He reached around her cheek, pulled back her hair and kissed her.  The wind whipped their faces again, sending her curly tendrils into their eyes, willow branches swirling around them.  The light rain dodged and weaved around the tree branches, catching him on the shoulders as he hugged her tight.  Her veil caught flight, blocking her view of him and she laughed.  This moment – hiding beneath a willow tree and waiting for a surprise rain storm to blow over, all in the middle of their wedding day – this was so true to them as a couple.  They had weathered many surprises, many challenges. And still, they laughed, and still they loved, and still they walked on.  She grabbed his hand.  ”Come on!” she said encouragingly.  ”Who cares about a little rain?”

Lauren and Walter were married on a beautiful (though somewhat rainy) day in August at the unique Abbey Resort in ever-gorgeous Lake Geneva.  As a compliment to the water and nature all around them, Taylor & Co. pulled together a decadent and dreamy ceremony room, draped in pale fabric and bathed in warm pink light.  The transformation was magical and a true transport to a dream-like setting for their vows.

That cotton-candy dream of a ceremony transitioned into an elegant and pretty reception room – complete with dramatic floral arrangements, mirrored tables, a decadent lounge area and sweet accents.  You’ll notice that lighting played a huge role in achieving the looks of both of these venues – neither would have been complete without this mood-setting feature.  Especially when dancing started and that pretty reception hall transformed to a beautiful dance club!  Lighting is a smart investment for your venue no matter what the setting – it can set the mood and change it with the flip of a switch – and it makes your pictures truly sing.

Ceremony Venue: The Abbey Resort

Reception Venue: The Abbey Resort

Florist: Derrick Taylor – Taylor & Co. Events

Cake: Carrie Domski

DJ: Style Matters DJ

Makeup: Danielle Marzillo of Sisters Chicago

Wedding Planner/Designer: Derrick Taylor – Taylor & Co. Events

Bride’s Gown: Bridals by Marisa

Bridesmaid’s Dresses: J.Crew

Men’s Suits: Mr. Tux

Lauren & Walter – it was a joy to capture your wedding day.  Your spirit, perseverance and “roll with it” attitude will serve you well in marriage.  I hope your day was everything you wanted, and I that the years ahead are more than you could ever hope for.

He surveyed the bed and the piles of clothes and toiletries.  They were organizing and packing for a long-awaited vacation to New Zealand tomorrow.  Emily was at work late, and he was using the alone time to prepare for a surprise he had planned – one that would require winter clothes, a glacier and some very precious cargo.  He remembered Emily’s favorite winter hat was still in the storage unit, and headed off to retrieve it.  The boxes were stacked high – they had little use for winter items in Southern California.  In fact, he bet they only unpacked them for holiday trips home to Chicago.  He started opening boxes.  He found the hat, nestled right next to a stack of old yearbooks.  Their yearbooks.  He smirked as he opened one – and a note written in Emily’s scrawly and girly handwriting fell out.  They were so young when they fell in love at 15.  Emily had agreed to date him, the classic jock, for two weeks.  Those two weeks turned into two years, and then two more, and now here they were – twelve years later.  How many times had he fallen in love with her all over again since then?  More than twelve, for sure.  Sitting among the boxes, their memories so intermingled within their contents, he realized they had a rich history that few couples have.  They had grown up together, had learned to weather the ups and downs of life and its changes as a team.  He put the yearbook away, grabbed the hat and set off back towards the house to finish packing for that trip.  Marriage was just another chapter in their story – one he couldn’t wait to begin.

Emily & Nick’s destination wedding this weekend in Door County has been a bright spot on the calendar for a year.  Not just because of the amazing location or the incredible sweetness of this couple. But also because their passion and vision for their life and their wedding is infectious.  They styled this shoot entirely themselves – striving for a multi-faceted engagement shoot that chronicled some of their favorite memories of summers in Door County, growing up together.  This weekend they are bringing in friends and family from all over to one of their favorite places to be in love – and I can’t wait to capture it!

She walked the long planked walkway towards the beach.  Ahead of her walked her parents, leading her on, as they always had.  They reached the end and disappeared down the steps, her Dad looking back over his shoulder at her, a reassuring smile offered as one last gift.  She took a deep breath.  Felt the ocean breeze ripple thru her dress.  She felt pulled.  Pulled by some internal string towards the water.  She walked, one foot in front of the other, deep breaths still coming, until she reached the top of the stairs.  He looked up.  The music swelled.  She caught his gaze and felt the pull again.  He stepped forward once, almost stumbling. She took a step down and then suddenly found herself at the bottom, toes in the sand.  Still she kept walking, pulled towards him, eyes fixed, brimming with tears.  Those who watched remarked how the small patch of beach seemed caught under a spell.  All eyes were fixed on her and him.  They met, the tears fell from them both. And then it all began.

A house filled with just over 30 people tends to be a bit….busy.  The Hemingway was just that – all abuzz with activity, excitement and anticipation.  Everyone had travelled from still cold and icy Minnesota to this little slice of summer in Corolla, North Carolina for a destination that was sure to not disappoint.  Wild horses, sand dunes, native brush, sun, water, an amazing mansion right on the beach, and a whole lot of love.

I’m not sure there is anything better than an outdoor wedding coupled with an open-air reception.  So beautiful what an experience!

Jen & Shane, I can’t tell you what a joy it has been following your engagement over the last couple of years as you put this destination wedding together.  From one plan to the next, you would settle for nothing less than just what suited you and your closest friends and family.  In the end, I know you got just that.  Congratulations, and thank you for the honor of allowing me to be there to capture it!

The Credits:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Hemingway, Corolla, NC

Day of Coordinator: Heather Clark, A Premier Event

Caterer: Ortegaz Grill

Bride’s Gown: Impression Bridal (from Marky Kay’s Bridal, St. Paul, MN)

Groom’s Suit: Kenneth Cole

Consider this post a small preview for next week.  Jen and Shane had an incredible destination wedding right on the  beach on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  They rented out The Hemingway event home in Corolla with their friends and family and set up camp for a week of sun, sand, water and fun.  Oh, and a couple of “I do’s” as well.  The stories from this trip are epic – if you ever see me in person, ask to see the video of me and Monica freaking out because we were driving on the beach as if it were a highway.  That’s what it took to get to the remote but oh so beautiful Hemingway.  The extra effort and planning was so worth it for this destination wedding.  But first, we must rehearse….

Since everyone was staying at the same house the wedding was at, things stayed pretty casual.  While we waited for dinner to arrive, a card game broke out.

Stay tuned for the wedding itself next week!