I’ve been honored to photograph Alex and Kayleigh since they were both itty bitty newborns, and to see the sweet kids they’ve become as they’ve gotten older is so awesome. I love how fun and funny these two are! These two adorable goofballs were a blast, and sure kept their parents on their toes this year! ;)
Enjoy these fun fall family portraits, and if you have a minute, go play in some leaves tomorrow! You won’t regret it!
—Sam
These two had just about the cutest “how we met” story ever! They were both playing in the same community band, but never ended up talking because they’re both introverted and talking to people is hard (relatable, huh?). But they then ended up connecting on Bumble, and realized they were both in the community band. Shortly after they started dating, they starting square dancing together, even going so far as to take lessons, and their wedding reception was held in the very same place they had their first square dance, the Courtyard by Marriott!
Cara + Richard’s wedding day had so many thoughtful and personal touches, and so much DIY fun! Cara hand-knit her wedding veil, her mom knit the bridesmaids shawls, her father made the beautiful wooden lanterns that lined the aisle for their ceremony, her grandmother hand-painted a sign for the remembrance table, and there are probably a million other things as well, but needless to say the amount of DIY spirit and craftiness was absolutely magical!
Their wedding day was so joyful and special, and it was clear how much Cara + Richard’s family and friends care for and support them and their marriage, which is wonderful to see. Help me wish them a big congratulations, and enjoy the photos!
—Sam
And here are the vendors that helped make their wedding day awesome!
Ceremony Venue: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Reception Venue: Courtyard by Marriott (Madison West)
Officiant: Pastor Dara Schuller-Hanson
Hair Stylist: Brideheads
Makeup Artist: Katie Roehm
Wedding Bands/Rings: The Diamond Center
Bridal Gown: Brandi’s Bridal
Groom Tux: Generation Tux
DJ: Midwest Sound DJ Entertainment
Florist: Lacie Schroder (with Sola Flowers)
Desserts: Looking Glass Bakery
Catering: Courtyard by Marriott (Madison West)
Square Dance Caller: Dave Schulz
Note the Halloween and Spooky Season influences. ;) Feel free to put some of your current favorites in the comments, and enjoy!
-Sam
Katie told me that she and Erin spent one of their first dates hiking, and their first trip together was a rain-soaked camping trip in, you guessed it, Door County. These two love the outdoors, and as a family (with Erin’s daughter Evey), they spend as much time outdoors as they can. So when it came to planning their wedding day, they knew they wanted the picturesque backdrop of Door County’s Peninsula State Park!
With a wedding hashtag like #biggaycampwedding you know you’re going to have a great time, and I absolutely did. It was a joy-filled day and Erin + Katie worked in so many special touches. Their vows were made not only to each other, but also to Evey (as every blended family should consider doing), which was the most precious moment of the day and reminded me of my own wedding, where my son walked me down the aisle, just like Erin’s daughter, wearing a badass suit just like her mom, walked Erin down the aisle.
We not only got to enjoy the beautiful weather the weekend had in store, but also got to punk around Peninsula State Park for photo opportunities, including the spooky Pioneer Cemetery after sunset, which was awesome, just like everything else about Erin + Katie’s wedding day!
Help me wish these two brides a very hearty congratulations, and enjoy the photos!
—Sam
Here are the vendors that helped make their wedding day awesome!
Ceremony + Reception Venue: Weborg Point Shelter - Peninsula State Park
Officiant: Nik Shier
Hair Stylist: Revel Salon
Wedding Rings/Bands: Bride Band - Blazer Arts on Etsy and Bride Ring - Moonkist Designs, LLC
Bridal Suits: Bindle and Keep
Bridal Bow Tie (Erin): Jack and Miles
Florist: Bee Enchanted Florist
Desserts: Morgan the Pie Lady
Catering: The Wild Tomato
Table/Chair Rental: Stoughton Lumber Rentals
No seriously, it was very stormy, despite the weather app telling us clear skies until just before the session, but we managed to fit in a little 30 minute session just before the skies opened up, and boy were they beautiful! It made for some very dramatic photos, which I love, and Rylan and her parents, Lily + Aaron, were such troopers! This adorable little family is expecting a new addition in November, and I could not be more thrilled for them! Pics to come!
—Sam
Now the bummer is that meant I didn’t get to see their dog and two kitties, but the upside is how awesome Winnie + Fiona’s colorful outfits worked with the amazing murals all around Willy street, and how we got to get a nice little walk in during our session when we headed on over to BB Clarke Beach Park! Enjoy these adorable summery family portraits, and here’s to another year for this wonderful family! Cheers!
—Sam
As many of you know, offbeat and non-traditional weddings have a very special place in our hearts (obviously). We’ve done a little roundup of some of our favorite offbeat femme wedding styles for you to enjoy!
When a jumpsuit will do! Wedding jumpsuits, whether for the whole wedding day or just the tail end of the reception are fun, comfortable, and look amazing!
One of the most fun ways to do something a little different on your wedding day is to add some unexpected colors, especially to the gown! You don’t even need to wear a “wedding” dress! I went with a silver prom dress for my wedding, and one of the brides below went with a gorgeous dark grey cocktail dress that was to die for.
Want to introduce some wedding color a little more subtly? Easy! Try adding color underneath your white lace, or get creative with your shoe or boot color, like the brides below!
Even classic colors have fresh appeal when used in non-traditional places. Take these freaking amazing black and white gowns for instance!
Whether it’s turning a wedding veil into a badass wedding cape, or rocking colorful hand embroidery with stellar glasses, little details make a big difference in your wedding day look, and can help you express yourself on your wedding day!
Well I’m glad you asked! Patterns on a wedding gown, especially hand-embroidered ones, are awesome! Just check out the beautiful patterned dresses below!
