“I want up and tapped him on the shoulder to say hi,” she said. But when he turned around, it was a stranger — a stranger with a great smile. Brooke was instantly attracted to him.

They began talking and it was soon apparent that the attraction was mutual. Bryce, a utility lineman, thought Brooke was both cute and sweet and he liked her laugh. It seemed like love at first sight. As they began dating, they found they were very comfortable together. 

“We always enjoy each other’s company and can have fun together, no matter what we’re doing,” Brooke said.

After four years of being together, Bryce took Brooke out to eat one evening in August 2018. But he said he had to go check on something in his family pasture first. He stopped on a hill and asked Brooke to get out of the car.

There on a little hillside with a beautiful sunset above them, he put a blindfold on Brooke and spun her around. When she took the blindfold off, Bryce was down on one knee, holding out a ring, and asking her to marry him.

The couple pledged their lives to each other in a lovely ceremony Nov. 9 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Columbus. A reception followed at Leigh Fairgrounds.

No doubt, one day their children will hear about the summer’s dance when a little misunderstanding led to a great love.

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That must have been how Tymon and Fiona felt with they met in the summer of 2008. The two high school students were attending the south Dakota All State music camp and they immediately became close friends. it was easy to see why -- they both shared a love of science, music, reading, board games and video games. Tymon and Fiona stayed in touch through email and texting for 4 years, when they decided to try a long distance relationship. The following year, they both attended college at Nebraska Wesleyan. Finally having their chance to be together, their relationship began to blossom.

Earlier this year, Tymon decided it was time to make sure Fiona stayed by his side forever. It has been a particular trying day at work for Fiona, but when Tymon called her and invited her over to his apartment, she said yes. He had cheesecake, he told her. When she arrived, she opened the door to find flower petals on the floor and her best friend waiting for her with several gifts - a painting from an artist they both enjoyed, a custom ring box designed around one of their favorite video games, and inside the box, a beautiful engagement ring. All of Tymon's careful planning paid off, as Fiona didn't even hesitate. Yes, she would marry him; she had known the answer all along.

The two who had found friendship so long ago now had found something even greater - a deep and abiding love. They chose November 2nd as their wedding date, which turned out to be a breezy, but beautiful, fall day.  The two were married at the First United Methodist Church in Yankton, South Dakota, surrounded by their family and friends.

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Tori would ask Jacob, "Are we getting married today?" And he would answer, "No, not today." Or, he might casually say, “Should we go by the courthouse today and get married today?"

On Father’s Day of last year, the couple were at a cabin doing some fishing when it started raining.  Since they had to leave, Tori asked Jacob if they could go see the movie, Incredibles 2, and he said yes.  But when he started driving, he left town where the movie theater was and took her home. “I was mad at him because I’d been excited about seeing this movie,” Tori confessed. “Little did I know he had way better plans in store.”

When she got home, Tori called her mom.  Suddenly, Jacob asked, “Hey, what’s that question you ask me every day?” Tori said, “I don’t know.” Then she came around the corner and saw Jacob down on one knee. “I have to go!” she told her mom.

On Oct. 19, the two people who love to tease stood before their family and friends and made the commitment to spend the rest of their lives together. The lovely ceremony took place at St. Rose of Lima in Genoa, with the reception following at The Cardinal Inn in Albion.

The bride couldn’t be happier.

“I have always loved how hard working and passionate Jacob is,” Tori said. “He loves with everything he has, and he never gives up.  I admire him for that because I’m pretty stubborn, too,” she laughed. “In the future we hope to start a family and create more memories together, with our future children as well as with our family and friends! We can’t wait to grow old together!”

And there’s little doubt there will be some teasing and laughter as they do exactly that.

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At the river, the two watched the sun rise slowly and played fetch with their dog. When the colors of the sky faded to daylight, they turned to go. But, Justin hesitated for moment, and then slowly got down on one knee. To Jordan's complete surprise, Justin told her he loved her and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Would she marry him, he asked?  Jordan's first reaction was unexpected - "What are you doing?" she asked incredulously. The poignant moment was then further broken by her phone -- her dad calling in the middle of her proposal. But, all was well. When Jordan got over her shock, her answer was a very happy "yes." The two picked up donuts and took them over to Justin's parents, something they had done frequently before. But, this time, a sparkly diamond caught the sunlight as she handed out the pastries, and it didn't take long for the family to notice!

Last month, the family cried  happy tears and exchanged hugs, watching Justin and Jordan become Mr. and Mrs. Seipel. Their wedding day was beautiful from start to finish and was capped off with an elegant and happy reception at the American Legion.

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Although Rachel and Spencer attended the same Nebraska high school, there were several years separating them and perhaps that is why they didn’t begin dating then. It was in March of 2016 that the two finally began a relationship. But it didn’t take too long for Spencer to realize this was the girl for him.

One January day in 2018 they were in South Carolina and decided to go down to the beach. It was a cold day, and few people were around. Rachel was surprised when Spencer suddenly asked an older man if he would take a picture of the two of them. After a couple of shots, the man was getting ready to hand Spencer’s phone back to him when Spencer said, “One more picture, please.”

“He got down on one knee, but he didn't even get to say a word. I just started saying, ‘Yes, yes, yes!’” Rachel said. “Now he jokes that it was just a promise ring and not actually an engagement ring,” she added with a laugh.

The couple were married Aug. 24, 2019, in a beautiful ceremony at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Columbus. The reception was held at the American Legion.

While they have enjoyed living on the east coast for over a year, they plan on moving back to Nebraska to settle down and start a family since that is where both of them are from.

“We love to be outside finding new things to do or just sitting on the couch all day. There is never a dull moment for us,” Rachel said. “We are excited to see what the future brings.”

The future that started with a very excited “Yes, yes, yes!”

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“Just one look and I fell so hard in love with you . . . Just one look and I knew that you were my only one . . . Just one look and I know I'll get you someday, Just one look that's all it took...”

It was November 2016 and Kelly was at her job at a bank in Monroe when Lance walked in to talk to a loan officer.

“We locked eyes, and to me it was love at first sight,” Kelly recalled. “I knew the moment I saw him that I had to get to know him. I went home that day and told my mom that I had met my husband.”

Kelly made the first move by sending Lance a friend request on Facebook. She wanted to message him, but decided she had done enough. If it was meant to be, God would make it work, she thought.  “Just one look, that’s all it took...” And that pretty much was all it did take. After Lance accepted Kelly’s friend request, he contacted her to ask her out on their first date, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The couple soon found out they shared a love for horses, and during summer months, they went horseback riding a lot, usually to the same area. After they had dated a couple of years, one Sunday Lance took Kelly a different way to ride, saying he needed to check some cattle. But after they rode through one pasture, they went through a gate into another one where there were no cattle. Out there, under the summer skies, the handsome cowboy dismounted so he could get down on one knee and proposed.

“I’ll get you someday,” the song says, and Kelly had gotten her man. The two were married in a beautiful ceremony Aug. 10, 2019 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Platte Center. Appropriately enough, everyone in the wedding party wore cowboy boots.

A reception for the couple was held at The American Legion in Columbus.

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When it came time to photograph their engagement, I finally had my chance. And, let's just say, I was not disappointed. From the fun we had during our session, I could tell that Danica and Ryan are perfectly paired. It was easy to see that they really enjoy being with each other and making one another laugh. Perhaps the reason they connect so well is because Ryan shares Danica's 3 great loves -- music, people and the Lord.  When I asked Danica how she had found this great guy, she told me that that they had known each other practically forever. "Our parents have been really good friends for years.  We are only about a year apart so we had a lot of classes in school together.  We have a lot of silly memories from those years. We pretty much enjoy doing anything as long as we’re together."

In April, Ryan took Danica out to dinner and then drove with her to Lake Esther. She assumed they were just going to go for a walk and to enjoy the scenery. But, Ryan had something important on his mind. He asked Danica to sit with him for a moment on a nearby bench, and there, he asked her the most simple and beautiful question -- would she share the rest of her life with him?

Danica's answer was a very happy "yes." The two chose August 4, 2019 for a wedding at the Bible Baptist Church in Columbus. It turned out to be a splendid summer day with blue skies and temperatures in the 80's. Danica's grandmother had designed her bouquet of soft pink, blue and ivory flowers, which was lovely next to her lace and tulle wedding gown. Ryan and his groomsman wore navy suits,  a perfect compliment to the bridesmaids in their pink dresses and pearls. From start to the finish, their day was classy and beautiful, just as I had anticipated. I was overjoyed to be included in their plans, and I wish them a wonderful life, one that continues to be filled with friendship, laughter and love.

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Adam had just returned from a first date with a girl named Hannah. The two had met, almost by divine intervention, when they both arrived severely late to a college graduation party. They had hit it off after learning that they both attended college in Lincoln. The next day, the party's host had sent Adam the pretty blonde's phone number. He had waited five days before getting brave enough to text her, but once he did, he found her receptive to going out with him on a date. What he didn't know what that Hannah had found him attractive and had practically begged her friend to send him her number. Both were looking forward to a great evening together.

But the expectation did not live up to reality. The date had not gone well, not by a long shot. It had been completely awkward from start to finish. Afterwards, Adam had dropped Hannah off at her home with hardly a goodbye, thinking, "Well, she's never talking to me again." If he could have read Hannah's mind, he would have found her thinking the exact same thing about him!  When his friends asked about his date, Adam shared the sad tale of the evening. It involved an uncomfortable family gathering, a waiter apparently on drugs, and finally, an awkward house party. Adam was ready to shrug it off as a relationship that never would have lasted anyhow. But, his friend replied, "Well, do you like her? You can't just give up on the first date. Give it three chances. If it still isn't good, then you call it quits." 

Adam considered his friend's advice and so, the very next day, he sent Hannah a text. To her surprise, he wanted to see her again! The second date went so much better, that Adam set up a third. And the third, well, while it was simple, it was also completely and utterly perfect. It started off by Hannah casually mentioning to Adam that she and her friends were in the mood for McDonalds. Adam said he'd love to bring some...if Hannah would go with him. He picked her up and drove to get the food, but afterwards,  Hannah asked if she could see where Adam lived. So, instead of going back to her place, they went to his instead. "So we sat down on his couch with chicken in hand, and just started talking. We talked about everything....life, our morals, our values, everything about our family, our dreams, our childhood...the list goes on. I knew pretty quickly that night that Adam was the one. I even sent a text to my friend the next morning and told her that, " Hannah recalled.

It took a little longer for Adam. But, the following May at her brother's graduation party, he got a chance to see Hannah with her entire family. "Once he saw me on my parent's farm, with all my family, playing with my cousins... that's when he knew," Hannah said. It was also the first night they both finally admitted to one another that they loved each other.

Last July, Adam and Hannah were back in the same town where they had originally met. They were planning on attending a parade for a local celebration, but Adam made a detour, telling his girlfriend he was out of gas. Hannah was looking forward to the parade and was annoyed at Adam for not planning ahead. But he had other things on his mind.   Stopping at his house, he told Hannah he had a surprise for her. He took her to his old John Deere tractor and pointed out a newly fashioned "buddy seat."

"Adam likes to go on old tractor drives, but I can never go with him because you have to have a 'buddy seat' to legally have a passenger," Hannah explained. "I was very surprised and excited, but I told Adam now was not the time and that we needed to get to the parade, or we were going to miss it." Adam told Hannah that since they were going to be late anyhow, they should just go for a short drive instead to try out the new seat. She reluctantly agreed, but as they rode along, she gave Adam grief, teasing him about the security of his homemade device. Adam replied by saying, "Well, maybe I better stop to check it out." At a bridge, Adam dug under the seat to "check it," but unbeknownst to Hannah, he was actually retrieving a ring he had hidden there earlier. A few minutes later, Hannah found Adam down on one knee before her, asking her to be his wife. Her answer was a very happy, "yes!"

"Our wedding day will be special because we've finally made it to 'someday'," Hannah told me. She shared that their entire relationship has been about that word "someday". When the met, they were both so committed to school and their jobs, they only saw each other a few times a month. Soon after they started dating, Adam moved back home and then, they saw each other even less. "We always talked about how someday we would be closer to each other, someday we would both graduate, someday he would farm, someday I would be a nurse, someday we would get engaged, someday we would get married, and someday we would find a farmhouse to live in to someday have kids... someday, someday, someday. Our wedding day is that 'someday'. We have both graduated, we are both working where we want to work. We have both accomplished those dreams. We are finally engaged, and God blessed us with a beautiful dumpy farmhouse that we have been fixing up together. We still live over an hour away from each other, but on our wedding day, that change,s too. That is our 'someday'. We made it, together, through all our struggles and frustrations....we made it. This is it, and we are so ready for it."

Hannah and Adam were married in a beautiful ceremony at St. John's Lutheran Church in Columbus on July 3, 2019. We are grateful to have been part of this lovely couple's day, and even more so, we are very thankful for the advice that Adam's caring friend shared with him so many years ago. For Adam and Hannah, it was priceless indeed.

