The Union: Angie & Zach

Indianapolis, Indiana

Angie's laugh could be heard as I walked down the hall to her hotel room. All of her bridesmaids were giggling and laying on the beds. It was just how you would picture a bride's room to be the morning of her wedding.

Angie and Zach have the coolest story. They had known each other since they were super young. Zach's sister, Courtney, and Angie have been best friends since they were little. It was fun to see Courtney and Angie becoming sister-in-laws! How cool is that?

Zach and Angie enjoyed everything about their day. They laughed their way through photos with their friends and family, held each other close for their couple photos and beamed walking down the aisle as husband and wife. They danced the night away and every time we saw them together they were either laughing or kissing.

Angie is one of my sorority sisters from college. It was so much fun to hang out with her the whole day and be able to celebrate with her! Congrats you two!

Hair Stylist: Wild Horses Salon (Abby and Meg)

Makeup Artist: Chanel, Ellen Tovsky

Ceremony/Reception: Scottish Rite Cathedral

Florist: Kathy's Kloset

Cake: Cretia's Cakes

DJ: Jim Cerone

 Courtney and Angie laughing as they get their hair done.

Zach getting ready for the day.

Angie's beautiful gown.

Some of the details of the day. Check out Angie's ring! Zach designed it with 100 diamonds!!!

Angie and Zach making the Scottish Rite Cathedral's steps look super romantic.

I looove this photo of Angie.

Zach is just hilarious.

Angie, you're drop dead gorgeous!

Zach you're pretty good looking yourself.

Beautiful.

I love this moment Pat captured.

Time to meet the wedding party.

One last kiss before getting married.

Angie might be a bit excited to marry Zach.

Their first dance.

Some traditional Italian dances.

Totally 80s

Most of you know that Pat and I volunteer with high school students at our church. A couple Sundays out of the month my group of girls meet for a Bible study at our home. I always look forward to it and these girls truly inspire me!

We decided to have a bit of fun one day and have an 80s photo shoot. The girls cracked me up in their outfits! You have to check them out! How can you not laugh?

Molly, the 80s farm girl.

Megan, the work out queen.

Grace, jazzercise anyone?

Kalen, shoulder pads are super cool.

I don't really know what this is!

Stevie, looking right out of Fame.

Meghan, the 80s runner.

Don't mess with these girls!

Seriously, how can I not have fun with these girls?

It's That Time of Year

The leaves have all fallen and have mostly been picked up out of our front yard. This week we had three straight days of cold rain. I saw the sun today and told Pat and Zane "we're going out!" You'd think I would be used to this weather change by now but every year it seems to hit me.

This year in particular it's hitting me how fast the year has gone by. Are we really getting our Christmas decorations out soon and stuffing ourselves with turkey next week? How did that happen? I start to reflect on the year and torment myself wondering if I spent enough time with Zane, with my husband, and I already know the answer to my friends, I have barely seen them! I can't get that time back and I need to readjust as this year comes to a close. I keep reminding myself that it's good to reflect but that I also need to pick up those pieces and stop some of those habits. Time to make some positive change as the weather changes for the worse. No earth shattering changes, more minor things, and trying to find a schedule that our whole family can enjoy and feel like we have some personal time too.

So here's to the bare trees, to the chilly winds and the gray skies. I see and feel you and I'm going to be okay with you this year. You just bring about some time to think and revamp with a new attitude and focus on relationships for the end of the year and next.

And even though the trees are bare now I can look at these photos from a couple weeks ago and laugh. We had a moment, several moments, where our family enjoyed the fall air and jumped in the leaves with belly laughs.

Zane's attempt at helping with his "claw."

The Union: Katie & Wes

Atlanta, Georgia

Katie walked into her bridal brunch with a smile on her face that only a bride on her wedding day can have. She was greeted by friends and family with plenty of hugs and warm wishes. They told stories of Katie when she was little and stories about her and Wes. It was a perfect way to start her wedding day.

Later, Katie's suite was filled with two hair stylists, her mom and her bridesmaids as they prepared for the day. They had the football game on in the background, chatted and laughed as they anxiously awaited heading to the church. Meanwhile, Wes and his dad put on their tuxedos and hung out while waiting for the other guys to arrive.

Katie and Wes said their vows with smiles and loving glances to each other. They walked down the aisle with a newly wed glow. They held each other tight as they danced as all their guests' eyes were on them. They remained in the middle of the dance for almost the whole night and everyone could tell how much fun they were having, taking it all in.

Katie and Wes, we are so excited for you two as you enter your marriage! Thank you for having us as part of your day!

Bridal Brunch/Bridal Preparation: The Ritz-Carlton Hotel of Atlanta

Hair Stylist: Hair by Layla

Church: First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta

Reception Location/Caterer: Il Mulino

Florist/Event Stylist: Chuck Milne

Cake: Cakes by Darcy

Band: The Neon's

Katie's mom greeting her at the bridal brunch.

Katie gave a card to her mom and her mom got choked up just by opening the card.

Katie was so excited about her shoes! I see why!

Wes and his dad getting ready.

This is my new favorite photo of a bride getting dressed. I love how everyone is crowded around her.

Katie right before she walked down the aisle. She looks a little excited!

The gorgeous church.

They're married!

Right after I took this Katie said, "I think I'm going to love that photo!"

Another kiss before heading to the reception.

Some of of the details of the day.

 Cheers!

How adorable are these two?!

We love everything about this photo!

Who says you can't walk down the middle of Peachtree Street?

Wes and the guys enjoyed a cigar while Katie changed into her getaway dress.

Their send off! Congrats!!!

Beth, Brandon & Grace

You have friends that come into your life and help you see things in a new light. That are encouraging, laugh with you and cry with you. That you can spend all day playing games with and even if they win every game, you still have a good time. That you can raise children, wonder what in the world we're doing and tell each other "they'll still think we're weird when they're older."

Beth and Brandon are two of those friends and we are so blessed to have them in our lives. You've seen Grace on this blog many times and have heard many times about the future marriage of her and Zane! Every time I get to document this family I'm super excited. It's fun to capture your friends in their element.

Just see how beautiful this family is...

I had to get a photo of Grace's hair. Soon, Beth, you'll be able to get it in a ponytail!

Grace normally is running up to me. This time, she wasn't sure about my cameras! Love how she's giving me the eye.

Bubbles! Grace's current favorite activity.

Grace's new skill...walking backwards.

I think this might make Grace happy. :)

Grace and Daddy.

Grace wanted so bad to go into the street. Why do they always want to do things that are dangerous?

Moms, why is that whenever our kids want us they come to us crying? Guess that's a mom's touch to comfort a crying child!

A fun piggy back ride to end the session.