One of my favorite weddings from 2023 was traveling to Lincoln, NE for Max & Mariah’s wedding, which took place at Max’s childhood home. Tucked away in the brush of trees and flowers lies a wonderful piece of land that was the stage for an amazing wedding and day.
In the last week of September 2020, I tested positive for COVID-19, the start of a busy October wedding season for me.
Which mean that I was not able to document Justin & Alexis’s wedding in the first week of October. I was beyond bummed, but knew it was for the best to stay home and quarantine, thankfully it was a mild case.
I was able to line up a replacement for their day, but they didn’t have a sunset due to the foggy / overcast day.
So I proposed that we’d do a mock up sunset, but also an anniversary session that we could all join together and relive that moment together.
So they agreed to throw their wedding apparel back on and we had a little bit of fun, plus they wrote some vows reflecting back on their first year as husband & wife.
I had ventured to the Sand Dunes National Park back on my 34th birthday after photographing two weddings in Colorado back in 2018, I was a bit tired from the previous night before’s activities, so I didn’t really get to explore as much as I had hoped.
Thankfully, Sierra & Nick asked if I wouldn’t mind running off to Colorado with them to document their self-solemnizing elopement at the Dunes. Initially we had discussed a few options of where to, and we settled on the Dunes for the simplicity, but also the marvel of the beauty that is the Dunes.
If you aren’t aware, the Dunes have been around for nearly 11,000 years ago and were created when wind deposits sand on top of each other until a small mound starts to form. So what you have is a marvel of nature and beauty.
Looking back on 2020, I wanted to post one of my favorite weddings.
Taking place on a rather warm September day in Rochester, MN.
Gretchen & Nate changed their plans a few months out from their original plan
to get married at a church and rather adapt for this simple, yet sweet backyard wedding.
Enjoy.
-LANY “ILYSB”
Every year you get a particular wedding that just feels like a non stop party.
I’m talking an all out BLAST! A CELEBRATION!
Everyone is there for their best friends, for a great time, for the memories.
Zach & Kami’s wedding was one of those weddings. I had photographed their engagement session the prior year in Duluth, MN and going into it, having not met in person — I was a curious what it might have been like. We ended up having a blast, and the engagement session was simply a warm up for what would be to come with their wedding.
I really try to dig deep and set people on the right vibe for a wedding day, to really bring out all the emotions, joy, laughter, happiness, sadness — all of it is welcomed. As you’ll see Zach had a rather amazing first look reaction that even took me by surprise — none of us were expecting that!
As you’ll see in these images, it’s just one big amazing celebration of love & friendship, with an AMAZING bridal party that helped elevate the day to the next level.
I hope you enjoy these images as much as I did photographing them!
“That Arizona sky burning in your eyes
You look at me and, babe, I wanna catch on fire”
-Always Remember Us This Way / Lady Gaga
When you tend to reach the last few weddings of the year, each one tends to become a bit more bittersweet as you look back on starting at the beginning of the year and realize it’s coming to a close. Sometimes you just have one of those great years that you just don’t want to end.
There were so many amazing love stories that I was grateful to have documented.
Katie & Tyler’s wedding was one of those stories.
A spur of the moment decision to just head south and essentially elope,
but also throw a huge party with their closest family & friends. PLUS, who could say no to warmer weather?
(As I write this it’s maybe 2 degrees)
…And of course we had to make a stop at In-N-Out Burger at the end of the night, because why not?
I hope you enjoy these images as much as I did documenting them.
Venue / Reception: The Farm at Agritopia | Videography: Klea Olson Films | Catering: Joes Real BBQ | Cake & Treats: Desserts First by Veronica | Floral & Bouqets: Camelback Flowershop | Hair & make up: Maddie Howard | Planning: Bernadette Paley | Decor: The Event Go | Dress: Stella York (Sioux Falls) | Ring: Anthony Jewelers (Aberdeen) | Suits: JH & Sons (Sioux Falls) | Officiant: Mark Culbertson
(Alabama Shakes - I Found You)
There are still parts of these great United States that I've yet to see. There's such a timelessness that comes with traveling to the great plains, maybe it's the air, the mountains, or the people -- but everything about it is just bittersweet.
When I first spoke with Jodi & Brandon, I wasn't certain WHERE White Sulphur Springs was, nor how far it was (about 14 hours from Sioux Falls) so I knew that it would be one of longest treks so far in my career but I knew there was something magical about this wedding, and was I ever surprised.
Jodi & Brandon are two very sweet & kind people with amazing personalities! The chemistry between these two is that of unconditional and spontaneous with a bit of goofiness.
Despite rain and a bit on the cold side (talking about 45 degrees, and I forgot to pack my jacket) it was still an amazing day.
Enjoy!
MOST of my engagement sessions are at best, a couple of hours.
However, this time I spent the entire weekend with Mason & Andrea in the small but lovely town of Hot Springs, South Dakota. One of those towns with tons of character (and characters) as you walk the streets and wonder what life was like in the early 1900's.
Hot Springs hold sentimental meaning to Andrea and was a consideration for her wedding, however, that changed. Nevertheless we had some gorgeous weather and a wonderful time together.
I hope you enjoy these photos as I did enjoy capturing them.
When it came to planning Brandon & Mariah's wedding, Mariah wanted to have the ceremony at McCrory Gardens but also wanted the reception there too! It was the first time the gardens held both a wedding and reception together in the same spot.
Brandon & Mariah are two very kind & sweet people, with an amazing kind of love. Together with their family & friends, they threw an amazing party. As you'll see it was an all day celebration, with some bittersweet moments and surprises in there too.
I hope you enjoy these images as much as I did documenting them.