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That well-known phrase can certainly describe this pretty bride.  Little did Haley know when she was in Mrs. Flodman’s kindergarten class that the little red-haired boy standing behind her in the lunch line was going to, one day, be the love of her life.

“Since the line was in alphabetical order, Cade stood right behind me. I remember he was the short, red headed, loud and crazy kid.  He remembers me as the tall girl with the bows in her hair,” Haley recalled.

Unfortunately, Haley changed schools in second grade so the two didn’t really become childhood sweethearts. However, some years later, a matchmaker went to work to bring them together. Denise, a close family friend, told Haley about a young man who went to her church that she thought would be the perfect match for her. Yes, it was the same boy who had shadowed her in the lunchroom. Denise also had told Cade about Haley.

Still, the two didn’t meet until he won a free senior photo shoot at post prom with Lasting Moments by Lisa. That was Haley’s mom’s studio. When Haley first saw Cade, she thought, “"Wow that little red-haired boy sure has grown into a very nice looking man!" It was just a chance encounter, but Haley decided she had to make a move. One April evening in 2014 when she saw him driving around, she began brainstorming with her friend Samantha about how she could catch his attention. Her mom overheard the conversation and had an idea.

“She had a canvas of Cade’s senior picture hanging up in the studio.  She told me to message him and tell him that she was ‘switching out’ her pictures and he could come pick it up anytime, free of charge. He came out later that night and we exchanged phone numbers, while mom and Sam were inside trying not to squeal too loud. It wasn't even 5 minutes later when he texted me and asked me to hang out sometime. We began talking, and a month later, on May 23, he officially asked me to be his girlfriend.”

Four years later, on Oct. 3, 2018, Cade, who was working at The Drain Surgeon, came over to show Haley’s dad a new gun he had bought.  He asked him to come out and look at it in the truck. It was just a great excuse for having a private moment to see if he and Haley’s mom would give permission for her hand in marriage. Their answer was a solid “yes!” At that time, Haley was in her final semester at UNL.

He didn’t wait long to pop the question. Two days later, the two went to a homecoming game at Lakeview to watch Cade's younger brother, Brook, play. After the game they planned to go to a friend’s house, but Cade made the unusual request that Haley drive. Little did she know that he was busy texting her mom to see if it was okay if he asked Haley to marry him that night. The big squeal he received as an answer was clearly approval.

A little later, at the friend’s house, Haley went to the fridge to grab a drink, and when she turned around, two friends had their phones ready and Cade was down on one knee.

“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing at first; I honestly thought it was a joke,” Haley said. “But once I saw the perfect ring he was holding, I knew it was the real deal. Some people might think that this was not the most romantic proposal, but if you know Cade and I, this is us! It was awesome to be surrounded by friends at this moment.  Later I found out, he had been carrying the ring in his pocket the entire football game.”

The couple was married in a beautiful ceremony July 27, 2019 at St. John’s Lutheran Church with a reception following at the Columbus American Legion. We loved being a part of their special day and wish them many years of happiness together!

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Finally, after graduation, Darren made a move. Always a true gentleman, he reached out to Laura's dad, asking permission to date his daughter. Upon receiving consent, Darren then nervously approached Laura, only to find her very receptive. The two resumed their close friendship, almost as if no time at all had passed.

That Thanksgiving, Darren requested Laura join him for a walk out at Lake North. There, he asked for her hand in marriage. "I was very shocked. It was completely unexpected," Laura laughed when she told me the story. But, her answer was a very happy "yes."

The two will continue doing what they love -- serving in their church, singing and playing instruments, and spending time with their family and younger siblings. Their common faith and their love for each other will unite them as they spend the rest of their lives together, continuing to build the friendship they started so many years ago.

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“I didn't think much of it,” she said. “It was just two friends going to prom together.”

But it started something. The two began hanging out more and more, and after an outing one February evening Lee drove Jennifer back to her house. Instead of just dropping her off as he usually did, he said he wanted to walk her to the door. Jennifer suspected something was up. Sure enough, on the porch outside her front door he asked her to be his girlfriend. When she said yes, they had their first kiss.

They continued dating through the rest of high school and college. It wasn’t the easiest relationship since Jennifer was at Wayne State College and Lee was at South Dakota State University. For four years they were three hours apart, but they made it work. They each made new friends and enjoyed their different college experiences, but they also took time to visit each other.

After Jennifer graduated in December 2016, she moved to Norfolk to work as a compliance specialist, still making trips to South Dakota. Lee graduated six months later and also moved to Norfolk where he began working as an estimator and programmer. Finally, the sweethearts were back together.

On Feb. 26, 2018, exactly 6 years after Lee had asked Jennifer to be his girlfriend, he had another question and this one, too, took place on a front porch. He got down on one knee and asked Jennifer to marry him. Of course, she said yes!"

“I think the reason we've have made it work this long is because he's my best friend,” Jennifer said. “Our sense of humor is the same, and he constantly makes me laugh. He always knows how to make me feel better when I get stressed or overwhelmed. And he is the hardest working person I know. Even after he has worked all day, he will work outside and still help clean around the house.”

The lovely ceremony was held at June 15, 2019, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Elgin, and the wedding reception followed at the KC Hall. It was an honor to be a part of this beautiful couple's day, and we wish them all the happiness in the world together.

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The two met one March night at a bar, but Cassie, who knew who Austin was from high school, just wasn’t interested. However, Austin was very persistent and managed to talk Cassie into having a dance off. When she finally agreed, she realized he was a fun-loving, nice guy.

The two began getting to know each other, and it wasn’t long until both were smitten. They started dating in June 2017, and their relationship was soon blessed with a beautiful baby boy whom they named Sawyer.  Not long after, Austin planned a fun day for Cassie in Omaha, including a carriage ride through the Old Market. After they got off the carriage, they began walking and soon came upon a man singing Christmas carols. He stopped the couple and asked if he could sing a song for them. The lyrics ended with, "All of his friends ask him, ‘Why don't you marry her?’" The singer then said, "Well, Austin, why don't you ask her?"  When Cassie turned to look at Austin, she found him down on one knee holding out a beautiful ring.

Then the musician sang “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran, a song the couple had already decided would be their wedding song one day.

“To add to the surprise, Austin had invited our parents to watch and videotape the proposal. It truly was the most magical moment of my life, and I still watch the video all the time,” Cassie said.

The couple was married June 8, 2019, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Columbus. The reception was held at the American Legion in Columbus

“We’ve been through a lot already as a couple, but we’ve only become closer and stronger,” the bride said. “We are each other's best friend, and I truly couldn't imagine my life any differently.”

That persistence, yes, it pays off.

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“We had so much fun that night that he asked for my phone number, and we began spending a lot of time together,” she said.
 

Before too long, James let Presley know he wanted to pursue a relationship with her, but she was a little hesitant. “He had become one of my best friends,” she explained. Perhaps she thought a romance would mess up a good friendship, but James’ persistence and his country boy charm soon won her over.
 

For five years, the couple had to be content with a long-distance relationship, so they were thrilled when circumstances allowed them to finally purchase a home together. Presley was teaching school in Pierce and James was working at a welding shop in Ewing. With them being more settled, Presley hoped that it was time to think about marriage. She wasn’t alone in her thoughts. One evening in April 2018, the two had decided to go to a movie and out for supper after work. They had gotten ready and Presley had even gone out to the car, when James called her back in, saying she had forgotten something. When she came around a corner in the house, she found James down on one knee, ready to propose.

“It was such a perfect moment in our first beautiful home,” Presley said. “We will cherish this memory for the rest of our lives.”

The beautiful ceremony with a large wedding party took place on June 1st at First United Methodist Church in O’Neill with many family and friends on hand. An elegant reception followed at the O’Neill Community Center.

The couple is excited about their new life together, which includes three much-loved dogs, Luci, Lollie and Louie. They enjoy being with their family and friends, attending street dances and rodeos and going swimming. In the winter they also take time to go hunting with their coon dog, Louie. In the future, they hope to add more dogs to the mix and have children.  The romance that began with fun and music is continuing.

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The gaity around Tyler was a blur. He could not wait for Rebecca to get to his final gift...the most important one he had ever given.  He had planned for this moment carefully, even enlisting his sister's help in the gift wrapping.

He wasn't sure how long he had known that Rebecca was the one for him. It might have been the first night they had met. He had made the one-hour drive from Aurora to her home in Lincoln. Rebecca's long-haired dog, Brax, had been unhappy by his presence at first. But, once he had been thoroughly checked out, the 8 lb. chihuahua had given his approval and to prove it, he had settled down comfortably for the night in the newcomer's lap. Tyler had felt right at home, he realized. Right where he belonged.

Maybe it was the first night she had come to meet his family for their annual 4th of July celebration. She had fit right in, that was for sure.

Or, maybe it was when she showed up for his first race and proven to be a good luck charm. His team had won big that night. She was faithful to cheer him on through the long racing season and the late nights. She had certainly found out what she was in for, and she had kept coming back. Who else would have done that?

Of course, there was the time they had bought their first home together in David City. They adopted a Basset Hound named Delilah, and with Brax, the four of them made a family. There never seemed to be a dull moment in their household, and that was exactly how Tyler wanted it to be. He was happy, and no matter when it had happened, he knew was in love. He wanted Rebecca by his side for the rest of his life.

Finally, the moment came and Rebecca was handed the large box. It was actually ten boxes in one. As Rebecca opened each one, the anticipation in the room grew. Finally, with a small gasp, Rebecca reached the last one, a small jewelry box. Turning red, she opened the tiny present. It was empty. She threw her hands up, utterly confused. That's when Tyler got down on one knee. "I asked her, 'Will you spend the rest of your Christmases as my wife?' Thank God she said yes!" he laughed, recalling the special moment.

The two planned a beautiful wedding celebration in Lincoln. They were married on March 23, 2019, at The Lincoln Room.

In the future, the young couple hopes to start a family. But, in the meantime, the two have plenty to do. Rebecca has a baking business on the side of her full time job at the hospital, and Tyler stays busy working on sprint cars all summer, when he's not trying to sell them. Next month, they will have been together for 5 years. For the two of them, those years have been a happy blur, and they are excited to enjoy all the special moments yet to come, which of course, they'll spend together.

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“I asked my friend who that tall blonde kid is, because he is cute!” Brooke recalled with laughter. Her friend was only too glad to introduce the two, and they exchanged SnapChat information. The next day, Brooke reached out to Keaton, asking if she had left her favorite koozie in his truck. “He laughed and said the only way I was ever going to get it back is if I went on a date with him!”

So the very next week, Keaton took Brooke to an Omaha restaurant, LaMesa. Afterwards, they met up with their two close friends, Patrick and Kayla, for a movie. Brooke got her koozie back, but she also gained something much more important that night - a steady boyfriend. From then on, Brooke and Keaton were best friends. They loved spending time together outdoors, going to rodeos, shooting guns, four-wheeling, or just hanging out with their family and friends.

But Keaton had more than friendship in mind, and two years later, he was ready with a special plan. He wanted the evening to take place where they had their first date, and he even arranged for it to be a double with the same friends, Patrick and Kayla. But it wouldn’t be entirely the same, for Keaton was hoping to leave the restaurant with a new fiancé.

When the two arrived at La Mesa, Brooke was in a hurry. She rushed inside to reach the restroom, leaving Keaton and their friends behind. Keaton tried to slow her down. “He yelled my name, but I was on a mission,” Brooke laughed. “Then he yelled it louder, and I flipped around and said ‘What?!’ ” Keaton was down on one knee holding out a ring. Completely shocked, Brooke just remembers continuing to ask if he was serious, before finally saying “Yes” to his important question.

Keaton and Brooke chose December 1st, 2018 for their wedding day. The first weekend in December for the past several years had been very nice, and Brooke loved the idea of having a beautiful winter theme. She wanted an elegant day, so she chose two classic colors, black and white, for her wedding party, and then included accents of copper in her flowers and decorations. All of the ladies had beautiful fur capes, and also a fun surprise that Brooke was excited about - each of the bridesmaid dresses and the wedding gown had pockets!

When the day arrived, Mother Nature didn’t cooperate. Instead of sunshine and warmth, there were blustery winds and snow. But there was also beauty and excitement that nothing could dampen. As the flakes floated down outside St. Isidore’s Catholic Church in Columbus, Brooke and Keaton exchanged vows, promising to love each other forever. That evening, they celebrated at The River’s Edge Convention Center with scores of family and friends that had turned out for the celebration. Every part of the reception was perfect, from the sparking chandeliers, white lights, copper mugs and chargers and, of course, custom designed koozies by Keaton and Brooke for all of their guests.

Taylor and I loved being a part of such a special and beautiful event and were honored to capture the love between the new Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt. We’re so glad they got a second meeting, and we wish them a lifetime of happiness and love.