You know we love a good rainbow themed wedding day!
Maybe you want to have both a classic American outfit, and want to honor your family’s culture. Enter outfit changes! No need to limit yourself to just one wedding day outfit!
There are so many amazing options for expressing yourself on your wedding day! Use some of the ideas above or come up with your own! Tell us in the comments if you have seen other fun trends with femme wedding style you want to share!
—Sam
While we love all kinds of weddings, the offbeat and non-traditional have a very special place in our hearts. Below are some of our favorite non-traditional masculine wedding looks!
A classic in the realm of non-traditional wedding looks, we dig a casual beach kind of vibe wherever your ceremony may be! Go with shorts, or jacket free with a patterned shirt to give your wedding look a more casual and laid back vibe. Tie optional!
Mint green dress pants or a green velvet jacket? Yes please! We love a classic dark grey or blue suit, but a great way to go for a non-traditional look is to change up those colors and get wild!
Even classic colors have fresh appeal when used in complementary-colored outfits!
Maybe you just want to do a little something fun and unexpected, or maybe you’re going with a classic look but your overall vibe is as non-traditional as it comes. Either way, little details make all the difference and whether it’s a badass tophat or a looser suit you wear with your favorite ear gauges, you’re sure to look great!
Maybe you’re into a themed look! You can go as big as you want with wedding cosplay (Dr. Who anyone?) or do something like an alt-kilt theme with a badass mowhawk (one of the coolest hairstyles). Your wedding should be a reflection of who you (and your partner) are, so make sure your outfit and hairstyle feels like you!
No need to let the femme folks have all the hair fun! Whether it’s a gorgeous flower crown, or an elaborately braided updo, masculine presenting folks have so many non-traditional options for amazing hair on their wedding days!
Masculine presenting folks have some great options for getting a little wild and offbeat with their wedding day looks! Tell us any trends you love to see for masculine or groom wedding style in the comments!
—Sam
But first, they had photos with their family and their dogs, Tia + Toast, at Westmorland Park on Madison’s West side, surrounded by wildflowers, which is the same place we took their “Yay we’re married!” photos earlier this year! Check those out here.
I loved the non-traditional men’s hairstyles for Moose and Chloe’s brother, Sam! More braided men’s updos please!
The Overture Center was so lovely as their reception venue, and Chloe + Moose even had life-sized cutout of themselves, and of their two dogs, so the doggos could be there in spirit!
Enjoy these joyful photos, and help me in congratulating Chloe + Moose on their wedding!
—Sam
Here are the Vendors that helped make their wedding day awesome!
Formal Photos Venue: Westmorland Park
Reception Venue: The Overture Center
DJ: Andre with Celebrations Entertainment
Bridal Gown: The Wedding Shoppe (vendor), Selby Rae (Designer), Monetti Tailoring (alterations)
Groom Tux: National Tuxedo Rentals
Groom Tie: DIY (Bride made it herself!)
Bridal Flower Crown: LisaUaShop on Etsy
Bridal Shawl: DIY (Bride crocheted it herself!)
Wedding Party Ties: Knotty Tie Co
Wedding Party Dresses: Azazie
Wedding Party Suits: StudioSuit
Wedding Bands: Bauer Jewelry Designs
Hair Stylist: Timeless Designs
Makeup: DG Beauty Salon
Florist: Felly’s Flowers
Wedding Desserts: Madison Sourdough Company
Catering: Fresco Catering
Candle Holders: BlueCornBeeswax on Etsy
Candles: BeesLightCandles on Etsy
Table sashes: ByFernStudio on Etsy
Cardboard Cutouts: Cardboard Cutout Standees
I’ve always thought that some of the best romantic relationships spring from true friendship, especially because friendship is such an important element in a successful romantic relationship. When talking about their relationship, Hannah said “how it feels” has always been so much more important than any label ever could be, and to see these two together, that absolutely seems true. If how sweet and tender they were towards each other on what can sometimes be a very stressful (if happy) day is any indication, these two know what is truly important. It was an honor to celebrate with them!
Enjoy the wedding photos of these two (and the gorgeousness that is the Aldo Leopold Nature Center) and help me wish them a big congratulations!
-Sam
Here are the vendors (with links) that helped make their wedding day awesome!
Ceremony + Reception Venue: Aldo Leopold Nature Center
Officiant: Raquel Sanchez
Bridal Gown: Brandi's Bridal Galleria / Maggie Sottero / Professional Alterations by Lorri
Bridal Boots: John Fluevog
Wedding Bands: Jewelry by Johan
Florist: Sunborn Gardens
Desserts: Madison Sourdough
Catering: Chef Dave
I don’t do senior portraits often, but this session was so fun it’s making me hope that I end up doing more of them! Grace and her mom Erin and I walked along Willy Street, taking advantage of some of the gorgeous murals along the way, ending up on Lake Monona just before sunset! Lots of laughs, lots of trying not to fall in the lake, and lots of fun spinning at the end (why don’t I make people spin more? It’s great!)
Enjoy the photos and congrats to Grace on her upcoming senior year!
-Sam
For a non-religious person, I’ve always had a tender spot in my heart for B’Nai Mitzvahs. I think there is something so solid, supportive, and loving about a community coming together to celebrate a coming of age, and helping a young adult to understand not only their place in their community and in their faith, but how they contribute positively to the world at large. These events are always a highlight in my year and Jordan’s Bat Mitzvah was no exception.
Jordan celebrated with friends and family on August 20th and the party following the ceremony, held at the Hillel Foundation on the UW-Madison campus was a blast!
Congrats to Jordan and her family on such a joyous occasion!
-Sam
