They’re right for each other. They just are. They fit together the way the best things in life do – by design. God chose to bring them together, and they celebrate that truth every day. Sean is the bounce in Lauren’s step and she’s the sugar in his sweet tea. Their love has a beautiful simplicity to it. They are adventurers, and they are excited to explore all that life has to offer together.

I love the balance these two shots reveal in their relationship. Lauren brings the sass and Sean brings the laughs. I love it!

Lauren and Sean decided to see each other before the ceremony for their portraits together. I love when couples do this, because it gives them plenty of time to just relax and enjoy each others company without being rushed to attend the reception. I loved the look on Sean’s face when he saw Lauren for the first time. And it’s no wonder – Lauren looked GORGEOUS!

Hehe. I love this shot of the ring bearer and flower girl. She still had an entire basket of petals left by the time she reached the end of the altar, so she just kept tossing them. It was so cute.

The team that decorated the chapel did such a great job. They completely transformed it from a simple, humble chapel altar to an elegant setting draped in tool and softly lit.

I chose quite a few shots of the bride and groom dancing to showcase here because I just couldn’t pick a favorite

If you love Lauren & Sean’s images as much as I do, then you’ll be STOKED to know that in the next few weeks I’ll be connecting with them to do a trash the dress session. We’re going muddin’ Stay tuned for more awesomeness!

There’s a reason I like to get to weddings early. I tell people that I’m OCD about being on time and I have to have time to get my equipment together, but there is another reason, which my new friend Heather Garland discovered as she pulled into the church parking lot for Kevin and Christine’s wedding a few weeks ago. There I was: headphones in, music cranked, jumping around and singing, “Colors of the world, SPICE UP YOUR LIFE. Every boy and every girl, SPICE UP YOUR LIFE! People of the World, SPICE UP YOUR LIFE!” See, I have this tendency to live life as though I’m on my own personal karaoke stage. The problem is, I never really imagine a crowd. I just sing from my heart, and every so often I get caught in the act It keeps my thoughts positive and my energy level high, which is essential on wedding days!

Anyway, in celebration of my random need to sing and dance, I thought I’d post a little contest. I need to expand my Get Pumped playlist, and I thought it would be fun to enlist your help! So here’s what you’re going to do: Leave a comment and suggest a song to add to my Get Pumped playlist, and you’ll have a chance to win a $10 iTunes giftcard. Make sure to include the song title and artist name, and provide a valid email address so I can contact you. I’ll listen to all of the song suggestions and the giftcard will go to the person whose song I decide to add to the playlist. Here are the songs on my current playlist, just to give you an idea of what it takes to get me pumped:

Spice Up Your Life – Spice Girls
Beat It (Feat. John Mayer) – Fall Out Boy
Just Dance – Lady Gaga
Love, Save the Empty – Erin McCarley
I Run to You – Lady Antebellum
Burnin’ Up – Jonas Brothers (Don’t hate! )
Boom Boom Pow – Black Eyed Peas
Feeling Good – Michael Buble

Make sure to post your suggestion before Midnight on Wednesday, July 1, 2009. I’ll announce the winner later this week. And because pictures make every post more interesting, here’s a sneak peek from Matt & Carolyn’s wedding!

To say that I’ve been excited about this wedding for a long time would be an understatement. Elizabeth is one of the sweetest, most thoughtful brides that I’ve ever been able to work with. Every few months she sent me a card saying that she was keeping up with my blog and that she was excited to have me involved in her wedding, then a week or so before her wedding I received this message in one of her emails.

We are so excited to have you photographing our wedding! Michael and I have been periodically checking your website and fall in love with your pictures all over again. You are able to capture energy and character with such elegance!

How sweet is she?! Michael and Elizabeth, it was a pleasure to be part of your wedding. I had such a great time celebrating with you and your families, and I wish you many adventures in your life together.

Their wedding ceremony was scheduled for sunset, so we decided to take advantage of the great afternoon light that we had before the ceremony to do their portraits.

I loved the warm fall colors that we had all around us. It was absolutely beautiful!

Photographer’s note: Since the wedding ceremony started at sunset, by the time it was over I was basically shooting in the dark. Luckily, though, I had my trusty 5D and Canon’s 200mm f2 IS lens. It looks like a canon (No really, it’s HUGE), but it is a great help when you’re shooting in extreme low light. It’s also super sharp!

<3 Favorite! Right after the ceremony Michael and Elizabeth's family gathered together to embrace the new couple. This is Elizabeth hugging on her father.

I owe a huge thanks to my sorority sister and amazing assistant Corinne for helping me out on Saturday. I would have been running around like a crazy person without her Thanks, Corinne!