I never met Samantha or Steve before their wedding rehearsal. I did not even know what to expect. I was thrilled they chose us to cover her special day and I knew she would not have a second thought about her wedding photography!

Kirkwood Missouri is where they were married and it’s really such a beautiful small town. There is a train station, market and a really cute open air plaza.

Sam and Steve were already married, Steve is a U.S. Marine and Sam wanted to be with him, so last year in August, they married so she could move to California with him, but Steve always promised her a wedding! Today was her day! Steve married Sam with family and friends in attendance and she had the celebration of a lifetime!

Samantha’s three sisters were at her side and Steve’s two and half (he’s adopted) brothers were on his side (it’s a joke)! The greatest thing about this whole day was everyone was so close, both families were so bonded it was hard to tell what side they belonged to, and at the reception for the bridal party dance, the DJ played “We Are Family”!

Such tight, loving families AND friends!

Sam designed her own cake and used her grandmothers beautiful earrings as decorations. They chose an amazing arrangement of flowers and even incorporated ornamental cabbage into the plan, it made for something very different, yet so beautiful.

Now here is a news flash even IF your GPS AND the lady at the hall tell you, you are going the right way. Don’t believe them! I ended up 30 minutes on the OTHER side of the reception hall and had to really struggle to find my way to 2 hearts banquet center. I actually ended up near 70 by the airport! We did miss a few things, but, got there in time to cover everything that needed to be covered and Thanks to great families that understand.

**Note taken to find the venue the night before! Point taken!

It was just so beautiful of a day and a gorgeous night! Raquel and I are very thankful that you chose us to cover your special day. It was awesome getting to know you all.

Ohhh, and you have to tell me, WHERE did you get those chocolate truffles? They were amazing! WOW!

How cute is this! All I did was ask!

This shot is simply amazing!

This just made me laugh. I had to share it with you, they all had such a great time and like I said, they were all family!

Last we had the opportunity to be introduced to Wedding Chicks!
All brides should check this site out, for more then just a photographer but many many helpful hints and some really awesome ideas!
I’m pleased we are a part of this great community!

We’ve posted some images of one of our last weddings of 2008 here

Right now they are offering a giveaway of a year to Brides Magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings or two issues of Grace Ormonde’s magazine. What an amazing offer, so run over there and sign up. Let me know what you get!

I’ve very sure we’ll be posting many many more of our weddings at Wedding Chicks!

That’s all the time we have, 365 days to make our impact in 2009. We are standing on the very tip and looking 2009 in the face. I’m ready for all 2009 holds! It’s going to be a great year! I can’t wait and I am SO looking forward to what is in store.

Last night Jim and I were driving to our Ohio home from our Missouri home and the roads were somewhat empty and we were very thankful for that, because we had a goal, to be with family for the “ball drop” of 2009, we walked in the door around 11:30 pm.

We watched Dick Clark and Ryan Secrest wish us all a Happy New Year and we all said Happy New Year to each other. I watched a bit of the show and then decided to go to bed!

I laid in bed and just wanted to pray and ask G-d to direct my next 365 days, that the talent as a photographer he has given me would be used to it’s fullest. That my role as a wife and mother would be magnified in my life. I prayed for health and safety of my immediate family. I then asked G-d to walk with me in each and every day of the next 365 days, that no matter what 2009 held I knew I’d not be walking it alone…..and then, I went to sleep!

My Re-Solutions for 2009:
To be an example
To use the talents G-d has given me to the fullest extent
To be a better mother (yes I’ll cook more)
To be the best wife I can be
To use wisdom
Speak less, Listen more
and a few others…..

Happy New Year Everyone…. Can’t wait to see what it’s got for you and me!