Helena and Chris' Eshoot

Helena and Chris found me on Ruffled.  A wedding blog that specializes in vintage/DIY weddings.  http://ruffledblog.com/  I get so incredibly giddy when I get Ruffled couples because... well, they are right up my alley.
When I met them, instantly I fell in love with them.  Sweet as pie and HELLO drop dead freaking gorgeous!  I know I have found my perfect couple when we can't stop laughing through the entire consultation!  And let me just say, most of the time, the groom is there to be there.  Yes, they like to be a part of the wedding planning process, but I usually don't see genuine joy from the groom's face..  except Chris.  Chris was so sweet & funny.  And you can just see how much he adores Helena.  Example, we're talking and out of nowhere Chris grabs Helena's iced coffee, which the ice had apparently melted, and went and refilled the ice for her.  I didn't realize what he was doing until he came back, and gave it to her.  Without hesitation, I let out a big "AW!!"  She didn't even ask him!  I love love.  Brings out the best in people.
After our consultation, we left the coffee shop to get cupcakes together at the Cupcake Spot down the road!  I had to hold back my excitement.  I didn't want to exactly scare my new couple away.  As if I couldn't love this couple any more, my love-o-meter just shot through the roof.  I couldn't wait to work with them. 

I believe Helena has a doppleganger, and her name is Olivia Wilde, aka "13" on House.. aka, my lady crush.

Good Lord, Helena..  It's so unfair you are so beautiful.

I enjoyed every moment working with the two of you.  Thank you for just being amazing.  I absolutely can't wait for your wedding.

The Carney Family

I met Lisa, a local wedding planner, through a mutual friend in the wedding industry.  She wanted to do some pictures for her website, and brought her adorable family along for some pictures as well.  Let me tell you, I craved having kids while watching this family play together.  Chase, their lively 2 year old.. well, let's just say he's appropriately named.  :)  So cute.  He kept saying "beach" "beach" "beach".... Sorry kid, you're at a park.  But I don't think he cared.  He had a fabulous time running around. 

If you're in the market for a fabulous wedding planner, check out Lisa with Storybook Weddings, LLC.  She's super sweet and mega talented!!  I can't wait to work with her one day!  http://storybookweddingsllc.com/index.html

I told him to run to me, and he ran right up to my camera.  I was very surprised that my camera was able to focus since he was so close!  But he did, and you can even see me in his eye.  Look ma!  I'm famous!

Chase's pants kept falling down, and I loved it!

My favorite picture.

Birthday Oystas

For my birthday, Bryan found a recipe for my favorite thing in the world, from my favorite restaurant in the world.  Charbroiled Oysters from none other than Drago's in Metairie/New Orleans.  World, it doesn't get any better than this.  I promise you.
And this leads me to my Drago's shout out.
If you are ever in the New Orleans area, Drago's is a must, as well as these delicious oysters.  And while you're there, get the crab salad, gumbo, stuffed lobster & bread pudding.  Oh, and you may want to go in your stretchy pants, because it's a lot of food.  And be sure to ask for my sister, Angelle at the bar, and tell her I sent you.  It's a good thing we don't live there, because Bryan and I would live in this restaurant.. and get very, very fat. 

Samantha & Jim's Beach Wedding!

High school sweethearts, now husband and wife.  The sweetest of love stories.  Samantha and Jim know the way to my heart, gosh darnit.  We've been talking through emails for the past year, and never had the pleasure of meeting this sweet couple until the wedding, because they're all the way from Milwaukee!!!  I was so happy to finally meet them, and so proud to be a part of their special, special day.

Such a beautiful, radiant, stunning bride!!

I'm in love with small, intimate weddings.

This wedding fell on my birthday.  And never in a million years did I expect Samantha and Jim to do what they did.   All of a sudden, I hear everyone start singing "Happy Birthday".  My first thought, "OOH it's someones birthday!!"  Then I see Samantha come up to me with a big piece of cake with a candle in it.  Seriously, I wanted to cry.  How sweet and totally unexpected of them to include my itty bitty birthday in their WEDDING DAY!  I totally felt the love.  Sweetest thing to ever happen to me at a wedding.. (besides my own of course).  Thanks again Sam & Jim!!  So incredibly sweet.

Raw, emotional pictures will always be my favorite.

Congratulations again to Sam & Jim!  I hope your destination wedding was everything you imagined it would be.  I'm so happy that after all these years, the two of you are still together and happily in love.  I'm excited for the future & memories that are in store for you both!!