They have known each other since 4th grade, yet at that point, neither had marriage on their mind. It was more coodies and boy/ girl germs, yet throughout many connections through their church Dani and Jake’s paths continued to cross. They both attended rival high schools, and in 11th grade the couple started dating. They went to prom together and even ventured a year to college together.
Last fall Jake surprised Dani with a trip up to Taylors falls. When she arrived, she knew it was not a tip like any other. Jake had very carefully and secretly had friends line a path of flower petals and to a picnic area overlooking the St. Croix River. He brought out his guitar and played Adam Sandler’s “Grow Old with You” from the Wedding Singer on her guitar. Feeling both overjoyed and elated, Dani could hardly believe it was happening. After the song, Jake got down on one knee and asked his 4th grade friend to be his wife.
It was a joy for me to be documenting this day because a few years ago, I was documenting Dani’s senior photos!! How quickly the time has passed!!
Dani and Jake, it was awesome to be with you during your wedding day. You are extremely beautiful people to be around and I know throughout the years the Lord will truly bless your marriage, thank you for allowing me to be with you! It was a joy!
Today I am responding to some wonderful photogs on a forum that I just recently joined. It is awesome and has challenged me at this point in my business to re-start, re-vamp and really think deeply about where I want to take my business. What has been working for the past years is now changing, and rather than stand still and wait, I am moving forward to where I want to be. Being 10+ years in business, things have changed over time, but one thing has remained a constant; clients want to be known. This blog post comes from a response to a question on the forum.
Because I really like to get to know my clients, and because after the wedding day I want to be able to send out their wedding as soon as possible for submissions as well as vendors, I have found this wonderful client questionnaire document helpful. It is actually adapted from Justin and Mary’s site, so I give them all the credit. I have changed things according to my liking, but I hope it brings you help as you need it!
Not only did Dani’s dress fit her like a glove, she rocked it in and throughout the entire day of rain, and even ventured outside when it let up a bit. Jake was just as awesome and easy going, so it made photographing them even through the unpredictable weather enjoyable!! Throughout all the wonderful planning, Jake and Dani’s day came together beautifully! More to come tomorrow of this brave and beautiful couple!
I woke up to rain, in January, in MINNESOTA. I tried to think happy thoughts, like how umbrellas are pretty, and how it could be 100 below, and how rain is really good luck for your wedding; but all I could think about was Lori and Don and rain. and slush. on .their. wedding. day. I probably wrooied more than I should, because I wanted it perfect for them. And quite honestly it was!! By the time we started shooting, the rain turned to a beautiful mist and the weather was a “perfect” 40 degrees (hey, for January in MN, that is awesome! Today was -6. It was balmy!!) And I could not have asked for a more agreeable, kind, warm-hearted couple for this January day!
It was a match made. A match made perfectly, and love at first sight. Don and Lori met on Christin Mingle, a place neither one of them thought to even look into, but after some prodding from family and friends each signed up thinking that there wasn’t much harm in trying. Lori, being overly busy while working as a PA in the ER, didn’t have much free time. Don was the same way. While working to get his masters in Agriculture, working part time at the U of M, and just moving to MN his days were filled. So when their first date arrived they both agreed on something simple and short. To do coffee. But what started as doing coffee turned into a day adventure, and a 100% match. That was early summer.
September 12th came. Lori would be leaving for a PA conference in Arizona the next day, and Don was coming along two days later, planning to propose to her while they were admist it’s beauty in some romantic location. However the ring showed up the day before the flight as Don could not wait. Two days was way too long, so instead he took her to a spot around her home and got down on one knee where she said “of course!”
Personally this was a wedding I was thrilled to shoot. Lori had grown up a few houses down from ours and was my sister’s best friend. She and her spunky blond headed sister would come over to our home, along with a few other girls in the neighborhood and frequent the houses for snacks in the winter and Popsicles in the summer. We played Barbies, Nintendo, and took her dog Pepper on numerous walks. Her family was close to ours as her little sister and mine played basketball for years together. Two years ago, we stood in the same church she was married in and mourned the loss of her mother to her battle with cancer. Last spring, she stood with me as my sister, and her best friend, walked down the aisle. I am so grateful to know this amazing and wonderful woman, and to get to know Don in the process. I wish you both the best and know that God will honor what He has brought together. Much love to you both.
PS, don’t miss the photo after the slide show. My little sister, Claire, posted this on facebook about a year ago of all of us girls who played together while growing up. It is the only time you will see any of us online with a swimsuit on!
A winter wedding is risky in Minnesota, but it can also be elegant and beautiful as Lori and Don’s turned out to be. I was looking forward to shooting this wedding since I booked it, and it was wonderful. The vendors also helped create a look that was unique to Don and Lori. One of my most favorite details of the day was a necklace that Lori’s father gave to her with a photo of her mother, who had passed away a few years ago, on her wedding day on one side and some beads from her wedding dress on the other. It was priceless.
From their engagement session, to their wedding, to the birth of their first daughter and now to their second, it’s been a joy and honor to be able to photograph couples like the Wargo’s as their life changes.
It’s what makes my job so meaningful and fulfilling! Congratulations Hannah and Jake, your family is beautiful!
Including siblings in your newborn session… yes or no? My answer is always yes.
It might feel a little chaotic in the moment, but those are often the images you end up treasuring the most—the real connection, the tiny interactions, the beginning of a new family story.
I’ve loved watching the Luong family grow through all three of their children’s newborn sessions, and those sibling moments are always some of my favorites.
If you’re wondering how it all works (and how we make it easy), I wrote a full blog post about it! Check it out in my stories
No one said you had to do newborn photos inside! Taking lifestyle newborn photos outside and making them true to your style makes them even more meaningful and significant!!
Ceremony Location: Andover Christian Church