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"I told my friend, 'I really cannot see myself with this guy!'" Maria recalls, laughing. But that's the thing about life. It has a way of taking us by surprise, leading us down a road we'd never have chosen ourselves, bringing us to exactly the place where we were always meant to be. Maria may not have recognized happiness and love when he sat right beside her for the very first time, but it didn't take long for her heart to open. As the pages of time turned, the two grew close, developing a friendship that eventually turned to love. Today, years later, Ben and Maria can always be found close together, often outdoors snowmobiling or four-wheeling, spending time with family or friends, or out on their farm with their dog, Cinch. The couple has taken on the task of caring for a herd of sheep, which keeps them busy all year.

Last year, Ben asked Maria to marry him while they were on a family vacation in Florida. The two had gone for a walk early on a Sunday morning on the beach. A large cruise ship was coming into harbor, and Maria, enamored, was taking pictures. When she turned back around, she found Ben, down on one knee. Maria didn't even hesitate. The answer was a very happy "yes."

On November 3rd, Ben and Maria were married at St. Augustine's in Schuyler. The heavy rain clouds that loomed over the sky that day couldn't damper the happiness and love bursting inside the church. As they couple held hands, standing side-by-side, they promised to love one another and spend the rest of their days together. This is, after all, exactly how it was always meant to be.

* * * * * *

Ben and Maria, thank you for choosing us to be part of your very beautiful day. We loved capturing all the lovely moments you shared and wish you a lifetime of happiness together.

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They couldn't have been more right. One year later, Courtney and Andy were relaxing together on the sofa. It was just a few days after Christmas, and the two were enjoying the remnants of the holiday season. Suddenly, Andy took Courtney's hand and asked her if she would marry him. He knew she was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Her answer was a happy and tearful "yes."

The two selected October 27th, 2018 for their wedding at the United Methodist Church in Albion. When the event finally arrived, God blessed them with the perfect day. Even so late in the  season, vibrant fall leaves were all around, and temperatures were in the 60's. Courtney and Andy had chosen a sophisticated dark blue for the groomsmen, and a complimentary wine color for the bridesmaids. Courtney was stunning in her off-the-shoulder lace gown. In her hand, she held the most unique and pretty bouquet I've yet to photograph. Each amazing flower was made from wood, perfectly arranged.

Andy and Courtney ended the day at the Albion fairgrounds with a beautifully decorated reception. They had told me that their goal for their wedding was simply to blend two families into one and create a very special and memorable day. Having experienced their wedding with them, I can say they far exceeded their wish. It was a joy to capture their memories and be part of such an elegant affair for a lovely couple.

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Andy__Courtney

For starters, the two share many common interests. They both enjoy water sports like skiing and tubing. They both love being in the outdoors and can often be found biking or relaxing at the lake. But more than that, both share a common faith in God and a commitment to their families and to serving in their church. When David and Michelle look at each other, it's easy for anyone to see the love between them. Laughter and joy seems to come easily when they are together.

So it really wasn't really a huge surprise to anyone when David asked Michelle if she was interested in taking their friendship to the next level, or later, when he stood on her front porch and asked for her hand in marriage. To those who knew them, it seemed like the perfect match.

On Sunday, September 23rd, David and Michelle were united in marriage in a beautiful ceremony at the Bible Baptist Church in the hometown where they had grown up. David looked sharp in his navy suit, and Michelle was lovely in a classic A-Line wedding gown. They were surrounded by those who know and love them and who are excited to see them start their lives together.

***

David and Michelle, we were thrilled to be a part of your day, as well; we hope you enjoy the images we captured for you!

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In October of 2009, Tom took Megan on their first official "date" -- a double-date with another couple. That night, they shared heir first kiss. The next week after a fall football game, Tom asked Megan to officially be his girlfriend.

That was nine years ago. Nine years of ups and downs. Nine years of life changes. But, one thing remained the same -- Tom and Megan stayed together and their relationship grew strong.

Last spring, Megan spent an afternoon with Tom, helping him check cattle and fencing. The two shared a 4-wheeler and rode out to a nearby pasture. Tom had said there was a problem with an insulator that had fallen off its post near the big oak tree.  When they got to the spot, he asked Megan to bail off and and grab the insulator for him. Megan jumped off, grabbed the unit and turned around....only to find Tom kneeling in the grass, next to the old weathered tree, holding out a ring. Megan saw three roses nailed to the tree beside him, and in the wood surface, Tom had carved a heart and the words, “Will you marry me?” The romantic gesture hit its mark. That month, the couple announced to their family and friends that they had chosen the date of September 8th, 2018 to be married.

I had the pleasure of photographing Tom and Megan's beautiful wedding at the Holy Trinity Heun Catholic Church near Schuyler.  They had a perfect fall day, with temperatures near 70, beautiful blue skies, and lovely country scenery. Around them, their family and friends gathered to celebrate their love - a love that had bloomed from a high school friendship that had began almost a decade earlier. The rest of their story is yet to be written, but the history of their past tells me it will be a long and beautiful tale.

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A co-worker and friend set up the two singles. They made plans to meet on a Friday evening, and Christine decided to leave the Farm Service Agency where she worked as soon as possible that day. She knew she'd need extra time to get home, freshen herself up and make the 30 minute drive from Wayne, where she lived, to Norfolk, where she was meeting Anthony, a rancher. But as fate would have it, things didn't go to plan! Five minutes before the office closed for the evening, a farmer shuffled in with a stack full of paperwork. A half hour later, Christine finally rushed from the office and drove home, where she took a five minute shower, slapped on some make up and quickly changed her clothes. She was soon back in the car and headed for the restaurant.

She arrived a bit breathless but on time. The two made it through supper, and afterwards Anthony suggested they take a walk around the nearby lake. Half way around, he said, "I think we have spent enough time  together for me to tell you that you have two different shoes on."  Christine glanced down in horror and absolute mortification to realize he was right -- she was wearing the same shoe style, but in two different colors! "Oh, way to go!" she thought to herself. "He is never going to call you again!"

But the faux pas made for a very good laugh, and Anthony did call again -- and again and again. In fact, Anthony never stopped calling, and the two never stopped finding silly reasons to laugh together. Fifteen months after the shoe incident, on Christine's 30th birthday, Anthony proposed. He and Christine both knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

It seemed fitting on their wedding day one year later that Anthony was blindfolded as Christine walked in behind him in a beautiful lace wedding gown. When Christine removed his blindfold and he turned around, Anthony had the biggest smile on his face. He was looking at the love of his life, and she was radiant. Their wedding, the happiest of affairs, was perfect from start to finish, exactly as it was meant to be.

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When Peter and Allison first met, they had no idea just how important they would become to each other. They just knew they had found a great friend. But, that's often how love begins. Almost six years later, in the 12th grade, on the cusp of another life transition, they started dating. The couple shared a love of adventure and the great outdoors. They could often be found fishing, camping, going on walks or just being outside together.

A few years after graduation, Peter realized that there would never be anyone else for him, no one other than Allison. It was a compilation of moments, a feeling that had grown steadily, one that now presented itself as a certainty in his soul. There was no life for him apart from Allison. He enlisted her sister, Nicole, to help him plan a perfect proposal. Nicole took Allison to get her nails down and then to the movies. While she was distracted, Peter set up a romantic candle lit dinner in her apartment, complete with her favorite entrée and dessert from the Olive Garden. The evening was a complete success.

On August 18th, Peter and Allison were married at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Elgin. Following the lovely ceremony, they celebrated with an elegant reception at Werner Hall in Petersburg. Their day was the kind of the day that's filled with joy and happy tears, a day celebrating a love that was always meant to be and that has finally come to fruition. The new Mr. and Mrs. will start their lives together in York, Peter as an agronomist and Allison as a RN. The things that brought them together in the beginning  - kindness, laughter and an abiding friendship  - will go with them as they face the future together.

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After months of talking, the couple decided it was time to meet. Since both were animal lovers, Darin thought a zoo might be a fun place to begin. He made sure the date got off to a great start by arriving with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and two other gifts that were sure to please -- an antique milk can and green tomatoes from his garden.

“He knew my love of vintage items, and he remembered a conversation about how I loved southern fried green tomatoes,” said Aimee who is from Virginia.  After enjoying the zoo exhibits, the couple headed to some local antique stores in line with another interest they both shared - restoring old furniture.

It wasn’t too long before Aimee came to Nebraska for a visit. After she arrived, Darin asked where she would like to go eat. Aimee said she was fine with anything. “Okay,” Darin said, “we’ll just go to nowhere special.” Aimee was a little surprised by his words since she had made a long trip just to see him, but she was okay with a casual dinner. There was some laughter as Darin pulled up to a restaurant in Linwood that is named Nowhere Special.  "What a great sense of humor," she thought.

It was Darin’s thoughtfulness that touched her when her birthday rolled around. Knowing that she has a painful skin reaction to cold weather, Darin bought her a special heated vest to wear alone or under a coat.  He said that he had to find a way to help her survive the cold Nebraska winters! “That simply blew me away,” Aimee commented. It also made her wonder what his future plans were! It wasn’t too long before that became clear.  “How could I go wrong asking this amazing woman to marry me?” Darin said.

Together Darin and Aimee have three daughters from previous marriages, and both were comforted by the other’s concern and care for their children. Darin loved that Aimee could relate to his daughters’ challenges as school teachers and could advise him in how to support them. Aimee found Darin’s understanding of her daughter a blessing, too.

During a rough time earlier in her life, through tears Aimee wrote down some promises that God gave her. At the time, she had no idea of what He had in store, she said -- an honorable man with many attributes she admired.

“We are both thrilled at the grace God has allowed in our lives,” Darin commented.  “I am thrilled that Aimee is the one God has chosen for me. She is more than I ever expected or imagined.  I am one very excited bridegroom.”

On August 11th, this sweet couple joined their lives together at First Presbyterian Church in Schuyler. We were honored to share a small part in their beautiful love story. Capturing their day was a joy, and we wish them much happiness as they start their lives together.

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In little ways, Lucas showed Audrey that he was different from other guys that she had dated. When she was sick with laryngitis, she regretfully cancelled on their plans to attend a rib festival. But, Lucas still showed up at her doorstep, wanting to spend time with her, even if it was just binge watching Netflix all day.

Because they worked and lived in different cities that were 90 minutes apart, Lucas and Audrey were only able to see each other on weekends. Date nights were rarely the typical dinner and a movie, as their weekends were full of other responsibilities, too. Some Saturday nights, Lucas could be found hunched over a table, shoulder to shoulder with Audrey, grading papers. And perhaps the next weekend, Audrey would join Lucas out in the fields, riding in the tractor or mending fences for cattle. It was not a glamorous life, but it was a good life, and being together made them happy. So when a middle school teaching job near Seward became available, Audrey applied. The job was soon her's for the taking, and while she was nervous about leaving her current position and friends, she was ready to be with Lucas. She hoped that he would soon be more than just a boyfriend.

As it turns out, that same hope was in Lucas' heart and mind, as well. One lazy day, he asked Audrey if she would come and help him fold laundry and pack for a work trip.  Audrey was watching television, and she wasn't excited about moving from her comfy spot. But, when Lucas called a second time, she got up. Walking downstairs, she was surprised to see him on one knee. Her answer to his unexpected, but much anticipated question, was a happy "yes." "While laundry is a chore I often dread, it is now a special reminder of his proposal," Audrey says.

The happy couple was married on July 28th at St. John's Lutheran Church in Madison. Surrounded by their family and friends, their day was everything they could have hoped. We were honored to be part of such a beautiful wedding for such a lovely couple.

Congratulations, Lucas and Audrey!

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Lucas and Audrey

Almost exactly a year from their first date, Tanner planned a special proposal. He prepared an entire day for his girlfriend, which included her getting pampered at the nail salon with her friends. At the end of the day, Ashtin and the other women went back to her home, where one of them handed her a note. It was a letter from Tanner, professing his love. When Ashtin finished reading, she looked up and realized that a small crowd of her closest friends and family had gathered for a surprise appearance. Tanner emerged out of the crowd, got down on one knee and asked Ashtin the question everyone wanted to hear: would she marry him? The answer was an ecstatic, "yes."

On June 23, 2018, Tanner and Ashtin's friends and family gathered again in honor of the couple, this time for their wedding. Ashtin made good on her promise, and the two recited vows and exchanged rings, becoming Mr. & Mrs. Tanner Balfour, at the United Methodist Church in Columbus. The love that had started innocently at a friendly bonfire years ago had grown into a beautiful romance, and the couple is now excited to start their lives together as husband and wife.

We were so honored to photograph this beautiful couple on their wedding day and wish them all the happiness in the world that they so deserve.

