Woo-hoo! We have a winner!

Three months ago I announced a Wedding Photography Giveaway here on the blog for all couples getting married this summer in the great state of Montana. Choosing the winners was really really easy since I only had one entry to the contest! Today I get to introduce them to you! And here’s the lucky couple…

Tassie and TJ:

Here are some excerpts from their entry:

Their story:

T.J. and I met while attending the University of Idaho.  T.J. was a football player and I was on the track team so we saw each other around the athletic facilities several times before we officially met. While at a mutual friend’s house, T.J. started up a conversation with me. We talked that night for over 2 hours.  We talked about religion, family, morals/values, sports, and life ambitions.  We even found out that we had the same initials (T.J.).  That part has been very confusing for us since we both get called T.J. by our families.  I gave him and a friend a ride home that night and after I dropped him off I felt great.  This was the kind of person I had been looking for.  I knew that I wanted to end up with someone just like him.

We were becoming better friends all the time. One night after a long conversation I told T.J. that I thought he might be my “soul mate.”  To my surprise he didn’t run away at that.  The problem was that I was moving back to Montana so we knew nothing was going to happen.  It “happened” that T.J. and I were going to both be in Spokane for New Year’s Eve.  Just before Christmas I received a dozen roses with a note saying that he couldn’t wait to see me in Spokane.  We spent New Year’s together that year.

The proposal:

For our 4 year anniversary this New Year’s Eve after dinner T.J. asked me to walk over to a gazebo with him which was across a bridge.  I agreed even though it was snowing and I was not dressed for the weather.  I had purchased a new pair of red suede high heels, they were cute but not made for the snow or walking.  But I made the trek with only a couple of near falls.  When we got over to the gazebo T.J. started to tell me how he couldn’t imagine life without me and how he was glad that we are so perfect for each other.  He said that I was his soul mate and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.  Then before I knew what was happening he was down on one knee asking me to marry him.  I of course started to cry and asked if he was serious.  He said he was and I just started hugging and kissing him.  He reminded me that I hadn’t answered him yet and I told him of course I would marry him.  So he put a ring on my finger and made it official.  By the way the ring is amazing.  It is from Ireland and it is a claddagh ring.  Did I mention that it has 34 diamonds.  It is so perfect for me and it symbolized our whole relationship.  I am the happiest person in the whole world to get to be marring my “soul mate.”  We really are meant for each other and I knew it from the first time we talked.   I don’t think life gets much better than that!!!!

Their wedding:

We will be having 400-500 guests and a lot of this is because we both come from big Irish Catholic families.  Our reception is being held in an airplane hanger  because there isn’t anything else big enough to hold that many people.  It is going to be simple but a lot of fun.

Tassie and TJ, I am soo excited to be photographing your wedding for you. Congratulations and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Sheli & Joe

This past Saturday I had my first wedding of the year and was reminded of what I love so much about my job. Sheli & Joe had the most intimate wedding ceremony I’ve ever photographed (or attended). There were 4 guests total, including their officiant. There were no wedding programs, no seating charts or wedding favors, but there was a lot of love. And love is what made it so memorable and special. Love is what it’s all about. Love is what makes me want to do my job. It was such an honor to be a part of their day. I felt like a photographer/bridesmaid

Sheli started the day getting her hair ready at Taglio’s and I met up with her later on at her uncle’s house. The mood was very different than the usual hustle and bustle without all the girls running around, but still full of anticipation and excitement for the day.

Her Nicole Miller gown was to die for!

All ready to go!

Sheli and Joe chose to see each other before their ceremony and here’s a favorite from their first look:

After their first look we took some time to walk around the property and make a few portraits of the happy couple:Like I said, her dress was to die for and I equally loved her headpiece:

This one makes me feel like we could be somewhere on a Greek isle:

Sheli right before the ceremony. It was quite a task to try and get her not to smile

Love the look on her face as she walks up to Joe:

I thought it was a great moment during the ceremony when they both took a peek at their brand-new rings at the exact same time:

On the way to their reception dinner we stopped in Old Town Scottsdale for some quick portraits. This might be my favorite image of the day:

It’s always fun when strangers tell you congratulations. Specially when it’s the live band playing outdoors

A random shot on our way back to the car. Why not, right?

When we arrived at the restaurant there were some flowers and a card waiting for Sheli and Joe as a surprise from a friend back in Minessota. As you can see Sheli was very pleasantly surprised:

It was such a beautiful night so we sneaked in one more photo before I left:

Thank you two so much! I hope you are having a great time in Sedona before you head back up to the snow. Much love to you two!

What it’s all about :)

An image from yesterday’s wedding that makes me happy

Sunny & John

At the end of December I had the opportunity to shoot yet another wedding with Jennifer Bowen. I know I talk a lot about Jen on my blog, but she truly has a special place in my heart.
Sunny & John were married in their backyard in a beautiful ceremony. There were so many cute kids at this wedding so get ready to see a lot of cuteness.

Sunny on her way to see John for the first time:

Their first look. And by the way, this is totally candid.

Sunny’s two requests for photos: One by the cactus…

… and one with the sunset:

Going back inside to get ready for the ceremony:

I’ve warned you… lots of cute kids

I always like to check out the competition

Isn’t he just the most adorable thing ever?!

They created quite a reception ballroom in their backyard:

The kids’ tables:

Their first dance:

It truly was a gorgeous Arizona winter night:

Congrats again to Sunny & John

And make sure to check Jen’s blog for more photos and all the vendor details. Thanks again, Jen!