Minneapolis Wedding: Merritt & Alex (Part I)

This summer I wandered up to the Minneapolis, Minnesota area to photograph my cousin Merritt's wedding. They definitely embraced the ethos of "A Practical Wedding" even though I didn't point her toward the site until the wedding was already planned. My family is just naturally down to earth and awesome like that, I think. They had an intimate ceremony and said their vows on the Summer Solstice, followed by a celebration and another ceremony on the following Saturday. This is that Saturday. It was definitely a community event. Friends and family all pitched in to every aspect of the day! The wedding was held at the Lodge of the Baker Park Reserve, and most of the guests stayed in cabins on-site that night. The party lived on deep into the night, getting more and more raucous by the hour, I think. Even though I was working, it definitely ranks in the top 3 most fun weddings of my life (including my own). I think the fun, easy-going vibe of the day will be more than evident as you look through the photos below. I love this wedding far too much to cram it all into one post, so check back on Sunday for the reception!

If you're too impatient to wait until Sunday for more photos of this wedding, feel free to check out the entire wedding here.

Seattle Trip!

I went up to Seattle (well, Puyallup) last weekend to visit my sister and her family. We had a blast, as was expected. It's nearly impossible for the two of us to get together without some manner of awesome shenanigans occurring. We spent quite a bit of time harassing the staff at her local coffee shop. We wandered around a nature preserve in the ridiculously cold rain. We went shopping. A lot. We sang in the car. A lot. We ate. A lot. I also got to watch one of her roller derby bouts for the first time, which was of course inherently awesome. Her husband explained the rules to me while she was out there throwing her hips into people and such. I also got to hang out with my nephew a bit. He has grown SO much since I last saw him. Thankfully he was in the midst of a 2-week-long break from his seizures while I was there, so I got to see him at his happy squealy best! Oh, there were chocolate mustaches at one point too, thanks to the aforementioned coffee shop. Here are a few of the photos I took during my stay. I can't wait to get back up again!

Washington is gorgeous this time of year, yes?

My sister, "Gita Kraken" is the one sporting the one red sock and the dark navy tights. You might notice the distinct lack of people on their bench, so she skated a whooole lot.

Enter mustache tomfoolery. My nephew Connor is very dapper.

I miss you sister!

-Mary

Happy Anniversary: 2 Years

It's been an amazing 2 years of marriage with my husband Opie. So looking forward to many, many more years to come. We celebrated with an indoor picnic lunch (alas, it was raining) set to bluegrass music, dinner at the restaurant where we had our first date 4.5 years ago, and my introduction to Battlestar Gallactica (which I am now completely hooked on, of course). It was low-key and perfect.

Photo from our wedding day by Jenna Cole.

Hello October!

October has been my favorite month for about as long as I can remember. And no, it has nothing to do with Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks. This ex-barista isn't much of a fan (but I will take some cider or a cappuccino, thanks!). There's just something about those first brisk real Fall days that never fails to energize me. Most years even into adulthood, on the first crisp day of the year, I run out into the field nearest my house and just soak it in. I've been too busy to really embrace that random act this year, but you better believe I'm soaking it up via walks with my great danes all the same. Photo shoots this time of year are also absolutely ideal. All of my clients that have booked for this month, you're genius. I still have some availability, if you're interested - get in touch!

October 13th is my half-birthday, which was strangely exciting as a kid. Suddenly I was five-and-a-half, not just five, and don't you forget it! Don't forget to wish me a Very Merry Unbirthday.

October also means it's time for the Celtic Colours music festival based in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. I've had the joy to attend twice, and every year I haven't, I wish I could have. I know the leaves are turning in the most spectacular way up there right now. I'm jealous, you Maritimers. I'm jealous. I'll get back up in October some year, with husband in tow.

And of course there's always Halloween. I've always gone all out on homemade costumes, and that hasn't changed a bit with time. My husband and I usually go as a themed pair - V and Evie of 'V for Vendetta' (yes, I shaved my head), Jack and Sally of 'A Nightmare Before Christmas', the witch and Tim from 'Monty Python & The Holy Grail', and Adam and Jamie from 'MythBusters' to name a few. I was Adam, if you're wondering. Sadly we'll be apart this Halloween, and I'll be traveling on Halloween itself. How do you think the TSA would feel about me going through security in costume?

The very best part of October now is my wedding anniversary, of course. Opie and I will be celebrating 2 years of marriage this year. We got engaged in October of 2008. We got our first dog, Trajan, that month as well. October is a good month for our relationship. July is good too (we started dating and bought our house two different years during July) but October is clearly best.

Wedding photos by Jenna Cole.

Happy October! I hope October treats us as well as usual, and that it treats you well too. Now go run around outside and soak in this weather!

Sneak Peek: Engagement - Siobhan & Jason

I had a couples session scheduled for last Monday with Siobhan and Jason that had to be rescheduled. By the time our new appointment time rolled around today, it had become an engagement session! Congrats again, you two. I used to work with Siobhan at Starbucks, where I'm pretty sure I was the only person who had previous knowledge of how to pronounce her name. I guess that's what happens when you have an obsession with Celtic music and culture... little things like popular Gaelic names come easy to ya'. I have a strong suspicion Jason knew how to pronounce her name too, because it sounds like he shares that interest. Also? He has a great dane (I have two). So between those two things and the fact that he seemed like a really nice guy when I met him today, he has my approval. I know you were looking for my approval, Siobhan. Right? Right. Anyhow, enjoy a few photos from this morning. The light was so beautiful! And it wasn't 106° yet!