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Tanner & Ashtin

Three years later, on June 2, 2018, Brian and Kelsey were married at St. Augustine's Catholic Church in Schuyler. Kelsey had chosen a unique wedding dress -- a blush pink ballgown, instead of the traditional white -- and it was stunning on her. Her bridesmaids complemented her perfectly with mauve dresses, and the groomsmen wore navy tuxes with pink vests. Following the ceremony, family and friends joined them for an elegant celebration at the Oak Ballroom nearby.

Congratulations, Brian and Kelsey! Your day was beautiful,  and we were honored to be a part of it.

But now that he had the ring, how would he reel Brittany in? Auston thought carefully and decided that to completely surprise her, he would, of course, need to make another acquisition -- a new gun. What other reason could he possibly use to get her out to his family's sand pit, alone? Trying out a rifle would a be perfect ruse! Once there, Auston insisted that if Brittany only watched him fire his gun, she would miss out on all the fun! No, she really needed to try it out herself! Brittany finally obliged, unenthusiastic, and against her better judgment. When she turned around, she found Auston down on one knee, looking up at her, holding a ring.  When the two returned home later that day, it was easy to see that the venture had been a success. Auston was proud to announce to his family that he had landed the best gig of his life - that of being a husband. He could now finally show off the real  "big boat" sparkling on Brittany's hand.

The two began planning a spring wedding for May 19th. They both wanted the ceremony to be in the place they loved most -- the great outdoors. They chose Kapel's Last Resort, a beautiful location near Creston. They were sure the day would be perfect, and yet, they knew it would be bittersweet, as well. Brittany's sister, Amanda, who had suddenly passed away 4 1/2 years earlier, would be greatly missed. As I discussed plans with Brittany for the wedding, we knew it was important to remember Amanda in some way. Brittany chose to display a lovely portrait, one showing her sister as a radiant bride.

As the date drew close, however, a worry presented itself.  Rain clouds and cold winds threatened to ruin the couple's best laid plans. But, Brittany chose not to worry -- in the end, she was getting to marry her best friend, and nothing could stop that. When the day dawned, I found her at the salon, excited and beautiful. And, as it turned out, there had been no reason to worry. A morning shower passed through, and then the skies cleared, and the sun peeked out briefly for the happy occasion. It was almost like Amanda had smiled down on them, blessing them with a wedding day gift straight from Heaven.

Auston and Brittany's day turned out to be perfect, after all. Jeremy and I were honored to photograph these two lovely families coming together, and we wish Auston and Brittany a great and happy adventure together.

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The two were set up on a blind date, and while they were up to the task, they were naturally a bit nervous. To boost their confidence and the date's chance of success, the couple began cautiously texting in advance to make sure there was chemistry. When that went well, they set up the date details. The fateful evening finally arrived, and while it was a typical first date, it was, overall, a pleasant experience. Brett took Chelsea to El Potrero, a Mexican restaurant in downtown Lincoln. Since both of them were entering the medical field, they found they had much in common. They enjoyed each other's company, so they continued to see one another. Years passed, and the two grew closer, finding an uncommon friendship and love.

One day, Brett began to realize just how thankful he was for the blind date that had brought Chelsea into his life. He knew she was the perfect match for him, so he set up an elaborate scheme that involved the cooperation of Chelsea's friend, Ashley, and a day of pampering for Chelsea. It started by having Ashley text Chelsea to see if she wanted to get her toenails done at a salon, saying she had a "coupon." When the two girls met, Ashley handed Chelsea a note from Brett. Chelsea read the note quickly -- so quickly in fact, that she misread the whole thing, missing a vital clue in the first sentence. She thought Brett was sending her on a girls' day to relax, a nice gift, but actually, Brett was trying to let Chelsea know that it would be a day like none other. Semi-hidden in the note was a heads-up that he wanted to propose that evening. Chelsea, however, didn't notice anything special. The two friends got their nails done, went to lunch and then went shopping. At each location, there was a new note. The last note read, "Be ready by 6:00 p.m., and Ashley will pick you up." "How sweet," Chelsea thought. By then, it was 3:30 in the afternoon, and she was feeling tired from her long day of activities. She told Ashley that she would just head back home and take a nap before her dinner date. Ashley's reaction was memorable. "ARE YOU SERIOUS? DO YOU NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON?" Ashley demanded. She told Chelsea to go reread the first note. When she did, everything clicked. Chelsea's demeanor immediately changed, to say the least. Shortly after 4:00, she was ready for Ashley to pick her up, very nervous and excited for what would come. When Brett popped the question later that evening, her answer was prepared - a happy "yes."

Last month, on May 5th, Brett and Chelsea exchanged vows and rings at St. Augustine's in Schuyler. An elegant reception followed at the American Legion in Columbus. The beautiful day had arrived four years after their awkward first meeting, but that blind date had changed everything. Without hesitation, Brett and Chelsea are now ready to happily spend the rest of their lives together.

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But some people seem to have more than their fair share of sorrow.

When Dorothy was young, she lost her mother. A few years later, her younger brother passed away from a swimming accident. One would think this would be enough sadness for a lifetime. But, unfortunately, there was even more to come. While she was still a young woman, Dorothy's husband was killed in a tragic construction accident, leaving her to raise their three young sons on her own. Some days must have been overwhelming, but Dorothy kept putting one foot in front of the other. Even when she didn't understand, Dorothy's faith held fast. She believed that God was faithful and would provide for her needs in her time of sadness and loneliness.

Several years after Dorothy's husband passed away, God began a new chapter in her life by bringing her an unexpected love. Daniel attended Dorothy's church and had observed the lovely widow from afar. He admired her character and strength. He, too, understood the heartache of loss; his father had passed away when he was young. As Daniel got to know Dorothy, God showed him that this was the woman for him. Now he just had to convince her! But doing so was easier than he might have expected. When Daniel expressed interest in her, Dorothy opened up her heart, and in a short time, love blossomed. For Daniel the new romance brought more than a wife. It brought him a family, as he embraced fatherhood, ready to care for and accept Dorothy's boys as his own.

On Friday, May 4th, 2018, Daniel and Dorothy were married in a beautiful ceremony at the Bible Baptist Church in Columbus. God had brought them full-circle, blessing them with a deep love, joy and hope for the future. Their full story has yet to be written, but they are unafraid to turn the pages, knowing that while each chapter may bring new challenges, there will also be happiness and blessings from a faithful and ever-present God.

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A few years passed, and Adam started planning a special way to propose. Without a doubt in his heart, he knew Kayla was the one for him. One day, while she was gone, Adam found some rope lights and tape and went to work. Kayla soon arrived home and went into the kitchen, but she was suddenly surprised when the electricity went off in the room. She had just walked into the living room, trying to locate Adam, when he turned on the rope lights. Emblazoned across the wall were two simple words, but to Kayla, they spoke volumes: "Marry Me." Totally surprised and overjoyed, she answered, "yes!" and hugged Adam.

Little did they know, it would not be the last time that the electricity would go off on a most romantic day. But, more on that later!

The two got to work planning. They chose April 14th, 2018 for the big date, hoping for a lovely spring wedding. As the day drew closer, however, the weather report grew darker, and the couple soon realized that the temperamental Nebraska climate was not going to play in their favor. When the long-anticipated Saturday arrived, so did blowing snow, icy wind and freezing temperatures. But, Adam & Kayla didn't allow the day's forecast to ruin their wedding. Their love and happiness couldn't be shaken, no matter what the skies were doing outdoors. Even though we couldn't do outdoor pictures, and indoors, the church electricity was intermittent, Kayla wore a beautiful smile on her face. She was absolutely radiant in her lace gown, and Adam was the perfect groom. Their guests turned out in full solidarity at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, happy to see the two love birds tie the knot. Later on, at the elegantly decorated River's Edge Convention Center, Adam and Kayla partied with their family and friends and danced the night away. Their day had turned out lovely. They had weathered their first storm as husband and wife brilliantly, and their future forecast from here on out seems like nothing but blue skies.

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Last Christmas, Brett proposed, and unlike his first invitation, Rachel's answer was a quick and happy "yes." A little less than a year later, the two were married on Thanksgiving weekend in Schuyler at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Before Rachel walked down the aisle, Brett carried in someone very special - Anna, his and Rachel's beautiful 3-month-old daughter. Then, he and Rachel exchanged rings and vows, promising to continue the love and the friendship that had started it all.

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Curt and Susan were lucky in love from the start. Their first meeting should have been doomed to failure. After all, it was a blind date -- something even the urban dictionary recommends avoiding at all cost. Everyone knows -- blind dates can go horribly wrong, leaving a hopeful single with only an outlandish or humorous tale to share with others. But Curt and Susan beat the odds. When a friend set them up, they struck gold. They found friendship, love and a lifelong relationship. This month, the lucky lovers have been together for 10 years.

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Curt & Susan

After that, their was no longer talk just about "Greg"....it was always "Greg and Katrina." The two became a steady item. It was no wonder why they clicked, as they share several interests. One of those is agriculture. They both come from an ranching background and often work cattle together. It was not a complete surprise, then, when Greg showed up one night at her family farm to help her catch a calf to be vaccinated. They had a date later that evening, but Katrina had  agreed to help her dad with the task after she got off work, before going out. When she arrived home, she was told that her dad suddenly needed to "check the pivot," and that he had asked Greg to help her instead. Apparently, Greg had been nearby working with his own cattle and was available to fill in.

Katrina quickly removed her work shoes to go out in the field. "I threw on some hideous shoes," she laughed, remembering that she was in a hurry and just wanted to do the chore quickly. But for some reason, Greg asked her to change shoes, so Katrina put on her boots instead. Greg knew exactly where they would find the calf, so he led Katrina behind a pile of trees in the cattle lot. He handed her the medicine needed for the vaccination, and she went quickly to work filling the syringe. But, when she turned around, expecting to see Greg holding the calf, she was in for a surprise. He was kneeling in the dirt, instead. On his face, she saw excitement, hope and nervousness. The whole event was a setup, so Greg could ask one question: Would she marry him? Her answer was a quick and happy "yes."

This October, on a beautiful fall day, Greg and Katrina were married at St. Leonard's in Madison, Nebraska. The couple that has been together for three years now shares one more thing in common - the same last name. The new Mr. & Mrs. Greg Brandl's future plans? Well, that's pretty simple - just to continue chasing cattle and loving each other.

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Greg and Katrina

It certainly was a language both Michael and Katie spoke, and it played a big role in bringing the couple together. In fact, while the two had a very brief connection on a dating app, they first laid eyes on each other at the golf course Katie’s dad manages in North Bend, Nebraska.

They thought they knew each other but weren’t sure how at first. Then they remembered messaging each other on the dating app and they began chatting. For a few weeks they talked and then agreed to meet for, what else, a game of golf. 

“I grew up playing the sport because my dad is an avid golfer and always coached me when I was young,”  Katie explained. “It turned out Michael is a passionate golfer and plays well, so that was how it all started! We went out for dinner that evening after our 18 holes of golf.”

While they had golf in common, there were some differences between the couple. Michael came from a 5th generation farming family, growing up among crops and cows, hunting and outdoor activities. But Katie grew up in town, involved in gymnastics and golf. “He likes to poke fun at me for being a ‘city girl,’” Katie laughed.

But in addition to golf, both have something else in common -- close families. The foundation of agriculture and the family farm kept Michael’s parents, siblings and himself very close. For Katie and her family, it was sports. Her dad not only taught her golf but provided a job for her on his golf course for eight years. For her mom, the sport of passion was gymnastics. 

“She coached my gymnastics team when I was young, and now I coach gymnastics, too” she commented. 

Sports and hunting continued to draw Katie and Michael together in the three years they dated. Michael went to his first hockey games with Katie, traveling to Lincoln and to Chicago to see their favorite teams play, and Katie shot her first pheasant on a hunting trip with Michael.

“It's been such a fun experience sharing in these moments of trying something for the first time together,” she said.

Last year, Michael took Katie to a nice restaurant in South Sioux City that overlooks the river front. At the table, he began to tell her how much he loved her, and then he suddenly got down on one knee. He held up a family heirloom ring, passed down to him from his grandmother and asked, “Will you marry me?”  Katie's tearful answer was “Of course!”

The couple was married Sept. 30 at the Evans House in Columbus, with a beautiful reception following at the Eagles Club. They hope one day to be able to move back near the family farm and continue in the agriculture business.  They want to raise a family in the country. One can imagine there will always be golf, gymnastics and hunting in their lives.
 

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Michael & Katie

That advice seems to sum up Meghan and Todd, a fun loving couple.  There was a bit of risk to the start of their relationship. After all, they were complete strangers and they lived 8 hours apart. But, then, they both had a streak of adventure in them, and so the story began.

It started when Meghan was with a friend, Caitlin, who snapped a picture of the two of them. She wanted to send it to her fiance’s roommate. “Okay, why not?” Meghan thought. When Todd responded by saying he thought Meghan was cute, their mutual friends encouraged them to connect on Snapchat. Both were a little unsure at first. What kind of long-distance relationship could they possibly have?

