10 on Tuesday

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these! So here ya go, 10 random thoughts in my head…

1. My baby is now 6 months old! He had his well baby check-up, and he weighed in at 16 lbs. 12 oz. and was 26.5 inches long. He’s smaller than Aidan was at this age. And during the past week, he has changed TREMENDOUSLY. This baby is now crawling like a maniac, pulling up, babbling (DADA, MAMA, BABA), and FINALLY eating baby food. Now maybe he can sleep better?! I’m fine with the no teeth thing, though, if anyone was wondering.:)

2. Wedding season is winding down! I love my job a great deal, but I’m glad for the break. I want to go on playdates with my kiddos, clean my house, bake some pumpkin bread, and a long list of other domestic things that have taken a backseat to the craziness that always is September and October. Only 2 weddings and a couple of engagement sessions left for the year!

3. Paranormal Activity 3. No way. No sir. After living in a haunted house, I will NEVER see another scary movie, and I will never live in an old house. That is all.

4. I love fall, and it goes by way too quickly. I wish it would stick around a little longer. I love the crunch of leaves under my feet, the autumn light, pumpkin spice lattes, and cooler weather. It’s just too perfect of a season.

5. How about them Cardinals?! All I have to say is that the last time I had a baby, the Cards one the World Series. Baby Liam was born this year. That’s all I’ve got, here what I’m sayin?

6. Had my first wedding at Mount Pleasant last weekend. I’ve been there several times to enjoy some wine + cheese, but I’d never shot a wedding there, and I had never been into the wine cellar. So. Haunted. I hear his name is Dave.

7. I had a date night. With my husband. For the first time in a year. And it was wonderful. The movie, not so much, but dinner and the company were quite fab. Major thanks to my sister for watching my monsters.

8. Poor Liam doesn’t have a costume yet. We bought Aidan’s a month ago, though I fear he may have already lost his mask, but that’s another issue. I have no idea what little Liam should be. A tiger? A pea in a pod? Too many cute choices. You only have one shot at a first Halloween costume! Too much pressure.

9. I’m already making my list of new gear I want to buy next year to shoot some amazing weddings. I am So excited. Already. Is that weird?

10. My baby does pushups. Here’s the proof:

 

 
Hi mom.

Here I go!

Success! I’m ready for the Army.

Man, that was a rough workout.

Laura + Kevin: St. Peters Wedding

I first met Laura last year when she was a bridesmaid in Carolyn + Matt’s wedding in Columbia. When I found out she was engaged and wanted to hire me, I was just a little bit ecstatic. She and Kevin completely get my style. Their engagement session earlier this year was almost too easy. There is so much joy in their relationship, it made my job easy peasy. Their wedding day was no different.

midwest wedding photographerLaura was surrounded by love as she got ready for the wedding at her parents’ house where she grew up. Her sisters, friends, and parents were all there, and let me tell you, it was an extremely joyous, emotional time for everyone. And I am so lucky I was there to capture that beauty. Best job in the world, I tell ya.

Laura’s mom getting a first look at her daughter in her wedding gown. Love this one.

And dad’s turn…The look on his face – priceless.st. peters mo wedding photographermissouri wedding photographer

Kevin’s parents were just as thrilled as Laura’s.

All Saints Catholic Church St. Peters Missourimidwest wedding photographer

 

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What do you do when there’s a festival with a billion people all over Old Town St. Charles where you planned to do your wedding party pictures? Hit up a park just next door to your reception site. Major win. Much more their speed, I happen to believe.:)

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Beautiful light, perfectly scripted for a beautiful bride.

The florals were magnificent.

Kevin is a musican, and he performed a song he wrote for Laura at their reception. There was not a dry eye in sight after the song. Major props to Kevin!

Congratulations, you two! It was truly an amazing day to be a part of. Thank you!

Ceremony: All Saints Catholic Church
Reception: St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre
Photographer: Nicole Welch Photography
Caterer: Catering by Georgianna
Bride’s gown: Alfred Angelo
Bridesmaids gowns: Alfred Angelo

What I’ve been up to…

October is kicking my butt, as it does every year, so here’s a quick sample of what’s coming your way on the NWP blog soon.:)

 

A newborn shoot.

