SD roadtrip : personal cedar rapids, ia family & portrait photographer

I just got back the other day from a fabulous road trip to South Dakota with several dear friends, and it was so much fun!

Despite some complications and trying to figure out how this all was going to work,

praise the Lord it all came together, and we couldn't believe it was actually happening when we buckled up in the car. :P

The reason for the trip was that a friend of ours, Emily, was getting married,

and we drove up the day before to do some shopping, etc. and stayed at a hotel,

then attended the wedding the next day and trekked back home!

Despite getting lost several times and making some u-turns, it was an awesome time of rich fellowship and talking/laughing/eating/thrifting/etc.

I love these girls and am always so blessed, sharpened, and encouraged whenever I see them.

Can't wait to roadtrip more with them. ;)

hope you enjoy a peek into my weekend!

first, some instagram photos:

1. road trip essentials :P

2. Tia, Me, Lilly, & Chelsy getting blown away--it was so windy!!

3. one of us [no names mentioned] thought this nailclipper was really awesome at Target...personally I thought it was weird, but ended up buying it for the girl that loved it just to be funny.

4. the beautiful wedding program

5. the cake at the wedding--go ahead, drool over it. I did.

6. all of us dolled up and ready to attend the wedding!!

7. the delectable cheesecake served at the wedding--so good.

8. late night snackables

9. saw this while driving around in the town we were in--seriously, how sketchy does a bakery thriftshop sound?!

10. we were planning to go shopping at a big mall, but first went to a goodwill and on the way there saw a Plato's Closet...so we went back there and literally spent two hours in that place. In case you were wondering, no we didn't buy all that stuff. :)

11. Driving view on the way home.

12. the classic roadtrip-bathroom-mirror-shot.

the wedding was for Emily Schuurmans, who we've all met through doing Bright Lights conferences together.

some of you may have seen her blog before--Every Thought Captive.

Emily, is one of the sweetest and mature Christian girls, and I couldn't be more excited for her as she begins this new journey in life!

first kiss:

she looked stunning, and the wedding was beautiful and Christ-honoring...so happy I got to be there!

Ben & Emily...

us Bright Lights girls : Tia, Lilly, Me, Chelsy & Kelly  with the bride! how beautiful is her dress? I loved how the whole wedding and decor was totally her style.   on the way home, we were planning to stop for a photoshoot, but it was so windy that we weren't going to. but, then as we were driving through a random little town I suggested maybe stopping... so we did, and that was probably the best decision on the way home..haha! so much fun.   Chels, who you've already seen before on this blog.  I haven't seen this girl in over 3 months as her family has been globetrotting with their ministry, so it was awesome to spend so much time with her! Tia...I see this girl every week and she's always such a blessing to be around with her genuine, caring personality. people always think Tia & Chels are sisters..so we had to get an updated shot of them!  Lilly...honestly one of the sweetest girls I know, and she always makes me smile. :) and speaking of smile, she has one that totally lights up her face! It is rare that I'm on the other side of the lens, so huge thank you to Chels for taking these of me!!
 and then things starting to get a little funny... and we were all doubling over laughing so hard.  we're just all kinds of awesome..  really.  see, don't we look absolutely lovely & normal?!  and then we brought out the model faces...  and the perfectly posed + serious angelic faces.. and then that ended..haha! I love the gradient of expressions in this:  thanks for such a totally fun weekend, ladies!! love, ~H. Elise

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