But they did connect, first on Snapchat, and then through phone calls, and finally when Todd came down for a visit for Caitlin’s birthday party.
 “We were both incredibly nervous at first,” Meghan said, “but we seemed to just fit together. From that point on I knew this was something special.”

Their growing relationship meant a lot of driving back and forth, but it didn’t hamper the romance. And besides, travel wasn’t something they minded. In fact, Todd promised Meghan from the start that they would travel the world together and continuously have adventures.

“I knew life was never going to be boring with this guy,” she said. 

Todd began to keep his promise, and the best trip of all was to Glacier National Park in Montana where the couple spent days hiking, white water rafting, and exploring the great outdoors. The last day of their trip they hiked to St. Mary’s Waterfall and then to Virginia Falls where they sat for a while and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. 

Then at the top of the waterfall Todd came up behind Meghan, spun her around, and asked if he could have one serious moment on this trip. Serious moments don’t come often to Todd, but this was a special one as he got down on one knee and told Meghan he could not imagine going on adventures with anyone else.  Then he popped the question.

The couple were married September 23 in a beautiful ceremony at S.s. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Clarkson. They now live in Bozeman, Montana with their new puppy, Zeus...and for them, of course, the adventure is just beginning.

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Both deputy sheriffs were attractive young singles who noticed more than just the dents in the vehicle. Oh, they were very professional as they talked to the driver and filled out paperwork. Then both headed to the hospital to finish up the report on the driver. Soon, it was all taken care of so Lacy said good-by and left. Wait, that couldn’t be the end of the story, could it? No, Taylor was already smitten by the petite and pretty fellow cop. So he did what he could. He phoned her to come back because he said he was missing a form. Only, he wasn’t really.

“It was just a way to see her again, so I could ask her on a date,” he confessed. “After she returned I asked her out, and we have been together ever since.”

It didn’t take long for the law enforcement officials to figure out they had more in common than just their jobs. Over the course of a year, the couple dated and fell in love. That winter, Taylor planned a sweet proposal and popped the question. 

On Sept. 9, 2017, Lacy and Taylor were married at the Stromsburg Evangelical Free Church in a pretty ceremony, surrounded by happy family and friends. An elegant reception, featuring white lights, sparkling glitter, glowing candles and navy accents, followed at the Holthus Convention Center in York.

An accident? The happy couple would disagree. Surely, it was a divine appointment.

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089 Lacy and Taylor

The trip was purely coincidental. Kelly, who is from Nebraska, had a friend who was going to Chicago to visit her boyfriend there, and she invited Kelly to go along. While Kelly was there, the friend thought she should meet her boyfriend’s former roommate. His name was Eric. “She thought we might have a lot in common,” Kelly said. She was right.

There are those occasions when two people meet for the first time and it changes everything.  In one look, one conversation and one brief span of time, they realize they’ve met someone they need to hold onto. That was how it was for Eric and Kelly. They met on the 19th of February 2010 and immediately wanted to try long-distance dating. After she got back home, every month on the 19th, Kelly would call Eric to say, “Happy Anniversary!”

Eighteen months later, Kelly knew her heart belonged in Chicago. Saying good-bye to her family in Genoa, she moved to the big city.

One summer, several years later, the couple traveled back to Nebraska to visit Kelly’s family. It was the 4th of July, and the two were enjoying a spectacular fireworks display. As the Grand Finale began, with beautiful fireworks lighting up the sky around them, Eric took Kelly’s hand and asked her to marry him. The huge smile on her face reflected the joy of the moment.

When it came time to plan her big day, Kelly was certain about two things – the place and the date. She wanted to be married near her home in Genoa. She knew the lovely park there would be the perfect spot for the ceremony and the pictures. And the date? Well, for Eric and Kelly, there was only one possibility. It had to be on the 19th of the month to mark that special day in Chicago that brought them together. That day would be something to celebrate forever.

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That certainly was true for Jordan and Abby, who were married July 22 in Clarkson. It was humor that brought them together in the first place.  "We could always make each other laugh," Abby said. It was why they enjoyed hanging out together so much. The two met in college their sophomore year through mutual friends. Though they went out a few times, they mostly just stayed friends. Through Facebook and texts, Abby and Jordan kept in touch. Jordan was always the teasing one; Abby was always able to dish it right back. 

It was a few years later, after college, that Abby ran into Jordan at a bar. That evening she also met his hometown friends, who somehow knew all about her. For the first time, Jordan and Abby started talking about going on a real date, a serious one. A short time later on Christmas Day, Jordan followed through, asking Abby out. 

The couple fell in love and over the next two years, their relationship grew strong. On New Year's Eve, Jordan and Abby were in South Dakota with friends. After a day of snowmobiling, Jordan came indoors, visible irritated. He told Abby that she must have left her pop in his car, as it had exploded, making a mess everywhere! Abby expressed her innocence, but Jordan wouldn't hear her out. "Please come and help me clean up this mess!" he stated emphatically. Abby quickly grabbed her snow clothes and headed out to his truck. But when she looked inside, she didn't see anything . . .  no mess, no spilled pop.  She turned around confused and indignant, when she saw Jordan kneeling down in the snow. It was another of his pranks, but this was one she would always remember. As a friend videotaped, Jordan proposed, and Abby cried happy tears. 

Their wedding day was exactly as one would imagine, full of beauty, joy and laughter. If the old lovers know anything, it’s safe to say that this is a couple whose love is sure to last.  ❤️

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A few years passed, and the two had become inseparable. One Christmas, Andrew planned a special evening. Like many poor college students, he and Jamie didn’t go out to eat very often, so this night was special. The two dressed up and drove to Norfolk to enjoy a meal at Black Cow Fat Pig. 

When they got back home to Wayne, the couple decided to decorate a small tree that Andrew’s parents had given them. Jamie had been dying to open her gifts and kept asking Andrew when she could do so. Finally, he told her, she could open one —but just one. He told her there was a little one that he had placed in the back corner of the tree and if she could find it, she could open it early. Jamie got down on her hands and knees, searching all over. She looked high and low, behind every branch, but she could not locate the gift! When she was about ready to tear into the other pretty packages piled nearby, she suddenly heard, “Are you looking for this box?” She turned around to find Andrew down on one knee with a ring in his hand. Immediately, tears welled up in her eyes. There was no need for an answer. 

One year later, Jamie and Andrew stood in a country church near Leigh, Nebraska. Under her beautiful wedding gown, Jamie wore her favorite sneakers. A small giraffe pendant,  a family heirloom, was pinned to her bouquet, and another to the groom’s lapel. Many guests crowded in the small building, watching as the couple held hands, faced each other and made the biggest decision of their lives, and possibly the best one ever…one that would change everything for the sake of love.

Andrew & Jamie

Five years later, Jordan was planting his last field for the season. He told Jenny he would be working late and asked her to bring supper to him. When Jenny got to the field, she jumped in the tractor, happy to see Jordan and to talk about their day together as he worked. An hour later, he suddenly stopped the tractor, saying he needed to "check something." To her surprise, Jordan instead knelt beside her in the cab and asked the four words that would forever change her life  -- "Will you marry me?" In the middle of a Nebraska field with the sun setting low in the sky, Jordan whispered his love and slipped a ring on Jenny's finger.

One year and one week later on June 17th, he donned his cowboy boots and a tux and headed to the church -- St. Peter & Paul (Krakow) in Genoa. He anxiously waited for his bride, ready for what would prove to be one of the happiest days of his life. When she appeared in a white satin dress, carrying a vivid bouquet of tiny blue flowers and orange day lilies, a smile burst across his face. Their wedding was part country, part elegance, and pure sweetness -- perfect suited for the farmer and his wife.

Warner_Lassek

One Christmas, eighteen months after they started dating, Matthew knelt before the lovely woman he had grown to love and asked her to be his wife. With their parent's blessing, they began planning what would be a very special day. One June 11, 2017, Matthew and Josie were married at the Bible Baptist Church in Columbus, where they had started life together. It was a beautiful summer wedding with soft hues of pink and green, a couple surrounded by family and friends, and much love.  Now the two who have known each other all their lives get something even better: the hope and joy of growing old together.

Matthew and Josie

Fast forward four years, and JC and Angie were still together. One carefully planned evening, JC took Angie to the Lo Sole Mio Italian restaurant in Omaha and proposed over an elegant dinner. She happily answered, "yes." When the newly engaged couple arrived home, Angie was surprised to find her family and friends waiting at the apartment to celebrate with them. JC had arranged it all, and he had one more surprise -- a limo ride around Omaha to truly commemorate the evening. 

On June 10th, Angie made a beautiful bride. She walked down the aisle at St. Anthony's Catholic Church to JC, who was waiting for her with a grin. The two exchanged vows and rings as they stood with their wedding party, who were decked in coral and gray. The perfect day ended with a festive reception at the American Legion. 

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A few weeks later, Francie and Isaiah ran into each other while out with mutual friends.  Isaiah’s interest was piqued by the bubbly Francie. He asked around for her number and started texting her.  A few weeks later, he asked her out on a date. 

Within time, Francie and Isaiah realized they had found something extraordinary, a love they never wanted to let go. Isaiah admired Francie kind personality, and Francie loved how Isaiah made her laugh. They began treasuring their time together so eventually, Francie moved from Beatrice to Norfolk to be closer to Isaiah. After dating for 3 1/2 years, one Christmas morning, Francie discovered a ring tucked in her stocking. She answered with an immediate and excited "yes." 

Francie knew exactly where she wanted to be married. She was a graduate of Doane College in Crete and always thought the campus was unique and beautiful. And from the first time she visited there, it had seemed like home. So on June 3, 2017, Francie and Isaiah exchanged rings and vows in a grassy meadow. Their wedding day was sunny and beautiful, and their sweet ceremony was enriched with selected readings and songs that fit the bride and groom perfectly. An elegant reception was held at The Gala in Lincoln, ending the once-in-a-lifetime evening on just the right note. When the night was over, the pair walked away with the greatest prize of all from the fitness challenge - the joy of finding the love of their lives. 

Isaiah and Francie

Rebecca, who is a nurse, and Doug, a farmer, met through a a blind date. A close family friend of the bride's knew the groom and thought that they would be perfect together. She was right. Within time, love blossomed, and the two were engaged. They knew exactly what kind of day they wished for and went to work executing it perfectly. Rather than having a wedding party, Rebecca and Doug opted for simplicity. Their mothers joined them during the ceremony, happily participating as their witnesses. The touches that Rebecca added to her day were elegant and timeless - yellow and ivory roses, pearls and lace, a bit of blue and a penny in her shoe for good luck. Their reception was held at the parish hall of St. Rose of Lima in Genoa and featured exquisitely decorated cupcakes, spontaneous singing and dancing, and much laughter. All in all, it was a perfect day, as unique and lovely as the couple. We were honored to photograph it and wish the newlyweds a lifetime of happiness together.

Doug & Rebecca

In real life, another couple found love on a similar Groundhog Day, just like Phil and Rita, but without all the comical trouble. Kelsey and Josh met on Groundhog Day 2015 after a blizzard had just rolled through their town. Luckily, Josh, who is a different sort of fellow than Phil was, got it right on the very first try. Kelsey was the damsel in distress in the story. As it turned out that fateful morning, she left her apartment to find her car completely buried in snow, the doors frozen shut, and her hands full of her belongings. Her struggles caught the attention of Josh, another resident who was nearby. He offered her his help, quickly freeing her car and solving her troubles. "I told him thank you and that I would have to bake him some cookies or something. He kind of chuckled, like, yeah, okay, and then walked back to his car," Kelsey remembers. All day at her internship, Kelsey couldn't stop thinking about him. She guessed that such a nice guy had to be taken, probably even married already, but she decided to make good on her promise...just in case.

When they ran into each other days later in the hallway, Kelsey got his apartment number. A few hours later, she nervously knocked on his door, awkwardly delivered a plate of cookies and scurried back to her apartment. Her task done, the ball in his court, she finally relaxed, changing into her pajamas and putting her hair in a bun. About 15 minutes later, she was buried on her couch, watching tv, when there was another knock. When Kelsey cautiously opened her door, there stood Josh, now with an empty plate. "Dang, you ate those fast!" she said, inviting him inside. After a few minutes of small talk, Josh, who was most definitely single, jumped straight to the pertinent question. "Sooo...are you seeing anyone right now?" "I was so caught off guard, I thought, 'Holy cow this guy is forward!' I told him that I was not seeing anyone, and he asked me to go on a date with him," Kelsey laughs, remembering. 

So, all because of a snow storm, a kind gesture and some cookies, two people were brought together....two people who were meant to be. As Josh got to know Kelsey, he knew he had found the love of his life. He jumped into action. He set up an elaborate scavenger hunt, which culminated in another big question, a proposal to spend the the rest of their tomorrows together. She happily accepted.

