Perfect brides, saying "I do" to Pinterest, and rocking the photobooths.

We've comfortably settled back into our routine after being absent from home for the past week and a half.  Ever reach the end of a week and can't remember what even happened?  I know I was busy last week with meeting this weekend's bride and making trips back home to feed the kitties and traveling across state to meet Kelly Hampton -- but besides those few bits & pieces, where did the time go?   I'm putting my money that it went to the place of lost socks, hair-ties, and bobby pins.

STARS OF THE SHOW:

A huge hootin' and hollerin' *thankyou* to my sweet husband for working hours on installing all my photo software on my laptop and researching equipment for the Mark II this past week (row one, picture three).  
My dear friend and I spent an afternoon together at the pool (albeit, not in it : notice how she'd snuggled under a towel?) talking and laughing and eating delicious Oreos.  Tommy-cat heard us giggling all the way from his hide-out in the woods and had to join in on the fun (row two, picture three).
There are a select few women in my life whom I look up to :: each for their own separate reasons.  Kelle Hampton is one of the most inspirational women I've ever met (row three, picture three).  I've read her blog for two years and her book brought me to tears.  Could she honestly be as wonderful in real life as her blog makes her out to be?  ABSOLUTELY.  She's genuine and down-to-earth and I'm so thankful to have met her.  *and thank you to Adam for driving the three hours there and three hours back ~ I love you!*

POINTS OF INTEREST:

I've been looking forward to Tracie & Nathan's wedding ever since our consultation last winter.  When we met this past week, she handed me one of her invitations (OH.MY.GOSH :: in love!)(row two, picture two) and we talked details for Saturday.  The two of us have always clicked, and this weekend sounds like sheer perfection.  Golf greens, sunny and warm, a first look, and our own golf cart!  I can't wait!
There's no denying my love of Pinterest.  You can frequently find me pinning Style and For the Home projects.  I love to pin.  And then I realize I have a bajillion pins (spent by hours clicking "repin") and none of the projects done.  It was time for me to commit.  Thank the Lord for best friends like Karra that drag my butt to Hobby Lobby and get us going on these fancy bracelets (row two, picture four).  It actually turned out pretty cute and useful for girls with small wrists like myself.  ;)
I love a good photobooth session.  On the iMac, in the mall, AT WEDDINGS (row four, picture four).  Saturday, I had the pleasure of working with Emily Rae again, and even though I was missing my real photobooth partner, I handed her prop after prop and she obliged my requests for photostrips.  Thanks, girl!  


*(Instagram is a free app for iPhones (and now Androids!) that features various filters that are easy-to-use and make posting to Twitter, Facebook, and my blog (with the help of a personally-made Photoshop template), easy-peasy! You can follow me @brennigan)

I've completely rocked my inbox's world this morning (not to mention pumping out behind the scenes work :: expense spreadsheets & packaging materials), and I'm feeling optimistic about this week on the blogging world.  A little wedding action, a little portraiture, and a helluva lot of underlying excitement for this weekend's wedding!

Dropping the ball, geriatric cats, and a little camera *magic*

I completely dropped the ball on yesterday's weekly update, and I blame my parents' (used-to-be-mine) geriatric cat.  Its weird for my old house not to be my home anymore: I miss my bed, having all my work stuff handy in all the right places, knowing exactly where the dishes are, and most importantly, I miss being able to sleep through the night without the geriatric cat howling for me to pick her up onto the bed at least twelve times...before 3AM.

The couch was mighty comfy around then.

STARS OF THE SHOW:

Memorial Day Weekend (row one, pictures one-three) || Grandma laughing, my sweet husband and I with a touch of that day's sun.  Oh, and a fabulous white, floppy sunhat.  Because it ain't summer without a sunhat.
Adam's work helped put on one of the largest Girls on the Run 5K in Michigan last Thursday, and THESE GIRLS are the stars of the show (row three, picture one).  The day was rainy, cold, muddy.  Nothing stopped them.  Proud of them AND my husband for working so diligently and helping mesh innovative elements into this annual event.
And a BIG SHOUT-OUT to my brother-in-law, Scott, for graduating high-school this past Sunday (row four, pictures one-two)!  We had a weekend filled with graduation parties, plenty of family time, and non-stop plans all around West Michigan.  

