. . .absence makes the heart grow fonder . . .

Sometimes I get OUT-OF-CONTROL!!

(THIS POST IS FABULOUS THOUGH! SO, DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE NUMBER OF PICTURES OR THE LENGTH OF TEXT. DON’T BE AFRAID TO GRAB A LATTE OR A SWEET SMELLING CUP OF HOT TEA, SIT BACK, AND ENJOY THE IMAGES AND STORY FROM THIS AMAZING WEDDING. TAKE A MOMENT TO SOAK IN THE LOVE! AND THEN, WHEN YOU ARE DONE, DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT A SLIDESHOW OF SOME MORE OF MY FAVORITE IMAGES FROM THIS HARLEY WEDDING!

CLICK HERE. )

Sometimes the light is just right . . . .

Sometimes, the venue . . . and the decorations . . . and the flowers . . . and the food . . . is all just too incredible . . .

Sometimes . . (well, every time) I get a bride who decides that on this day she is fabulous . . .

Sometimes the weather is perfect . . .the music is perfect . . . the EVERYTHING is perfect . . .

This is how it was for Nathan and Carly May. Perfect. Fabulous. Beautiful.

So, needless to say, when everything is stunning around me, I get just a tad carried away.

Lucky for me, I had a great couple who loved to have their pictures taken! We took pictures on their Harley’s, in the trees, in the meadow, in the waterfall, while they were dancing . . . you name it, we were snapping away!

A huge thanks to Wildflower weddings – an amazing wedding venue – that did most everything for this sweet bride and groom. From planning decorations, to pinning on boutonnières, these ladies were outstanding! (So, if anyone in the Billings/Red Lodge area is looking for not only an incredibly beautiful place to get married, but also looking for some creative gals who go above and beyond to make things just perfect on your day . . .you have got to check out Wildflower Weddings.)

This couple so touched my heart. AFter I met them, I learned that Nathan is a miner who spends most of the year overseas. He is gone for four weeks and home with his family for six.

I can’t even image the strain that would put on a relationship.

These two were an amazing couple, though. Good friends, great parents, and oh-so-happy!!!!

Nathan and Carly have been married since 2008. One day, they got so caught up in their love, that, while on their lunch break, they hopped on over to the courthouse to make their decision to be together FOREVER – FINAL.

Now, three years, later, they want everyone to know and be a part of their love.

One of the things that I loved the most about this day (besides seeing the bride on her Harley or the fabulous ball and chain groom’s cake or the amazing flowers and decorations or the . . . ) was their vows.

These two spoke such loving and wonderful things together.

They told one another that they knew that the other person was going to one day fail them. They were not going to meet their expectations. They promised, that in those moments, they would continue to love and support them.

Meet Nathan and Carly.
From Nathan: “Carly, there are so many things about you that I love. I love the fact that I am married to the cutest thing I have ever seen. I love your voice, your smile, and your big hair. Mainly though, I love how great of a mother you are to us all.”

“You hold us together with your planning, your lists and your demand for respect and etiquette. Without you, we would be a serious cluster of . . . BLEEP.”

“I could never fully express how much you mean to me, but there is no one else in the world that I would love to marry . . .again.”

“And so, I do promise to cherish you and do whatever it is that you would like me to do for the rest of our lives. Through thick and thin, I will always love you.”

From Carly: “Nathan, as I stand with you today, so many memories are rushing through my mind. You have always been my best friend and confidant – even if it was for girl talk. We have been through tears of happiness and tears of sadness. I have laughed so hard I cried.”

I am so happy that you understand my need to be your fashion police. It is because of your hair that I can now French braid. Distance has not been our friend in our relationship, but we truly know the meaning of ‘absence making the heart grow fonder.’ “

“I will always be your wife and ‘lil’ mama.’ Nothing makes me happiner than being Mrs. May. You make me proud when I stand beside you. I couldn’t have created a better husband and father. So today I promise you this:

“I promise to always jump on the bed, forget to put your tools away and leave them in the rain, need help starting the weed eater, and burn supper on occasion.

I will always complain about your driving, post pop-culture-related you-tube videos on your facebook page, and I will always leave the seat in your truck up as far as it possibly goes.

I will always leave the suburban on empty and pluck your grey hairs when you least expect it.”