 

Jackie + Danny’s engagement session.

Leslee + Jamie’s wedding.

 

Brynne + Joel’s engagement session.

 

A super fun shoot with one of my favorite families.

 

And 2 sweet friends…Rory….

 

and his sister, Sophie…

 

and finally, Jon and Allie’s wedding…

Sonja + Kyle: Forest Park Engagement Session

Sonja + Kyle are getting in their hometown back in the state of Nebraska (yes, I photographed them despite being Cornhuskers!) next year, but they wanted an engagement session in their new(ish) home here in St. Louis. We had enjoyed one of those last beautiful, summer days at Forest Park. Thanks, Sonja + Kyle! All the best to you both, and thanks for making this SUCH an easy shoot.


midwest engagement sessionI love Sonje’s hair. Drool!

forest park engagement picturesI think this is my fave. They’re such a beautiful couple.
forest park engagement pictures

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Christina + Justin: 9th Street Abbey Wedding

I love to have engagement sessions with my clients. It gives us time to get to know each other, especially if we didn’t have an initial consultation, which happens when out of town couples book me over the phone/internet. With Christina + Justin, I had neither, which always makes me a little nervous. Meeting on the wedding day is always very interesting because I have no idea what to expect. Lucky for me, this great couple were really natural in front of my camera and a joy to be around. Everybody was so happy and so kind, and I had a really wonderful time documenting their wedding day.

If you have never been to the 9th Street Abbey, you are seriously missing out. The outdoor space is like a fairytale, which is why Christina + Justin had their first look out there.

Isn’t it just an amazing venue?

We did all the portraits before the ceremony so the guests didn’t have to wait between the ceremony and reception, which were both held at the 9th Street Abbey.

I was so thankful for this wall. It pretty much rocked.

Leave it to a little boy to make a bouquet into a gun.:)Reminds me of my little 4-year-old.

Great shot by my wonderful second shooter, Paula.:)Love their expressions.

 

My second shooter, Paula, grabbed this beautiful balcony shot.

How adorable are these 2? They had an audience while they were dancing the night away.

Love this shot of the bridesmaids that my second shooter, Paula grabbed.

VENDORS
Ceremony: 9th Street Abbey
Reception: 9th Street Abbey
Photographer: Nicole Welch Photography
Bakery: McArthurs

Sneak peeks

Sean + Aneta: St. Charles Engagement Session

It is engagement session galore now that fall is here! Aneta + Sean’s engagement took place on a beautiful, warm St. Louis day. I’m so loving the light lately. It’s pretty dreamy. Sean is in the Army, and they had to squeeze in a session when he was on leave, but now it’s back to training. Thanks for a wonderfully fun shoot, you guys! I can’t wait for your 2012 wedding.:)

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Lauren + Dave: Vineyard at Riverbend Wedding

Thank you SO much for being patient with me and my lack of blog posts lately. I’m right in the middle of the crazy fall wedding season. So many weddings in a row, combined with engagement shoots, family sessions and my own family has made my blogging time few and far between. I’m staying on top of galleries though! As a little side note, if you’re needing an October engagement session, please email ASAP because I only have a couple dates left. And now, for Lauren + Dave’s wedding day post!!!

Pounding rain greeted me as I exited my car and ran into the hotel where Lauren was getting her hair and makeup done. Not exactly how a bride wants to start her day, especially when she’s supposed to be getting married at a beautiful vineyard in the picturesque Washington, MO. We all kept our fingers crossed that the clouds would part and the sun would make an appearance, but it was not to be. It was easy to see that Lauren was a little disappointed, but at the end of the day, she was marrying Dave, and the joy on their faces as they walked down that aisle after the ceremony was all the mattered. And lucky for us, during the reception, the skies took pity upon us and gave us a little of that glorious sunshine, and we were able to sneak out for a few portraits in the vineyard.

 

I love these next 2 shots. They put a smile on my face.

 

Lauren’s bouquet from Four Seasons Florist was spectacular!st. louis wedding photographerthe vineyard at riverbend chapel wedding photographermidwest wedding photojournalist

There was such joy in their faces after they were married. I hope they love this shot as much as I do. They couldn’t stop looking at one another.

