Shawna Noel Photo Blog

April 1, 2013

Brittany + Jeff: Day after

After Brittany and Jeff's wedding, they got all dressed up again and we drove out to Turtle River State Park for a fun, casual photo session. It was HOT HOT HOT that day (hard to imagine right now when it is only 20 degress outside!) but Brittany and Jeff happily sweated it out with us :)

Let's take a look-see at my favorite photos, shall we?

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March 28, 2013

Filed in: Weddings

Brittany + Jeff

This is a Shawna Noel blog first -- a wedding on the blog that I didn't photograph! Well, I sorta did (I showed up just in time to get rained on and capture the fireworks show -- in that order!).

Brittany was planning a wedding that we just couldn't miss. I wasn't available because I had another wedding to attend, so Kory stepped in to work with Brittany and her lovely husband Jeff. Mike Hess, a photo-friend of ours, helped Kory out, too. Together Kory and Mike did a great job capturing all of the wonderful details and sweet moments throughout the day.

Brittany and Jeff were married at Brittany's mom's home, which is a fabulous farm house near Thompson, ND. It was a great background for a wedding and it had all of the proper vintage country details -- an old car (the wedding presents were stored in the trunk), a lemonade stand, and lots of burlap, hydrangea, and mason jars.

After dark, a fireworks show almost didn't happen because of an incoming storm. I didn't know fireworks worked in a rainstorm! But they do :) After the fireworks show, everyone huddled into the tent to stay out of the rain and dance the night away! It was a great party :)

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March 26, 2013

Filed in: Weddings

Jenna + BJ

I'm happy to share Jenna and BJ's lovely winter wedding with you today. It was a cold, cold day in Bismarck -- I think the temp was about 4 degrees? But the sun was shining and it was one of those pretty winter days with bright blue skies and snow-covered ground. You know, the perfect day for a wedding :)

Winter weddings feel so warm and inviting. There's just something about it being chilly outside, and everyone gathering together inside to share in this big, important moment. And Jenna and BJ's wedding felt just like that.

I always say how much I love this or that about a wedding. With Jenna and BJ, I did love lots of things -- her dress, her shoes, her fabulous knit wrap -- but it was so much more than all of the little things. It was the big thing. The love, the commitment, the friends and family, the celebration. And it was wonderful.

Jenna and BJ are so kind, sweet, and genuine. I loved getting to know them and their families.

JENNA + BJ 4 EVER.

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March 11, 2013

Filed in: Weddings

Brianne + Troy

Yay for winter weddings! This year we've been busy with quite a few winter weddings (here in North Dakota things get sorta chilly,
so most people opt for summertime weddings -- but not these brave brides!).

The weather can be challenging for photos, but usually brides, grooms and wedding parties are up for the adventure of
standing outside when it is 5 degrees! I love that :)

Today, I'm excited to share Brianne an Troy's sophisticated winter wedding. This wedding was simply amazing, from start to finish.
Brianne's dress, shoes, jewels, hair, and makeup were all gorgeous, as was the the pretty church and jaw-dropping decor at the
reception (done by the one and only Sadie, of course!). We laughed all day with Brianne and her funny bridesmaids and Troy
and his hilariously inappropriate groomsmen. HA!

Here are my favorite photos from this fun wedding ::

First, check out Troy's wedding gift to Brianne. Hello sparkle.

Brianne +Troy's wedding reception was on the same day as the George Strait concert in Grand Forks. Getting into the Alerus Center was almost impossible because of all the traffic!

Brianne was living in New York City before she met Troy. To bring a bit of New York to the reception, this cityscape was projected onto the wall. It was AMAZING. Seriously, so cool!

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January 21, 2013

Filed in: Weddings

Laura + Michael

You can plan a wedding down to the very last detail, but I often think that the people, not the planning, make the wedding a big success. Don't get me wrong -- the planning is very important! But a fun-filled guest list can really create an entertaining party :)

Laura and Michael's Grand Forks wedding was certainly a great celebration. It was a perfectly planned day -- a gorgeous dress, a stunning venue, creative flowers, and thoughtful details -- but the people involved were such a hoot and totally made the day! It was the funniest group of guys that I've ever worked with, hands-down. But they were also all so helpful and kind. And the bridesmaids were all sweet and genuine and funny. I can't say enough about the group of people Laura and Michael chose for their wedding party!

The best part? All of those people were happy to be a part of Laura and Michael's big day. I could see it in their faces. That's because Laura and Michael and pretty great people, too :)

I loved being a part of this wedding and am excited to share some of my favorite photos!

I photographed this wedding with the wonderful Amanda Cardinal of Amanda Cardinal Photography.
Thank you, Amanda, for helping me out! It was so much fun to work with you :)

Sadie of Sadie's Couture Floral did an amazing job, as always, on the flowers and decor!

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