Photography by Megan Sneak Peek Blog!

Tyler and Breanna - 3.6.09

I always enjoy doing weddings for people I've known for a long time, and Breanna was no exception!  Our families have known each other since we were kids, her sister and I were classmates and I have lots of childhood memories that involve the Clays!  She is also the auntie to the triplets you've seen on my blog quite a few times before.  In addition to the fact that our parents were high school classmates, I also found out Tyler's parents knew my parents in college..what a small world!  Needless to say it was a fun wedding and I had a great time.  The weather was sunny but chilly (what else is new?) but we still got some fantastic outdoor shots at my request...their braveness paid off (it was freezing) and we got some awesome images captured!

Brandon and Megan - 2.21.09

It was a sunny winter afternoon, but don't let these pictures fool you!  It was windy and freezing so we literally jumped out of the car for a few seconds and grabbed whatever shots we could get before retreating back inside.  Still, I'm amazed at how many great images I ended up with!  Brandon, Megan, and their wedding party were all great sports and with a beautiful church and reception hall I had plenty of creative ideas swirling around.  I even spotted a Sunday school room with carvings on a desk that included the word "ring"...how fitting!  Here are my favorite shots from the day.  I had a great time!

Jonathan and KariJo - 2.7.09

The winter weddings continue, this time a beautiful winter day except for the wind, so we only ran outside for a few quick shots.  Luckily the church was gorgeous and filled with light and still decorated from Christmas, which was a lovely touch for the red and black accents of Jonathan and Karijo's wedding colors.  The fun continued into the evening with a fabulous reception and dance at the Alerus center...it was a great night!

 

Mathew and Ashley - 1.3.09

I'm baaaaaaack!  Finally!  It's been a great break but I'm definitely ready to get back in the swing of things!  My first wedding of the season was another winter wonderland, although it was so cold we only had a few minutes to steal outside with the bride and groom.  Luckily there were many beautiful spots inside the church with some great light and the reception hall was fantastic.  I loved the pink flowers and accents...it really popped and brought a little sunshine and thoughts of warmer days! 

Kelly and Kayla - 12.13.08

It's fitting that so close to Christmas I would be able to post a very Christmas-y wedding!  Kelly and Kayla had fresh fallen snow and the low temperatures to match.  I'm impressed the whole wedding party ventured outside for this first shot!  It was also windy so we did it QUICK! Luckily the forecasted storm held off.  Still, it was a beautiful winter wedding and everyone had a great time.  I loved all the accents of pine, berries and poinsettias... it all went together so well and everyone looked amazing!

Jeremy and Jami - 11.28.08

This was a FUN wedding for me because Jeremy and Jami are good friends of ours.  My husband was also an usher.  So of course I tried to capture these two and their personalities because I know them well.  They are two peas in a pod and have such a fun story of how they met; basically she was playing a touch screen game and he came up and asked her if she really knew what she was doing (something like that!) and the rest is history.  We even went back to that same bar and they took a picture by the game.   It was definitely a great time and I was honored to be capturing their special day for them!

 

"Do you know how to play this game or what?!"

Brett and Rachel - 11.22.08

It's hard to believe there wasn't any snow on Brett and Rachel's wedding day since it was so late in November, but it was more like fall!  (Check out their engagement shots from October here!)  They definitely lucked out and we were able to go outside for a few shots even though it was still pretty cold!  Quite a difference versus my previous wedding in Arizona, but of course I always enjoy hometown weddings too.  I knew a lot of people at the wedding and it was fun to catch up with everyone!

Jason and Mya in Paradise Valley, Arizona - 11.14.08

My last destination wedding for the year was absolutely amazing!  Everything took place at the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort which was yet another photographer's dream with all the breathtaking backdrops within walking distance around the grounds.  We even got a quick golf cart ride up the mountain to one of the homes with an incredible view!  And I know I talk about the weather all the time but it was perfect--mid 80s and just a slight breeze.  Jason and Mya were a blast to photograph and were open to all my ideas, even posing patiently as I experimented with lighting a special shot near the pool at sunset.  I was so excited how it turned out!

