When Lauren contacted me, she mentioned her wedding was taking place on an island in Northern Wisconsin, in the city of Birchwood. I replied, as giddy as can be "oh, you mean the Bluegill capital of the world?" For those that don't know, a Bluegill is a fish and I love fishing. The excited inner child in me came out as a flood of memories resurfaced…fishing the creeks near my grandma's house in Rice Lake, spending summer afternoons at our family cabin, so appropriately named "the shack", located only a few miles from Birchwood. We explored the woods and got into all kinds of trouble. These memories and this place never leave you and I was reminded once again at how much I miss it and need to let my own kids experience life apart from a big city. Shortly after Lauren mentioning the location and after I calmed back down...we had another conversation about why she chose this location and what type of wedding and photography she desired. As excited as I was about the potential of photographing a wedding on an island, in the woods, I was more excited about what I heard her say about photography. Simply put, she wanted someone who would be a guest and take photos of the event as it happened. And here is what happened on this "Island of Happy Days"...
And then it was still. A beautiful calm. I sat and waited for the ferry to pick me up and bring me back to my car, while the day and all its emotion and energy was left ringing in my head. Exhale. What an amazing job.
Venue : Stout's Island Lodge / Birchwood, WI Florals : Forever in Bloom / MN Hair & Make Up : Joee Nelson Videography : Little Village Films Brides Dress : Blush / Hayley Paige Bridesmaids : Adrianna Papell Grooms Suit : Michael Kors Band : Ol' Yeller Catering : Stout's Island Lodge
