A sage green house with a dark red door.

When we bought our house this past spring exterior paint color was not exactly the first thing on my mind.  We had to cut down trees, bring in loam, plant a lawn, remodel the kitchen as well as paint the whole interior of the house.  With most of that now done we finally picked a paint color for the house and the door this week and got to painting!  Originally I had thought about going with a dark brownish gray color but I really wanted to make the house look like an old cape so I started looking at some of the Historic Paint colors.  The guy at the local paint shop offered his help and picked this awesome sage color for me to try.  The color was perfect!!  Yesterday as the last part of the house was getting painted I picked a dark cranberry, wine color for the door.  It still needs another coat but I had to take a photo to share with everyone!

I'm so happy to feel like our house is finally becoming our home- just in time to host Thanksgiving. What are all of you planning for Thanksgiving with your families?

Rebecca & Owen | Married | Part 2

And now for part 2.

These two were born to be in front of the camera.

Ugh Rebecca you are gorgeous!  As was the light, the golden trees and everything else on your wedding day.

Just as the sun was about to set I took Rebecca and Owen into the field across from the farm for just a few more portraits.

Speechless.

There is a very good chance this image will be a huge canvas on my wall very soon.

Love this shot grabbed by my assistant Lindsey- She rocked it out at this wedding!!!!

Once the sun had set the party started!!! Soul Kitchen rocked the house and kept everyone on the dance floor all night.

Now you might be asking why Owen and a few others were singing into spoons and other utensils.  Apparently its a family tradition and as a wedding gift Rebecca and Owen received their very own utensil microphones.

Thank you Owen & Rebecca for inviting me into your lives and for being such a fun and happy couple!!!   I feel so lucky to call you both friends.  I can't wait to hear all about, and see photos from your honeymoon!!!!

XOXOXOXO Spring

Rebecca & Owen | Married | Part One

I have to give my friend Shane some credit.  He is the one who suggested me as a wedding photographer to his friend Rebecca when she asked through facebook for some wedding photographer suggestions.  THANK YOU SHANE!!!!! I feel so lucky to have been chosen to document Rebecca & Owen's wedding.  It was one of the most beautiful and fun weddings I have ever been to!  Every detail was perfect and the couple were on cloud 9 all day.  There are so many fantastic images from their day that I had to break this wedding down into two posts.

So without further ado- here is part one:

Rebecca's perfect fall themed flowers were done by Danielson Flowers.

I loved Rebecca's lace Jim Hjelm dress.

The light at the Harrington Farm is INSANE!!!!!

Rebecca you are beyond stunning- really there are not words for your beauty.

They made the call early that morning that even with a cool temperature the sun was shining so the ceremony would be out doors.

I love how happy grandparents are at weddings- they are ALWAYS smiling.

The dapper groom awaits his bride at the end of the isle.

Told you that light was crazy beautiful- I didn't saturate a thing this was straight out of the camera.  BAM!

A big thumbs up from the newlyweds.

This bridal party (all sibblings of the bride and groom) was halarious.  This just gives you a little insite to the non stop laughs and smiles that were everywhere on Rebecca & Owen's wedding day.

Stay tuned- the sun set portraits in part two will make you drool!

Breaking with tradition.

From my research the tradition started with arranged marriages.  The groom would be standing at the alter waiting for a girl he had never seen to walk towards him and become his wife.  Afraid he or she might run if they met before hand it became "bad luck" to see each other before the ceremony.  Over time it has become a common tradition and has nothing to do with a worry someone might run; but still people are split on the ideas of seeing one another before the ceremony. Emily and Anthony opted for a first look but it wasn't part of her original plan.  Emily's wedding was beautiful and unique.  She found a way to bring together some traditional elements and combine them with unique aspects of her own style.  When Emily and I first talked about her wedding and I mentioned the idea of a 'First Look' she wasn't exactly gung-ho about it.  Well, here I should let you read her own words:

"As a very unique bride, there were several traditions that I tossed out of the window early in the wedding planning. But one that I was not giving up was the fact that my groom would see me for the first time as I was walking down the aisle toward him. I thought that that moment would be the highlight of my day and that I would regret seeing him before hand. As the wedding grew closer, I began to have pangs of sadness when I thought about how little I would see everyone traveling to our wedding, and also I wanted to be at this cocktail hour I had planned for so long! And who doesn’t hate that awkward time when the cocktail hour winds down and there is still no sign of the happy couple? So I started to casually look at some “first look” photos online and read some things other brides had said and finally threw caution to the wind and decided to go for it.

Getting out of that car and walking the steps up to my nervous groom was one of the most exhilarating things I have ever done. The butterflies in my stomach could not be tamed. When he turned around and smiled at me I felt like someone had picked the world up off of my shoulders. All my nerves just completely dissipated and I soaked in that moment of happiness and contentment. It was both of our favorite parts of the day. It gave us a chance to see each other and spend a few quiet minutes alone before the craziness of the day took over. I am so happy that I have those tender moments to hold in my heart. We were then able to casually take all of our formal pictures in no hurry and get back in time for our ceremony. Walking down that aisle towards him was even more special to me because I actually enjoyed that moment with no nerves, I think I even laughed! After the ceremony we actually got to enjoy some time with our guests and eat! For us it made the most sense, logistically at first. No matter how you do it, it is a special moment. You, as a bride are seeing the person you are about to commit your life to for the first time on your wedding day. So why not get it out of the way and really be able to enjoy your day?"

Everyone has different thoughts on this break with tradition but I really appreciated Emily offering her thoughts for other brides to consider.  Maybe you are traditional, maybe you aren't.   But it is still nice to hear, from someone who has gone through the process, just how wonderful and meaningful the exsperience was for her.

So tell me- what are your thoughts on "First Look"?

Rebecca & Owen | Married | Just a taste.

Rebecca and Owen tied the knot yesterday.  Check back soon for more from their beautiful Harrington Farm wedding.