Ceremony & Reception – Oakwood Country Club

Florist – Craig Sole Designs

Videographer – Brian Holscher

Reception Band -The Atlantic Express

Harpist – Michael Oshiver

“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” E.E. Cummings

Jenny & I are firm believers in the power of laughter.  The second we see each other even remotely down, we’re instantly tickling, joking, jumping on each other’s backs, anything to make the other one laugh.  But this post isn’t about Jenny & I.  It’s about Laura & Josh. Laura & Josh laugh a lot.  Especially with each other.  In fact, we had about 15 minutes for bride and groom portraits, and Laura stops me to say, “Can we do some silly ones?” Further proof that the two of them just LOVE to laugh, play, and get the most out of life.  And anyone who laughs THAT much is a friend in my book.  We’re so happy we got to witness your laughter (and your marriage, of course).  May you share many happy years of joy and laughter!

Reception: The Sawyer Room

Flowers: Bella Design Studio (gorgeous, bright, vibrant & fun decor)

Cake: Iced Art

You’ve seen their fun photobooth shots.  Here’s the rest of their day, and it was just as fun.  Filled with laughter, joking, super loud music, a fun party.  Vows were shared, more laughter ensued.  All in all it was a great day.  Michelle & Darnell, thanks for having Jenny & I along to hang out with you and capture the start of your new life together.

We rarely post detail shots.  Jenny & I choose to focus on the real moments that make each and every wedding unique, but going forward, we’re going to be posting a few details that catch our eye from our weddings.  Below are a few images of some of the beautiful details Michelle from Bella Design Studio made for Michelle & Darnell.  I just love all that color!

Note: Jenny & I do not supply any props. We collect items throughout the day as well as encourage our clients to bring their own stuff.  This ensures every photobooth is a unique and fun experience for all.

Hair & Makeup: Katie from Mink Artistry

Cake: Cakes by Combs

One of the many perks of being wedding photographers is that no wedding is ever the same.  Every couple speaks their own love language, and we get to witness it on an almost weekly basis.  The way that a couple looks at each other, their soft touches, all the laughter we get to hear, it’s a pretty amazing deal really.  And, what makes me most happy, is that the wedding is just the start of an amazing life journey that two people choose to take with each other.  Think about it, two people choosing to spend the rest of their lives together, creating their own story, where before, it was just two individuals learning about life on their own, now they get to have a life partner.  One who will push them, support them, and be there through thick and thin.  Amazing.

This leads me to Doug & Alyssa.  Anything that I could possibly write will never live up to the song Doug sang to Alyssa at their wedding reception.  So, a big thanks goes out to Doug for sharing the lyrics with all of us.  I hope we all have a love in our life that makes us feel the way Doug & Alyssa do about each other (I know I do).

Beauty to Rescue

She’s a girl who makes a rose blush in shame
and makes the sun seem so pale
through the glowing of her face
She sings so soft and so sweet
she’s gentle to the touch
and there has never been a girl that I have ever loved so much.

Her energy comes through her lips
and flows down through her fingertips
Her sculpted figure makes me shiver head to feet
and I don’t know what she does
but it brings me to my knees
Oh could she be…

My damsel in distress that I’ve been searching for forever
to take her away from all her feelings of captivity
Or was it me who was blind to all the bars surrounding me,
so my beauty could rescue me
I needed my beauty to rescue me.

So exquisite, so perfect like no one has ever known
and only the truest and most noble
can pull her heart out from the stone
It’s so surprising her eyes bring a light that’s never shown
She’s redefining my whole world for me
and nothing is left unknown

Her energy comes through her lips
and flows down through her fingertips
Her sculpted figure makes me shiver head to feet
and I don’t know what she does
but it brings me to my knees
Oh could she be…

My damsel in distress that I’ve been searching for forever
to take her away from all her feelings of captivity
Or was it me who was blind to all the bars surrounding me,
so my beauty could rescue me
I needed my beauty to rescue me.