Michael and Jill in Fort Lauderdale, Florida - 11.2.08

Wow, what an incredible weekend!  I'm "sneaking in" this sneak peek right away because I've got a four hour layover at the airport on my way home and I have all their pictures on my laptop just begging to be shared!  I had an incredible time at this wedding.  Both Jill and Mike and their families welcomed me instantly and I felt right at home.  The weather was gorgeous and I was absolutely thrilled to be shooting at the historic Bonnet House Museum and Gardens.  With loads of lush gardens and palm trees and colorful archways and doors I was definitely in photographer's paradise--literally!  Jill and I have actually "known" each other online by reading each other's blogs for a few years now so it was so fun to finally meet her.  There were some other blogging girls there so we snapped a group picture at the end--myself included.  I had such a hard time narrowing these shots down for the sneak peek so there are a LOT.  Also, this was my first Jewish wedding and I had SO much fun!  My favorite part was when they got lifted up on the chairs at the reception!

 

 

Kirk and Bethany - 10.18.08

Bethany and I go WAY back--all the way to kindergarten!  She moved away shortly after that, but we reconnected in college and became friends again and had many great times with all the girls!  It was fun to be able to capture this special day as she completed her family in marriage to Kirk with her beautiful daughter McKenna right by her side.  I still remember when McKenna was born--it seems like yesterday!  The weather was windy and cold, but I still managed to sneak a few shots of the couple outdoors at a spur-of-the-moment spot behind a building where I found a pond reflecting the most gorgeous golden light! 

Marty and Stacy - 9.27.08

Marty and Stacy's wedding was held at the beautiful Calhoun Beach Club in Minneapolis, and even though the day was cloudy, it made for some amazing shots!  The rain also held off for us so we were able to go around the lake and even downtown for some great pictures.  I even got a shot of the groomsmen in the middle of the street--it was a quick one!  I also loved the reception room, the light was fabulous and the decorations were exquisite.  Here are my favorites from the day!

Lance and Lacey - 9.6.08

Lance and Lacey hit the weather jackpot of the entire season...and it was even more perfect because they had an outdoor wedding at the golf course!  It could not have been a more gorgeous September day with sun and a little breeze and temperatures in the comfortable 70s!  Eventually an evening storm rolled in (enough for some great clouds!) but they were already indoors eating at the reception and it cleared off again just in time for the outdoor dance!  Also, I loved how the couple included their dog, Baxter, who even got to walk down the aisle!  You may remember these two from their engagement session a few months ago!

Jared and Beth - 8.22.08

I last met up with Jared and Beth for their engagement session back in March in Minneapolis...this time it was a bit closer (Moorhead) for their wedding day!  We even ventured over to downtown Fargo to the Hotel Donaldson for a few fun shots around the area.  I loved the brick walls and of course leave it to me to find some cherry red doors!  I LOVE finding bright colors.  For those of you who have asked, yes I have radar for them :)

Scott and Andrea - 8.8.08 in Islamorada, Florida

WOW!  That's what I have to say about this amazingly gorgeous destination wedding in the Florida Keys!  Scott and Andrea tied the knot on beautiful Islamorada (just south of Key Largo) at the Morada Bay Beach Cafe at sunset.   I was so honored to be a part of this celebration, and to photograph at such an exotic location was yet another dream come true!  The skies were absolutely breathtaking and the breeze off the ocean was perfect on this hot day!  This post is going to be another LONG one because I couldn't possibly narrow down some of these shots.  I finally just had to stop or it would probably take up the whole page, although I'm sure you guys won't mind!  And if anyone hasn't caught on by now, I LOVE shooting destination weddings and would be happy to continue doing so.  (I actually have two more this year!)  So check out some of my many favorites from Scott and Andrea's fabulous day!

