To read the story behind the image above, check out this previous blog post.

When I was pulling images from Christine & Charlie’s day for this blog post, I noticed that nearly all of them were images of pure joy.  I think that, more than anything I can type, describes their day.  It was pure joy, in every form, around every corner.

They had a stunning wedding day that culminated in a fantastic party at the Overture Center in Madison.  Weddings at the Overture Center are always fun, with such a beautiful venue and the light it holds.

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The centerpieces and small touches for Christine & Charlie’s Overture Center wedding reception were beautifully done.  I love when every angle of a piece is considered and finished, like how the end of these wrapped leaves is punctuated with mum buttons.

Christine and Charlie, we felt so honored to be among those chosen to participate in your wedding day.  There was such love and joy surrounding you, I hope you can still feel it today.  You are truly an example of two remarkable people who become something greater all together when you are joined.  Thank you for including m three studio in your plans!

Credits:

Ceremony Venue: Blessed Sacrament Parish

Reception Venue: Overture Center

Flowers:Garden Laurel by Sager

Cake/Cupcakes: Cupcakes-a-go-go

DJ: Roberto Monastero

Makeup: Blush Beauty

First and foremost – did you see Holly & Andy’s beautiful morning wedding that I posted late last week?  If not, scroll down.  I’ll wait.  Seriously, it’s worth it.

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One of my joys every Monday has been watching the latest episode of The Pillars of the Earth on Netflix.  This is one of my all-time favorite books, and the interpretation to the small screen is masterfully done.  The acting is fantastic, the scenery is breathtaking and the way they have twisted this multi-faceted story into a series is just great.  I’m sad that it is almost over.  I wish they had continued with part two and done World Without End as well.

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We had a tremendously beautiful wedding day last Saturday at the American Club in Kohler.  Sunshine, a slight breeze and good temperatures.  Throw in a wonderful couple and their cutie-pie dog as ringbearer, and it could hardly get better.  Congratulations to Marisa and Jon!  Enjoy Oahu!

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There won’t be a Miscellaneous Monday next week in respect to Labor Day.  The ladies of my family and I will be out on our annual Labor Day shopping trip.  This year we are hitting the stores in Lake Geneva and Delvan.  We thought it was time for something different from the usual outlet malls.  Any recommendations for where to eat lunch or what stores to be sure to hit?

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I watched The Cove last night.  (Hubby tried, but he fell asleep) It is a film I had heard much about.  It is quite good, and quite arresting. If you haven’t seen it, you really should. You can go here to learn more about the issues it explores.

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Next week I’m headed to Minneapolis for an engagement session.  I haven’t been back there since my first two years of college (which is math we won’t be calculating).  I’m excited to see what has changed!

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I ordered the wedding album for one of Amy’s (my associate photographer) clients today, and I really love it.  Amy did a fantastic job with this wedding, and Camille had such excellent taste in her choices for gowns and flowers.  Check it out by clicking here:

Camille & Michael’s Wedding Album

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Dates for next week are being snatched up lately like scarce candy.  I’m so excited about every single wedding of 2011, I can hardly wait for it all to unfold!

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I don’t bring up politics often, but this discovery last week really disturbed me.  Apparently, there is a rider on the health care bill that will require every business to send a 1099 to everyone and every business they spend more than $600 with.  So, if you bought more than $600 in supplies from Office Max, you’ll be sending them a 1099.  Seriously.  You can read all about it here. This is all so that the government can hopefully uncover unreported income – a loss in taxes they estimate at 3 billion a year.  Luckily, this wont’ take effect until 2012, but my head already hurts from the idea of keeping track of all of this.  The idea that things like this get tacked onto legislation that has nothing to do with them, seemingly for the purpose of going un-noticed is what is really disturbing.

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Well, that’s all I’ve got for today, and I’d say that it’s quite enough.  Have a great week, and a great holiday!

Oh my.  Where to start?  When Holly & Andy first told me about their idea for a morning wedding, I was skeptical.  I’m not a morning person, and as it turns out, neither is Holly.  But they knew that the benefits to this plan far outweighed the negatives.  Let’s discuss.  A morning wedding at Lake Park Bistro means amazing light, less traffic along the lake, lunch for your guests, lawn bowling instead of dancing (!), a fun and unique feeling to your day, a no-rush portrait session, and oh yes, did I mention the amazing light?  It’s worth mentioning twice.  Seriously.   I was deliriously happy, almost drunk on the light and the love.

Holly and Andy were married similarly to the way Hubby and I were – at the bottom of the staircase behind Lake Park Bistro.  Most people get married at the top, and that really ignores the beauty and drama of the staircase. Weddings at Lake Park Bistro are always beautiful, but doing it this way is extra gorgeous.

And now I give you glorious, magnificent, amazing light.  All because they chose a morning/daytime wedding:

This image below I think might accurately portray Holly and Andy and their relationship.  Holly giggles and sort of pulls Andy along on amazing adventures, and he looks at her somewhat quizzically.  But if you look closer you can see that he actually recognizes what fun she is and how well connected they are.

