century in two months, and while that might not be such a huge deal to most, for some reason it's really getting to me. It's not that I'm upset about getting older, it's actually a much different feeling. I feel, I guess, motivated?

I've made some decisions lately, and have really decided that 25 will be a good year for me. I've started running, and I've never ever run before. I've hated it every time I've tried it- until now. My yoga teacher tells us during our practice, that if something feels uncomfortable or hard, it's most likely something you need to be doing. So I've sucked it up, stopped concentrating on how much I hate it, and started focusing on what a good thing I'm doing for my body... and guess what?! It works! It's still hard, I'm not gonna lie, but I'm enjoying it more, and for added motivation, I've signed up to run the Big House Big Heart 5K at the end of Sept! 2 weeks after my 25th birthday! (If you want to join my team for the race, let me know! I'd love the extra company!)

I've also been on somewhat of a spiritual journey. I've been reading more (as well as listening to audiobooks while I edit your photos, which is fabulous by the way). I read (listened to ;) ) Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, and I really didn't want to read this book because of all the hype surrounding it but I'm soooo glad I did. It's fabulous and informative and inspiring. Seriously, read it. I also read The Alchemist: A Fable about Following Your Dream by Paulo Coelho, which is very much a long fable- where inanimate objects talk and the like, but the overall lesson in it is quite wonderful. I would definitely suggest this one as well.

Overall I am finding more peace in my life, and am more and more inspired each day to seek the things that make me happy. I guess I'm writing this because I'd really like to encourage all of you to slow your lives down a little. I know it's hard- I'm at my busiest time right now- but if we spend all of our time rushing around, doing our jobs, spending each day exactly like the day before, we are not doing anything for ourselves. Find ways to fit in a little bit of what you want to do- I'm listening to books while I work, because I don't really have the extra time to read them. I'm running with my boyfriend when he gets home from work- which allows me to spend time with him as well as work on myself. We always make excuses for ourselves- No time! Other things I should be doing! But this just creates a cycle of unhappiness, which honestly is a place I spent a lot of my time over the years. I actually for a time thought I didn't want to leave that place- and that if I left it, I might not be me anymore. But I've found that I can be me and be happy- I can be the best part of me! For now on, I've decided to be happy- and I'd love for you to do the same. 25, here I come!

Angela and Jim are married!

This was a big big weekend for me. First Nicole's wedding, and then Angela's!
Angela is Andy's cousin. Andy's whole family has been nothing but loving and welcoming to me, and I was thrilled to be able to give a little back by shooting this wedding.

Angela and Jim are a perfect couple. So happy and in love you can't help but be excited for them when they're around. The wedding was beautiful, and so well orchestrated by Ang and her mother/matron of honor, Linda.

The lovely bride.

Angela's niece Rachel was playing mad libs with her.

Everyone helping out!

Angela's mom and dad walked her down the aisle.

The beautiful Stone Chapel at St. Hugo of the Hills.

This one's for Fred.

I think this was the second of several altar kisses! Jim was so excited!

Married!

A nice portrait.

I really love this one.

Jim being a devoted husband- carrying Angela's train.

The fantastic reception details!

Cutting the cake!

There were four toasts. First up- Angela's dad, Jim.

Second- Jim's brother, and best man, John.

Next- Linda.

And finally- Angela's step dad, Fred.

First dance!

Daddy-daughter dance. It started with Angela and her dad...

and ended with Angela and her step dad.

And to end... the chicken dance!!

Angela and Jim- thank you for trusting me with your day.
Love,
Nicole

Nicole and Greg are Married!

My beautiful friend, Nicole, was married on Friday. As with all of my couples, before her wedding I asked her and Greg to describe their style. They said, "silly and fun," and let me tell you- while their wedding was elegant and romantic, above all, it was fun! I don't think Nicole stopped smiling the whole day!
As my friend, Bryn, put it- "I cannot imagine a more deserving couple." I left this wedding filled to the brim with the overwhelming happiness of the couple, and of their wonderful family and friends.

It takes a lot of girls to get a bride into her dress!

Nicole's dad was just as excited as she was!

Married! I LOVE this image.

The wedding party.

The girls playing top model.

And the following shot shows how hard it is for them to act serious :)

The guys have it down!

So romantic. Train station kisses.

Every table had a frame and photo of a different place that meant a lot to the couple. The favors were little roses that told their guests that a donation had been made to the National AIDS fund.

Best man, Eric.

Maid of honor, and little sister, Jennifer.

They make cutting the cake look like so much fun!

First dance.

I think this is my favorite photo from the whole day.

Daddy-daughter dance.

Mother-son dance.

Greg has serious skills on the dance floor.

And to end- these are my ladies. Andy was kind enough to take this photo for me :)
Colleen, me, Jen, Margaret, Nicole, Kristie, and Bryn.