Lora and Justin were married in a beautiful stone church in Pigeon Falls, WI, just a stones throw to the south of Eau Claire on picturesque Highway 53.  If you’ve never been to the west central WI area, I recommend you bookmark this webpage, get into your car, and start driving because it’s absolutely, unequivocally, amazing countryside.  There are rolling fields and barns on EVERY CORNER and halfway in between – and anyone who knows me well, knows I have a slight obsession of barns and tall grass.  I found myself seriously considering, more than once, whether I could persuade any of my portrait clients to drive that far for a session.  It’s that gorgeous – seriously.  But I digress.
The couple chose to wait until the ceremony to see each other – a choice not often made these days – but with excellent planning of the day, we had plenty of time for portraits, family and wedding party photos in multiple locations, and even stopped at a local watering hole for good measure before continuing on to Eau Claire for a night of dinner and dancing.

During all the hustle and bustle of the day, the bride and groom couldn’t take their eyes off each other.  It’s always the little things – a sideways glance, brush of the hand or peck when no one’s looking – that make it so blatant a couple is utterly in love.  Lora and Justin couldn’t fool the world if they tried – they’re meant for each other and are absolutely, undeniably smitten.
Gives me the warm fuzzies just thinking about it. :)

Congratulations Justin and Lora – thanks for inviting me to share in your day!

As always, if 25 people comment directly to this post, I’ll send a little something special their way as a token of my thanks!

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Fast forward to early Fall, 2011, and almost 200 of their closest friends traveled the few hundred miles from WI,  IL, CA and the likes for a weekend of festivities that surrounded Monica and Josh’s union at the Wild Eagle Lodge in Eagle River, WI (snowmobile capital of the world, for those of you that didn’t know).  Monica is a Graphic Designer by trade, so she planned, designed, and executed every detail down to the stands the placecards sat on.  Can I just say… Ah-Maz-Ing!?!  Coupled with the natural beauty of the surrounding chain of lakes and tall pines, the overall effect was beautiful.  It really was the perfect setting for such a fabulous couple.

I had the pleasure of being accompanied by the ever fabulous Casey V. over the weekend and boy did we have an amazing time!  We both commented more than once about how their friends and family were so genuinely warm and welcoming and how utterly, fabulously in love the bride and groom are.  It must be the Northwoods – as my husband says, “it’s God’s country” you know.  It’s magical.

What better way to celebrate than an intimate voyage on a pirate ship?  Captain Steve provided a fabulous venue for the wedding party to unwind before dinner.  What’s that you say?  A Pirate Ship in Eagle River?!?!  Who Knew?!?!  But, it was crazy awesome and I highly recommend it!

Man, Chicago knows how to dance!!!   The dance floor was packed the ENTIRE night – Monica and Josh’s guests were rockstars!

**UPDATE** – I almost forgot! 
If 25 people comment on this post, Monica and Josh will receive a little something special from me, so let’s see your comments! :)

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tag yourself at: facebook.com/amberengferphotography !!

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Dan and Kathy were married in the oh-so-quaint town of Decatur, IL, where Kathy grew up and her family still calls home.  (I really could go on and on about Decatur;  I was seriously smitten.  Firstly, because Southern IL is ahead of MN/WI by about 3 weeks when it comes to weather and floral blooming patterns, so it was like vacationing in an exotic locale while we were there this Spring.  Secondly, its got such a picturesque downtown district, I could have spent all day taking photos, and thirdly, it’s surrounded by gor-geous turn of the century farmsteads.  I’m a sucker for farms and old houses – so much history and character in old buildings – LOVE!)

Kathy and Dan were married at St. Patrick’s Church, a beautiful cathedral style building with columns and stained glass and a domed ceiling, but prior to the ceremony, my assistant and I met at Kathy’s parent’s home for a few shots of the bride:

The reception was held at The Beach House with views of Lake Decatur.  Dan’s family has had a cabin in Northern WI for years, so his only request of the day was to capture a few photos of them on a dock – fabulous idea I might add!

I couldn’t help but add this last one… these lovely ladies are the Aunts!  Dan’s mother is on the right, and her four sisters, including my mom, center, make up the others.  No clue what they were singing, but it must have been a good one!!!  I LOVE this photo, they might not see the awesome-ness of it, but it’s such a great moment, I had to share!

**Keeping up the tradition, if 25 people comment directly to this post – the lovely Bride and Groom will receive an extra special gift from me!  ***

Congratulations Dan and Kathy!!!!

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On to part two of E+B’s fantabulous wedding festivities.  We were able to venture towards the capitol for wedding party photos and ooooh, man, am I glad we did!  I could’ve shot there all day if there wasn’t a ceremony to be had!!!