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We ran outside for a few shots in the drizzling rain…We weren’t sure we’d get back outside, and Lauren really wanted some outdoor shots of the 2 of them.the vineyard at riverbend chapel wedding photographerthe vineyard at riverbend chapel wedding photographerthe vineyard at riverbend chapel wedding photographer

 

Love this cake, especially the cake topper! Looks just like them.the vineyard at riverbend chapel wedding photographer

 

This kid had some MOVES!the vineyard at riverbend chapel wedding photographer

 

And so did this one.:)the vineyard at riverbend chapel wedding photographer

 

And look who was also at Lauren and Dave’s wedding!!! Katie + Jonathan! I shot their wedding last year, and it’s just about their 1 year anniversary. Happy early anniversary, you guys. Much love.the vineyard at riverbend chapel wedding photographer

 

This was a fun group for sure.washington, mo wedding photographer

 

And this is where the sun came out, and we ran out for a few minutes for portraits of just the 2 of them. It was sticky. It was hot. But we were all happy.

 

The end. Congratulations again, Lauren + Dave! It was such a joy to be a  part of your day.

 

Lauren + Dave’s Vendors:
Ceremony: The Vineyard at Riverbend Chapel

Reception: The Vineyard at Riverbend Chapel

Bakery:Exquisite Cakes

Florist: Four Seasons Florist

Photographer: Nicole Welch Photography

Makeup: Emily Miller with Delicately Bold

Hair: Hair by Chrissy

Lindsay + Doug: Sneak Peek

I seriously cannot wait to show you more from this session. It’ll knock your socks off. Lindsay + Doug really went above and beyond, but you’ll have to wait to see more.

Aneta + Sean: Sneak Peek

Lauren + Dan: The Vineyard at Riverbend Wedding

If you’ve ever been to my blog before, you know I LOVE outdoor weddings, especially when they take place at a vineyard. It’s such a magical, romantic type of venue. Their ceremony took place at sunset, and I couldn’t have planned the day any better. Congrats Lauren + Dan. It was an amazing wedding.:)

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What are sisters for?! Steaming wedding dresses.

 

The guys have it WAY too easy on their wedding day.missouri vineyard wedding

 

The location…breath-taking.

 

I couldn’t resist grabbing this shot as I waited for the ceremony to begin.

 

Lauren’s brothers…They were fantastic!

 

So the flower girl didn’t quite make it up the aisle…She made her own way.

 

And everyone loved it. (Look at that gorgeous light!!!)

 

Best groom reaction. EVER. Seeing Lauren for the first time.

 

I love that even the groomsmen have the BIGGEST smiles on their faces.missouri vineyard wedding photographermissouri wedding photographermissouri winery weddingthe vineyard at riverbend weddingthe vineyard at riverbend wedding photographyst. louis wedding photographermissouri winery wedding

 

No matter how many times I shoot at The Vineyard at Riverbend, I never get tired of it. This is why.the vineyard at riverbend weddingwashington, mo wedding photographer

Lauren + Dan had a pretty rockin’ candy table for their guests.

 

They showed a very touching slideshow at the reception.missouri weddingmidwest wedding photographer

 

Lauren’s little brother celebrated his birthday on her wedding day…It wasn’t complete without a birthday cake!missouri wedding photographer

 

VENDORS:
Photography: Nicole Welch Photography

Ceremony: The Vineyard at Riverbend

Reception: The Vineyard at Riverbend

Florist: For Seasons Florist

Bakery: Wedding Wonderland

Videographer: Photo Video Image Productions

Lauren + Dan: Sneak Peek

st. louis wedding photographer

Happy Thursday!!!

Leslee + Jamie: Laumeier Sculpture Park Engagement Session

This was another scorcher of a shoot! Thank you to Jamie and Leslee for being such good sports in front of my camera on a crazy hot day at the wonderful Laumeier Sculpture Park. It was my first time there, and it was a really unique place for a shoot – which I love. Jamie and Leslee, I’m really looking forward to your October wedding!

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