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Family, friends and gettin’ down havin’ a good time — the three things Kristen and Billy knew their big day had to be all about.

Fast forward through the months of stress-inducing planning to the muggy afternoon of their August wedding. There was plenty of family (seriously, Kristen and Billy’s families were HUGE — I don’t think I’ve ever photographed that many families at the altar — but they were SO great to work, and Kristen’s grandpa was SO cute). Plenty, too, were the friends who were quick to ooh and aww over this beautiful bride (she looked SO pretty). And let’s not forget the post-wedding bar crawl, which provided AMPLE opportunities for “gettin’ down havin’ a good time”.

I’ll shush now and launch into my “day-of” commentary with photos below, but not before encouraging you all to watch this must-see SLIDESHOW. If you are friend or family of the bride and/or groom and want to see all the proof images from their wedding day, click here.

Okay, first of all, can we all just take a second to admire how gorgeous Kristen looked on her wedding day? She blew me away!

And then we have Kristen with her and Billy’s little girl, Cyenna. Hands down one of the cutest flower girls in 2009 (don’t you love how her little strap is sliding off her shoulder? It’s my favorite thing about this particular image — that and her little heart/cross pendant. TOO SWEET)

I’m a sucker for all the details of a wedding day. I love how each little thing makes an event so unique to that couple. Which meant every time I looked at Cyenna’s little crocheted slippers, I had this little “Awww” moment from behind the camera. Kristen, WHERE did you find those?

I’m sorry. I just can’t help it — to not post the gorgeousness that is these next few images would be a photographer crime!

FAVORITE!

On to the gentlemen. That’s right crew, their future’s so bright, they have to wear shades (what can I say, I’m a child of the ’80s!)

I love both of these next images for so many different reasons. We’ll chalk that one on the right to “being in the right place at the right time” — and it’s on the right side of the frame — HA! (sorry, it’s late, and when it’s late, I get corny).

Right after taking this shot, I looked at the back of my viewfinder and started giggling. BUBBLESSSSSS!

LOVE THESE

So the first stop as part of this wedding party’s bar crawl MIGHT have been this place called The Kickin’ Chicken. And a certain photographer MIGHT have thought that this handy dandy little board covering the pool tab would be the perfect place for a ring shot. SCORE!

And oh yes…there MIGHT have been some dancing ON THE BAR. I told you these kids liked to have a good time!

On to stop No. 2 before the reception and I might have spotted some tasty light in an alley. “Hey Kristen, can you humor me for 5 minutes, crawl over these rocks in your 3-inch high heels and look hot?” DONE!

As we were coming out of this bar, Kristen spotted somebody’s motorcycle and started to mimic getting on it. Well, before you know it, this big burly biker comes out and is all “What’s going on?” Thankfully, he let us take a couple photos with it, but something tells me this wasn’t exactly what he thought I had up my sleeve! SECOND FAVORITE!

First dance (if you peep the slideshow, you’ll hear what song they picked to play — any reference to Johnny Cash and June Carter is alright by me!)

Thanks again you two for letting me document your wedding day! Kristen, I’m so happy for you that you’ve met your perfect match!!!! And Erin, when you marry that hottie in the photo above, you remember who to call, ‘kay? (and I totally get to put you on the spot since the pair of you caught the garter and bouquet )

I’m not sure I have the right words to cap the way I feel about this wedding (what’s that they say about a picture being worth 1,000 of them? ) but I do know I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention what it is I love about this couple.

I love that Ashley was such a confident bride (after 9 years together, she KNEW she wanted this man!). I love how much creativity and thought she put into her big day, all in an effort to make it unique. And even more so, I love how her eyes lit up when she told me about all these details — from the umbrellas (all her idea) to that beautiful veil and headpiece of hers. Most of all, I love how much she basked in the moments of her wedding day. Hers was one filled with little stress, many laughs, and lots and lots of love and I’m pretty sure that’s what every bride hopes it to be.

And what I love about Jeremy is how much he loves this woman who’s now his wife. I love how willing he was to take whatever photos I asked of him, namely because he knew how much doing so would mean to Ashley. And so he’d smile and turn, and smile and turn and look like the dashing fella that he is and that I’ve always remembered him to be.

Ashley and Jeremy, your nupitals were a long time coming, but I can think of few weddings that were as much fun as yours. You’ve spoiled me with this incredible experience, the kind that reminds me of how lucky I am to help my clients remember this important day of theirs to the fullest.

Best wishes on your marriage and a beautiful life on that fantastic farm of yours! And if you’re oohing and awwing over how attractive these two are (and how they had the perfect day for their wedding), then WATCH THE SLIDESHOW to experience more of it!

