Not only are we loving shooting all these weddings this spring and summer, but finally being able to show you these gorgeous bridals!

Holly and her mom came and spent an evening with us! We had way some gorgeous light, lovely weather, and of course, our personal favorite, too many laughs!

We had an amazing weekend with this blonde bombshell bride (say that 5 times fast) and can't wait to share their wedding-day images with you!

There's a story to this bouquet. Holly's mom actually went and handpicked these "flowers" from the ditches around our house and the pasture beside it, then she brought them in, wrapped them in burlap and lace, and handed them over... while we all stood there with our mouths gaping open at how amazing it looked!

Who out there is a perfectionist? Who struggles with something not being exactly how they saw it in their head? Who pouts if something new doesn't turn out?

I (Luke) have to raise my hand for all three of those questions. I know this about myself and try to change my way of thinking, but if I try something and it doesn't work or come out as planned, my bottom lip starts to protrude from my face. Yes, I know the saying "If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again!" (Which is my lifelong motto for correct punctuation)

Kelly Clarkson even said "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," but I still get frustrated. I want to be that person who can beat the last objective on Tiny Wings, I want to be the person who's souffles don't fall, but I just don't think that is in the cards for me.

It also is the same way with our photography business. I want our images to be perfect in-camera. I want to capture true emotion and genuine looks between two people in love. I want our couples to have fun and enjoy themselves and know that we care about them. I even want the grass to be green and the skies to be a lovely blue. But I can't control everything.

When I am editing images from a wedding, I play the game of "What if." What if I was in a crouching tiger, hidden dragon pose, hanging from a chandelier, would that have made that photo perfect in my opinion? What if I would have had one more cup of coffee, could I then have done the wobble in reverse to get more pictures from my favorite dance? The list goes on and on.

What I have realized is that I can beat myself up over minute details that no one expect me sees, not even Cat can see what I am seeing sometimes (and she is my biggest critic, in a good way :) or I can realize that nothing is perfect. All I can do is my absolute best, and that should be good enough for me.

Then I came across this quote. "Accept greatness, not perfection, because there is no perfect."

This was exactly what I needed to hear. It "spoke" to me and it was one of those quotes that has stuck with me.

So yesterday, I was playing around with a pencil and a piece of paper. I wrote down the quote and decided that I wanted to try and make a fun little illustration with it and use it as my computer desktop image. I drew the words on a sheet of paper and thought that I could just scan them in and go to town. This is what I started with.

After I scanned it, opened it in Illustrator and thought that I would be able to easily "trace" it and it would look just like I thought it would in my head. Well, it didn't. I struggled getting it to look right. I got frustrated when things didn't go my way. I kept working on it and playing around, but I had totally forgot what the quote actually said! When I realized that, I knew that I could only do so much, I am not a skilled graphic designer that can work magic in Illustrator, and I started to put the whole thing together. This is how it came together.

Now it is my desktop image and the screen image on my phone. I see it often and hopefully the next time I start to get critical of my lack of perfection, I will remember that there is no perfect.

Wow! Where do we even begin with this amazing couple! Lauren and Braden are two of the nicest, most down-to-earth, and friendly couples we've ever had the joy of working with. They had a beautiful wedding day from start to finish!

Just look how happy Lauren was!

These flowers were gorgeous!

I've said it before and I'll say it again... I'm a sucker for bridesmaid dresses with pockets.

Lauren's sister Joan gave the official 'best prayer ever' before they all walked down the aisle. Not a dry eye in the room!

Braden = beaming!

Lots of tears watching the father/daughter dance!

This is where the night went from already amazing to spectacular for us! Lauren and Braden let us have them outside right at sunset for a little portrait session! The light was some of the prettiest I've seen, and they were working it!

Favorite! Movie stars!

Of course, there was laughing!

Back to the reception we went and the dancing got serious!

Braden even performed a few special dance moves for his mom!

Lauren and Braden, we've had an incredible time with you guys and your wonderful families! We're truly sad that your wedding has came and went already! Can we do this with you every year? Seriously guys, we think you're an amazing couple and wish you nothing but a perfect 'happily ever after.' Thank you for letting us be there for your exquisite event!