Melissa Oholendt | Minnesota Wedding & Lifestyle Photography

If there is one topic that I could spend hours and hours speaking about, it would be my opinions regarding the necessity of having something (anything!) beyond a disc of digital negatives from your wedding day. But since I’m fairly certain Wednesday morning at 8:30am is too early for that kind of rambling, I think I will just allow the images speak for themselves on this one.

Whistler Album in Crimson silk from Cypress Albums.

Is there any better time of year to be in love than fall? I mean really. Sweater-clad walking hand-in-hand, with the sound of leaves crunching under your feet and home to a glass of red wine in front of the fireplace? And maybe I am describing every Nora Ephron movie ever made but there is a good reason the majority of romantic comedies have a portion of the film in the fall season. I’m just going to say it; second only to Christmas, Fall is an entire season of love, red wine and cuddling under a blanket. (Oh, and my birthday. So clearly I am biased.) As a lover (and definite obsessor) of all things fall, I think I may have finally met my fall soulmate match in Ali (and Matt, but mostly just Ali).

Ali & Matt. My goodness. Thank you for trusting me when I said the wind can be pretty because you two made it look amazing. I can’t wait for more getting-to-know-you dates because I count myself so lucky that I get almost an entire year to get to know you both. Give my eternal doggie love to Riley. xo

And the fall wind. (I will say it again and again. My clients rock.)

I am so lucky. And before you think that this is just another photographer raving about how amazing and perfect and wonderful her clients are, just you wait.

Ok fine. Yes, I totally am that photographer who loves to rave about my clients (because, duh, they are the best) but I am also a girl who just generally is in love with love; all kinds of love but specifically for Jessica & Dana, it’s the kind of inspiring love that makes a guy who isn’t exactly head-over-heels with the idea of being in front of a camera, not only willingly give me an entire evening of his time but then full-out rocking my camera world with his love for his gorgeous fiancé. High five Dana. High five.

Jess & Dana.  I seriously love you two; I can’t get over it. Every time I get to see you both I become that.much.more excited to photograph your wedding next September. But until then – Dana, I’m talking to you – practice your over the shoulder sexy face because you know that is going to have to come out. I love it the mostest. xo

Hey Christine & Luke. Remember that time I convinced you guys and myself that there was a beach and it was literally just around the bend? Oh wait, maybe the next bend. Ummmm, next one? Wait, are those houses? Crap. I love you both, if not just for the fact that you let me drag you almost all the way around the lake with promises of a beach, but also because you are two of the kindest and most loving people I have ever met in my life. I am so entirely blessed to call you clients and friends. And the next time I think there is a beach? Don’t believe me. Really. Don’t.

You guys. If you keep having adorable, smiley, well-behaved babies and asking me to photograph you and your equally adorable, smiley and well-behaved families on gorgeous fall days in locations I love we’re going to have a problem.

Jessica & Jamal (and, of course, smiley Bodhi). Two things. First, you two make beautiful babies; don’t ever stop that. Second? I cannot even tell you how much fun I had. Parenthood suits you both immensely well and it was such a honor to see that firsthand. Thank you (to infinity) for being one of my first and constant supporters over the years, it very literally means the world to me. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! xo