But the real secret project is still in the works.  And I still can’t wait to share it.  A wise friend suggested that I offer you a few clues, or sneak peeks into it.  I thought that was genius, and so, I am.

Today’s clue is this image – it has something to do with the secret project. How or why is up to your interpretation at this point.  I welcome any guesses in the comments!

Yes, I love couples in love.  Yes, I adore your stories.  I believe in marriage, and I crave the energy of a wedding day.  But when it gets right down to it, I get seriously inspired by the location.  Place has always been a huge driving force in my work.  Looking back on my art career and training, you’ll find I was always drawing, painting, printing and making films about places, and the stories they held.  It is part of why I love to travel so much – I have an insatiable appetite for new places, new stories.  This blog series is all about the places I would love to shoot a wedding at because I find them seriously intriguing, inspiring and amazing.  And I have no doubt that a couple who chooses to get married there would be equally amazing and inspiring and I want to be there to document it.

So, if you know me at all, you know it wasn’t going to be long before this blog series touched on Italy, right?  Recently an Italian photographer friend of mine posted an engagement session she shot at this location on Facebook.  I’ve been dreaming; like serious, wall-gazing, day-dreaming about this amazing wedding location ever since.  It is everything I love and adore in a place.  History, abandoned-ness, Italian, natural fields, amazing light, mystery, walls steeped in stories….ah, I could go on forever.

A wedding at San Galgano Abbey would be the culmination of my career as a wedding photographer I think.  I don’t know if it gets better than this.  I really don’t.  An immense, beautiful, gothic cathedral, with no roof, in the middle of nowhere. Well, nowhere Tuscany.  Seriously – isn’t this the kind of thing you dream about catching a glimpse of on a vespa while exploring the tuscan countryside?   It is places like this, ones where the very air you breathe feels laced with that of exhalations of generations long forgotten about, that I love the most.  These are the kinds of locations that make you feel lucky as you pass beneath their arches.  The kind that bless you with their specialness.  I can’t think of a more beautiful location, or a better place to get married than within the ruins of San Galgano.  A church that is also overtaken by nature?  Sign me up!

Located just 30km west of Siena, this location is conveniently close to city life and several beautiful Tuscan towns (Monticiano, Petriolo, Sovicille, Murlo and Monteriggioni among them), and yet still so isolated that it feels stumbled upon.  In fact, I’ve been going back and forth about even blogging about it, because I would loathe to see it lose its wonderful “secret” status.  I hate when magical, amazing places lose that quality because of tourists.  They retain their unique qualities if they remain in shared consciousness, not on advertising brochures.

San Galgano is said to be the origin of several medieval mysteries – the search for the Holy Grail and the Sword in the Stone among them.   There is a real sword in a stone in the chapel of Montesiepi, which is a round building with an amazing domed ceiling of 24 concentric circles that is part of the San Galgano grounds.

So imagine a San Galgano Wedding.  Walking past the proud columns with light streaming in through the arches.  A gentle breeze blows across the sunflower field and into the apse, catching your veil.  Sweet, yummy Tuscan light floods the open air cathedral as you say I do.  Running in and out of the side aisles.  Walking thru sunflower fields.  Finding long forgotten nooks and crannies. Watching the sun move from the sky overhead and down thru the open windows.  Ah, it is so amazing, I can’t stand it.  Someone stop me now from booking two tickets to Italy for a vow renewal for me and Hubby!

The pictures, oh, the pictures would be so epic, so emotional, so amazing, so filled with that intangible something.  This is the light and situation of dreams, at least my dreams.  If this is the location of your wedding dreams too – I know I am the perfect wedding photographer for you.

***All images are from Google Images unless otherwise noted***

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

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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

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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!

She washed her hands under the faucet, being careful not to splash any paint on her new kitchen counter.  They had spent all day painting in their new house.  They were so excited after picking up the keys and signing the official paperwork that morning, they had gone straight to the paint store.  Now, several hours later, she was sore and tired, but Kurt thought a celebratory dinner was in order and so she was cleaning up.  A few hours later, she slumped into the seat of his car, feeling the weight of the day on her shoulders.  He reached over and squeezed her hand.  ”I forgot something at the house, do you mind if we stop quick on the way back to the apartment?” he asked.  ”No, that’s fine.” she replied.  Arriving at the house, he convinced her to come in with him.  They walked down the dark entryway and into the living room.  She excused herself to go to the bathroom.  He took the opportunity to find a few lamps and plug them in around the living room.  As he heard the door open, he quickly moved to the center of the room, and there, on the crinkly dropcloths, he took one knee and held out a ring.

Kari and Curt are planning a gorgeous fall wedding in Lake Geneva.  The warm colors and mild temperatures we are sure to be surrounded with that day suit their personalities so well.

