Vanessa and Sam were married on a beautiful..and then rainy…and then beautiful evening at The Hayloft in Rockwood, Pennsylvania. Their ceremony, beside the lake at the Hayloft, had a truly breathtaking feel.Vanessa walked alone across the small bridge connecting the small island where the ceremony took place with the rest of the Hayloft’s grounds.

What sticks out as the most unique aspect of their wedding was the personalized touch to their reception. There was a DJ, and a first dance and parent dances were accounted for, but they made the entire experience closer to to their personalities.

The event was spread throughout immediate grounds. Inside of the covered deck was a Caricature Artist, drawing portraits of many of the guests. Out on the lawn was an area for a a variety oflawn games. In eight years of photographing weddings, we’ve never had the opportunity to make a photograph of a bride and groom competing in a bean bag toss! Even a heavy, but brief, thunderstorm could not put a damper onthe festivities. A large bonfire outside complimented the final dances a few hundred feet away finished off their fantastic wedding!

Congratulations Vanessa & Sam, we were so thrilled to document your fantastic wedding!

Piggyback rides through a flock of Geese, only moments from when they first arrived. Balancing acts along the edge of the Allegheny River. Cartwheels in the rain. Joe being attacked by a Roberto Clemente statue. Hmmmm…what else was there?

Oh, yeah. They were dodging traffic while skipping along the Clemente Bridge. Joe busted out his guitar and they sang a song together. They squeegee’d the front of a parking garage. They received a complimentary shot from a local bar.

More? They found the Cell Phone Disco. They did an impromptu chest bump in the Cultural District. They found a shopping cart for transportation through a few alleys. Finally, they wound up on a slightly stable fire escape. But don’t take our word for it. Here are their photographs!

Ohio State Buckeyes Forward Jared Sullinger (0) celebrates the victory during the Gonzaga Bulldogs game versus the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Third Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

UNC Asheville G Jaron Lane (5) reacts after possession is called for Syracuse during the Syracuse Orange game versus the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in the Second Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA

UNC Asheville reacts after possession is called for Syracuse during the Syracuse Orange game versus the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in the Second Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA

Syracuse Orange C Baye Moussa Keita (12) and UNC Asheville F Jeremy Atkinson (15) fight for loose ball during the Syracuse Orange game versus the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in the Second Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA

Former Syracuse Orangeman Derrick Coleman celebrates with other Syracuse fans as they began to pull away from Kansas State in the Third Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA

Gonzaga Bulldogs C Robert Sacre (0) tries to get the crowd pumped up during the Gonzaga Bulldogs game versus the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Third Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Kansas State Wildcats Guard Rodney McGruder (22) tries to dribble past Syracuse Orange F Kris Joseph (32) during the Kansas State Wildcats game versus the Syracuse Orange in the Third Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Ohio State Buckeyes Guard Aaron Craft (4) and Loyola (MD) Greyhounds Guard Justin Drummond (2) scramble for the loose ball during the Ohio State Buckeyes game versus the Loyola (MD) Greyhounds in the Second Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Kansas State Wildcats Forward Jordan Henriquez (21) and Kansas State Wildcats Forward Jamar Samuels (32) double-team Southern Miss Golden Eagles F Jonathan Mills (24) and try to steal the ball during the Kansas State Wildcats game versus the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in the Second Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Southern Miss Golden Eagles F Jonathan Mills (24) and Southern Miss Golden Eagles G Darnell Dodson (2) scramble for the loose ball during the 2nd half of the Kansas State Wildcats game versus the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in the Second Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Miami Heat President Pat Riley gets his picture taken with Ohio State Buckeyes fans during the Kansas State Wildcats game versus the Syracuse Orange in the Third Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Ohio State Buckeyes Head Coach Thad Matta smiles at Ohio State Buckeyes Forward Jared Sullinger (0) during the Gonzaga Bulldogs game versus the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Third Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Syracuse Orange F James Southerland (43) and Kansas State Wildcats Forward Jordan Henriquez (21) battle for the ball during the Kansas State Wildcats game versus the Syracuse Orange in the Third Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Southern Miss Golden Eagles F Torye Pelham (15) is tended to by the Southern Miss trainer Yuji Katsuta after Torye rolled his ankle in the first half during the Kansas State Wildcats game versus the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in the Second Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Kansas State Wildcats Head coach Frank Martin during the 2nd half of the Kansas State Wildcats game versus the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in the Second Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