POINTS OF INTEREST:

A wonderful perk of Adam working late hours lately to put on the Girls on the Run 5K was him bringing home around 100 carnations from a dinner event.  Four vases later (row two, picture four) and each room in our apartment filled with pinky goodness.  *sigh*  I'll take it.
Kristen Carlson and her husband photographed our wedding, and when they upgraded to the 5D Mark III, they put up their 5D Mark IIs for sale.  OF COURSE, I jumped on the opportunity because how freaking awesome would it be to own the camera that photographed my very own wedding?  And secretly, yes, I believe it holds some K. Holly magic...and I can't wait until I get to shoot with it at the next wedding!


*(Instagram is a free app for iPhones (and now Androids!) that features various filters that are easy-to-use and make posting to Twitter, Facebook, and my blog (with the help of a personally-made Photoshop template), easy-peasy! You can follow me @brennigan)

This week's agenda?  Hoping to blog the entire wedding from third shooting with Emily Rae, complete some "around-the-house" surprises for my parents when they return, driving across state to meet Kelle Hampton (!!!) to get my book signed, and getting ready for second-shooting with Emily Rae on Saturday with my new 5D Mark II.

Happy Tuesday!  :)

Danielle + Matt :: Blue Dress Barn Wedding

From the moment Adam and I met with Danielle and Matt at the Chocolate Cafe to discuss wedding details, I knew their wedding would be wonderful because we just *clicked* -- they shared our same style, and so echoed our own love story from only a year ago.  They have just graduated college, are madly deeply in love, and are ready to set off on this new adventure :: together.  

They held their chic, rustic wedding at The Blue Dress Barn in Millburg, Michigan.  Millcreek is popular for its beautiful rustic grounds and little details here and there.  They added sweet touches of their own (think mason jars, hand-made bouquets, simple babies breath) and their day was one to remember.

It was the perfect evening for an outdoor ceremony...

I love how Adam captured this beautiful evening light in these next two images.

She lovingly adored him with these beautiful eyes throughout the entire ceremony.  

During the sand ceremony and the prayer following, Adam took advantage of the overlook that allowed us to capture two different perspectives.

Adam captured this moment right after walking back down the aisle, and I love it!

I loved this moment after the ceremony where Danielle's mom and dad admire her beautiful new *I'm-officially-married* accessory.

Matt's sister is a photographer as well, and she had the immense pleasure of photographing their First Look (*sigh* loove those) and bridal party before the ceremony.  

Right before the new couple were announced at the reception, I snuck Matt and Danielle away for five minutes to capture some portraits of just the two of them (I make zero exaggeration in my time!).  And oh my lanta, we took sincere advantage of those few minutes with the gorgeous setting sun and beautiful grounds that Millcreek has to offer.

Danielle made all the boutonnieres and bouquets :: ahh, I think her and I are soul-mates. :)

GORGEOUS BLING!

The almost kiss...romantic.

Introducing MR. AND MRS. MATTHEW OWENS! :)

Beautiful toasts by dear friends.  

Last year, Adam and I photographed a wedding that included something completely foreign to me: the dollar dash.  Instead of playing multiple slow songs for a traditional dollar dance, the couple plays one crazy fast song and run around crazy grabbing cash for the title of: THE ONE WHO WEARS THE PANTS (or has to do laundry the first year, wash the dishes, whatever your fancy).  Since Danielle didn't want to trip and fall on her dress (which did happen at one wedding I've been to!), she and Matt had bridal party teams do their biddings.  As soon as the music started, so did the fun...

This bridal party wasn't afraid to get down and dirty!

Danielle and Matt had a small traditional cake for the cake cutting and THE.MOST.DELICIOUS cupcakes surrounding on tiers.  The chocolate with fluffy whip icing was fantastic.  I might've had two...aaaand one to go!

Enchanting lights and lanterns make for romantic first dances...

And then...THEY GOT THE PARTY STARTED!  Danielle and Matt just graduated from Bethel College and plenty of fun, dance-loving friends attend their wedding.  It made for a great evening!

And while the music was cranked loud and the dance floor was always packed, Danielle and Matt still made time for one last slow dance on the happiest day of their lives...

You two are wonderful, and your day was absolutely beautiful.  Adam and I wish you all the best as you begin this new *crazy, amazing* love adventure!