A couple weeks ago we spent a good 2 days (Ok, 3 days if you include the very needed & relaxing spa day) celebrating the marriage of Lindsay & Mark Jacobsen. It was an AMAZING 2 days....and that is an understatement! If you remember Lindsay's Bridal session from a month back http://www.jeffreysampson.com/blog/?p=448 you can understand why. Lindsay & I have been friends since college and we've shared & supported all the exciting changes in each others lives. Jeff & I have had the pleasure of watching Lindsay & Mark fall in love and start a life together. Mark is a wonderful guy and we couldn't be more happy for them. Heart Bubbles!! Normally, the best compliment in the world is for a friend to ask us to take their pictures, but in this case, I had the honor to also stand up with one of my besties on her wedding day!! : ) Sad that the festivities are over... BUT, so excited to share more of life with this beautiful couple! (insert subliminal message: mini jacobsens) XOXO,

Val

{Venue: Chef Dominiques/Dress: Elegant Expressions/Hair: Dimensions/Florist: Country Garden Flowers & Gifts/Jewelry: Monet/Transportation: Stellar Limousine}

As I sit here this morning refreshing Keloland.com's weather page, taking in the hard fact that we are under another 'winter advisory', over half the roads in SD are "no travel advised" or "closed", and the high today will be roughly 19, I can't help but remember waking up just 2 days ago (and although feeling under the weather) to a warm, bright, sunshine, high's in the 40's, snow melting, visible dead grass, sidewalks emerging, and the exciting feeling of 'it feels like spring!'. South Dakota weather...you are so hilarious! Our 1st wedding of the 2011 season is just right around the corner (12 days to be exact...but who's counting) and it's about this time that we start to get super antsy! Excited to be at a wedding again, photographing beautifulness, creating art, and going into the season with a fresh start and fresh ideas! I compare this feeling to the 1st day of school...you've had the summer to relax and kickback but you get all excited to buy new notebooks, pens, backpack, a new outfit, see friends again, begin a fresh new year as somebody who has grown a little the past 3 months of summer. : )

On days like today...as I sit here anxiously waiting for March 5th, avoiding the horrid weather outside, I can't help but daydream about what's to come this summer....beautiful outdoor ceremonies, outdoor receptions, warm breezy SD summer evenings, fresh flowers, peep-toe heels, etc. For today...the best I can do is reminisce on some of our past outdoor weddings....Enjoy: