Leah + Scott :: Forever

We had been looking forward to Leah + Scott's wedding for a long time, as we love outdoor weddings in new places! Their celebration was held at the Rock Island Arsenal Golf Club, and was a day full of beauty and style, and ended with Independence Day fireworks over the Mississippi River.  Can you get more American than fireworks on the Mississippi River?

One of the more special things about the wedding was how Skype was involved.  Leah's first cousin was recently diagnosed with leukemia, and due to treatments was unable to attend in person.  So, one of the family brought her along on his laptop, and she was able to watch the whole wedding and was passed around at the reception, able to talk with family and friends, and give the bride and groom her best wishes and congratulations from Texas!  

We love photographing significant moments in people's lives, and it's a huge honor and privilege to be part of more than one event in Leah's life, having created her senior portraits a few years ago.  Her family has become an extension of our family as well, and Scott just fits right in with all of it! I get to hang out with the grooms and groomsmen at most weddings, and I'm pretty sure Scott was one of the most un-nervous, laid-back grooms I've seen in a while.  He was so confident in the day that he changed out the black shoelaces in his tux shoes for the colors of the day... pink and green!  

"Leah + Scott:  

      Congratulations on an incredibly beautiful wedding!  You both have great friends and family surrounding you, and cheering you on... that's something special.  Thank you for making us feel part of the celebration, and being flexible with all that was going on that day. We wish you all the best God has for your lives together, and I'm sure you'll find a way to make Iowa City feel like San Diego... although, truth be told, when football season is over in January, I'm guessing it'll be a lot more difficult! :)  See you soon!"

-Rodney & Jodi

Ceremony + Reception: Rock Island Arsenal Golf Club, Rock Island, IL

Cupcakes: Krumpets Bakery & Cafe, Clinton, IA

Hair:  Anna Issen (Leah's sister) 

Amber + Jonathan :: Forever

It's true that I love outdoor weddings. I can't help it. Jodi and I had an outdoor wedding, and maybe I like them because it brings back memories of our wedding, I don't know.

We first started to get to know Amber when she would house-sit for us when we would go on trips and vacations. So we actually got to know each other thru notes left on our table. Amber always had something cool waiting for us when we arrived back home... either a very encouraging note, a hand crafted card, a small gift, or one time she gave us a cool little painting. That painting actually still hangs in our office to this day. She's also had a great eye for photography for a long time... even helped Jodi with a wedding several years ago.

And now, she's found a solid, good-looking man in Jonathan. They are a cute couple, as you can see, but the beauty runs very deep with these two. They love the Lord with all their hearts and it's cool to see how that translates into their love for each other.

We were only commissioned for a half day for this wedding, but were blessed to have Katherine Bowman join us as a second/third shooter. It was fun to get to know her better throughout the day, and she got some great shots! Thanks, Katherine!

The wedding was actually in Jodi's aunt and uncle's backyard, and the reception was at Amber's parents old barn which they must have done TONS of work to. It was gorgeous for the wedding!

Here's one of Katherine's shots.

•••

Well, hopefully by the time you're reading this, we will have left for vacation. I'll throw a post on the blog for Monday, but that's it for bloggin next week. Since I've been posting every day for the last two weeks, it's time for a break.

So, look for Nikki and Tyler's wedding post on Monday, but after that, it's Adios until the following Monday. Have yourselves a great weekend, and we'll see you on Monday!

Laura+Nicolas :: Forever

We worked our first wedding at the Riverside Casino and Resort on Saturday, and it was a beauty!  From the first time we met Laura and Nick, we knew that they were an awesome couple.  Their engagement session was great fun, and we knew they would be easy to work with at the wedding.  Because Laura and Nick agreed to meet each other before the wedding, we were able to jump in cars and take a trip into Riverside for some fun stuff. Our trip included a stop at VintageVille which is a little antique/collectibles shop along Main Street. They were kind enough to let us hang out on their sweet chairs for a few minutes, so if you're ever in Riverside... stop by and say hi!

Back at the casino/golf course....

Thank you Laura and Nick for letting us be part of your AWESOME wedding day!  The weather was spot on perfect, and you guys were great!