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!

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