On April 29, 2017, Kelsey and Josh were married at St. John's Lutheran Church in Creston, Nebraska. Their beautiful wedding will certainly be one of the most memorable days of their lives. As they move forward, they will awaken each new day together, ready to face life's unexpected storms, hand-in-hand.

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They probably thought nothing of it, because it wasn't until two years later when their paths crossed again. Both were taking business classes at Wayne State. But they remembered each other. Between lessons in finance and marketing, Erin and Anthony struck up a friendship, finding that they enjoyed one another's company very much. When Anthony was looking for a part time job, Erin referred him to her dad, a farmer looking for help with the fall harvest. Anthony was a quick learner, and the job suited him so much, he became a regular at the Miller household every year when the leaves started changing color. 

Time passed. The two graduated and started careers, but their friendship remained a constant. Anthony started asking Erin to join a group of friends on their "night out," a weekly event. Erin had a job with an early commute, so she declined, but Anthony persisted until she relented, becoming a regular. The two had begun to hope for more from their relationship but kept their feelings to themselves. 

Finally, a few months later, Erin had an excuse to ask Anthony out. Her dad had won two tickets to a concert and had given them to her. "Brantley Gilbert was newly popular, so I thought this would be great. I asked Anthony and he said, 'maybe.' Maybe!" Erin recalled, sighing. She was disappointed but hopeful. It turned out Anthony had a work event, but he was able to rush back, take Erin to the concert and experience a really great first date. 

Later that month, on Valentine's Day, 2013, Anthony asked Erin to be his girlfriend. It was also when Erin got her first kiss!

Three years later, Erin and Anthony were still a steady item. One evening, Erin started thinking about that first day they met, 8 years ago. "Are we ever going to get married?" she randomly asked. "Yeah," Anthony casually replied; then quickly changed the subject. Erin was bothered but decided to let it go. Little did she know, this same question had been on Anthony's mind for weeks now...ever since he had gone to a jewelry store and purchased a diamond ring. At that very moment, the ring was sitting in a gun safe, less than twenty feet away. Anthony knew it was time to make his move, but he wanted it to be perfect. 

A week later, he asked Erin if they could go for a drive and check out camping spots at the Niobrara State Park for his mom, who had just purchased a camper. Erin thought the request was a bit odd, but agreed. The day was nice and would be great spent outdoors. She dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans, not even bothering to put makeup on. After driving around for a while, Anthony finally suggested going up to the "lookout area" over the river. Erin quickly made it to the top and started reading the State Park signs with informational tidbits. "While I'm reading this, he says, 'Hey, Erin. I have a question for you.' I turned around and he was down on one knee with a ring box in hand," Erin recalled. His question was a total surprise.  "Are you serious??!" she immediately asked, then happily gave her consent. 

One year later, on April 22, 2017, almost nine years after their first encounter at the county fair, Anthony and Erin were married in a country church in the same small town, a few miles away from where they had first met. Love had brought them full circle, and now, they face the future together, hand-in-hand, ready for whatever comes their way.

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Tonya, a sweet, outgoing business woman, and Tony, a quiet farmer, experienced that first wink not in person but online because the two met on Match.com.  When Tonya realized Tony had looked at her profile, she decided to send him an emoji wink. She was so glad he winked back!

Those online winks led to messages, then phone calls and texts, and, finally, to their first date at a restaurant in Columbus where both happily thought the other looked even better than their pictures. Though the evening got off to a little 'first date' awkwardness, the couple soon began enjoying getting to know each other and conversation flowed.

"It was a great first date," Tonya said. 

As the couple began going out, Tony quickly realized that Tonya was a very special lady who is loved by many. Her friends also were impressed by the quality of the man she was dating. The relationship soon became more meaningful than they had first imagined. 

"We didn't like being apart, and I realized I had 'found the one whom my soul loves' (Song of Solomon 3:4)," Tonya said. 

On a Saturday last September Tony arrived at Tonya's house to pick her up for an outing to Kansas City to watch a Chiefs football game. Before they left, Tony began to complain of a headache. Tonya left the room to retrieve some medicine, and when she returned, she was completely surprised to see Tony down on one knee, holding out a ring box. "Tonya LaJean will you marry me?" he nervously blurted out. "I, of course, said "yes" and laughed that he mixed up my name! Tonya Jean LeGrande to Tonya LaJean!," she laughed, recounting the story. "We never went ring shopping together," Tonya added. "I wanted him to pick the ring I would wear for the rest of my life. He did an amazing job. I love it!"

The happy couple were united in marriage Feb. 25 at St. Augustine's in Schuyler.  While they didn't originally plan on a winter wedding, the date worked the best with other family events and with farming, and the wintery day turned out to be the perfect choice for their wedding.

The new Mr. and Mrs. happily look forward to spending their lives together. "We are so excited about our future, and we have great faith that God will continue to lead us," says Tonya.

LeGrande_Labenz  

The future is bright and full of promise for the two newlyweds who met while working for the same bank. The couple dated and fell in love, and when it was time to pop the question, Ben chose a very special date and place to do so. Amanda's father had passed away when she was younger. On what would have been Amanda's parent's 35th wedding anniversary, Ben got down on one knee and proposed at her father's grave site. 

On December 31st, Amanda walked down the aisle, joined halfway by her two brothers, to meet Ben at the front of Zion Lutheran Church in Pierce, Nebraska. Bridesmaids in sparkling blush dresses and groomsmen in navy tuxes joined them as they repeated vows and exchanged rings. After the ceremony, the party began, celebrating long into the night in Wisner. At midnight, a balloon drop and a kiss welcomed them into the new year as husband and wife. Congratulations, Ben and Amanda.  ♥ 

Pestel_Rathjen

When the night was over, Charlie kept in touch, eventually setting up a first date in Lincoln. The night went well, and soon the two were a steady couple. After a couple years of dating, Charlie and Hannah started talking of marriage, occasionally going ring shopping. But, Hannah had no idea just how ready Charlie was to make her his wife. He purchased a ring in secret, and before he had it for 24 hours, he was ready to act. He simply couldn't wait any longer. He soon came up with a unique way to propose. The farmer and agronomist bragged to Hannah about an ear of corn that he had found that day. "You gotta see how large this ear is," he told her. Hannah, who was used to her boyfriend's fascination with all-things-farming, was willing to entertain him. She fetched the ear of corn, and briefly admired it, before trying to hand it off. "No, pull the husk back," Charlie said. So, Hannah, always a good sport, complied. As she did, she saw an unexpected sparkle. Tied to a piece of string around the cob was an engagement ring. As she looked up in surprise, she saw Charlie down on one knee. "I don't even remember what he said after that," she said. Charlie put the ring on Hannah's finger, as she cried happy tears. 

On November 12, 2016, a few days before their three year anniversary together, Charlie and Hannah became husband and wife at the First United Methodist Church in York, Nebraska. They exchanged vows on a beautiful fall day, celebrating with their family and friends long into the evening at the Holthus Convention Center.

Charlie & Hannah

On a cold New Year's Eve 2015, Patrick decided it was time to be even more. He took Kayla to Lake Zorinksky and told her how much she meant to him. Although the words didn't come out as smooth as he had hoped, Kayla finally realized what her nervous boyfriend was asking when he knelt before her and pulled out the ring. The answer was a happy "yes." On November 5, 2016, the young couple were married at St. Isidore's Catholic Church with a beautiful reception following at the Rivers Edge Convention Center. Rinkol_Raimondo

Not many girls would jump at the chance to go deer hunting with their boyfriend. But, Samantha was no ordinary girl, and Mark knew it. In his pocket was something Samantha knew nothing about; if today went as planned, he wouldn't have to wait much longer to give it to her. The two of them together in the woods, doing what they loved in the place where they found peace . . . it was the perfect way to pop the question. 

The minutes creeped by slowly, and still there were no sounds to be heard. They had already gone out once that morning without any deer sightings. The thought crossed Samantha's mind that maybe they should just chalk it up to an unlucky day and head home, when suddenly she heard a sound. Was it a squirrel? Or something bigger? She tensed and waited . . . it happened again. Seconds later, Mark began to half-whisper, half-shout, "Hurry up, grab your gun!" Samantha saw what Mark saw, a large buck. The buck paused and then started to walk away. Samantha slid a bullet into the chamber of her gun with a loud "click." In the eerie silence, the noise seemed to amplify, echoing through the trees. The deer slowly turned to look at her. Aware of Mark breathing down her neck, urging her to hurry, she raised her gun. Time seemed to slow down, and as if in slow-motion, Samantha lined up the buck in her sights and pulled the trigger. 

When she opened her eyes, she found that she had dropped the buck dead in its tracks. Mark grabbed her, hugging her and proudly exclaiming that she had killed the biggest buck yet. After they took a few photos for bragging rights, Samantha turned to grab the deer's hind legs to load it up, when Mark spoke. "Wait a second." She turned to see him standing there, a small ring box in his hand. As he opened the box and asked her to marry him, Samantha instantly felt tears of joy sliding down her cheeks. A huge smile quickly swept across Mark's face as he embraced her and asked, "So I take that as a yes?"

Through lots of tears, laughter, and smiles, it didn't take long for Mark and Samantha to spread the news. One year later, on October 22, 2016, Mark and Samantha joined hands and repeated their vows at their outdoor wedding on their farm. The joy they had felt on the day of their perfect engagement had only grown with anticipation, and the two of them now look forward to spending the rest of their lives together, doing what they love, as husband and wife. 

Mark & Samantha

Eventually, the two girls grew up. Megan was there when Ashley's dream came true, when she walked down the aisle in her wedding gown.

For Megan, true love took time. She might have wondered if her turn would ever come. But, of course, it did. Nathan showed up just when he was meant to. She met Nathan through several friends and learned that they had something in common - a daughter from a previous relationship. The two began to date and found that they had other things in common. Both loved football. Megan's team was the Dallas Cowboy's; Nathan cheered for the Chicago Bears.  

After a few years of seeing each other, Nathan and Megan and their girls took a vacation together to California where Nathan's family lives. On the last evening of their trip in downtown Disney next to a beautiful water fountain, Megan got the surprise of her life. Nathan handed a camera to his daughter, who started videotaping. Just like a real-life fairy tale, the two younger girls watched in delight as Nathan got down on one knee and proposed to Megan.

On Saturday, October 8th, exactly three years and three days after she and Nathan started dating, Megan drove to St. Anthony's Catholic Church. She slipped into a beautiful wedding gown and Ashley handed her a pretty bouquet of blue and orange flowers. Now, it was Megan's turn to walk down the aisle. For real. And, waiting for her at the end, with love in his eyes, was the man of her dreams. 

Nathan and Megan

That was the case for Shelby. She had known Jacob for nearly 12 years. The two met when Shelby came by Jacob’s farm because her aunt was purchasing a heifer from him. Both thought the other was pretty cute and liked each other's traits. Jacob appreciated Shelby’s strong will, her energy and passion, and she was impressed by how kind he was, that he would always willingly do things for others. Over time, they became good friends.

But for Shelby, their relationship began to mean a lot more.

“I was head over heels in love with him, and he had absolutely no idea,” she confessed. She waited and waited for Jacob to make the first move, but finally decided she had to take action.

“I asked him out first, I told him I loved him first, I kissed him. It was all me,” she admits laughing. But then she had the great joy of finding out that Jacob felt exactly the same way about her. “Turns out, he was crazy for me, too.”

And once that was settled, Jacob asked Shelby to marry him. The two planned a beautiful outdoor country wedding that included some of the animals they loved.

“We really care about our animals, our horses, our dogs, our cattle. That’s a huge part of who we both are and who we always will be,” Shelby said. One day they hope to purchase a ranch where they can raise animals.  

So on October 1st, a gorgeous fall day, friends and family gathered on the property of Palestine Baptist Church near St. Ed. Sitting on wooden boards propped up by hay bales, they got to witness a unique and joyful wedding. The bridesmaids carried small bundles of wheat, and, like the groomsmen, wore cowboy boots. The little ring bearers walked down the aisle, accompanied by the couple’s two dogs. Instead of lighting a unity candle, Jacob and Shelby branded a wooden plaque with a unique symbol of their love and union.

And after the “I Do’s” were done, the newlyweds mounted their steeds, joined hands and rode off down a country road together, ready to start their “happily ever after.” 

Jacob & Shelby

Eric and Tiffany

They exchanged vows at the lovely Riverside Golf Club in Grand Island. The bridesmaids, Tammy's two girls, and the groomsmen, Eric's three children, stood with them as they joined hearts and hands. Knowing that it was much more than chance that had brought them together, they celebrated with family and friends, for the day that they had waited for all their lives had finally arrived.

Eric and Tammy

Last month, the young man, who works at a senior center, and the young woman, who works with the mentally disabled, were married. They recited their vows at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Norfolk, surrounded by their family and friends. It had taken time for them to arrive at their common destination, but it was evident to all that they were exactly where they were supposed to be. Standing together, linked by love, a deeply grown friendship and a common desire to serve others in their vocations. 

