Remember that proposal I shot early this fall? Remember the bearded young man who got down on one knee and popped the question?

His name is Michael.  He told me that he and Lizzy were planning a wedding this coming summer and I was delighted to hear that he planned to hire me for the wedding, too.

Well, a few weeks after Michael dropped to his knee and heard the best “yes” of his life, I got a message: They were planning to get married in December!

December?

Wait, that’s in, like, a few months, right?  Like, this December!?

Yes.  This December.

Well, my calendar was clear for the Sunday after Christmas, so we signed them up and set the plans in motion.

Michael and Lizzy were the most perfectly laid back couple ever!  Before the ceremony, they were in street clothes, decorating and putting things together.  They were checking in with me to be sure they weren’t behind schedule and perfected their classy decorations quickly and efficiently.  What else can you expect when the groom is an engineer?  I love these two so much.

Michael and Lizzy: First looks and second kisses

When the time had come, both donned their wedding apparel and we caught their first look.

I love the light above Michael’s head when he saw Lizzy.  Mind. Blown.

Now, I’m usually addicted to bright, vibrant colors.  But Michael and Lizzy’s day was so dreamy that I fell quite in love with black and white images.  Look how classy these two look all dolled up to say I do.

Lizzy’s dad beamed all day long!  I love the moment just before they walk out.  He just looks at h er with such delight.  And she’s beaming as she walks down the aisle! What delight!

I am drooling over this second kiss moment.  I love how their loved ones are so close to them and everything is so warm and mushy.  Call me crazy but I love mushy.  A lot.

Maybe I feel a little two excited about the fact that I get to follow the bride and groom out of the ceremony!  I get to capture authentic and exciting moments like this one. Here, Lizzy just said, “This is my husband!”  I love how excited she is to be married to Michael!

So, with these cake-cutting pictures, you must know the story.  In the first picture, Lizzy’s laughing because she dropped the cake on the ground.  On. The. Ground.  Obviously, Michael had nothing to do with it!  After they were successful in their cake-cutting endeavor, they were so nice when they fed each other their cake smidgens.  Then, Lizzy got silly!  Michael retaliates!  And then you see the results.  I love seeing newlyweds being silly! (Cake by Maribelle Cakery)

Here, you’ll see Michael’s mom helping him with beard cake trap.  Michael said that he still had cake in his beard the next day!  And Michael’s mom was just so presh!  She smiled all day long.

Again with the black and whites?  Yes.  Because love is sometimes simple.  Like the simplicity of black and white.  These first dances matched the lovebirds perfectly: simple, yet meaningful.  Dad had me all gushing and I was literally sobbing when I was processing the father/daughter dance.  Literally.  Like tissues and snot and all that not lovely stuff that you’re not supposed to talk about on wedding blogs because it’s all about the happy now.  Yeah, I just went there.  Please move on to the next image.

After the reception, I stole Michael and Lizzy away to the [almost] vacant streets of Cincinnati.  We grabbed a few moments in the middle of the street, taking advantage of the wet streets.  I absolutely love this picture. Absolutely.  Maybe I’ll even hang it on my wall!  Maybe.

Michael and Lizzy, I wish you the absolute best as you begin your marriage.  Lizzy, I’m so glad you have chosen Michael!  I’ve known him for a few years and he’s genuinely a great guy!  Michael, Lizzy is so sweet and I couldn’t be happier for you!

Have a blessed marriage!

Love,