 

 

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Ryan and Krystal - 8.2.08 in Sedona, Arizona

I had the privilege of photographing Ryan and Krystal's gorgeous wedding in Sedona last week and it was an amazing experience.  They got married at the Tlaquepaque (ta-lack-a-pack-ee) Arts and Crafts Village in the heart of the town with so many gorgeous archways and staircases and hidden walkways I was in photographer's heaven!  The wedding was simple and beautiful.  Just like her older sister Kelli's wedding that I shot in Mexico in 2006, Krystal's father not only walked her down the aisle but he was the pastor!   As soon as the ceremony was over, we rushed up to find a spot to take pictures with the red rocks before the sun set.  Needless to say we just made it just in time!

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Jason and Allison - 6.28.08

If you thought the last wedding was rainy, check out these guys!  It not only rained constantly all day, but it was also windy!  That still didn't stop this outgoing and fun wedding party...they were up for anything, including braving the crazy weather.  Luckily the wedding was held in Allison's parent's yard and her father even built a little chapel for the occasion!  I'm told he found some old windows, pews and woodwork from a hundred year old church that was going to be torn down, so he saved it. Because he was into architecture, he decided to build something special for his daughter's wedding...it turned out AMAZING!  Fully functional with electricity and everything.  Originally it was supposed to be a backdrop for an outdoor ceremony, but they obviously ended up going inside and filing all the guests in too.  I don't know how they did it, but it worked, and the wedding went off wonderfully!

 

Cullen and Jennifer - 6.27.08

Cullen and Jennifer had a gorgeous outdoor wedding planned at the Plymouth Millennium Garden, but the weather decided to play tricks on us!  When I first arrived it was sunny and a bit humid.  Literally ten minutes before the wedding was supposed to start, a huge storm cloud rolled in and started dumping rain down!  The ceremony was moved inside before the guests arrived so nobody got soaked.  As soon as the wedding was over the rain started to let up a little so I asked if Cullen and Jennifer still wanted to do outdoor pictures together and they happily agreed!  Just goes to show you that a little rain still doesn't mean you won't get amazing outdoor shots!  I even love the tiny little flecks of raindrops that show up in some of the pictures.  And the skies were amazing!

 

Here's where the ceremony was supposed to take place...just look at those ominous clouds!

 

Mitch and Terah - 6.21.08

Mitch and Terah had the perfect day for a wedding...the weather was phenomenal!  We were even able to do ALL the posed pictures outside at Terah's parent's farm in the backyard!  Needless to say I was in photographer's heaven.  I also had an abundance of fun backgrounds I found throughout the day, from an old chicken coop to a fantastic banana-yellow brick wall downtown... even an old gas pump was used in a silly shot!  In addition I had a great group of people to work with and they were up for anything!

Pat and Sarah - 6.20.08

Pat and Sarah have an interesting story of their wedding date...they had to change it four times!  When they first planned their wedding it was scheduled for last June, but Pat was given "no-notice" deployment to Iraq and they had to postpone.  Every time he planned to return, they would book another day, but then he would have to stay longer!  Finally, June 20, 2008 was the lucky day.  It ended up being a beautiful afternoon, except for the crazy wind!  Here are my favorites from the most patient couple ever!

Natalie and Jeremiah - 6.14.08

Natalie and Jeremiah had the most GORGEOUS weather of the year for their wedding day!  The rain held off, the temperature was great, and there was just the right light with sun and passing clouds for a photographer's dream.  We took almost all of the pictures in the pretty yard next to the church.  This was also the place with the old tire swing, which has definitely seen better days but I just HAD to include it in a couple shots.  It just adds a touch of humor, don't you think?  I also enjoyed the day because it was another hometown wedding and I knew most of the wedding party--those are always the most fun.  Feels just like a day hanging out with friends, only I'm taking pictures of everything!  Oh, and two people got married, too. :)

Scott and Heidi - 5.31.08

They say it's good luck if it rains on your wedding day... so what about a Tornado watch?  We dashed outside just as the storm was brewing and got some fabulous colors in the dark blue clouds that hung overhead.  We ran back indoors just in time for the rain to come pouring down.  But Scott and Heidi were lucky, because the storm passed quickly without any trouble and the sun came out shining just in time for their receiving line--and the weather stayed gorgeous the rest of the day!  Sounds like a great way to start a life together!