Christina and Larry

In 2015, Parker took Erica up on top of the beautiful Briar Cliff Hill in Iowa and got down on one knee. This time, it was Erica's turn to say yes, which she did with all her heart. In August, after being together for over 5 years, Parker and Erica exchanged wedding vows at St. Isidore's Catholic Church in Columbus. The two best friends and soul mates have now became husband and wife. I guess one could say that one of the best decisions Parker ever made was to play Mario Kart. After all, it changed his life, and who could have expected that?

Parker and Erica

But the relationship didn’t go anywhere until after both had finished their freshmen year of college, Casey at UNL and Ryan at Northeast.  That summer Casey came back to work at Hy-Vee. Ironically, her first day was Ryan’s last day, and the two might not have even run into each other, except that tornado sirens started sounding and all the employees had to go back into the produce coolers.

After work, Ryan took time to find Casey in her department to ask an important question. He hoped she would go with him on a camping trip his class was taking.  He didn’t get the smiling answer he wanted, though, because Casey loves the comforts of home, not a tent.  So he tried a different tactic – inviting Casey to go for a ride on his motorcycle sometime. When she agreed, he got her phone number, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The sweet couple was married July 30th at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Battle Creek with a reception afterwards at Divot’s in Norfolk. The romance which began unexpectedly in a grocery store is now bringing smiles to their families and friends, who look forward to more seasons of joy to come.

Ryan and Casey

They met in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the halfway point between Watertown, where Mike was from, and Omaha, where Suzi was from. The whole day was planned on a whim - but it was a perfect first date that included a long walk around the Falls, bowling, a baseball game and fireworks. At the close of the evening, Mike asked Suzi to be his girlfriend. She happily agreed. Fast forward one year, and the couple met again at Sioux Falls to celebrate their one-year anniversary. Little did Suzi know, Mike planned to ask another question on the memorable occasion. He wrote her a letter and had her close her eyes half way through it, as he read. When he finished reading the letter, Suzi opened her eyes to see a beautiful ring. Mike had another surprise to top off the evening; earlier, in front of Suzi, he had made reservations for 4 for dinner. Suzi had no clue who was joining them and was puzzled all afternoon. When she saw her parents walk through the door of the restaurant, she lost it. Mike had created another perfect day for his new fiancée. 

On July 23rd, Mike and Suzi joined hands and were married at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Norfolk. It was a beautiful summer day, perfect for a wedding. Love may not have started at first impression, but it was now in full bloom, for all to celebrate. 

Mike & Suzi

No, Brad simply showed up, ready to faithfully perform his duties...and that's when he saw her. She was a bridesmaid, there to celebrate with her cousin Sara, the bride. She happy and beautiful and very hard not to notice. When it came time for the dance, Brad asked her for a spin and had three-and-a-half minutes to put on his best charm. 

The wedding was over way too soon, but Brad wasn't about to let this one slip away. He reached out to Kara through Facebook and soon had a first date set up. He didn't know that Kara, who was going to school for dental hygiene, had dating "rules." If the guy was a keeper, he had to do four things on the first date. One, he had to open the door for her. Two, he needed to pay for her dinner. Three, he had to compliment her. And, finally, he had to ask her on a second date. 

Thankfully, Brad was a perfect gentleman and easily aced the test. Within a short time and after a few more dates, Brad and Kara were an item. 

In 2015, Kara came over to Brad's apartment, opened her door and saw the craziest sight ever. The entire space had been transformed into a giant, adult-sized maze. Brad had built the maze from full sheets of presentation cardboard and had decorated it with a timeline of when he and Kara had met until that day. Each wall was filled with pictures and lines from love songs. At the end of the maze, Brad anxiously and hopefully waited, down on one knee. He had one question, and it would change everything.

On July 2, 2016, Brad put on another tux. This time, it was love that drove him to the church. This time, he knew what to expect. He knew she would be waiting for him, happy and beautiful. And, of course, she was.

Bogus_Florian

On June 18, 2016, Jon and Chancy were married in a small country church, St. Peter & Paul Catholic (Krakow), the same church Chancy’s parents had married in many years earlier. The summer day was beautiful, perfect for a wedding. Surrounded by their family and friends and with great joy, Jon and Chancy became husband and wife. The festivities that evening ended with much celebration, Polish music and dancing at the Silver Creek Hall, but for Jon and Chancy, their story goes on, with a new chapter just waiting to be written.

Jon and Chancy

For now, she had a career to focus on, and Nebraska was the place to do that. She was working as a librarian and pursuing her Media Specialist Endorsement in Columbus. But, she didn’t want to live by herself forever. So Kim went online to a dating site. She had already tried online dating before with no luck, but maybe this time would be different. 

And, of course, it was. Within a few months, Kim received a message from a guy in Lincoln who liked the fact that she liked reading.

They met for the first time at Perkins Restaurant in Lincoln. He was an avionics technician with a fondness for steak. Although there were no immediate fireworks, Kim knew she wanted to see him again. 

And she did. The very next week, Kyle came to Columbus. The two continued the weekly get-togethers, and their relationship began to take root and bloom. About three months after their first meeting, Kyle told Kim he wanted her to spend Thanksgiving with his family, and he hoped to spend Christmas with her’s. That’s when she knew he was thinking long-term, and the thought made her happy. She couldn’t believe it, but in less than 6 months, she had found the one she wanted spend forever with. Later, Kyle told Kim that the night he called her a “nerd” and she had laughed and thanked him for the compliment, he had known she was the girl for him. 

In May, a year after a stranger had sent her a message online, that same man knelt before Kim and asked her the four words she’d waited to hear her whole life. He was now anything but a stranger; he was her closest friend and the one who held her heart, so the answer to “Will you marry me?” was a happy yes. 

The following year, Kim and Kyle were united in marriage in a beautiful ceremony at St. Isidore’s Catholic Church in Columbus. The happy couple plans to move to Lincoln, where they will share life together in a state that now feels very much like home. 

Kyle & KimJune 11, 2016

After they had been together for several years, one day the couple went on a double golf date with their close friends, Molly and Derek. For Kristin, it seemed like just another normal outing, but she couldn’t have been more wrong. Normal went out the window at Hole 2 when Jon mysteriously couldn’t seem to tee off. He tried over and over before Kristin asked what was the matter. “I have a lot on my mind,” he replied briefly. With a teasing smile, Kristin suggested he just throw the ball! 

Jon didn’t have a teasing comment in return, but he finally hit the ball.  At the green, when Kristin putted her ball in and turned around, she was surprised again. The struggling golfer was now walking up to her with a big smile, while her friend Molly was stretched out on the ground ready to photograph a big event. Yes, it was ‘The Moment’ as Jon got down on one knee and popped the question.

“Seriously?” Kristin asked in amazement. Jon was quite serious. He and Molly had even made a trip earlier to the golf course in the week to find out which hole would work best for pictures!

On April 23rd, the couple were wed at S S Cyril Methodious Catholic Church in Clarkson. As they exchanged vows and rings, their bridal party surrounded them in support, dressed in purple gowns and silver tuxes. And, of course, standing beside her best friend was Molly, the maid of honor. The night ended with an elegant reception at the Howells Ballroom. The romance that had started with a night of country music was celebrated with joy, laughter, and lots of dancing. 

Culver_Janousek

After all, it was a family member who made their meeting possible. Amanda’s cousin Mike was just sure that Ben, his co-worker at his DJ company and a volunteer fireman, would be a great match for her. He was right. Once Amanda and Ben met, they began dating and found they couldn’t stop talking and wanting to spend time together.

One evening, Amanda’s parents came to town for her birthday. Everyone went out to eat and then came back to the house to continue the celebration. Amanda opened her parents’ gifts first. Then Ben said he had a special present too. Right in front of her parents and brother, he asked Amanda to be his wife.

On April 16, 2016, a cloudy spring day, the pretty bride walked down the aisle of St. John’s Lutheran Church near Creston. She carried a special memento made by her mother, a crocheted heart adorned with six little pearls representing grandparents and an uncle who had passed on and could not be there to celebrate with them. The couple exchanged their vows and then celebrated with family and friends at a fun reception at the American Legion Hall in Columbus.

Ben and Amanda plan to live in Columbus and one day they want to begin their own family with life and lots of endless love.

Homolka_Hellbusch

I had enjoyed getting to know Jesse and Kristen and their two beautiful children at their fall engagement session. They are a lovely family, and I was happily anticipating their wedding day, our first one of 2016. They started our year off right, with a beautiful day at St. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church in Howells, with an evening reception at the Oak Ballroom in Schuyler.

Thank you, Jesse and Kristen, for including Jeremy and I in your wedding and allowing us to photograph such wonderful memories for you. We were honored to be there and to have been given the opportunity to know you. 

The following are some of our favorite photos from the day - enjoy the slideshow below to see even more. 

Whitley_Svehla

He took her out on Valentine's Day to a Mexican Restaurant, and it turned out to be a great date.  Three and a half years later, Estela and Trevor were still an item. Shortly before Christmas, Trevor got down on one knee and proposed. By then, Estela needed no convincing. Her answer was a happy "yes."

The two tied the knot on October 10th in a ceremony at the United Methodist Church, followed by a reception at the Ramada Convention Center in Columbus. Surrounded by their family and friends, they had the wedding of their dreams, a truly beautiful and unforgettable day. 

Trevor and Estela

When Matt's friend first suggested he join a dating website, the single father of two was reluctant. But, at his friend's encouragement, he gave it a chance. He went on a few dates, but nothing special happened and he was ready to give up.

Then came the response that would change his life. Unknown to him, it actually came not from the girl but from her sisters. Yes, Stacy’s sisters were so helpful -- setting up her profile, sorting through the responses and even replying to a few prospects themselves... all done with the best of intentions, of course!

Matt set up their first blind date at a little Italian restaurant in Lincoln, his sister's favorite place to eat. Neither knew what to expect. Stacy had never imagined herself being with a man who had children, and Matt had been on enough bad dates to be cautious. But, on that cold February evening, something totally unexpected happened. Matt and Stacy were surprised to learn that they both came from the Columbus vicinity. They had literally grown up just a short distance apart. They were also a little surprised by what a good time they had. They didn’t want the evening to end, so they went out for drinks at Applebee’s, and then talked to each other on cell phones as they drove back to Columbus to their respective homes.

Seven months later, Matt asked Stacy to be his wife, and she no longer had any hesitation. The two were married at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Columbus on September 12th with a reception following at the American Legion.

The wedding was absolutely beautiful and full of happiness...not only for Matt and Stacy, but also for that persistent friend and three very loving sisters. ♥♥♥

Matt & Stacy

But Amy only had her heart, no food, to give, when she and Julian first met. It was way back in eighth grade and Amy had a huge crush on her classmate. But Julian soon moved to another school without him ever knowing it, and that seemed the end of that.

But after high school came college. And here came Julian, right back into Amy’s life – and heart - again. It wasn’t long before he asked her out. But now Amy had a son, cute little Colin, just one year old. When her babysitter didn’t show up for their first date, Amy suggested, “Let eat at my house.” Julian quickly realized this woman could cook, and he hit it off with her son, too.

Some years – and meals – later, Colin was 4 and not one bit shy. “You need to buy my mommy a ring so we can be a family,” he told Julian. So the father-to-be and the little boy went shopping for a ring for mommy. After another delicious home-cooked meal, Julian popped the question. Amy, who had given both her heart and her food, said yes.

The sweet couple were married at the United Methodist Church in Columbus on Sept. 5th. Amy took her wedding colors from her last name, Green. It was a family affair with Amy’s two sisters as bridesmaids, and Julian’s two brothers as groomsmen, and a very happy Colin. A reception followed at the newly restored Henry building on 11^th Street.

Now the three of them are a family. Amy works with special education students at a local school and Julian works at a local restaurant. And Colin, well, he just works at being a much-loved son.

Polanco/Green

It wasn't 'love at first sight' for Sarah and Eric, but that little detail seems unimportant now. The couple met at a farm supply store where they worked, and there were no sparks. In fact, they jokingly say they hated each other. But things change in life and relationships, and one day, Eric and Sarah started talking. One thing led to another, and before you knew it, they were dating. It didn't take Eric long to realize that he was completely smitten. Without a doubt, he hew he had found the real thing, the girl for him. 

Two weeks after their first date, Eric started talking about getting married … soon. It took a little convincing but Sarah realized he was serious, and her heart began to respond. Sparks were happening. Six weeks later, Eric asked Sarah’s dad for permission to marry her. Then he took Sarah to his grandmother’s farm near Norfolk and got down on one knee. In such a short time, one girl had changed everything for him. For the rest of his life, he wanted her beside him. 

