Allison and Stephen first met when they were students at the University of Illinois (also my alma mater!) through a mutual friend’s small bible study group. When they decided to advance their relationship from friends to something more, they agreed to perform a 7-day water fast to evaluate their relationship and find the Lord’s blessing for it. Luckily, it is clear that he said yes, and the two started dating right afterwards! And he brought joy and happiness to their wedding day as well as their relationship as a whole. The big day took place on the land of a family friend of Allison’s, out in the country outside Seymour. The girls got ready in the basement of the beautiful farmhouse while the guys donned their tuxes upstairs. After Allison changed into her dress, she shared an emotional first look with her dad, and just like the rain outside, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house! Stephen’s brother officiated the ceremony, which focused on the couple’s loving relationship and their dedication to each other, as well as the Lord. It continued to rain throughout the ceremony, but that didn’t matter—everyone was just so happy to be celebrating Allison and Stephen’s love, and their smiles brought sunshine under the tent! After the pair shared their first kiss and walked down the aisle as husband and wife, the rain let up enough for us to all funnel outside so everyone could wish the happy couple congratulations. We were also able to snap a few wedding party photos before the rain started coming down again. The day continued with dinner and speeches, including an emotional speech given by Allison’s father, and then dancing began. Everyone had a wonderful time grooving on the dance floor, including the best man, who entertained everyone by dancing to NSync’s “Bye, Bye, Bye,” in which Allison and Stephen joined in as well (which made me excited since NSync was my favorite band in grade school! ;)). It was a fantastic time, and I am so blessed to have been a part of such a wonderful day! Congrats Allison and Stephen, and may you have countless years of happiness! I still remember the day one of my childhood best friends, Ashley, told me she was pregnant, as well as the anticipation counting down the days until her new baby was born. After having been friends for nearly 20 years, it's hard not to be extremely excited when one of us has a big life moment! And then the fateful day came in May when Brooklyn was born. I met Brooklyn for the first time a few weeks later at a mutual friend's wedding reception, and she was one of the cutest babies I had ever seen. So, you can imagine my excitement when Ashley arranged a session with me to celebrate Brooklyn's first birthday! We spent the morning out at Silver Lake Park enjoying the great weather and each others company. Brooklyn was fantastic and smiled big for the camera, and we got fantastic photos--though I feel like my job wasn't so hard since she's such a natural cutie ;). Then, at the end of the session, momma and I arrange a special photo--she is pregnant again and wanted to announce her new bun-in-the-oven! Brooklyn is excited to be a big sister, and I'm very excited to have been able to be part of such a special moment. Thanks again, Ashley and Brooklyn, and may you and future baby have many, many happy birthdays to celebrate together! <3 Minying and Jason's wedding started off with a light drizzle that didn't want to seem to want to ease up much throughout the day, but their beauty and happiness brought a light to each room that they entered, so we couldn't even tell it was wet outside! We began the day at the beautiful, unique, and modern Moonrise Hotel in St. Louis, where each of them got ready prepping in a different room of the hotel. their siblings at their sides. Once both of them were ready, we set up their "first look" in the hotel lobby--Minying came gliding down the steps and tapped Jason on the shoulder, and as he turned to see his beautiful bride, his face lit up with happiness! After taking some time to snap some portraits of the two of them, we hopped into our cars to drive over to Tower Grove Park, the location of the ceremony and reception, where we gathered for family photos before retreating as the guests arrived into the Piper Palm House. Soon the ceremony began, although it was delayed slightly by the flower girl not wanting to continue down the aisle! :) Even though Minying and Jason did a first look earlier in the day, Jason's face still lit up with glee when he saw Minying coming down the aisle--it was easy to tell he was so pleased that they would soon be wife and husband! After a beautiful ceremony (with the best kind of vows--the two promised to never watch ahead in the shows they watch together, which was accompanied by the cellist playing a small portion of the Game of Thrones theme), the two shared their first kiss and walked down the aisle for the first time as a married couple, and then the party began! Thanks Minying and Jason for having 10,000 Words Photography be a part of your big day! Congratulations, and may you have countless years of happiness, health, and wealth! :) |
May 2018
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