To see more of this engagement session, check out their engagement album:

Kari & Curt | Engagement Album

They wandered thru the orchard lazily and turned down the Honey Crisp lane.  He followed a step or two behind her, nervously reconstructing his plan over and over with each turn, each stop, each step forward.  She reached up into a tree, and he noticed how the early evening sun filtered thru the trees and highlighted her hair around her.  The look was magical, and so he steeled his nerves and decided the moment could be too.  She wiped the apple on her jeans and took a big bite out of it, giggling.  ”Oh my, you have to try this!” she held the apple out towards him.  He took it from her and she turned to pick up their picking basket and get a few more.  He quickly fished the ring out of his pocket and jammed it into the spot she had left with her bite.  ”You’re right, it is amazing.” he said and held the apple back out to her.  She turned to take it and saw the ring.  She dropped the apple and screamed.  He laughed, dropped to one knee, and blurted out “Will you marry me?”.  She couldn’t do anything but nod, finding herself giddily speechless.

We had a ton of fun in the Apple orchard, wandering among the rows and celebrating the glorious light.  Michelle is a religious list maker, and so we had a little fun with this obsession:

Their two dogs joined us for the last fraction of the shoot.  How cute are they?

I’m really looking forward to Michelle & Rickey’s wedding this fall at Villa Filomena in Milwaukee, a location they chose with as much heart as they act with each minute you are around them.

Check out more from this session by clicking below to see Michelle & Rickey’s Engagement Album:

Michelle & Rickey | Engagement Album

She pulled the purple sweatshirt down around her hands.  It was a very chilly day for a football game, but she wasn’t going to cover up her team pride if she could help it.  She sat amongst a sea of Green Bay Packer green, all of his friends were obviously Packer fans.  She decided she didn’t care – she was who she was, a Vikings fan. A icy gust of wind blew through their tailgating party, catching the stack of napkins and scattering them down the row.  She ran after them, stooping to catch as many as she could.  ”Hey look, it’s a real Vike-Queen!” a guy called out, pointing towards her.  His friends snickered and laughed.  ”I think you are on the wrong side of the parking lot sweetheart!”  ”Yeah, go back to purple country!”  The laughing and taunting continued as she picked up the napkins. She didn’t fight back, she just turned and walked back towards her friends.  The jeering and chuckling followed behind her.  She looked up and saw Scott walking towards her.  He had heard the teasing. Suddenly, her frustration got the best of her and a tear slid down her cheek.  She was embarrassed that something so silly had gotten to her. Scott laughed a little and pulled her in close. “It’s okay honey.  I love my little Vikings fan!”  She hugged him back, hard.  He kissed the top of her head.  This was why she loved him, because no matter what flaw she exposed or difference they discovered, still he loved her, and she him.

Tera and Scott share an infectious adoration for each other.  Their love and attention for the other is so wonderful to watch.  We had a great time tooling around Madison, their shared home.  I’m really looking forward to their wedding this fall at Olbrich Botanical Gardens and The Brink Lounge.

Check out Tera & Scott’s engagement album to see more from this session:

Tera & Scott | Engagement Album

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The reason for that sunburn is a day spent “up north” with my in-laws.  We took the pontoon boat out for a few hours and I caught a fish! Check it out:

(picture from Hubby’s iPhone)

Yeah, it was pretty small.  But not as small as the fish I caught next.  Bluegil don’t get very big, but we managed to catch several “keepers” for lunch.   Hubby will want me to mention that he caught 11 fish total, and was a fishing machine.  Ringo enjoyed the boat ride immensely.  I’m sorry I have no pictures of his smiling face in the breeze, or of him ‘catching’ his own fish when Hubby’s Mom dropped it on the floor.  He really loved fishing.  I think he would have loved to swim in the lake too, if I had let him.  That, I’m afraid will have to be restricted to pools.

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This coming weekend Hubby and I, along with my brother Christian will become godparents to little Ethan.  We are all pretty stoked about that.  Christian and Hubby have been pulling out scenes from “The Godfather” for days.  It’s pretty hilarious.

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Hubby and I saw “Dinner for Schmucks” on Friday.  Very, very funny!  At some points it is a little uncomfortable how they are making fun of these people, but it all comes around in the end, so feel free to laugh.

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My pal Amy and her family have found themselves in the Extreme Home Makeover storm this week.  One of the houses on their street is being re-done by the show.  It is really fun to follow along on this crazy adventure with them.  Check out her twitter feed or the emhe hashtag posts or her blog for updates and an insider’s view!

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Hubby got a little closer to his goal of owning a Harley this week by passing his Motorcycle License test.  Now, he has to complete my list of official criteria – getting furniture for our bedroom and living room, renovating our master bath and cleaning out the garage to make room for said Harley.  Needless to say, he has scheduled a shopping trip for tomorrow and is planning to put shelves up in the garage on Wednesday.  Apparently, the promise of a Harley is very motivating.  Maybe I should add a few other things to the list.  ;0)

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Have a great week!