I had a little help for this wedding from my friend Jeff Cleveland.  The nature of the staircase demands a second shooter to cover all the angles covertly.  This is Jeff’s image below, and I have to admit, it is fantastic:

Almost more fun and amazing and charming than the light for this morning wedding at Lake Park Bistro was the fact that the location affords the opportunity to have your guests participate in lawn bowling.  I know what you are thinking – just a few people did this and the rest stood by skeptically.  Not so!  Everyone participated and learned from the charming lawn bowling experts.  It was so much fun, and such a delight to witness.

Doesn’t Andy’s Mom look just like actress Mary Steenburgen?

Holly and Andy, this was such a unique wedding experience.  It was such a joy to experience this day with you and be witness to the love of your family and friends.  Thank you for including m three studio in your wedding plans!

To see more from this wedding – because there is so much more, check out their album below:

Holly & Andy | Wedding Album

Credits:

Ceremony Venue: Lake Park

Reception Venue: Lake Park Bistro

Florist: Petals

Cake: The Cake Lady

Makeup: Sarah from Blush

Hair: J’Adore Salon

Bride’s Gown: Gigi of Mequon Collection

Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Miss Ruby

Invitations and other Stationery: J.Invites

It is currently 7:30am and I am up and on the computer already.  I’ve been up since 6:45.  This alone I believe, is proof I love my husband.  Why am I up at such a ridiculous hour?  (Yes, to me, anything before 8 is early) Because we bought new living room furniture recently, and his new recliner is being delivered “sometime between 7am and 9am” and I knew he was tired.  It’s too bad the rest of the furniture is special order – and won’t come for a month or two – because I’m sure I”ll be up early again.  Morning person I am not, but Hubby is so excited about his new recliner.

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Saturday was a lovely, beautiful wedding for Julia & Dave.  They had  amazing light, the rain held off, and their wedding party was just downright fantastic.  Congrats you two!

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If you  missed Kari & Curt’s engagement session that I posted on Saturday, be sure to scroll down.

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Hubby and I officially became Godparents yesterday.  I have to admit the ceremony was sort of disappointing.  In the Methodist faith (where I was raised) the godparents get to be a part of the whole baptism thing.  For Lutherans it turns out, we just stand there and answer three questions.  Oh yes, and I held a candle.  That’s it.  Little Ethan was a total champ though and was quiet and peaceful thru the whole service, despite the lack of air conditioning.  Oh and yes, if you know Hubby at all, you know the day was full of “The Godfather” references.

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We finally checked one of our movies off our list – we saw “Despicable Me” last night.  It was hilarious.  Truly funny, charming and entertaining.  The little minions are as cute and amusing as you expect them to be.  The celebrity voices for the characters are well used, and well disguised. The animation is great, the storytelling is even better.  I’m picky about animated movies – but this one was fantastic.  I highly recommend!  Now, I just need to get to Toy Story 3 and Inception.  I know Hubby won’t go to Eat, Pray , Love, but that is on the list too.

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The preview for Rapunzel (it’s called “Tangled”) was shown before our movie last night, and I am so dissapointed.  For one, this was supposed to be a hand-drawn film originally, helmed by the incomparable Glen Keane.  The preview I saw was computer animated, the characters felt more than flat, and the story was positively deflated sounding.  So sad.  Disney really needs to get it together in this department.  They used to be the best storytellers on the planet, not to mention the best animators.  Now, they hope their association with Pixar will carry the rest of their films – not so.

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Hubby ordered some “Scott Walker for Govenor” signs.  Seeing as how we live on a cul-de-sac, just one is enough to advertise to the meager ten people who drive by our house.  So, if you are so inclined in your voting and you would like a Scott Walker sign, let us know – we have extras!

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I bought a box of 64 crayola crayons a week or so ago.  I always loved the school supply shopping trip as a kid, and we were never allowed to get the “big box” of crayons.  Making this one little purchase for myself gave me such joy that day.  But now they sit on my desk mocking me.  I used to color in coloring books in college as a stress reliever, and if you attend a family function on my Mother-in-law’s side, you’ll often find me and Aunt Shelli, sharing a coloring book, happy as clams. Weird, I know, but it is a lovely little stress-relief activity, I swear.  I think the only coloring book I have is christmas-themed though.  I’ll have to remedy that.

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My pal Jamie and I have started a little project.  We are having dinner once a week (because if it isn’t scheduled, we might not see each other), and we have decided to work our way thru the alphabet, and choose a new restaurant every week that starts with that week’s letter, and it has to be a place that is new to us.  Last week was A, and we ended up at Apollo Cafe on Brady Street.  Very good, and the first true Greek Food (festivals don’t count) experience for us both.  We thought it might be fun to blog about our experiences – what do you think?  Would you read a blog about two girls exploring what Milwaukee has to offer?

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Have a great week!