Ceremony/Reception: McCrory Gardens | DJ: Jared Bridgeman | Cake: Hy-Vee | Dress: The French Door | Floral: Flowers on Main | Stationary: Wedding Paper Divas | Suits: Men's Warehouse | Videography: Wholly Cowen | Second shooting: Brittany Elizabeth Images
-Corey Voss "Canyons"
In the middle of November I traveled to Nevada to document Michelle & Tino's wedding at Red Rock Canyon. It's a treasure of a spot, about 30 minutes from the Las Vegas strip. A little background, Michelle's mom Candace used to photograph weddings in Las Vegas for about 25 years, so this was a sort of homecoming for the family.
Tino's family & friends flew in from Germany, and together, they had a small, intimate wedding with some incredible views (and weather) followed by having some awesome burgers & fries at Five Guy's Burgers & Fries, and then topping it off with some Krispy Kreme donuts.
I'm extremely grateful to have documented this amazing day, enjoy.
-U2, "In God's Country"
In the last few weeks of November, I visited California after being in Las Vegas. Among one of the spots that I wanted to see was Joshua Tree National Park, having a huge admiration for the beauty of outdoors and our national parks, but also being a very avid U2 fan (which their 1987 album is named after)
While Joshua Tree is indeed a hot bed for photographers to photograph on, there are plenty of places to roam and see. As you'll see, with Havier & Madison, we spent some time exploring, and I documented their engagement session. I'm already looking forward to coming back to California VERY soon. Enjoy!
I returned back to Madison, WI in August to photograph Helen + Rob's wedding. If the engagement session was any indication of how the wedding was going to be, I knew I was in for a real treat. It just so happens that on this same weekend was also the Crossfit games and a massive farmer's market, so things were a little populated.
Two families from two different parts of the world came together and became one on this day. Accompanied by some awesome friends who made up their bridal party, the day was this combination of just one big gathering, it's as if we all just hung out, and oh yeah two people got married too.
The day was full of 'The Office' references/jokes, dogs and some really great speeches. Also, how incredible is this space for a ceremony? The Madison Public Library was a dream to shoot in!
I hope you enjoy these images as much as I did documenting them.
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Madison Central Library | Hair & Make Up: Midwest Beauty House (Rental space provided by Revel Madison) | Flowers: Daffodil Parker | Cake of Cheese: Fromagination | Cupcakes: Bloom Bakeshop | Decor: A La Crate Rentals | DJ: Celebrations Entertainment | Dress: White Dress MKE | Bridesmaid dresses: Vow to be Chic | Accessories: BHLDN | Suits: Men's Warehouse | Second shooting: Cranberries And Tea Photography
The perfect backdrop for an amazing summer wedding in Madison, SD.
Lana & Brendan's wedding was an incredible day filled with love, celebrated with family & friends.
Ceremony & reception: Madison, SD | Flowers: House of Green | DJ & Entertainment: SieffStyle
Planning & Decoration: Hitch Studio | Cupcakes: Oh My Cupcakes!
Videography: AJ Production Company | Second shooter: Brittany Elizabeth Images
I'll admit, I struggle with getting up in the morning, and it takes a good amount of coffee to bring me to 'normal levels' of functionality. Also, throw in that I hadn't met Paxten & Luke until the morning of their engagement session.
They're both in the armed services, Luke had just arrived from being stationed overseas in Germany. Paxten has family about two hours away, so the meeting point was Sioux Falls. We spent the morning at Coffea, then walked around downtown and took them to a few historic spots.
It's always interesting meeting someone for the first time in person and see how they'll react to photos, they ended up being a LOT of fun, tons of Family Guys references, movie quotes and laughter -- without realizing it, we might have spent 3 hours together.
Looking forward to their wedding in Des Moines, IA next year. Enjoy!
When a couple asks if they can do an engagement session before the wedding, generally it's a few months, if not almost a year.
Sometimes you get a couple who wants to get a session done with less than a month until their wedding.
I was happy to oblige as it gives me a chance to let them know how the process of posing and interaction will be on their wedding day.
We started out at Blue Mound State Park, and took a few family photos featuring their son Colton, who seriously loved taking pictures and smiled all the time. Though the session was laid back and casual, they still dressed up (bonus points!) Enjoy!
In the later part of March, I traveled to Wisconsin to meet Helen & Rob to photograph their engagement and also see their wedding venue (at the Madison Central Library) -- you'll see it in some of the photos here, it's a pretty amazing spot.
While it rained a good portion of the weekend, the rain did let up at times. Helen hails from London, so the rainy weather was channeling home vibes for her. After exploring Madison, we made a stop at Lucille, which serves Detroit style pizza, and it was INCREDIBLE! (I hope this becomes a thing where EVERY engagement session ends with pizza)
We had a ton of fun with this session, I cannot wait for their wedding in August (which happens to be on my birthday too!)
I drove to Harrold, SD where we photographed on Isaac's family farm (it's a bit of a drive but totally worth it, as you'll see) along the farm is the Missouri River. We were fortunate to get some decently warm weather, but we never really paid much attention to the weather. As you'll scroll down, you'll see the chemistry between these two is magical, and time FLEW by. Looking forward to their wedding in June!
Ceremony & Reception: Icon Lounge Sioux Falls | Planning & Decoration: Serendipitous Events by Jessica |
Flowers: The Flower Mill | Cake: Kresha Tracy | Dress: BHLDN | Hair & Make up: Lacey Mae
DJ/MC: Collin Richards | Ceremony & Reception music: Matt & Amy Morrison, Maddie Todd, Sayre Bedinger
Video: Ludeman Productions | Second shooting: Corey Gross Photography
