Metropolitan Imageworks

Jayme and Rob’s wedding day dawned a bit cloudy and threatened rain.  Thankfully the only drops we encountered was a slight splattering on the way to church and for the rest of the day we were graced with sunshine and lovely spring temps.  FUN PARTY FACT: This is the 3rd time I have photographed a wedding at a St. Maria Goretti in as many states within the past 13 months!  I cannot recall the last time I laughed so hard and so often in church, their priest was lively and kind and he really focused in on Jayme and Rob’s personalities, as they really seem to laugh their way through life.  After the ceremony the wedding party, a few spouses and myself boarded a limo bus to cruise around Madison and stop for some photo ops and of course a beer at the Union on campus and a visit with other guests at the Old Fashioned on Capital square.

BEST LIMO BUS RIDE, EVER!!! Seriously.  Hats off to whomever came up with passing a coconut a la Hot Potato – you are a genius!  I need to find a way to carry around a coconut in my camera bag, just in case I’m ever on a limo bus or trolley that needs a little livening up.  Now to work on my coconut passing dance moves while also toting a camera and flash!

All the guests re-convened at the East Side Club for further celebration of Jayme and Rob’s union.  I think it’s a three-way tie of the biggest hit of the evening – the pig roast on display, the amazing tower of cupcakes with eleven different flavors (all fabulous, I know because I sampled four – in my defense I did split each one with my assistant photographer so that really only equals two full cupcakes) or a surprise visit by Bucky and the University of Wisconsin Marching Band!!!  Bucky and the band tore up the dance floor, it was PACKED and each and every guest was out there enjoying the live music and Bucky’s dance moves.

From here on out I might put in special requests to my brides and grooms for wedding day necessities that might entail coconuts, cupcakes and Bucky . . . just sayin’!

This little flower girl was FAST! I had to wait until she sat down to put her shoe back on to get this image!

Coconut on the Limo Bus!

During our quick stop for a beer at the Union, we counted no less than seven other bridal parties. And what happens when an area is overrun with brides and grooms? Some head smooshing I believe!

In case you always wanted to try a pickled egg, the Old Fashioned is your place!

Can’t find the garter for the toss? No worries, as long as there is a coconut available!

Anytime I make it up to Madison for wedding related work I also make sure to stop in and visit with Sasha and Ethan who have been fixtures on my blog since each of their births!  This time Sasha is a vibrant and spunky three-year old with a penchant for dramatic flair. Truly a little girl after my own heart!  Ethan was hamming it for the camera, after a quick power nap, and delighting me with all of his numerous faces.  It doesn’t hurt that these kiddos are my family so I know we share some of the same cuteness genes. This portrait session was made even more special by the fact that Buscia recently moved from New Jersey to Madison and now gets to spend more time with Sasha and Ethan and watch them grow.

Welcome Ethan, my newest baby cousin! I went up to Madison on Monday to visit and hold this precious little guy and of course introduce him to the world of portrait photography. He was a fantastic subject! We even did a few shots of big sis’ Sasha and the whole family.

I love weddings. I love the visual appeal, the people, the emotions, the details, the sounds, the tears, the hugs and the laughter.  I love weddings because everyone is on their best behavior, wearing smiles, generally wearing their best clothes and they smell good!

Jenny and Isaac’s day just reaffirms the reasons I love weddings! Not only did they smell good but the warmth and love that emanated from all their family and friends just filled the farm with such a great aura. Each member of the large wedding party holds a special place in the hearts of Jenny and Isaac and you could just sense the closeness of their bonds while observing the interactions.

The location lent to the free-spirited flow of the day from the entrance of the grandmas on the horse and carriage, to a mostly barefoot bride, to sibling officiants, to horses joining in the formal pictures, to fresh Alaskan salmon caught by a cousin and cooked by an uncle, to heartfelt speeches, to a variety of pies and of course a jam-packed, rockin’ n’ rollin’ dance floor!

Ceremony & Reception: Huntington Farms, Viroqua, WI

Talk about fitting it  all in!  I was up in Madison for an engagement session and also scheduled Sasha’s 2-year portraits, some family portraits, another maternity shoot with Sasha’s parents, and some time with Sasha’s grandparents too! Whew! Kind of like a marathon portrait session!

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Jayme and Rob are getting married in Madison, WI next May and Jayme learned of me from a few different people, one a former bride and the other a former groomsman from a completely different wedding in a completely different geographic location. I love it when that happens!  I met up with Jayme and Rob one Sunday in July and we tooled around Madison taking pictures, dancing and talking about their wedding day.  The moody clouds kept a close cover, which is a photographer’s dream because it acts like one giant diffuser, and fortunately the rain stayed away the entire time we were outside.  Thanks for a wonderful afternoon and see you guys in the Spring!