If you are friend or family of the bride and/or groom and want to see all the proof images from their wedding day, click here.

Ashley loves orchids. Which just happens to be Reason No. 263 as to why I love her

A few more of the beautiful details (and don’t think the fact her colors perfectly match my blog have gone unnoticed by moi!)

If I post too many photos of this gal, forgive me. It’s only because a) she’s so gosh darn beautiful and b) I like to squeeze as much joy into one blog post as possible. Mission accomplished ….

A bird cage veil? YES PLEASE! (this is one of ‘If I could redo my wedding day I would so totally consider this option’ moments I sometimes have at another person’s wedding). How much do you all love this shot of her? Because I know I DO!

Oh, now this is just cuteness right here. Sometimes it’s the candid moments that make for the best photographs.

Don’t think I’ve forgotten this HOT GROOM! (Hot may also be the adjective of choice to describe the weather this day - woo whew was it warm!)

“And I was also thinking about buying umbrellas for the girls…” ASHLEY YOU ARE A GENIUS

I love that moment right before a father walks his daughter down the aisle. Perhaps it’s because it makes me think of my dad and all the other fellas who have to pull themselves together before they can give their little girl away

HANDS DOWN ONE OF MY FAVORITE IMAGES I’VE EVER TAKEN*

*I have to add a disclaimer and add that this one is RIGHT UP THERE TOO

Perfect sky. Perfect clouds. Perfect couple. Perfect day.

So sweet, this image …

And a wheat field too? I hit the wedding photographer jackpot with this event (and doesn’t Ashley look FIERCE here? )

These girls were so much fun — the whole wedding party, actually!

Ashley and Jeremy, thank you for trusting me to capture your wedding day. Ashley, your belief in my abilities gave me confidence at a time I really needed it, and I’ll always be forever grateful to you for it!

There’s just something about capturing images of people like this that makes my heart soar.

It’s that moment when I’m editing a wedding for a bride and groom when I’m filled with such joy thinking I DID THAT. It’s because I was blessed enough to be asked to get behind the camera that this couple gets to remember these exact moments for the rest of their lives. The cake dries up, the flowers will shrivel, but what remains are the photographs to remind us all of just how beautiful was the day two best friends became one.

There was just something about this wedding in particular that left me on THE biggest high. To the point where — if I didn’t know how much this couple wanted these images back — I would have stretched out the editing process because I enjoyed seeing their smiles THAT much!

Gaylena and Kevin, you have a love so real and true that even little ‘ol me could see — and feel — it across the room. And for the past few weeks, I’ve had some great reminders on the monitor in front of me.

Thank you for trusting me to document your wedding day. The bond you two share is palpable and I have a feeling that yours will be a wedding I remember for years to come.

And if you think this couple is gorgeous, then do yourself a favor and definitely WATCH THE SLIDESHOW. (True story: I’ve already watched it a dozen times myself and I STILL get goosebumps when I watch it  — ha!) Gaylena and Kevin, may you always be one another’s “best thing”

If you are friend or family of the bride and/or groom and want to see all the proof images from their wedding day, click here.

Gaylena and Kevin got married on a beautiful Saturday morning at the Morris Butler House in Indianapolis. It made for some beautiful locations to shoot — both inside and out!

I am still blown away by how BEAUTIFUL Gaylena was on her wedding day.

Did you think I could blog this wedding and not mention the fantasticness of these shoes once more?

When I opened this image on my computer, I was struck by just how handsome Kevin looks here. Gaylena, are you glad you married this man or what? (wink wink)

And you thought he couldn’t get any more handsome

Oh those cute groomsmen. They were so eager to please and had much fun in the process …

I love EVERYTHING about this photograph, but especially Gaylena’s adorable grin here. That girl knew how to WORK the camera (made my job a breeze)

S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G

Gaylena and Kevin had an untraditional kind of intimate wedding day. After a brunch with their family and guests, they chose to spend the rest of the afternoon just as man and wife. And I think that is so sweet, because how many of us truly remember much about our wedding day — let alone spending more than five minutes with our spouse? Gaylena requested we meet up again in the evening on Monument Circle for more photographs and I happily obliged. When she showed up with those beautiful peacock feathers in her hair, I kind of wanted to ask her if we could be best friends

Gaylena, you take my breath away in this photograph and remind me again of how much I love to do this, all at the same time

An enchanted evening for sure …

Gaylena and Kevin, you two are the best! Best wishes for a beautiful marriage!  — Gail

Mother Nature ushered in the month of April with rain, showers that were gone just in time for Nikki and Keegan’s wedding day. And thank goodness, because we were able to take advantage of the sunshine instead and capture some beautiful memories of this couple as they start their lives together as husband and wife.

