Virginia & John :: Truly a white wedding!

Virginia & John were married December 6 at Our Lady of Consolation in Rockford. Now, Virginia explained to me when we met over the summer that she REALLY wanted a white, snowy wedding. So she prayed for snow, and snow she got! The snowfall didn't quite match the blizzard we're experiencing right now (have you been praying again, Virginia?!), but it was inches of fluffy, perfect snow.

Virginia and John planned a beautiful wedding, and it was every bit as amazing as Virginia had described. But it wasn't just the details she planned that made it amazing. This was the most touching wedding I photographed this year! I'm a big softie, and each wedding is unique, whether it is joyful, emotional, fun, or all of the above. With Virginia & John and their family and friends, the honest, pure and open emotion was incredible to experience, and even got me crying right along!

So here's the preview. Don't forget to view the more extensive slideshow!

The flowers were gorgeous! Only fitting that they should be in the snow...





Virginia's stunning dress.





I adored her shoes. I love it when brides incorporate something crazy & fun!





Virginia's mom got choked up when she first saw her daughter in her wedding gown.





John's mom brought a letter from John, and took him a card from Virginia. How sweet!





Of course, that got the tears flowing...







Virginia used her grandmother's broach for an elegant touch.





There was so much sass & life in these girls!





Virginia was an absolutely lovely bride...







John and the guys looked pretty good themselves! We had so much fun with this awesome wedding party.





John and Virginia did something very unique. They didn't want to see each other before the ceremony, but they did want to be able to touch and talk for a moment. We cleared out the dressing room and hallway and the bride & groom got to comfort each other and share their joy. It was a moment that made me smile and cry at the same time, it was so beautiful.







I wanted to take the two flower girls home, they were so cute!





And this little one too...





The moment they laid eyes on each other...





The ceremony was perfect, and Father Tony was funny & kind.







Finally, the kiss!!





And the celebratory hug!





The wedding party braved the weather and headed out on the party bus for pictures in downtown Rockford. You can see how hard the snow was coming down, but they were such troopers!





John & Virginia had a few moments alone for some photos.







Our last stop was a neat old railroad bridge where the bridal party used some attitude to keep warm...







Then on to the reception with some simply gorgeous details.









The new Mr. & Mrs! Notice the classy cape on John and the nice jacket on Virginia.





More teal & black details.





As you can imagine, the speeches were incredibly touching. What a wedding.







Then it was on to the first dance as husband and wife.







And the parent dances...







Finally, the guests got their groove on!





Virginia and John, it was such a pleasure to be a part of your day. Your families and friends were incredible, and I'm so thrilled I was there to capture the beginning of your lives together. Don't forget to view your slideshow here!

Zephra & Rob :: Glimpse

Back in early October I flew to Kansas City, Missouri to photograph the wedding of my old college friend Zephra and her dear Rob. We had a photo day on Saturday and the wedding on Sunday. Zephra & Rob have a great story! I met Zephra in college, where we survived art school and the honors college together! Zeph studied in Italy, where she met two traveling friends from the UK, Rob and James. Through subsequent visits and conversations, Zephra & Rob fell in love! That's it in a nutshell, though the whole story is much better! So Rob's family flew from the UK, and Zeph and Rob celebrated their wedding in her hometown.

Zeph is a painter and Rob is also a photographer, among their many other talents, so I had plenty of chances to play with very willing subjects who were just excited about great light as I was! And, to borrow a word from my friends across the ocean, the results were smashing!

Warning, this post is very long, but I just couldn't resist.

Congrats Zephra & Rob!



Zephra looked amazing - so elegant!





This is the lovely Laura, another friend who went to college with Zephra and I. The girls got ready in the upstairs painting studio of Zeph's dad. I just love the color wheel and paintings in the background!





Zephra's bridesmaid Doris had the most beautiful smile! There was so much laughter over the wedding weekend, it was fantastic to be a part of.





Some details of Zephra's beautiful dress that she and her sister Shay spent many hours customizing.





Isn't she stunning?





Zephra and Rob had their "first look" on the steps of the Kansas City Art Museum. I couldn't believe all of the incredible photo locations in KC!





Part of the wedding party and the stunning, happy couple.





Zephra's beloved grandpa enjoyed seeing the bride...





Yes, they look like trouble. And they were.





Great top model poses, no?





And the KC skyline! How perfect! Can you tell I'm excited?





I loved this embrace between Zephra and her father.





And brothers... what more can I say? Brothers are the greatest!





Meet James... the groom's best friend. What a stud! I actually had the pleasure of meeting James five years ago when he showed my husband (then boyfriend) and I around London after Zephra put us in contact.





Spinning...





Part of the bouquets...





Zephra asked me to grab this sweet shot of her grandparents leaving.





As everyone else left to get ready for the rehearsal dinner, Zephra and Rob stayed behind for some bride & groom photos. Sunset in Kansas City? AMAZING.





Zephra, you looked so beautiful.





This is one of my favorite shots of all time...





What I always hope for my friends & family is that they find someone who looks at them with this kind of love...





And the distinction of my favorite image ever taken goes to:













This is the beautiful Zephra's model face...





And this is the face we see all the time, especially around Rob!!

















The light... we had a perfect day.









The next day, the girls got ready all over again.





Zeph & Rob incorporated so many creative touches into their save-the-dates and invitations, all the way through to the wedding decorations and paper!





Fancy some tea and biscuits?













Zeph and Rob celebrated their marriage under a beautiful Chuppah overlooking a lake, as her brother-in-law Ty officiated.









Such pure joy!









On to the reception!





The reception included a traditional Chinese tea ceremony in honor of Rob's mother.























The toasts were funny and heartfelt, and the dinner was amazing.





Unfortunately I did not sample the cheesecake, but goodness does it look delicious!





The first dance. Pure sweetness.





The night was finished off with some fun salsa dancing! A clutz like myself could only watch in amazement...









Zephra and Rob, I had so much fun spending the weekend with you. After spending a few hours with Rob I can immediately see why you fell in love with him! And Rob, you have such a treasure in your vivacious wife. Enjoy your years living in the UK (yes, I am jealous), and hopefully we can visit soon!