Courtney and Will

Mother Nature behaved beautifully. The entire day was well organized and ran flawlessly. There is a unity of families that is, at the very least, refreshing. And Courtney and Will wear their love for each other very well.

Their well-chosen vendors:
Hair and Makeup - Indulge Salon and Tanning
Flowers - Village Floral, Mankato
Decorator - Silk Expressions, Mankato 
Reception Venue/Caterer - Old Main Village
Cake - Simply Modern
DJ - Music in Motion

I need to thank a very talented usher, Sumit Shrestha, for taking this picture. He kindly offered to watch my camera bag while I was shooting, and since I knew he took Courtney and Will's engagement pictures (and did a fantastic job), I was happy to have him use my 30D with my 70-200 lens. 

Sam and Dan

Describing her sister, Sam, Jackie said she was a "nugget of awesome." So was yesterday, and the wedding of Sam and Dan. From the amazing wedding cake made by her aunt, to their unity ceremony, table decorations, wedding venue (Padelford Riverboat Company), to their first dance, and everything in between, the day was special - truly special. Even the weather was picture perfect!

Fun signs led guests from the Crowne Plaza Hotel to the Padelford landing, just across the Mississippi.

The wedding party - John, Jackie, Sam and Dan

Beautiful, unique, lit bouquet.

Rather than a unity candle or sand, Sam and her dad made this light. Sam's dad gutted an incandescent bulb and inserted an LED light. Sam designed the wire with the word "love" at the bottom. When they connected their wires (one on each side), the light came on. They then soldered their connections. 

Sam's beautiful sapphire ring.

The levitating cake topper - physics isn't my specialty, so I can't explain how they did this, but it sure is unique!

A stolen moment with Sam and her mom, Yvonne.