In about 10 days, I will taking off to join a select few in witnessing the marriage of these two gorgeous people. They truly are quality people. Steve is my husband’s best friend. They even sound alike. People actually confuse the two of them if they are taking to them over the phone. Seriously. I am so honored that Steve and Lensa chose me as their wedding photographer. I could not be more excited for this wedding day to come. Number 1 because they are an amazing couple, and number 2, well, let’s be honest, the winter has been long and I need some darn sunshine. ALOT of it. So, enjoy these engagement photos we took a while back as we prepare for an remarkable week ahead. It’s supposed to almost be like summer here in MN this week. 70 degree weather, people! Get outside and some sunshine with me. XOXO. Best, Nancy

Angie and Jon decided to have an intimate wedding at Jon’s Family Cabin in Webster, WI. Angie spent a TON of time with designing ALL the little details of this wedding. It was absolutely delightful to see everything she made from scratch! These two were so sweet and in love and I was honored to have been invited to help them remember their day. I hope you guys had a fantastic honeymoon and are getting settled well into your new home! Congrats and many blessings! All my best!

Adam and Emily had a small intimate wedding ceremony back in February to officially tie the knot. So when they contacted me to do a session of them in their wedding gear, I happily obliged. We got together one hot summer evening, fighting Twins traffic, and the humidity. I love moments like this when my clients are just willing to bear it all for an amazing shoot. Thank you so much for having me do a “Happily Married” session with you guys. We wish you many years of happiness, love and laughter. We’re so happy for you and so glad to have been a part of your celebration.

So the story goes like this: Adam plays football. He shows up to practice and notices a girl (Emily) on the field. Adam decides that Emily is the One. She is the football team manager. He doesn’t have the guts to ask her out but decides to become her friend, and plans on being everywhere she is for the rest of the semester. He calls her BabyCakes. The semester rolls by and Adam decides to strike up a conversation via IM, since he hasn’t seen her around campus for a while. “Hey BabyCakes”, he types… “Hi, This is Emily’s mom, Emily is studying abroad.” Oops. So, when Emily gets back, she asks Adam out on a date. Atta Girl! And the rest in history.

Well, almost. After 9 years of being together, these two had never officially had portraits done. And so, we got together to take a few. Aren’t they the sweetest! Come back soon for their “Happily Married” session.

Wow!  I can’t say enough about these two.  There were, if you count them, probably a million things that went wrong before the actual wedding day.  I met these two nearly 100 days before their wedding, because they had to find a new photographer.  It was like one thing after another was throwing a fork in the road.  Jessami was even dress shopping the week before her wedding because it wasn’t clear whether the seamstress would be able to finish her dress in time.  (She did; Note the gorgeous dress below.)  They had planned on getting married on the lawn at the Gale Mansion, but the rain had other ideas.  We waited until the last minute to see if the rain would hold out.   Luckily the rain came and went, and we were able to get outside and get some amazing images of the two lovelies later in the evening.  The rain actually made everything look so lush and green!  In the end, it was a beautiful day and I was so honored to have been a part of it.  Congratulations on your new venture together!  AND on your new home too!

Andrea and Bobby.  It has been a long time coming.  Their story starts out many years ago, EIGHT to be exact, and it all lead up to this momentous Saturday in early June.  Bobby and Andrea had planned to spend the entire day together.  Bobby just graduated with his Masters and they were definitely going to celebrate.  And then, they got a phone call….Gene Gittelson, the owner of the jewelery store, Gittelsons, where Andrea had picked out her engagement ring, was calling.  Apparently, while he was on vacation, one of the sales people accidentally sold their ring!!!!  He arranged for them to come down to the store and pick out a new one.  Andrea, being her amazingly patient, sweet self, didn’t even sweat it.  And so, they went down to the store.

Once they arrived, Mr. Gene Gittelson apologized profusely.  They chatted and small talked a while.  Then he turned to Bobby and said,  ‘So Bobby, when are you going to give her this ring already? It’s been here since last summer.”  And Bobby replied,”You know, Gene, when I give this beautiful lady the ring, I would like to have a violinist play some music. Something beautiful.”  Little did Andrea know that many of her closest friends and loved ones were waiting around the corner to surprise her.

