Weston Bend State Park Engagement Photography | Arielle + Jerad

It was 8th grade when their paths first crossed. Jerad admits he had a crush on Arielle immediately, though, he jokingly adds to the story that it took a while to convince her. But, he did, little by little he convinced her this was IT. By the time these two hit high school, they were definitely a thing.. They dated all the way through college. 

Years down the road, on a night out with friends - these guys ventured into a piano bar where after a few drinks in, Arielle's girlfriends said she had to get up on stage and sing. They practically forced her against her will, all the while Arielle panicked, knowing full well getting up on stage and singing in front of a room full of strangers was the last thing she wanted to do. Even after a few drinks - it still wasn't happening!

But up there she went - at the urging and pushing of her friends. Bright lights and hundreds of eyes on her. It took a minute for her to realize that singing on stage was not even close to what was actually happening. That stage held Jerad, on one knee, with a gorgeous rose gold engagement ring - in front of a room full of strangers plus their closest friends, asking her to be his wife. 

A surprise public proposal trumps singing publicly in a piano bar every day of the week! Yeah, Jerad won that round!

These two high school, or rather, - middle school sweethearts really, have a gorgeous wedding planned for this September - and after spending an evening with them for their engagement session, I know without a doubt, that wedding day is going to be full of so much JOY, and so much LOVE.

I pretty much can't handle the way these two look at one another. Or the way their faces light up when they successfully make the other laugh. Arielle and Jerad's bond goes deep. Not to mention they're so adorable together!! 

These guys 100% ROCKED their engagement session up at Weston Bend State Park a week ago. A little direction and encouragement and before I knew it I was dying over the fact that they just kept nailing it! Everything they did, every look, every cuddle - perfection!! These guys are fantastic!!

Thank you - Arielle + Jerad!! Your engagement session was all I hoped for and more! You guys nailed every single frame in the best possible way! Your love for one another slaysssss me! I can't wait for your wedding day!
 

These guys are sooooo PRECIOUS! ugh!

That heart in the tree is REAL, friends! And PERF! :)

Check out more ELP engagement sessions!

Brain On Fire - book review | book nook

I found this book, Brain On Fire through one of my favorite photographers - Jasmine Star. In her words -- "One of the most compelling, strangest true life stories I've ever read." That is definitely a good and accurate description. 

For me, it was also hauntingly scary. Unnerving. And unreal. There were pages and moments I literally had to put the book down because I got so wrapped up and completely freaked out. 

Susannah Cahalan was a young, healthy, vibrant twenty-something living life in NYC when, with no real warning - at least nothing she would recognize until after - she, in every sense of the phrase "lost her mind."

Susannah's story will open your eyes to a very scary auto immune disease that maybe, like myself, you've never heard of. And once you know about it, you might, like myself, become terrified of it. 

The cover of this memoir will tell you right away that this disease came and went - the "My Month of Madness" makes it immediately clear that she isn't still sick. But the events that occur to Susannah during that month are likely to haunt you. It's unbelievable how easily, and unexpectedly your own body can completely betray you. And how those acts of betrayal can change every single thing about what makes you, you. 

Definitely worth the read.

4 STARS
 

A Midwest Wedding Wish | Colleen + David

Their first date was April 7, 1979. They were in high school together, and quickly after that first date they became infamous high school sweethearts. Colleen and David hit it off way back when, so regardless that their paths went in opposite directions after high school, their bond never left their hearts or minds, and ultimately, life brought them back together again.

If you ask them today, they'll both say the same - they thought of each other very often over the years, and knew that unfortunately back then, the timing just wasn't right; though, their friendship and love for one another never quite faded. 

In 2010, Colleen and David reconnected through Facebook and their line of communication essentially picked up where it had left off. Life then threw these two an unexpected curveball with Colleen's cancer diagnosis. When she told David the news, he began calling her every single day just to check on her - always reminding her that no matter what, he wasn't going anywhere, this diagnosis didn't scare him away, he was there to stay. 

Last year, David moved back into the Kansas City area and these two were finally - at last, together again. David continued to be her rock during her weak moments, as things got shaky and her time became limited. Colleen knew the only thing she really wanted was to become David's wife, finally - after all these years. But with mounting medical bills, a wedding wasn't exactly in the cards. 