I’ve searched so long to find her
Her smile blurs life around her
The wind breathes a sigh when our lips meet
She moves so mesmerizing
One look can hypnotize me
And I won’t ever be the same
No, I won’t ever be the same

Reception: Terrace on the Green

Amy & Andrew told us that they knew we were their wedding photographers before they were even engaged. How awesome is that!  In fact, Andrew’s mom told me she knew they were going to get married because of a picture Jenny took of them dancing at a wedding last year and they just had “the look”.  Sure enough, Andrew proposed, and we got to spend some wonderful time with them on their wedding day.  And who could forget their awesome engagement session with their dog, Kona.

I remember a lot of little details from the day, but the ones that stick out the most to me are how much laughter they shared.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many laughs during a wedding ceremony, and I know that Amy’s fist pump in the middle of the ceremony was a first.  Jenny & I are so glad that we continue to work with couples who enjoy life so much.  Isn’t that what life is all about?

Note: This is Andrew’s Hannibal Lecter impersonation

Which brings me to Amy & Kurtis’ wedding in Bucyrus, KS.  You  might remember Amy & Kurtis from their awesome water skiing engagement session we shot last month.  They brought that same energy and LOVE to their wedding day.  What I will always remember about Amy & Kurtis is the strong bond they have with their families.  Amy is 1 of 12, and you could just FEEL the love they had for each other.  Kurtis’ family wasn’t as big, but they made up for it with the love they shared.  Watching these two families come together was such a beautiful sight.

I’ll have a full post from Amy & Kurtis’ wedding up soon, but until then, enjoy this touching moment before the ceremony.

Just a reminder, the In Their Own Words series is a chance for real brides and grooms to share with everyone their most memorable images from their wedding day, and why they are the most memorable.  It’s fun to see what people value in their lives, the little things they love about each other, and I think it’s fun for them to flip through their wedding images again and re-live their day one more time.  And now, I’ll shut my trap and let Laura & Jeremy’s words take over.

Laura: It was really tough to narrow down all of the pictures and choose one “favorite”…. so, I grudgingly did.  All of our photos were amazing, they captured our wedding day in a perfect way…we all looked normal, not posed, and not fake.

With that being said, this photo really does have to be my overall favorite. It was taken just after our ceremony and as we were walking down the aisle. Do  you see those stupid grins on our faces? Well, those grins are showing what we were feeling inside…a whole lot of happiness and love. We will show our  grandchildren (and great grandchildren cause we plan on getting old) this picture and anyone else who comes to our house and the picture speaks for itself.

Jeremy: As I look at this picture I remember thinking about how beautiful my wife looked, and how much I love her. This was not a planned shot, it was a result of Josh finding the perfect light in the sanctuary and grabbing Laura and I to take some pictures. As I look at this picture now, I can feel the love of God poured out on us the way that the light is poured out on the frame.

You can click here if you care to check out more of their wedding photos.

Floral, Decor, Event Production: Ashley from Red Door Event & Design

Cake: Helen’s Cakes and Cookies

Band: RetroActive (they were SO good!)

DJ: Miles Bonny

Last week I shared a teaser image from a killer wedding we shot on June 19 out in Lawrence at the Evan Williams House.  Here’s the rest of their wonderful day.  Alana & Nate poured their heart and soul, not only into each other, but into the design and style of their day.  It was totally them, 100%.  Nate designed his blue suede shoes and had them custom made.  He also had his suit customized.  Alana’s dress & hairpiece were AMAZING.  They do own a kick ass boutique in Los Angeles. They had an extremely cool cake topper made (with matching shoes!). I know I’m leaving out so much, but there really was a lot to take in.

And that brings me to the emotion of the day.  You really get a good sense of who people are on their wedding day.  Nate, Alana, their family and closest friends, all share a wonderful connection.  Witnessing two families come together to celebrate two people committing themselves to each other is a beautiful thing.  There’s just no other way to put it.