And on the cue of “music”, a violinist appeared playing one of Bobby and Andrea’s favorite songs: KC and JoJo’s “All My Life”.  Watch their engagement story unfold below.

Andrea looked up and a few love punches later, Bobby says: “Personally, I would like my family here, with flowers.”

Lo and behold, Bobby had the ring the entire time. There was not a dry eye in the entire store in the moments that followed…

And of course, we had to listen to the award winning acting on Bobby’s voicemail left by Mr. Gittelson.  It was such fun!

Then Bobby invited everyone to lunch at Fogo de Chao, one of Bobby and Andrea’s favorite restaurants.  Everyone made their rounds for hugs and kisses and went on their merry way.  Bobby just wanted to make one stop to show off Andrea’s engagement ring to his Aunt who lived close by.

Part 2:  The rest of the crew scattered to get ready for the Surprise Engagement Party.  Bobby had recruited the help of his lovely sister, Raichel, owner of event planning company Fab!Events, with coordinating all his shenanigans for the day.  Isn’t she gorgeous?!

SURPRISE!!!!!!!

Isn’t she so lovely?  Andrea, you are going to be such a beautiful bride.  Bobby is a lucky man. 

Congratulations, Bobby and Andrea!  I can’t wait for your big day!  I love you two so dearly and my heart is full knowing that I got to be a part of this incredible day!

Jessami and Nic are so so so awesome!  I had a fabulous time shooting their engagement photos.  I could NOT stop laughing.  Nic has a crazy sense of humor, and Jessami was just the sweetest bride ever.  And, doesn’t her name just ROCK?  I learned that Jessami’s mom made up her name by combining Jessica and Amy, apparently there were too many Jessica’s in the nursery.

First off, I think it’s finally safe to say that SPRING has arrived!!!  The wind was blowing like crazy, the sun was shining -oh-so-bright- and these two are utterly – in – LOVE.  It was amazing to watch the chemistry between these two lovelies.  We met up by the Guthrie and had a blast.  I can’t wait for your big day, coming up June 18th at the Gale Mansion!  EEEEEK!  It’s less than a month away!  Yay! SO looking forward to it!

Here we go!

And Nic gets extra bonus points because he designed the gorgeous engagement ring on his own!  It’s gorgeous.  I love that he chose sapphires to accent the diamond.  Gotta have something BLUE!

Yay!  Here’s the final blog post for today.  Enjoy!!!

These two left me feeling :full.of.love.  Thanks for a great time.  Sending lots of love your way!

All my best,

Nancy

I couldn’t resist doing a shoot with the beautiful, Shannon (now) Foreman and her super husband, Jim.  Jim was such a trooper while I did Shannon’s makeup and we giggled about high school.  Shannon is my sister’s best friend.  They’ve been friends since, well practically, forever.  Now we’ve added, Jim to the family!  Yay!  I obviously haven’t finished editing their awesome shoot but I thought I’d post a little teaser.  I had such a good time, and thank you so much for hanging out with me, you two.  It was so fitting to get you back in your wedding gear right before you head off to your honeymoon.  Spend some time on the beach for me too! Love you two!

So, I know I took these photos a long time ago, but with the wedding coming up so quickly, I thought I’d feature them again! This time with the actual post.  And, yes, I have been MIA for a while, but as most of you might know, my husband and I welcomed our sweet baby girl, Estelle, at the end of August, so I’ve had good reason. 

This post is soooo long overdue.  I am so so so excited for May 7th, 2011.  This time, I get to be a bridesmaid (and in front of the camera, not behind it).  Dear me!  It’s not easy to get me in front of a camera.  BUT, anything for my bestie!  E and I grew up together.  In fact, our moms are best friends.  If someone asked me how long we’ve been friends, I really honestly would not be able to give you a definitive answer.  I’ve known her my entire life and look forward to sooo many more memories.  Dustin, you’ve got a handful coming!  I know you can handle it.  Thank you for loving my bestie with all your heart and soul.  Both of you mean the world to me, and couldn’t be more ridiculously happy and overjoyed for you!  Cheers, cheers!  Congrats are in order!