September 6th, 2011
Nina and Kyler – Seven Seas Hartland Wisconsin Wedding
September 2nd, 2011
Jen and Will – Pier Wisconsin Wedding
Jen and Will are from the East Coast, but were getting married in Wisconsin… On a boat! They met each other when they were helping to build the very boat they were married on, The Denis Sullivan. The day started out great, when we went to make some portraits and noticed they were both wearing hiking boots! AWESOME! When asked if they would mind walking out into a field, they just looked down at the boots and we all laughed. I think at one point I heard Jen say “Oh cool, my dress is getting a little dirty…” as grasshoppers were flying out from under her as she walked through the field… I knew this was going to be a good day. From there the day only got better… Wedding on the Denis Sullivan, Reception at Pier Wisconsin with a ton of handmade AWESOME-NESS, custom napkins for people to take home, a photo place-card wall where people matched the photo on their card to the photo on each table, prairie grass center pieces that fit perfectly with the surrounding of Pier Wisconsin, KITE FLYING, Frogwater, awesome food by Bartolottas, amazing family and friends, 7 CAKES (Simon’s favorite part, I think), great weather, and sweet sweet light…
Here are some of my favorites from Simon and I throughout the day:
August 11th, 2011
Sarah and Jake – Engaged for MAWAGE
“Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam… And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva… So tweasure your wuv.”
“Skip to the end. ”
“Have you the wing?”
“…and do you,Pwincess Buwwercup…”
“Man and wife. Say man and wife. ”
“Man an’ wife.”
I have known Jake since like 6th grade. Out of all the friendships I have had over the years, I would have to say my friendship with Jake is the strongest and longest lasting friendship that I have ever had. When he asked me to be the best man in his wedding, I was truly honored. When he then asked if Valo would shoot the wedding… I was even more honored. It is going to be odd being in front of the lens for a change… but I know that with Simon behind the lens, these images are going to rock! I have not known Sarah that long, but from what I do know about her, she is perfect for Jake… And by perfect, I mean, she can handle such a large personality (and I mean that in a good way). Jake has always been larger than life, and I have learned from him many things… mostly things such as how to make great films about suburban gangs in the middle of West Bend, WI… how to hurt yourself skateboarding (although I taught myself that quite a few times as well)… how to egg people’s car without cracking an egg… but most importantly, I think I picked up from him a large sense of self-confidence, passion and guts to do what you want to do, and a never failing shield of integrity. I can honestly say, if I ever needed anything, he would be there for me… and I for him. I am so glad that Sarah and Jake met each other, I know they are each others rocks, building a great life together… us guys have been blessed with such amazing women. Congrats Sarah and Jake, soon to be card carrying members of the mawage club!
July 20th, 2011
Rebecca and Brandon’s Rotunda Wedding in Waukesha Wisconsin
Rebecca and Brandon’s wedding = Vintage DIY Fun. Rebecca and Brandon are both out in Cali, but Becca is from Wisconsin. I loved all the details and time the family put into this wedding. Becca is a designer, and she made most of the details such as the centerpieces, guest cards/game books, signs, and needlepoint table numbers… yeah AWESOME! All the flowers were done by the fabulous greenthumbs of Becca’s mother. Just one look at her yard, and you wouldn’t even blink at that task… seriously, I wondered how she had time to do anything else but keep up with all the beautiful landscaping around the house. Seriously beautiful. On top of all the DIY details, the bridal party was super chill, and a lot of fun. A lot of the guys were from out in Cali too, so there was for sure a Cali vibe reverberating throughout the day. Super chill. And even better than that, the light was so good throughout the day. We shot a lot out back of their home, got to stop by Becca’s favorite vintage store; Dime a Dance, and then had the opportunity to work at The Rotunda in Waukesha again. I really like that space. The only snag in the day is when Simon and I tried to park… and the parking structure only took cash… What’s that about, who carries cash? Neither of us… so there we were, sitting at the front of a long line of cars without money, and no one working at the structure. The car behind us was kind enough to lend us $2 to park, so all was ok, and we could get back to work.
Check out some of my favorites from the day:
Ceremony: Alliance Bible Church
Reception: The Rotunda, Waukesha WI
Florals: Mother of the Bride
Centerpieces: Bride
Catering: Chef Jacks
Cake/Cupcakes: cake-mother of the bride/cupcakes-Sprinkles
Hair & Makeup: hair-Studio890/makeup-sister
Bride’s Dress: the dresser
Bride’s Shoes: Steve Madden – Madden Girl
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: all over…anthropoligie, modcloth, gap
Groom’s Suit: jcrew
DJ: David Taylor and iPod