Eric had always wanted to get married on that farm, long before he knew that Sarah had always wanted an outdoor wedding. This bride also knew something else she wanted, a unique wedding dress. She had looked for one before, just for fun, but hadn’t found anything close. But just a few days after Eric proposed, she looked again, and this time, she saw THE dress. It was perfect. 

On August 29th, the bride and groom returned to the farm, and underneath an arbor in the very spot where Eric had proposed, the two pledged their vows. Their family and friends joined them in celebration at an elegant reception at the Divots Conference Center in Norfolk. 

Who said ‘love at first sight’ is important, anyhow? 

Eric & Sarah ​

Reichmuth_Huettner

On March 21st, 2013 the young couple welcomed baby Wyland into their lives, and two months later, Mack got down on one knee and popped the question. On their son's first birthday, Mack and Kelley were wed in a small and simple ceremony. The following year on Kelley's birthday, August 1st, they chose to celebrate in style, this time inviting all their family and friends to the big wedding they had always wanted. It was my pleasure to be a part of this second, most lovely day. Getting to know Mack, Kelley, Wyland and their families was such a blessing to me; couples like them are one of the reasons I love my job so much! Their celebration took place at the Berean Church in Columbus, followed by a reception at Wunderlich's Catering. Kelley decorated with some of my favorite jewel tones, in various blues, greens and purples, accenting with peacock feathers, and the result was beautiful. Thank you, Mack and Kelley, for sharing your memorable day with me and letting me capture all the details!

Miller

On July 18, 2015, Tom and Jamie became Mr. and Mrs. Ksaizek at Christ Lutheran Church in Columbus. It was a beautiful, hot and sunny day, and the wedding was full of country charm. The bridesmaids wore pearls, coral dresses and cowboy boots and the groomsmen donned blue jeans, paired with chocolate brown vests. Jamie was simply stunning in her elegant lace wedding gown. Everything went off without a glitch, even down to the beautiful reception at the American Legion Hall. 

Jeremy and I enjoyed getting to know this couple and their lovely families. We loved being part of their day and wish them a lifetime of happiness together! 

Ksiazek_Frenzen

The cousin that introduced them became the Maid Of Honor, and the date was set in stone. On July 11, 2015, one of the hottest days of the summer, Tara and Dave became Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlin at St. Mary's in Schuyler. An elegant reception followed at the American Legion in Columbus. Tara's decorations were stunning, with the entire hall draped in gold, navy and purple, and lit by candlelight. The evening grew rich with laughter when a Scottish bagpiper surprised the couple by crashing their party. Long ago, Dave and Tara's family had enjoyed a bagpiper's performance together, and Dave had jokingly asked if Tara's dad would buy him a kilt. "I will, if you marry my daughter," he responded in jest. Dave got his kilt, much to the delight of their guests. 

The entire day was beautiful and memorable and was an honor to photograph. Thank you, Tara & Dave, for allowing us to be a wonderful part of it. 

Heavican_Chamberlin

The two chose June 27, 2015 for their date. It turned out to be a perfect summer day, warm and sunny and full of promise. Kasey and Matt exchanged vows and rings at the beautiful St. Isidore's Catholic Church in Columbus and celebrated with their family and friends afterwards at the American Legion Hall.  I couldn't be more honored to photograph their wedding day, the first day of their lives together as one. Kasey & Matt, I hope you love the images we captured and each time you look at them over the years, I hope you'll remember the sweetness, love and beauty of your wedding day.

Matt & Kasey

On June 20th, 2015, the three of them became a family. The very-much-in-love couple exchanged vows at St. Cecilia's Cathedral in Omaha. Andrea chose a peacock blue for her bridesmaids, with pink and coral gerber flowers mixed with yellows roses. The groomsmen, accented with coral vests and black tuxes, made for an elegant picture. The day started at Creative Hair Design and ended at Karen's Fireside in Papillion.

Andrea and Brandon, your day was just as perfect as your are. We couldn't be any happier for you that you found one another, and we were honored to be part of such a beautiful wedding at such amazing venues for such an exceptional couple. Thank you for blessing us with your story!

Andrea and Brandon

And so he did. On October 3, 2012, Tyler and Natalie exchanged vows in a small civil ceremony. Now, over 2 1/2 years later, the couple is as much in love as ever. Natalie had dreamed of a big wedding, surrounded by friends and family, and so the two decided it was never too late to celebrate in style. A date was chosen, invitations were sent, and Natalie started planning every tiny detail of what would be a magical day. 

On June 13, 2015, Natalie & Tyler stood in front of St. Bonaventure's Catholic Church and repeated their vows. A large wedding party decked in black and hot pink surrounded them, offering their support and showing just how much the couple is loved. All of them know that Natalie and Tyler's time together during their first year of marriage will be limited. Natalie is as army wife. Her husband ships out for the National Guard two weeks after their wedding, this coming Tuesday. 

It was such an honor to be a part of this couple's day. Natalie and Tyler, you made us feel like we were part of your family, right from the start, and your wedding party was great fun to work with. We thank you for letting us be part of such a special day - and for sacrificing for our country. We hope you will treasure your photos.

Tyler & Natalie

The day started at Sleep Inn in Columbus, where the room was a bustle. Lisa, her sisters and friends were all getting styled, enjoying fun drinks and having a good time preparing for the much anticipated day. The air was thick with hair spray, perfume and lots of laughter. Then, we were off to the beautiful St. Isidore's for the most important part, the sacred exchange of vows and rings. 

The reception took place at the VFW in Columbus, where every detail was tastefully cared for. Coral and peach roses, baby's breath, and burlap adorned the candle-lit tables, and a photo booth in the corner provided much entertainment. Nicole and I enjoyed the day so much, and we were honored to be a part of it. Thank you, Alex and Lisa, for allowing us to photograph your memories. We hope you enjoy each photo! Congratulations, and our best wishes for many years of happiness to a very deserving couple!

Alex & Lisa

But happy tears continued to rain down throughout the day. I don't think there was a dry eye in the building when Jordan become emotional when he saw his beautiful bride for the first time, or when the two exchanged vows for a lifetime of love. Family and friends who had long witnessed the couple's abiding love were thrilled to see them finally become Mr. & Mrs., husband and wife, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Creston.

The day ended at Humphrey Hall, where tables were decked in wildflowers and burlap, and candles were nestled in tree branches. The most stunning exhibit of the hall was the one-of-a-kind cake stand, created by the bride's grandfather from a tree trunk and adorned with the couple's name and words of love and friendship.

It was an event that I was proud to be a part of and will think back to with fond memories. I wish the new Mr. and Mrs. Wurdeman a lifetime of blessings. Enjoy your many photos from the day - here are just a few of my favorites!

Jordan & Michala

The weather turned out to be perfect, and the rest of the day followed suit. I started capturing the day at "A Little Off the Top," a beautiful salon in North Bend. We then headed to St. Charles, just a few blocks away, for their nuptials and vows. Jessica chose champagne colored bridesmaid dresses, with the groomsmen fitted in navy tuxes. Everything was accented in burgundy, and the result was simply lovely. After the reception, we stopped at a friend's farm for some fun photos, and the wedding party was a blast to work with. We ended the day with an elegant reception and dance at the Starlight Ballroom in Wahoo. 

Thank you, Mr. & Mrs. Mastny, for allowing me to be part of such a memorable time in your lives.  I chose a few of my favorite images from your day below, but to see even more, enjoy the slideshow.

Erik & Jessica

The ceremony was held in the backyard where Nick grew up. He told Carly he always thought it would be a great place to have a wedding, and it was. Almost all the photos from the day were done outdoors. Carly told me how much she and her family loved to have fun together, and she wanted the photos to reflect that. I don't think she will be disappointed, as I found it easy to capture her contagious laugh and big heart. It was easy to see how much she loves Nick and her beautiful daughter, Brooklyn.

Their reception at the New World Inn was fondly and intricately decorated by Carly's sister, Cassie. She is amazingly crafty and did such a lovely job! Their wedding cake was also hands-down the best cake I've had EVER.  (I may or may not have had two pieces. Shhh.) 

Thank you, Nick, Carly and Brooklynn for letting me intrude upon your intimate affair and photograph the memories for you. I was truly honored to be there for you. 

The following are a handful of my favorite photos from the day - but check out the video slideshow to see even more.

Nick & Carly

On May 16th, 2015, the two were united in marriage at the beautiful St. Isidore's Catholic Church in Columbus. It was a beautiful wedding day, perfect in weather, perfect in decorative detail, perfect in the abundance of love. Jennifer's favorite color, red, was in full display throughout the day, and the entire event was full of class and elegance. 

Thank you, Jay and Jen, for sharing your journey with me and for allowing me to photograph it! I hope you enjoy the photos, and I wish you great happiness in the years ahead.

The two tied the knot at the Ss Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Clarkson on March 14th. Their reception was held at The Barn in Clarkson, an amazing, modern barn that Jeremy and his family completely remodeled themselves. If you are looking for a reception hall in the Clarkson area, this is one place you'll definitely want to check out. I was so pleased to get to photograph the very first wedding there! 

I loved not only getting to be a part of this memorable day, but also the chance to get to know this sweet couple. Enjoy their photos! 

Anderson_Doernemann

In 2014, I felt stretched as a photographer, and I'm proud to say that through hard work, through letting go of our fears, and through a whole lot of prayer, my work and that of my assistants grew! We've had more clients than ever before, and our work is better than ever. I look forward with eagerness to the new faces that I will meet this year, and the new opportunities that we will bring our clientele. Already, mini sessions are in the works to be offered all year!

As I reflect on each of the babies I got to hold, the chubby grins I captured, the wedding vows I heard professed, the milestones I celebrated, and the families I photographed, I feel so blessed and happy. I have some of the most amazing clients. I thank each one of you, and I wish you the best in the future. I hope you will come to see me often, or at least say "hello" now and then when I see you in town. Enjoy your pictures, for I enjoyed very much creating them!

2014 in Review

Thank you, Katie and Tony, for choosing us to photograph your day! You had such a fun wedding party, and your day was sweet and perfect. 

Flynn_Garcia

T. Weinmeister

Here are just a few of my favorite images from your engagement session. Enjoy your sneak peek!

Reif_Beiermann

Congratulations, you two! Enjoy your sneak peek!

Congratulations, Craig and Nicole! We loved being a part of your day. Enjoy the photos!

Wurdeman_Whitmore

Congratulations, Scott and Holly! It was an honor to capture your day; your love was so apparent at your wedding and made my job so easy! I hope your photographs are enjoyed for many generations. :-)

Fritz_VanCura

     Kate Sliva

Bayer_Kracl

Thank you Jeremy and Tara! We hope you truly enjoy your wedding photos!

Jeremy & Tara's Wedding Day

Chris and Sarah are the sweetest couple, and I am so grateful to have captured their day for them. 

Chmelka_Kroesing

Be sure to watch the video! I love the images we captured for them and hope you enjoy them, too. 

Fuchtman_Schumacher

Here are just a few of my favorite images from your session!

The two chose to not see each other on the day of the wedding until the moment Mikayla walked down the aisle in her lace gown and pearls - so elegant and lovely. The anticipation made their day that much more special. We also captured photos at the Steepleview Golf Course before heading to their wedding reception at Columbus' Ramada Inn and Convention Center.

Congratulations, Jerad and Mikayla! Thank you for sharing your day with me!

Jerad and Mikayla

Their day was beautiful, and I was so pleased to be a part of it. Below are some of my favorite images - enjoy!

Megan & EricJune 14, 2014

Paprocki_Kabes

Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Van Der Linden, for letting me share in your day! You made me laugh, too, and let me capture some amazing photos! You had such a perfect day, and you make a beautiful couple. 

Wieberdink_Van Der Linden

Ritta-Keim

More often than I like to admit, the emotion of the day sucks me in, and I'm ducking behind the camera, wiping at tears, hoping no one notices. I love the beauty of a wedding, and I say a prayer privately for each couple before I photograph their day, praying for their love and commitment to last and for many happy years for them. 

When the bride is a sister, there's no holding the tears back. My lovely sister-in-law, Rebekah, changed her last name this month, and I gained a new brother. Rebekah is one of the most beautiful people I know. I love her sweetness, the way she cares about the happiness of every person in the room. We have enjoyed getting to know Caleb the last few months. He helped pitch in and renovate our studio and my children adore him. Seeing how much he loves Rebekah makes my heart happy. He's now part of that special bond known as family. I look forward to one day getting to share their wedding photos with my future nieces and nephews.

Poeffel-Cornelius

Hocutt-Copeland

Ed & KarenMay 3, 2014

I have to include this last photo because it made me laugh! I told big brother Eli that he could take a picture with my camera if he would pose for a picture with his sister. This is his photo! Little Brooklyn put her hand up to her head, as if saying, "Oh dear...this is just too much." :-)

The little romper in the above two pictures that Brookyn is wearing is from Heavenly Blessings Crafts here in Columbus. The owner, Jamie, has the cutest stuff!

Aaron & Samantha