I’ll be back Thursday, August 11th (although I’m not gonna lie … I’m taking a red eye back into Madison and might have to get some *actual* sleep upon my return … so I’ll *really* be back Friday, August 12th).

Going to San Francisco for work/photography related stuff. Can’t wait to be there and cool off from this 90 degree heat we’ve been having for weeks now. 60 degrees, sweaters and boots — here I come.

Will still be checking email as much as I’m able and responding when I can. Current clients and friends, if you have a quick question/comment feel free to text me.

Enjoy your week! And if you find yourself as busy/stressed/exhausted as I have been lately, just look at this photo of my friend, Jenna, and remember to chill out and let it be … everything will get done. It always does.

Some people are so genuine, easy to get along with, and plain wonderful to be around. Andy and Jess are just like that. Seeing their love and interaction was a joy; I really couldn’t stop smiling. They are sweet and beautiful together … connected in a deep way. I wanted to hang out with them all night long; they are just great people.

Andy is a talented fellow photographer, so being asked to photograph him and his wife was a huge honor … one that I do not take lightly. Thank you, Andy and Jess, for trusting me, being open, and being awesome. Hope to see you again soon!

My favorite memory from the evening was asking Andy why he fell in love with Jess and he said, “because she drove a Saturn.” Yup :)

If I could script a perfect wedding it might look something like a custom-designed dress that combines new fabric with fabric from the MOB’s wedding dress. It might take place on a farm and have cocktail hours (yes, cocktail hours plural) before and after the short & personal ceremony. During said ceremony, the crowd would cheer and holler. This wedding might have Izze, lawn games, gray striped straws, handmade signs, flowers by my favorite florist (daffodil*parker), DIY whimsical details, sno cones, cotton candy and popcorn. There might be pulled pork and corn on the cob for dinner. There would be a dessert bar with treats made by friends and family (recipe cards nearby for the taking), a typewriter guestbook and Elegant Farmer pie for dessert. There would be an upbeat first dance after heart-felt speeches that made your abs hurt from laughter and your eyes well-up with tears. There would be a bride that changed into TOMS shoes and guests dancing to Cake. There would be sparklers.

Most importantly, there would be a bride and groom like Maggie and David. Sweet, generous, beautiful, caring, ambitious, successful but down-to-earth, and humble. This bride and groom would be surrounded by friends and family who help all day with the wedding in 90 degree heat (while having huge smiles on their faces and looking fashionable to boot).  Everyone at this wedding would be amazing and nice and welcoming. In case you haven’t caught on, this perfect wedding actually was Maggie and David’s. Enjoy:

It would be a blog post this long — that could have been much longer — because I loved it all so much.

Maggie and David, thank you. It was truly an honor to be part of such an amazing and perfect day. You are two of the most considerate and wonderful people I’ve ever met and your family and friends are a testament to who you are as well. I wanted to take you all home with me in my pocket. Congratulations!!