I thought that November was going to be my “wedding-less month” this year. Then I received an email from Kirsten, asking if I was available the weekend before Thanksgiving! Of course, once I double checked my schedule, I said yes. :) Kirsten’s younger sister, Amy, had suggested my name as a wedding photographer to Mike and Kirsten. It’s such a sweet thing to have friends and past clients (I took Amy & Peter’s engagement photos!) refer me. Word of mouth is the best marketing! Even better when you meet the SWEETEST family and wedding couples out of it!

Kirsten, Mike, and her two daughters met up with me this fall for some family/engagement photos this fall. We had literally the most perfect evening together, and I fell in love with the girls. Fast forward to November, and we woke up to a chilly morning with a fresh coating of snow. Just between a dusting and a full-on snowfall. I joined Kirsten with her daughters, aunt, and mother as they dressed and make-up’d and prepared for the day. Abby and Olivia looked angelic, and Kirsten could have been royalty! From a tender first look, to an intimate wedding ceremony and a laid-back reception at a local restaurant in downtown Cedar Falls, this day brought many to joyful tears. And hugs. Lots of hugs!

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We had time in-between the family photos and the ceremony, so I took the girls into the hallway to help them burn some energy (and secretly snap a few photos of them!).

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Kirsten & Mike hosted their family and some guests for a dinner reception at the new restaurant downtown Cedar Falls, Figaro Figaro. Owner Gary Kroeger even surprised the couple with a love song rendition right during the cocktail hour! Bride Kirsten created almost all of the table decor herself—it was incredibly gorgeous, and the perfect touch for such a classy reception venue space. Guests mingled, sipped complementary drinks, and enjoyed conversation over bruschetta, seared tuna, and spinach dip. After dinner, the couple cut and shared their wedding cake, sealed with a kiss!