Emmaly’s grandfather built the bride and groom a beautiful wooden box that the officiant incorporated into the ceremony.  Friends and family contributed notes and well wishes to accompany a special bottle of wine and letters Emmaly and Brent wrote to each other.  The bride and groom then locked the box with keys from their fathers and vowed to open it on their 5th wedding anniversary.  It was such a unique and touching ritual; I had a hard time focusing with the tears in my eyes!

Last but not least – Emmaly and Brent set up a DIY photo booth for guests and it was the hit of the party! (that and the late night nacho bar!!)  I highly recommend a photo booth as a fun way to capture your guests through out the night – as you can see from below, the props even made it out to the dance floor!

Congrats Emmaly and Brent – thanks so much for letting me be a part of your day!

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Emmaly and I have been friends for more years than I care to divulge – having worked together in college at the local Supper Club (how’s that for Midwestern-ness for ya?)  I taught her everything she knows about schlepping prime rib and the art of White Merlot.  For real – all me.  But I digress.  When Emmaly asked me to photograph her wedding, I was humbled, a little nervous, and super excited, because I knew this wedding was going to be fabulous!

The festivities took place at Inn on the Park, which is a bea-u-ti-ful hotel with amazing views of Wisconsin’s capitol in Madison, WI.  The entire wedding party was up for anything, and since Emmaly works for the hotel, I had *almost* free reign of the place.   Of course, I took full advantage and *may* have pulled furniture in from the down the hall, to the roof and back, etc.  At any rate, it was all worth it. I took so many shots that I just loooove, I’ve deemed it necessary to split the wedding day into two posts.  So, sit back and enjoy – then come back in a few days and check out a few more!

Oh, and lastly, I thought I’d try something new.  If at least 25 people comment directly to this post, I’ll be sending Brent and Emmaly a little gift as a token of my appreciation!

The first look was done on the roof of the hotel – just a small perk of working for the hotel you hold your wedding at…

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Their wedding date was just a few short weeks before my little bambino was due, so I enlisted reinforcements to help me out with the day and take over if need be (essential in these types of situations!)  Many thanks to Casey and Kayd for being my back up – you were awesome to work with and I couldn’t have done it without you! (for real, I had to sit down like 80 times throughout the night!)

Here are just a few of the highlights from Karen and Andy’s day…

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We met at Jennae and Elliot’s ridiculously cute home for a few detail shots and a quick first look, then headed to the St. Paul capital grounds for formal shots before the ceremony.  Let me tell you, I fell 100% in love with Jennae’s dress, it was gorgeous!  The wedding party offset her dress perfectly, the maids in short blush pink mismatched styles and the men in chocolate brown tuxes.  The overall look was absolutely stunning.

The ceremony took place at Unity Unitarian Church in St. Paul where the original dark wood beams and modern waved wood backdrop wall continued the romantic theme perfectly.

After a quick jaunt through downtown St. Paul, we continued on to the new Gopher Stadium for the reception – what an amazing venue!  One of the perks to having a party at TCF Bank Stadium is full access to the field!   Jennae and Elliot’s wedding party took full advantage and played an impromptu bridesmaids against groomsmen football while the guests watched from the stands above.
Full fledged sprints in formal wedding garb… best wedding party EVER!

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On a side note, I’m quite certain I would have no problem living in Cannon Falls – it’s such a ridiculously cute town!!  My fabulous hubby was nice enough to assist me for the wedding, so we drove down a bit early to get our bearings and grab a bite to eat and found what could possibly be the cutest deli/cafe I’ve ever been in.  It was perfect down to the paint color on the walls! (oh, and good food too).  The Old Market Deli, in case you ever find yourself south of the Twin Cities, I highly recommend it. :)

Congrats Nick and Kelli!!

This could possibly be my favorite ring shot OF ALL TIME…. :)  I loooooove it!  Love!

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In the last few weeks, I had the pleasure of shooting Kelli and Nick’s beautiful farm wedding in Cannon Falls, MN:

Jennae and Elliot’s oh-so-fabulous St. Paul wedding:

A high school senior session with my ridiculously cute cousin, Elisabeth:

Baby Nora’s 1 year photos – can you believe she’s already a year old!!?

And some amazing photos of soon-to-be-High School Senior, Sonja:

Needless to say, it’s been a busy summer!  Lots of fun blog candy to come, so be patient my friends!

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Happy Anniversary!

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The food was fabulous, the cake looked amazing, the couple was beautiful and through 5 or 6 degrees of separation, I even knew a few people at the reception, including my amazing English teacher and Tennis coach from Junior High!

Emily and Chris, you are a wonderful couple – thank you so much for allowing me to document your day – I wish you well in all your future adventures.  Enjoy!!

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