That's the part of their story where myself, and a handful of other incredible wedding professionals heard this story and banded together. On Sunday, February 28th - Colleen and David got their wedding wish. To be a part of this incredibly special day is something I don't take lightly - it was the highest of privileges, a tear-jerking life moment. 

Colleen left that oxygen tank off to the side and she walked down that aisle on the arm of her precious grandson, Jayden - through her close friends and family she went, right to the man of her dreams. These two made eternal promises to one another. They laughed, they cried - and everyone else did the same. Finally being announced as the NEW Mr. + Mrs, these two kissed like tomorrow would never come. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent in high celebration - forgetting all the negative stuff, taking oxygen breaks only when absolutely necessary, and focusing all energy on the joy that surrounded them. We took some photos on the lovely grounds of Berry Acres and Colleen swung on a makeshift tree-swing, laughing and smiling with her new husband. These two walked hand in hand by haybales, and held each other close while they soaked in every single moment. 

Colleen + David - There aren't words. I'm so thankful to have met you, to have known you, and to have been in the presence of  the deep love you two share. What you two have together are what century-old fairytales are written about. I know you guys will enjoy every single fraction of a second - and I continuously pray for more time for you both to be together. Thank you for everything. 
 

To the beyond-incredible team that truly made this day happen - 
Ceremony + Reception Venue - Berry Acres
Flowers - Dixon Designs
Hair + Makeup - Melissa Blayton/Pro Artistry
Invitations - Two Turtles Paperie
Cake - Aunt Mary's Cookies
Frames - Angie Judy
Videography - Beau Vaughn
Officiant - Dave Hackett
Story Cover - EA Bride

Snow Covered NYE Wedding | Katelyn + Andrew

When I first met with Katelyn and Andrew several months ago and learned the details of their NYE wedding day, Katelyn said to me "Wouldn't it be just awesome if there was snow on the ground!?" - and so it was, friends. 

Days before their wedding day snow fell all around, piled up and melted little. K+A were blessed with incredible weather, chilly - but oh so beautifully sunny. The gorgeous light reflected off that bright white snow and gave them one of the most picturesque backgrounds for photos I've ever seen. 

Deer Creek Golf Club offered the perfect space for this lovely wedding. Katelyn, Andrew and their families+friends came together for an 8:30pm ceremony with plans to ring in the new year together afterwards. 

Katelyn's Mom and precious sisters helped her into her gorgeous gown, while her sweet friends watched with tear-filled eyes. Andrew's brother and buddies offered him encouragement with a few jabs and jokes while he got himself ready to see his bride. 

Out in that incredible light with snow all around, these two saw each other for a first look that was so emotionally charged and so perfect. Andrew's joy was off the charts. They fell immediately into each other's arms, and then straight into emotional and love-filled portraits together. 

When the ceremony started, Katelyn and her sweet Dad came through that white curtain and down that candlelit aisle to a guy who couldn't wait to promise that girl forever. Vows were spoken, promises made. They did communion together, and exchanged wedding rings. Announced as husband + wife, with cheers and clapping all around. 

Katelyn & Andrew - Thank you so much for giving me the privilege of documenting your perfect wedding day. You were such a joy to work with, and to be around. It's without a doubt that you two have a wonderful and deep-rooted love together, and I couldn't be happier for you :)
 

LOVE!!

Pennway Place at Studio Dan Meiners - Open House

Pennway Place at Studio Dan Meiners of Kansas City celebrated a fantastic Open House event on Thursday, February 18th - and it was a total hit!! As one of Kansas City's most popular venues, the place was crawling with guests! Brides, grooms and so many others who simply wanted to see what all the fuss was about! We also had reps join us from The Knot, Perfect Wedding Guide - and the owner of EA Bride was in the house! 

Gorgeous flowers and intricate creations of none other than Studio Dan Meiners themselves graced every table and every booth. These guys set up a couple tables to showcase what could be done on a wedding day, and wonderful companies such as Ultrapom and All Seasons Event Rental provided some gorgeous chairs to round out the vision. 

We had a full house of amazing caterer's such as Blue Pot, Delish!, Lon Lane Inspired Occasions, Olive Events, and Shining Stars - the food flowed, and all were happy!! Not to mention that all the great food was followed up by extravagant cake designs and melt-in-your-mouth cake samples by Baked Expressions and Take the Cake by Kay. 

Ray of Icon Event Group kept the evening hopping with music and the coolest photo booth that most people, including myself, have ever seen! 

I'm excited to share a few images from this epic evening!!