Stephen & Ariel

It was supposed to be a Christmas party for the nursing students. A nice evening, among friends, with an open bar. But when the medical students heard news of the aforementioned open bar, the party soon became a nursing school Christmas event crashed by Vanderbilt School of Medicine's finest. And as the evening came to an end and the after parties were sure to begin, Stephen smoothly demanded Ariel's number... 'Just in case our groups are separated'.

And when a first date, complete with good food, good company, and extra good dancing, happened just a few weeks later, both parties knew this love was for real.

This year Stephen crashed another Christmas party. After flying to Houston to whisk Ariel away from her hospital's Christmas party, he took her on yet another date (no doubt with good food and good company). And when dinner was over and the couple returned to Ariel's apartment, Stephen found himself on bended knee with a diamond ring - asking Ariel if she wouldn't mind spending forever with him.

Stephen and Ariel, thank you for trusting me with your pictures and thank you for being absolutely gorgeous. You're a real dream and I cannot wait for your delightfully Southern, Nashville wedding this summer.

It may be a little premature, but I've got my boots ready.

All my love, Michelle

Meet the third member of Stephen & Ariel's family, Oliver. I think he'd be bffff's with Conway.

Le sigh.

Hellloooo gorgeous mountains.

A little dancing...

...and one last walk into the sunset.

Jake & Sierra

Over the past few years I’ve found that some couples are hard to write about. I can sit here, at my computer, staring blankly at the screen for hours while failing miserably at typing anything. The irony comes in that it's hardly because I have nothing to say. Au contraire, I have everything to say. These are the couples whose relationship seems to surpass all expectations of what love should be. They’re the couples whose wedding you feel honored to be at. Like you’re witnessing something truly special. And sacred. And real. So on that note, I think you should meet Jake & Sierra. I have absolutely nothing to say yet given the opportunity I could talk for years about the beautiful love these two share. I really, really like weddings (hence the career choice), but it’s rare that I’m as excited for a wedding as I was for Jake & Sierra’s. To be so confident in two people’s need to be together that, had they only dated one day, I would have still known they were created for one another.

I really do believe that.

Jake and Sierra married a few weeks ago at Eagle Crest Resort in Redmond. As their friend I can say that I wouldn’t have missed their wedding for the world. But as their photographer I can say that it was an honor to capture such a perfect love. It was one of those occasions that left me high as a kite on a windy day at the beach.

And thankful that I get to do this picture taking thing for life.

A little hairspray action...

Sierra!!! You are breathtaking!

When I saw the bridesmaids dresses Sierra chose, I died. And when I saw the flowers she arranged for the girls, I died all over again. She created such a beautifully wintry combination of colors and textures and people.

Ceremony time!

And then it was time to dance! Jake and Sierra started the party with a choreographed first dance to Donna Summer's Hot Stuff. And it.was.awesome!

Jake and his mother followed up with a line dance that had the whole room up on their feet!

And a paper airplane farewell...

Kelsi's Bridal Portraits Part II

Yesterday was perfect. A sweet and small and simple and beautiful ceremony with Kelsi + Matt's closest friends and family. It was everything a wedding should be and nothing it shouldn't be. And all of it was absolutely gorgeous. We're off to enjoy the rest of last night's mojito's while sitting by the pool and curing our post-shooting-a-wedding hangover...ironic that we're doing so with a mojito, no?!

Florida, you're not so bad.

Kelsi, I know I spent a long morning begging and pleading and promising my first born, but thank you for finally agreeing to try this fabulous red lipstick. It's absolutely perfect - just like you.

Happy Wednesday, Michelle