Melissa Oholendt | Minnesota Wedding & Lifestyle Photography

It’s the way she leans in a little bit closer to him when she laughs. It’s the way he can tells she needs something before anyone else notices. It’s the way they each love their families and each other’s families equally. It’s the way she is naturally the center of attention in a crowd and the center of his universe always. It’s the way they make each other laugh in their own hilarious ways (especially on the dance floor). But most of all, it’s the way her hand fits into his and the way their eyes can find each other, even from across the room.

Whitney & Sean. Sean told me right before your First Look that you are the one who “fixes” him. I didn’t totally understand what his words meant at the time but as I watched you both interact as a couple that day, I saw it. You are your truest selves when you are side by side, unencumbered with the past, only focused on your future. And, in very simple terms, you fix each other. Thank you from the bottom of this mountain-loving girl’s heart for not only choosing a venue that was literally in the side of a mountain but also inviting me to capture your love (on the side of a mountain). Much love.

It’s apropos that this post would come out today, Memorial Day, with both sides of Whitney & Sean’s family having served (and currently serving) in our Armed Forces. Our family is so grateful to the men, woman and families (including our own) who have made and are making great sacrifices to keep our Country safe. No words will ever be enough but today and always, thank you.

Ceremony & Reception Location: Louland Falls
Getting Ready Location: Canyons Grand Summit Hotel
Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew
Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Fashion: Jos. A. Bank
Floral: Branches Floral
Invitation Suite: Minted.com
Wedding Cake: Sugar Kisses
Catering: Cosmopolitan Catering
DJ: Squawkbox Sound
Officiant: Terry Madigan & Diamond Jim Davis
Decorator: Rust & Lace

Mountains and bobsleds and ski-jumping, oh my.

Theirs was exactly what a wedding should be. A gathering of the people who have loved and supported them for years and a day that was 100% about them. Even down to the smallest detail, everything about that day was reflection of their honest, hilarious & beautiful relationship but most importantly, their devotion to God and His place in their marriage. A (mostly) silent First Look inside an Abbey, a solid hour of photos with their closest friends, a tears & prayer filled ceremony committing their married life to each other and to Him, a chicken marsala crepe bar (come on now) and even the thunderstorm forecast that held off all day long until their getaway truck drove off the property. It was a day completely devoted to Brian & Lexy and it could not have been more astoundingly beautiful.

Lexy & Brian. Your capacity of love for each other and for God was truly (truly) inspiring for every single person in attendance. As you were taking communion, I had a chance to look over the crowd of people and the scene spoke volumes into the lives you two lead and the hearts you have touched as a couple & as individuals. Thank you a million times over for allowing Lizzie & I to be a part of your day. xoxo

Ceremony & Reception Location: Private Residence in Huntsville, Utah
Bride’s Dress: The Gallery by Lynette
Chicken Marsala Crepe Bar / Catering: Utah Celebrations Catering
Cake: Creative Desserts
Florals: Jimmy’s Flower Shop

Special thanks to my fantastic second shooter, Lizzie Misner Photography!

There’s just something about photographing my family that makes my heart happy. Love you guys.

To view Sarah & David’s gorgeous Birmingham wedding, click here.

The way their friends spoke of them at the Rehearsal Dinner was entirely humbling. These two incredible individuals were a few short hours from becoming a powerhouse couple and the things that were said about this couple made me believe they would solve world hunger in one day and still have dinner on the table by 6:00pm. But you know what? It wouldn’t surprise me. They are that amazing together. Between her drive to care and love for people and his desire to serve God and immense love for her, pretty sure world hunger doesn’t stand a chance.

David. Sincerely and from my heart – welcome to the family where we smile with squinty-eyes (that is how you know it’s real) and laugh loud and without abandon. I couldn’t ask for a more wonderful cousin-in-law. Sarah. You have my heart and you know it. I love you so, so much and I am so beyond proud of the amazing woman you are. Now, go on, start living your powerhouse couple life. And then come visit us in Minneapolis. LOVE YOU.