Jon and Joanna - 5.24.08

I love hometown weddings!  Jon and Joanna had a beautiful day and we took lots of outside pictures with Jon's restored International bright blue pickup truck!  It turned up in quite a few shots--as you all know I am always looking for colors!  I also loved how Joanna's dress matched some of the other local backdrops as many of you may recognize.  Here are a few of my favorites from their day...

Arizona Sessions: Joe and Lora - 4.5.08

Joe and Lora had a gorgeous wedding and of course, gorgeous weather--it's Arizona, after all!  The sun was shining and there were so many fabulous spots to take pictures.  Their reception was held at Superstition Springs Golf Club and we ventured around (trying to avoid flying golf balls!) and got some awesome shots amongst the green grasses, waterfalls, and palm trees!  They had such a fun wedding party and it wasn't hard to bring out their personalities. Again, I had way too many images to choose from, so here is my attempt!

Calvin and Leanna - 2.23.08

This first picture has a bit of a story with it... it's the place where Cal and Leanna first met!  It was fun to go to the local college hangout as we made our way to the reception to recreate a unique moment--plus I love all the colors!  Leanna also used to be my co-worker when I was at UND, and we have many fun memories together.  They had a beautiful winter day with plenty of sunshine and their reception at the Alerus was beautiful.  Here are some of my favorite shots!

Chris and Jenni - 1.11.08

It's always neat when I am able to shoot weddings for people I've met along the way in life--Jenni and I went to a Garth Brooks concert with some mutual friends about ten years ago and hadn't seen each other since!  I ran into her at another wedding I was taking pictures at last year, and that's when she told me she was engaged!  What a small world!  Jenni and Chris had a beautiful sparkly-snowy day for their wedding, so of course we stole a few moments outside before the sun went down to get some amazing shots!  I was also able to get some fun images at the dance with some of my new lighting techniques.  Here are some of my favorites...

Matt and Brittany - 12.29.07

Matt and Brittany, who you first met when I shot their engagement photos this past September, finally tied the knot on a beautiful winter day.  We stole a few moments outside and caught some tiny snowflakes in the air, too!   It was another hometown wedding, and I always love those.  The dance was a lot of fun, and the groom had a few "kisses" on his face from when the bridesmaids got a hold of him with a tube of dark lipstick!  Here are some of my picks...   

Shane and Kayla - 12.15.07

Shane and Kayla, who you first met when I took their engagement pictures this fall, had a pretty winter wedding with a little bit of a fairytale theme--I loved their beautiful castle cake top!  Shane even brought out his snowmobile for a few unique shots!  It was a lot of fun, even though we were all pretty cold by the time we headed back inside!  Here are some of my favorites...

 

Jay and Stephanie - 12.14.07

Jay and Stephanie had a beautiful winter evening wedding, surrounded by candles, poinsettias, and of course family and friends!  After the ceremony we headed over to the North Dakota Museum of Art for the reception.  It was a beautiful spot, with plenty of great live music and food!  I especially loved their favors--little hand made birds!

Jason and Jill - 11.23.07

Jason and Jill had an awesome wedding day, with just a dusting of snow (that turned into a bit more after the ceremony!) but made for some pretty pictures... can you spot the tiny flakes in the first shot?  You may remember these two from their unique engagement session, in which we explored the corn rows out at the cabin, and Jill wore rubber boots!  They were a bit more formal this time, but still had a lot of FUN!

Maureen and Brian - 10.27.07

I had a fabulous time at Maureen and Brian's wedding!  You may remember the couple from their engagement photo session a few months back.  They were such fun and so laid back--basically up for all my crazy ideas once again, including a quick stop at a fun car wash and exploring hidden alleys!  I also had some incredible light coming into the church that really showed up beautifully in the altar shots, so I had to post one of those, too!

There were so many shots I wanted to share it was difficult to narrow these down, but here is my attempt!