kyra & erik - october 13, 2006

the summer before kyra started at gustavus adolphus college, a coworker at a restaurant told her about her friend's brother who was also going to be a freshman at the same college and how they had to meet because they would be perfect for each other. they met at the beginning of that year and became great friends. 'we're just good friends,' they told everyone. then erik took a semester away from gustavus and when he returned they knew that what they had was special and so much more than simply a friendship. i love hearing couples' stories, and this is a wonderful one.

some pics of kyra & erik:



i noticed some great photography talent in ringbearer sophie's work at self-portraits:


here are some fun photo booth-type mugshots of the wedding party & families:



a hug from kyra's dad:

the pastor performed the best original spoken word/scat/rap for the couple that had everyone laughing.

in a day filled with emotion, i think the tear-jerker award goes to kyra & erik who addressed the congregation before their vows to thank their parents for being such a great foundation and example of strong marriages:

some more of the happy couple:


gotta love newlyweds with senses of humor:

erik & kyra's brother-in-law gave a wonderful toast to the couple:

their first dance:

kyra & erik, i am proud to have had a role in a big chapter in your story. thank you for letting me enjoy your day with you, your wonderful friends and family!

andrea & kevin - october 8, 2006

it was an absolutely gorgeous fall day in rochester, minnesota, and a perfect day for a wedding. andrea (a.j. to all her friends and family) and kevin were married at peace united church of christ, and their reception was at the rochester event center. the date of october 7 was very important to them because it is exactly eight days after andrea's parents' anniversary and eight days before kevin's parents. like andrea said, they were proud to be right in the middle of two wonderful marriages. throughout their engagement and planning, i just knew i was going to enjoy working with andrea and kevin. what i didn't know, until that day was how cool and funny they are and how much i was going to laugh the whole day.

some cute pictures of the happy couple surrounded by beautiful fall colors:



andrea trying not to mess up her hair & makeup as her attendants help her get into her dress:

a fun personal touch on the bottom of her shoes:

a sneak peek through the glass doors after the couple sees each other for the first time:

i know no one really loves formal pictures, but the flower girl wanted no part of it:


this time was more successful:

it was a very fun and upbeat ceremony. their recessional song was the turtles' happy together.


some more casual pics of andrea & kevin:


catching a moment at sunset:


just in case you were wondering, the cake tasted just as good as it looked:


andrea put together a wonderful slide show for the reception. here is her mom, luanne, enjoying the photos:

moms and dads: consider yourself warned. those old photos of you can come back to haunt you, as kevin's mom and dad soon found out:

the first dance as husband and wife:


thank you andrea and kevin, for letting me be a part of a day that means so much to you. i loved every minute of it. you are a great couple, and i can't wait for you to see the rest!