UNC Asheville G Matt Dickey (2) fights for the ball against Syracuse Orange F Rakeem Christmas (25) during the Syracuse Orange game versus the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in the Second Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

UNC Asheville G Chris Stephenson (4) reacts after a foul call during the Syracuse Orange game versus the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in the Second Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

Syracuse Orange C Baye Moussa Keita (12) blocks the shot of Kansas State Wildcats Forward Thomas Gipson (42) during the Kansas State Wildcats game versus the Syracuse Orange in the Third Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.


Ohio State Buckeyes Guard Aaron Craft (4) celebrates after being fouled during the Gonzaga Bulldogs game versus the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Third Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

To everyone’s surprise, the winter in Pittsburgh has been has been extremely mind. As of the morning of their wedding, there hadn’t been any significant snowfall to date. Jane and Todd arrived at Heinz Chapel just a few minutes apart from each other as the bridesmaids scrambled to make sure they did accidentally catch a glimpse of the other before the ceremony. They were successful, and they saw each other for the first time as Jane captivated Todd and everyone else in attendance as she walked down the classic aisle at Heinz Chapel.

The ceremony was presided over by Todd’s father, who did a spectacular job. There was one exchange, between Todd and his father, that brought a roar from the guests. As his father asked if Todd would take Jane to be his wife, Todd paused while looking at Jane and ultimately his father and calmly said “Hell yes!” After the laughter died down, his dad, who also was laughing, looked out to the guests and only the way a parent can do, half jokingly mentioned that they raised him better than that.

After the ceremony concluded, the doors of the Chapel opened to a blustering snowstorm! Everyone’s eyes lit up when they saw the scene, especially Todd’s, being from Los Angeles. The snow died down a bit by the time we left the church, but were were able to get some photographs outside with them in the snow.

The reception was just as fun, with each best man giving a personal speech to Jane and Todd. Todd’s mother stole the show this time though. Near the end of the speeches, Todd thanked his parents for having him, and his mother confidently said “It was our pleasure!” The delivery was perfect, and she had a huge smile with just a hint of embarrassment!

It was a fantastic time, and I was honored to be a part of their special day. Congratulations jane and Todd!!

They were a laid back, relaxed and fun couple and it couldn’t have been more obvious on their wedding day. Amanda bounced around in the morning getting her hair and makeup completed while Nathan and his fellow Notre Dame faithful family members were in the lobby glued to the Irish’s game on television.

Nathan and his brother returned to their room to help each other get ready and it was crystal clear how close of a relationship they have with each other. The limo dropped the girls off at the church shortly after the guys arrived, and they were greeted immediately by their excited family members. Meanwhile Nathan could be seen checking the fourth-quarter score on his phone with his brother minutes before he was to meet Amanda at the Altar.

Amanda was stunning as she walked down the aisle and tears flowed from the eyes of many family members, including one bridesmaid who was confident that she was not going to cry! After tons of congratulatory hugs and kisses at the church, it was off to Southpointe for the party!

Amanda and Nathan kicked off the celebration with a wonderful first dance. Nathan’s brother nearly stole the show with a heartfelt yet funny best man speech, which again brought many guests to tears. The dancing was top notch, which is a given when both sets of parents are dancing all night long! The evening ended perfectly with an impromptu sing-a-long which had Amanda and Nathan in the center of the family circle. They continued the celebration by honeymooning in Maui. Elizabeth and I wish them nothing but the best in their new life together! Congratulation again Amanda and Nathan!!

