From the moment I arrived to photograph Ryan + Terra’s wedding, I was blown away. Every little detail about this wedding was thoughtfully planned to make someone and everyone feel special. From the personalized dress hangers to the surprise bagpiper at the ceremony to the baseball themed reception and breast cancer awareness ribbons. Not only did Ryan + Terra plan to make everyone feel special, their friends and family even surprised them with a FLASH MOB at the wedding dance!! Terra said it perfectly. “I have the best family ever!!” And what an honor it was to be a part of it!! Enjoy *some* of my favorites… there are LOTS more where these came from!!

Ryan + Terra’s first look was absolute perfection. :-)

Ryan’s son Kaden was absolutely excited to be a part of the day – he even helped with the unity candle during the ceremony and did great!!

Seriously. There are SO many images I wanted to share, but I just had to narrow them down for the sneak peek!!

The next two are tied for my favorite wedding portraits. Ever.

Even their wedding party was stellar!! It started to mist during the end of outdoor portraits but the guys didn’t mind and *thank*the*lord* they let me finish the last three images I needed before we headed off to the ceremony!

There were a lot of ‘reasons’ to get Ryan + Terra tucked away before the ceremony, but the really it was to surprise Ryan with the Bagpiper Terra had hired!!

And it TOTALLY worked. Not a dry eye in the house!! Ryan’s family is very much Irish and the bagpiper was the perfect way to honor that!

After they exchanged rings and vows, their parents and grandparents came up to give them a blessing. SO MUCH LOVE in this family!!!

Okay. One more favorite wedding portrait. Hooray for being married!!!

Ryan + Terra shared such a beautiful first dance, and so did Terra and her father. I love the way her sisters are watching from the corner of the dance floor. :-)

And… the moment you’ve all been waiting for… the FLASH MOB!!!! So much fun in this photo!!!! I especially love grandpa bustin’ a move. :-)

And Terra’s reaction following. :-) Seriously. They have the best families EVER!!!

ceremony | Custer Lutheran Fellowship Church, Custer, SD

reception + catering | Sylvan Lake Lodge, Custer, SD

wedding gown| Maggie Sottero

bridesmaid dresses | Lasting Impressions, Sioux Falls, SD

groom + groomsmen tuxes | Tip Top Tux

flowers | Jenny’s Floral, Custer, SD

cake | Piece of Cake, Rapid City, SD

dj | Flipside D.J. Service, Brian Blair, Rapid City, SD

Ryan + Terra – From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!! For having me. For being so wonderful to each other and your families. You are both so beautiful, inside and out.

p.s. Can you get married again next year? I miss you already. :-)

He was kind. He was smart. He had a good job. He drove a safe car. He was too good to be true. And he was everything she needed.

Together they are wonderful. With each other and with her daughter. Despite losing a close family member just days before the session, Zack + Betsy were strong, they held each others’ hands and they showed me just how in love they are and how excited they are to be getting married in a few months. And I can’t wait to be there when they say their ‘I do’s in front of their closest family members and friends!!

Trevin + Audrey first met when she was working at a hospital and he was a flight medic – he landed on the roof to pick up her patient but did NOT fly off with her number. Not yet, anyway. There were a few more patients exchanged before their numbers were exchanged and the teasing of ‘which is better, the paramedic or the nurse’ began. :-)

When I met Trevin + Audrey this weekend for their engagement photos, it was their one year dating anniversary that day – what better way to celebrate, right?! I tell couples the engagement session is a lot like a date night – lots of hugging, snuggling, kissing and giggling. Trevin + Audrey did just that AND they did it so well!

Trevin + Audrey – thanks so much for choosing me as your wedding photographer! I am counting down the days until your wedding…and your cupcakes. :-) And thanks again for the beautiful flowers!!

I arrived at the church early on Friday to set up and find a good outdoor location out of the wind for portraits. But I didn’t get very far. I peeked in to say hello to Laura and found her in her wedding gown. Excited and ready to see her groom. Trying not to cry just yet, because once the tears started she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to stop them!

Jerry + Laura chose to have a first look, and by doing this they were able to tear up a little AND have time to re-compose themselves for pictures! :-)

We had fun finding unique spots inside the church for some portraits. Okay, maybe I had fun finding spots… Jerry + Laura had fun hugging and kissing each other. :-)

And look!! A perfect spot outside without gusting wind!!!!

I love catching couples sharing a quick moment during their ceremony. :-)

I also LOVE how Jerry can make Laura feel so comfortable, happy and in love.

She just can’t keep from kissing him! :-)

ceremony | Sun Prairie Baptist Church, Salem, SD

reception | Salem National Guard Armory

wedding gown + bridesmaid dresses | David’s Bridal

groom + groomsmen tuxes | Men’s Wearhouse

flowers | Floral Bokay, Salem, SD

cake | QT Cakes, Harrisburg, SD

caterer | Backyard Catering, Salem, SD

dj | WOW Entertainment, Sioux Falls, SD

Me, my college roommate Becky, and Kendra + baby Owen!!

And me with the Gengler girls!! :-)

Jerry + Laura – Thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your wedding!! It was such an honor for me to be there with you and your families. I truly enjoyed watching you interact and look out for each other throughout the day – from the emotional first look to the sock selection at your house to your first dance as husband + wife.

I am always amazed by military couples and their ability to have super long distance relationships. They travel so much just to spend a few days together. Watching Craig + Rebecca spend an evening together for their engagement photos was so wonderful because it was so obvious that all they wanted was to be together. Forever.