To the bridesmaids who endured the cold with Nikki so I could get those images, I say thank you. To Keegan’s kid brother, Shea, who held bags for me and was my escort for the evening, I say thank you. But the biggest thanks, of course, goes to the bride and groom.

Nikki and Keegan, thank you so much for the opportunity to document your wedding day. You two are beautiful people inside and out and that became evident to me watching you surrounded by all your family and friends who love you so much. Congratulations and many blessings on your marriage!

For the slideshow, CLICK HERE. To view proofs and/or order prints, CLICK HERE (the password is the bride and groom’s last name, in all lower case.)

Documenting the getting ready process. Somehow, Nikki managed to smile even while brushing her teeth. I don’t think that megawatt grin left her face the ENTIRE day! So cute ….

This was one GORGEOUS bridal party

And hellllllllllllllooooooo hot groomsmen

Of course we know, the day is really all about the bride. NIKKI, YOU ARE STUNNING!

I love this image of Nikki and Keegan coming down the aisle as husband and wife. Nikki had the best expressions!

Right after I shot that, I caught this quick embrace. Their second kiss as husband and wife - awwwwwww

This image is just classic. We have a photograph of my parents on their wedding day, coming out of the church getting rice thrown at them. It’s probably my favorite out of their whole album. Maybe that’s why I love this one so much!!

Nikki and Keegan’s reception was at IPFW in Fort Wayne. If you remember, it’s where Keegan proposed to Nikki. So OF COURSE we had to get some photos on campus with the school mascot (a mastadon, just in case you were all, “A wooly elephant?”) And this wedding party had NO problems working it out. When I told them we were going to take a couple fun shots, they came up with these poses on their own. LOVE IT!

And then there’s this shot — a personal favorite

The DJ at the reception joked that Nikki and Keegan looked like the couple that was the cake topper on most wedding cakes. I think these next few speak to just what an attractive pair they are!

Probably the most special moment of the day next to watching them exchange their vows was the surprise Keegan had for Nikki. This was a bride who had planned and planned for everything, but didn’t expect her husband to perform an impromptu concert for her. Keegan played his guitar and sang Brad Paisley’s new song, “Then.” The words, as he told her, were so perfect for the two of them. And if you watch their slideshow, you’ll get to hear it!

If you looked cute-as-a-button up in the dictionary, I’m pretty sure this little guy’s photo would accompany the definition

And finally, a little dancing to end the night on. P-E-R-F-E-C-T!

Earlier this fall I had the chance to second shoot another wedding with Indy-based photog Buffy Hostetler.

I didn’t know much about this shoot going in, just the location of the church where I was supposed to meet up with the gang. When I walked in, these were the first words exchanged between myself and the bride:

Me: “RACHEL?!”

Bride: “GAIL?!”

Me: “Oh my gosh — you’re getting married!”

Bride: “Oh my gosh — you’re at my wedding!”

It’s funny how small the world is. Rachel was in a couple of my classes at Ball State while I was in grad school on a short-lived journey of becoming a journalism adviser. Rachel stuck with that path and now is a teacher in Columbus, Ind. (another small ironic twist, my hubby used to cover that school district when he worked for the newspaper there). And here I am, three years later, taking photos on a path that has clearly drifted but with no regrets or complaints on my end.

I love shooting weddings — sure they are a lot of stress, but after the day is over and all has gone as it should … well, you end up with great memories like these.

Rachel has SUCH a great smile — it’s an asset of hers that is impossible to ignore (I think you’ll see what I mean by the end of this post )

How much does she look like her mother in this one?

Rachel and Brayton opted to see each other before the ceremony. Looking back, I wish Nick and I had done that. Those raw emotions you’re experiencing in that moment are a lot easier to let go unchecked when 200 people aren’t watching your every move.

PS - I love the light in this shot

Beautiful October day. Fall colors. A bouquet of gerber daisies. What’s not to love?

Something must have been funny here (and no, I wasn’t kidding about Rachel’s megawatt smile!)

A little pre-ceremony pep talk

I love this shot of Rachel and her dad before walking down the aisle. What a proud papa!

(FUNNY STORY: Moments after taking this shot I took on a second title — organist wrangler. With no Canon in D or Here Comes the Bride, the woman paid to play the pipes had missed her cue. TWICE. Rachel later told me the bridesmaids could see me in the balcony, mouthing “YOU. PLAY. NOW.” All in a day’s work … )

Hey Rachel, who’s that hot hubby whose hand you’re holding?

How low can you go … can you go down low? All the way to the floor now …

Rachel and Brayton thank you for allowing me to tag along and be Buffy’s shadow for the night! You guys had a great wedding (oh yeah, and I’m STILL thinking about that dinner I devoured!)