We were engaged 10 years ago yesterday, ironically. Elizabeth and I were both staff photographers at The Evansville Courier & Press, where we both were hired out of college. We are so fortunate to be able to tell stories about weddings with our photographs but below is the story of our engagement in words. I proposed to Elizabeth in a column in the newspaper. To say she was surprised would be an understatement, along with the 75 thousand or so reading it in the newspaper that morning. There is the actual newspaper version and a typed out version that is easier to read below. Here is the story of how we met.

Jan 8, 1999

I had no clue how special this day would become.

It was the beginning of the winter quarter at Ohio University when a couple of friends invited me to a party.

After a long day of classes and photographing a hockey game that evening, I walked a a few blocks in the pouring rain to get there. I was exhausted, and more than once I wondered why I was still going. After all, there are hundreds of parties during college.

About a minute after I walked in the door, I realized why I was supposed to be there.

I began making my way through the crowd when my friend Shannon grabbed my arm and told me that she had someone she wanted me to meet……..Elizabeth…..I’ll never forget that moment Shannon introduced me to Elizabeth. I asked her how she was doing, and through an incredible smile, Elizabeth replied, ” Great.”

We looked at each other for a few moments and I thought to myself that I wanted to go someplace else….Anywhere else….And find out all about her.

But I was too cool for that. I had to go make the rounds and talk to my other friends at the party.

We passed each other a few times but I didn’t have the guts to start a conversation. I kept thinking to myself that I was at this great party with all my friends and all I could think about was Elizabeth, this girl who amazed me with just one smile.

There was one problem. I looked up and saw her dancing with some other guy. I don’t know how quick a heart can sink, but mine probably broke a world record at that moment. I was horrified at the thought that she probably had a boyfriend.

As the party continued, I just happened to notice this guy was hanging around her but she didn’t seem very interested.

It was also hard to ignore the smile she gave me while a group of us sat down for a drink.

I didn’t hesitate starting a conversation with Elizabeth the next time. It seemed like we joked and laughed from the start.

Luckily, it turned out that the other guy wasn’t her boyfriend.

In the short time between then and when the party ended, Elizabeth and I were acting like we had known each other for years.

To be honest, I thought about her every minute that next day. I kept hoping that she felt the same way.

Before I could even call her that evening, Shannon called to invite me out with her and Elizabeth that night. Again, I was dead tired, but how could I pass up the opportunity to see Elizabeth again?

The five-minute walk to the bar where Shannon and Elizabeth waited for me took about 30 seconds that time. I couldn’t wait to see her.

I confidently strolled into the bar. I flashed my license to the bouncers, paid the cover and looked up. I saw Shannon, but not Elizabeth. I didn’t want to be so rude as to ask where Elizabeth was before saying hello, but I’m pretty sure I did.

As Shannon was about to answer, I looked up and saw Elizabeth walking right toward me, looking even more beautiful than she did the night before.

We’ve been together ever since. The past Two years, 3 months have been the greatest of my life because of her.

I remember her telling me a few days after we met that before going to that first party she told her friends that she was going to meet the man she would marry that night.

I hope she did.

Elizabeth, will you marry me?

# 65

# 64

# 63

# 62

# 61

# 60

# 59

# 58

# 57

# 56

# 55

# 54

# 53

# 52

# 51

# 50

# 49

# 48

# 47

# 46

# 45

# 44

# 43

# 42

# 41

# 40

# 39

# 38

# 37

# 36

# 35

# 34

# 33

# 32

# 31

# 30

# 29

# 28

# 27

# 26

# 25

# 24

#23

# 22

# 21

# 20

# 19

# 18

# 17

# 16

# 15

# 14

# 13

# 12

# 11

# 10

# 9

# 8

# 7

# 6

# 5

#4

# 3

# 2

# 1

# 50

# 49

# 48

# 47

# 46

# 45

# 44

# 43

# 42

# 41

# 40

# 39

# 38

# 37

# 36

# 35

# 34

#33

#32

# 31

# 30

# 29

#28

# 27

# 26

# 25

# 24

# 23

# 22

# 21

# 20

# 19

# 18

# 17

# 16

#15

# 14

# 13

# 12

# 11

# 10

# 9

# 8

# 7

# 6

# 5

# 4

# 3

# 2

# 1