Ceremony & Reception Location: Historic Rucker Place – Birmingham, Alabama
Flowers & Event Design: LSL Event Design
Cake & Groom’s Cake: Magnificent Cakes
DJ: My Event DJ

Almost 4 years ago, I watched two of my very best friends in the world walk down the aisle of a church that was so familiar and felt something similar to pride. Our small circle of friends with our many years of friendship, vacations and late night conversations had produced a kind of magic; something tangible and inherently valuable. Love. It began as a love born out of friendship but grew to something much more substantial and sustaining and the ability to witness and be an integral part of their journey was one of the more amazing things I’ve ever been priviledged to be a part of. However, photographing their tearful reunion in an airplane hangar on an Army base in Kentucky last month? Wins. Hands down.

This experience that I was granted access to…trust me when I say it moved me in a way I did not expect. No matter your thoughts on the war or the politics behind it, witnessing hundreds of soldiers, who have risked their lives every single day in an environment where the word hostile doesn’t even begin to cover it, return home to their families after being away for so long is enough to make even the harshest cynic wave a flag at these men & women. The wife who crumbled to the ground in tears upon seeing her husband with her children gathered in her arms made me love my own husband even more. Hearing a little boy on the shoulders of his dad, joyously yell out “mommy” repeatedly until he found his mother’s face brought me to tears. But most poignantly, observing my best friend’s entire being radiate love when she saw Matthew – to see her throw her hands out towards his marching body; you cannot witness these things and not be changed.

Matthew & Claire. I hope I did this experience justice for you. It was the most beautiful & honest moment I have ever photographed and it truly was an honor to be a part of.  Thank you for the sacrifices you have made as a couple and as individuals serving our country. I love you both more than words.

Click here to view Part One.

We’ve been the best of friends for a lifetime. Maybe not technically a lifetime (yet) but for more than fifteen of my 27 years, Claire has been my best friend in name and in spirit. From the day we met at her house, sitting across from each other at the kitchen table, our friendship just naturally fit. Through our most formative & influential years, our lives simply revolved around that same kitchen table in the very same house. It became the place we dumped our bags after a day of shopping, the center of the birthday parties we spent many hours planning, it housed many a family dinner, graduation cake and wedding shower and was basically command central for top secret discussions and planning sessions. The morning of each of our weddings, we sat together at that table for breakfast. The day before my parents moved across the country, we had dinner at that table. Almost every significant morning in my life, I remember sitting with her at that same table.

Enter Law School, the Army, multiple moves across state lines, a dog, a cat, two passions turned careers and many, many phone calls in between, I found myself sitting at that kitchen table. Yet another big day in our friendship was beginning over that table; the half of her heart that had been serving our country in Afghanistan for a year was on his way home and as I looked across the table at her, the significance of that day showed on her face. Her man was coming home.

(Part 2 to be blogged tomorrow!)

It really is a ridiculous obsession considering the fact that I live in a city but I find myself completely head-over-heels in love with the entire concept of horse riding. I’m blaming it on those movies I love where the mysterious, handsome man comes through a break in the fog (on a horse) and steals the heart of the ever-charming heroine but it also might be traced back to the fashion. Long ago Ralph Lauren completed the missing piece in my heart by perfecting the Equestrian culture and made riding breeches an acceptable and even a fashionable choice outside the horse environment and, to this day, my staple go-to outfit is a crisp button-up shirt, leggings and tall boots.

For years now I’ve been channeling my inner esquestrian heart into clothes but when the opportunity arose to photograph horses at a friend of the family’s stables the last time I was in Maryland, I was in the car with my gear before my mom was even off the phone. Now that, people, is eternal love.

It rolls on like a highlight reel in my head. WPPI 2011 will go down as the best trip of my life with some of my best friends and, trust me, I know how bold of a statement that is.

Gina-bean. Roomies & Airplanes. Did you really expect anything less from me? Two of the coolest women on the planet: Caroline & Nancy.

MTH Alum Night o’ Fun. My girl E. iPhoning with G & Caroline. No one had more beautiful roommates; no one.

Loves. Loves times infinity. Weird faces with the ban.do. Besties in the smilebooth.

Because who doesn’t love a bed photo? MK & MO. MTH Vegas. Tradeshowing.

Images shamelessly stolen from LC, EJ & CC.

Tomorrow begins (my) second annual trek to WPPI to partake in all things photography, friendship and late night dance parties. If you are going to be there, I would love, love, love to connect with you! If you see me, please come say hi; I’ll be the red-head who’s laughter you can hear across a room. if you are not, you can follow my shenanigans on Twitter.