Chandler Hill Vineyard Anniversary: Matt + Becca

I drove through the winding hills and watched the light dance through the valleys. This place was starting to feel like home and I wasn't sure if I would want to leave at the end of the night. Chandler Hill Vineyards is tucked away in the hills of Missouri. As the sun sets, it seems as though the valley of vineyards melt away into the sunset. 

It is something beautiful. 

Matt and Becca celebrated their third year of marriage, walking hand in hand through the valley. She told me about the beginnings of their relationship and the proposal and how they have journeyed together since then. Matt is a romantic. Always leaving notes and gifts for her. He would even have her friends deliver gifts to her when they were in college. And she is kind. Always thinking of others and pouring out encouraging words over their lives.

It is really something beautiful.

Matt prayed for Becca and for their relationship while they were dating. He wrote it all down in a pretty pink book and gave it to her the night he asked her to be his wife.

Since these pearls belong to Becca's mom, they were extra special.

a handmade bouquet...

so lovely.

Becca, you are GORGEOUS.

oh so sweet!!

 working their stuff.

Photography: Jordan Brittley

Venue: Chandler Hill Vineyards

Hair and Makeup: Studio Branca

St Louis Wedding: Randy + Alex

I love meeting new people and being challenged by them. And I love making new friends. :) I had the pleasure of working with Sarah Crowder a couple months ago (see the feature HERE) and I look forward to our future adventures!! 

Sarah makes everyone smile :)

Happy Wednesday!

Laptops, Airport Security and an Old Man

I'm starting to feel a little sick to my stomach and I can't figure out why. I've done this many times before and I know how to work the airport. I just need to get through security. There are probably 15 people in line ahead of me taking off their shoes and passing their items of to be scanned.

It's my turn now and I slip off my shoes wondering if that awful foot smell is from my Toms (most likely). I place my laptop in its own bin and the iPad on top of it... I learned my lesson my first time flying: laptops cannot be with your carry-on.

I go through the metal detector and wait patiently at the end of the scanner for my items. An old man clears the metal detector and stands beside me now.

"Whose laptop is this?"

I tell the security guard that it's mine and prepare to be shuttled off to some interrogation room where the lights are too dim and I have to convince them I'm me.

"Laptops cannot have anything on top of them." I can tell he's exasperated with me so I tell him sorry. He places my laptop and ipad in separate bins and sends them through the scanner again. The old man next to me starts to chuckle and says I have nothing to be sorry for. He says they're crazy. I smile at his attempt to ease my nervousness.

Again, "whose laptop is this?"

The old man claims it and in the exact same tone as before, "Laptops cannot have anything placed on top of them." the old man says something under his breath and I laugh. Because there isn't anything he could have done at that point. And then we're both laughing and I'm not so nervous anymore.

And now I'm just excited. Excited to do life and meet people who make me laugh.

St Louis Wedding: Dane + Jamie

I enjoy reading on rainy days. 

and sunny days. 

So I bought the Hunger Game series and curled up with a blanket in the hotel chair. Isaac had just darted downstairs to be oriented with the rest of the incoming graduate students and I was enjoying the stillness. Because sometimes that's exactly what I need... to be still. 

And other times you need good friends who tell you stories and make you smile. So Donnell and I got together later that weekend to talk about photography and weddings and fudge. Oh yeah, and she was shooting a surprise wedding at Union Station (read about that HERE). So when Donnell asked me to shoot a wedding with her at the Botanical Gardens, I was thrilled. Head on over to her blog to read about Dane and Jamie! 

Donnell, thank you so much for challenging and encouraging me. I am so thankful I know you. 

I love this light so SO much.