Sheng & Elizabeth | Engagement

He makes her feel like dancing, and her infectious giggle entices him to hold her close as their fingers intertwine. She hums as they rhythmically guide each other, creating their own special dance. The wrinkles in her nose when he makes her laugh tell the story of her adoration for him. She loves adventure, and he loves her love of adventure. His gentle strength keeps her calm and focused. Together they choreograph the sort of love story that will last. As their feet tap the pavement, moving each other and dancing together they breathe in the breathtaking moments that are the stepping stones to a joyous ever after. They are best friends. There's a wedding coming in October. There will be dancing and laughter, and their love will sparkle in all of the glitter. When the final flecks of glitter have been swept up and all the messy details of wedding and planning are over, there's two hearts with one love and the tenacity to dance forever.

It was so much fun to hang out with this fun couple as we clamored all over Eau Claire to capture their love in some spectacular ways. They take their love of adventure seriously, even in a photoshoot. From the rocky ridges cutting out the river along Phoenix Park, to Grand Avenue Cafe where the barista served up a gorgeous pair of their "prettiest drink ever", then we were off to one of the named coldest places in the U.S along the Putnam Park trails, and tried not to get lost in the confusing maze of the UW campus.

First Comes Love

My favorite love stories are the real ones. Raw and tangible in their imperfections yet ongoing in an undying dedication to each other. As a photographer, I have been given many opportunities to witness and capture such love stories. I feel like Mark & Temina have something exceptionally beautiful with each other. Getting to know them as their love story continues to pen itself is exciting. 

But let's not get ahead of ourselves! There was a lovely little country wedding at a winery on a warm, sunny day back in September. It was simple in a way that makes the beauty of it all so much more vivid. Standing before God and their gathering of friends Mark and Temina vowed to be each other's companions through life, no matter what. 

Adding a unique touch of beauty in all of the satin and flowers was this creative little girl.

Emelia, the miniature bride.

This special day in her daddy's life was just as much about how loved and treasured she was too. The thrill of being a little princess that day glistened in the twinkle in her eye as she danced and flitted about in her fancy shoes. I'm pretty sure every person present in that ceremony turned into a little bit of a mess when Temina took sweet Emelia's hand and vowed to love and always be there for her too.

 In January I received a note from Temina. Would I be able to meet their little family out on the ice? They had a surprise they couldn't wait to tell their friends about.

As they say, first comes love, then comes marriage... then, well, I have a feeling that big sister is going to be putting a lot of miles on that baby carriage.

Props:
Wedding Venue: Munson Bridge Winery
Reception Venue: Historic Thorp Quonset Hall
Engagement and Announcement shoot Location: Twin Springs Camping Resort

Devan & Liz | The Heart Grow Fond

It was an unlikely romance that budded at a gas station in North Dakota. The suave gentleman with the English accent couldn't get over the sweet blonde girl with the smiling eyes and infectious giggle behind the counter. Proper customs aside he found himself telling her that he really liked her. She giggled her sweet giggle, and quickly found herself swept away into the best friendship of a lifetime. Day after day, week after week, they found every opportunity to spend their moments together. Enjoying life, enjoying friendship, enjoying laughter. Until that tear-filled day when he bid her goodbye and boarded a plane back to his homeland. South Africa held a piece of her heart and there was no promise of it returning to her in the foreseeable future. For months the two of them lost sleep, burnt out their laptops, and lived every day for the sound of each other's voices, that small connection so big with love, unhindered by the miles of land and sea between them.

Love was their destiny, but the journey proved to be unscripted and unexpected. When Devan uncovered an opportunity to visit the plains of North Dakota again, his girl Liz was right there waiting eagerly for him. That first embrace was confirmation enough that another day apart would be a tragedy. Absence had bonded their hearts, presence had yielded the reality of their love. With the closest of family in the most intimate of ceremonies they joined their lives together on the 31st day of May, 2014. For better or worse.

A year passed, and a lot of the pieces to the puzzle of their forever love fell together. Slowly. Piece by complicated little piece. Devan became a permanent resident of the United States just days before his loving parents came to meet his new bride. A celebration of their marriage and the joy of family was in order. Friends and family from near and far came together to congratulate this amazing couple and their steadfast love.

It was truly an honor to be among them. I entered the reception building as a last minute hired professional--a stranger, essentially. I had to ask the nearest staff member to point out the bride to me. I left that evening with new friends. They are just so loving and amazing that way. And the really cool thing was that on top of the couple both having amazingly sweet families, Liz has a brother Zac too. And he is just like my brother Zack.

Expect the unexpected, my friends. Hold out for for love--the truest of kinds. And never for a single second stop believing. If you're one of those still skeptical about love at first sight, you haven't met Devan & Liz.

Mark & Temina | Country Romance

It is difficult to find words to say what an amazing adventure this session was. I mean, even the bugs sparkled like glitter! Down an old country road, traipsing through an overgrown meadow, climbing through woods abundant in poison ivy, trying not to fall into the lake, trying not to capsize the canoe, flicking wood ticks. This engagement session was probably the most unique and fun. Mark & Temina found a location that best suited who they were as a couple, and allowed us to capture them as they are--In love, and outdoorsy.

Two beautiful people, the setting sun, a canoe, a gorgeous view. It is a perfect recipe for a perfect engagement session. Mark & Temina are an amazing couple. They get that romance isn't just candles and dinner outings and fancy excursions; but simply being together, having fun, doing the things they love most, taking interest in each other's interests. I'm so thrilled for their wedding this Fall. It's going to be beautiful.

Also, if you can kiss in a canoe without plunging into the deep, you clearly have the rhythm to sail through life ever after. How's that for a good relationship exercise?