In looking back at this busy and exhilarating month, I can’t help but think how close the end of the year is and how exciting a year it’s been for me and my business. I’m really looking forward to next year and have already begun booking wedding dates for next year (so don’t wait!)

This month was a really tough month to choose a favorite photo, since I spent so much time photographing weddings (three of them!) and numerous portrait sessions. There was a ton to choose from, and so with some pain and wobbling back and forth, I finally settled on this image as my October favorite:

This was a totally and completely candid moment between Annie, my Oct. 17 bride, and her two flower girls. It was a quiet moment in the bride room, with everyone besides Annie running around taking care of last-minute details, but instead of joining them, Annie spent time talking to her flower girls, letting them snuggle up and enjoy being the center of attention. I loved the warm light coming in through the window and Annie’s gracious touch with the little girls. I’m a sucker for a candid moment, that’s for sure!

Technical info: I shot this photo with my Canon 50D and my 50mm f/1.4 lens at f/1.4, shutter speed 1/250, ISO 500.

One of my favorite details from Dan and Annie’s wedding was the 1956 white Cadillac convertible they drove away in. Annie’s dad bought it once with the twinkle of an idea that his daughters could use it as a getaway car at their weddings. It was a huge hit, as were the bubbles when the happy couple left the church to head to their reception.

The dances were very sweet — Dan and Annie were very particular about the spacing of the events at the reception as well as the songs they chose.

Annie and Dan threw their bouquet and garter to all the singles, but one couple — who are getting married in February, by the way — dominated and scored both. I guess they really will be getting married next!

The party broke loose and everyone had a great time dancing and eating and enjoying each other’s company. It was such an elegant party.

Congratulations, Dan and Annie! You guys have been amazing to work with. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness!

Dan and Annie chose not to see each other before the wedding, and when couples decide to do that, there is a really great anticipation in the air throughout all the preparations. And that moment when they flung open the doors to the church and she was standing there with her dad, the look on Dan’s face was pure excitement.

Annie spent some time with her little attendants before the ceremony — it’s always fun to watch little kids around a bride because she seems like a real-life princess.

The ceremony was held at Christ the Redeemer Church in Spokane, where Annie’s family goes to church. It is on the National Register of Historic Places in Spokane.

The above photo was taken about three minutes before Annie stood up and readied herself for a walk down the aisle. For more pictures from the party and to finally see the groom, check back tomorrow!

It was a cloudy day in Spokane, threatening rain, but Annie wasn’t even fazed. She was totally calm, spending time with her friends as the anticipation built. It was her wedding day, and Annie was such an elegant, collected bride.

I loved her regal gown, in a very fall-appropriate golden beige hue. Below, Annie’s “borrowed” items, a handkerchief and a pin from each of her grandmothers. She carried them with her down the aisle.

Not only is Annie beautiful, Annie’s friends are beautiful too — look at these fresh flowers they all had put into their hair.

Sometimes, it takes a village to get a girl into her wedding dress. These are some of my favorite moments during a wedding day. The anticipation, the laughing, and sometimes there is a little bit of pain involved. Annie handled it like a champ while her mom and sister tied her in and her bridesmaids held her steady.

Check back tomorrow for more photos from Annie and Dan’s Spokane wedding!

This week, I’ll be bringing you images from Dan and Annie’s Spokane wedding. It was a really beautiful and elegant wedding, with lots of heartfelt wishes, long-winded speeches by the groom (I’m teasing him since he’s my old friend from college) and tender moments. Today, I’ll share a few photos from their rehearsal dinner, which was held at the Steam Plant Grill in downtown Spokane.

Dan’s parents, Tad and Michelle (above right) hosted the party and it was so much fun — since most of Dan’s family is from out of state, it was like a big reunion of friends and family.

Dan and Annie gave their attendants great gifts during the rehearsal dinner, too — Dan chose novelty T-shirts for all his groomsmen and they got big laughs. My favorite was a picture of one of Columbus’ ships, with a little dialogue bubble that said, “Wait, turn around! We forgot the smallpox!”

The food, of course, was fabulous.

This party was a great precursor for the next day, when Dan and Annie sailed through the day with ease and grace. Check back tomorrow and every day until Thursday to see photos from their big day.

When you’re planning a wedding in October in the Pacific Northwest, you always need a contingency plan. When I got married in October 2007, my contingency plan was an indoor venue. Andrea’s contingency plan was much cuter:

The girls didn’t actually have to wear their boots and carry their umbrellas since there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, but we got some use out of them anyway!

Check out that enthusiasm! Shannon really got some height on that one.

It was so fun to watch these two throughout the day — they’re such a happy couple and they really fit each other well. Everyone at the wedding was so genuinely happy for them and couldn’t wait to see them start their married life together.

Congratulations Paul and Andrea! You guys are amazing, and it was such a treat to be able to come to your wedding.

Andrea and Paul’s wedding was such a great time for everyone who came. The day was beautiful and the details were adorable, but the best part was watching Paul and Andrea so happy together. Look at that smile!

Below are the Star Wars lego pins that the ushers and special guests wore (Andrea had the R2D2 pin on her bouquet!) I loved this little touch.

Look at all that attitude. I loved the chic choices among bridesmaid dresses at this wedding! The girls got to choose their own dresses in shades of brown and yellow. Recognize a couple of those bridesmaids? It’s Shannon, my lovely September bride, and her sister Kristi (on Andrea’s left)!

There they are all together — these three have been close for many years. I’m so glad to know them all!

Pretty bridesmaids! Check back tomorrow for a few more photos from Paul & Andrea’s wedding.

It’s not every bride who has an R2D2 pin on her bouquet. But that’s just part of what makes Andrea so cool — she has a great sense of humor. It really showed throughout her wedding on Oct. 11 at Lord Hill Farms in Snohomish, Wash. It was so much fun!

If you’re a shoe girl, then you are an ideal client for me. Check out this collection of bridesmaid shoes — I love the gold, yellow and brown!

Andrea and Paul’s wedding was on one of those perfect crisp fall days — and the mason jars of trail mix and birdhouses complemented it perfectly! Another favorite detail was their handmade cake topper, from Felt Me Up designs on Etsy. So cute!

Stay tuned tomorrow for more from Paul & Andrea’s great fall wedding.

I find it so refreshing to have happily married friends — I’ve got quite a few, and my photographer buddy Katie and her husband Greg are no exception. About a month ago, we went out to do a practice shoot together and it was so much fun!

Katie and Greg are such a happy couple, and they’ve been married for five years. She even still fits into her wedding dress!

I shot these photos at Kruger Farms on Sauvie Island — talk about a beautiful spot.

Katie is seriously so pretty, and such a happy person. She’s infectious and she shares her enthusiasm with everyone around her.

Thanks Katie and Greg, for letting me photograph you guys! It was loads of fun.

I remember when my friend Angie told us she was having twins. And her older son had just turned one. She was wide-eyed. But now her twins are a little older than a year, and they’re the sweetest family. A day in the life is a little nuts — I usually read about her hilarious experiences on her blog — but there is so much love in their house, not to mention three of the cutest kids I know.

Angie and Sam are celebrating their tenth anniversary this year, so we got together and took some family photos over Labor Day weekend. I love how laid-back and happy they all are.

Manny is a great brother to Glory and Elena.

Above is Angie’s mom, Jan, and her husband Mike. Jan is my godmother, and met my mom when she was pregnant with me. We go way back.

Manny showing off his “frustrated” face. He’s quite the actor.

Thanks so much, Angie, Sam, Jan, Mike, Manny, Elena and Glory for being so supportive of me over the years and for being so fun to photograph. I love you guys!