Laura Schmitt Photography: Weddings and Engagements :: Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota Wedding and Engagement Photography

New Website and Blog :: Central Wisconsin Wedding Photography

I am beyond thrilled to announce that I have a new website and blog

Laura Schmitt Photography will now be on the new website:
www.lauraschmittphotography.com.

I will still be using this blog, but more for personal photography posts. I wanted to have one cohesive look, name and site to share my professional work, as well as a place for blogs and clients. My wedding, engagement and portrait photography will now be featured primarily on www.lauraschmittphotography.com/blog/

Stop by and check it out!

2011 Wedding Favorites :: Central Wisconsin Wedding Photography

This year I was honored to photograph so many lovely weddings. It is always a joy to see a couple commit to each other and I feel privileged to be creating the images and capturing the moments from one of the most important days in their lives. I am told (my wedding isn't until May) that a wedding day goes by in a blur. At the end of a wedding you are left with most importantly, the love of your life, and less importantly, some leftover wedding cake...maybe :) You are also left with the memories and images that document your day; the excitement, the love, and the little moments that make your wedding perfect.

These are a few of my favorite wedding photos from this year. I tried to choose just two from each wedding, but that was nearly impossible. There were so many sweet couples and special touches that made each wedding unique and so many photos that made me smile :)

I hope that 2012 brings these couples much happiness as they enjoy their first year of marriage together!!

The Preparation

The Ceremony

The Portraits

The Details

The Party

Featured :: Iowa Barn Wedding

I am excited to share that Amanda and Christopher's Iowa Barn wedding was featured on Landlocked Bride today! I loved photographing their wedding and was thrilled when Brit of Landlocked Bride chose to feature their wedding and all their lovely DIY goodness. Amanda and Christopher held their wedding at Stonehaven Barn in De Soto, Iowa, outside of Des Moines. Landlocked Bride also featured their engagement session from this summer.

Featured :: Iowa City Spring Wedding

Exciting! Emily and Jake's Iowa City wedding was featured on the wedding blog Middle of the Map Weddings!! I really loved photographing Emily and Jake's wedding and am so happy that Emily of Middle of the Maps chose to share it! If you haven't seen her blog yet, check it out for lovely Midwest weddings and inspiration!!

Kyrstn + Dan :: Stevens Point, Wisconsin Wedding Photography

Oh Happy Day!!!

I think that pretty much sums up Kyrstn and Dan's wedding day! Kyrstn and Dan got married on a beautiful fall day in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. They were full of love and laughter during their big day; from pre-wedding prep through the reception, laughter was shared by all :) It really was a joy to photograph them and be a part of their wedding celebration. Congratulations Kysrtn and Dan!! Happy married life :)

We stopped at Iverson Park in Stevens Point to take wedding party shots. Their wedding party was seriously a blast and we had a great time taking photos. Iverson Park is a really great photo location too!

Featured :: Wisconsin Fall Engagement Session on A Northwoods Wedding

I am excited to share that Tenley and Rick's fall engagement session is featured on the lovely new Midwest wedding blog, A Northwoods Wedding!! I loved photographing these two and am happy that their fall engagement session was chosen to be featured! If you haven't seen this blog yet, check it out! There are so many fun and different ideas for a wedding in the Midwest... or anywhere!

Ashlyn + Adam :: Charles City, Iowa Wedding Photography

Ashlyn and Adam got married on an absolutely beautiful fall day in Charles City, Iowa. Not only was the weather stunning, so were Ashlyn and Adam! I really enjoyed photographing their wedding for many reasons. Charles City is my hometown and it was so much fun to take photos in locations that I have always lived in and around, but had never photographed. We took photos in Central Park, at Home Base and along the Cedar River. It is also always great to photograph a wedding where there were so many old friends to see.

I am so glad that Ashlyn and Adam asked me to photograph their wedding. It is really so lovely to see people that I have known for years begin a marriage. It is a privilege to photograph one of the most important days in their life and I am happy that that invited me to share it with them and their families. Congratulations Ashlyn and Adam! Many, many good wishes for your marriage!!!

Tenley + Ricky :: Wisconsin Fall Engagement Photography

Last weekend, I met Tenley and Ricky out at Tenley's family home in rural Neillsville, Wisconsin. From there we headed down a rustic road and into the fall sunshine for an awesome engagement session. Tenley and Ricky chose to do their photos at a family friend's home and land. It was pretty much the ultimate photo setting.... woods, a prairie, architecturally interesting corners, and a barn. We had a blast enjoying the fall weather and taking photos until the sun went down. I can't wait until their fall wedding next year!!

So perfect.... Tenley found an old Wisconsin Trips book while we were taking photos in the guest house and opened right to the place where her and Ricky got engaged! Perrot State Park near Trempealeau!

Amanda + Chris's Stonehaven Barn Wedding :: Des Moines, Iowa Wedding Photography

(Part 1)

Amanda and Chris's wedding was nothing short of perfect. They were in love, they looked beautiful, and every wedding detail was in place and fit "just-so" into the setting. Amanda and Chris (who you may remember from their super-cute engagement session) got married and held their reception at Stonehaven Barn in De Soto, Iowa, just outside of Des Moines. The setting was stunning, and with the occasional showers through the day, the setting was just glowing... as were the bride and groom :)

It was an honor to be able to photograph Amanda and Chris's wedding and to be at their ceremony. I can't imagine a more perfect day, setting or wedding for the two of them :)

Here is the first of two posts from Amanda and Chris's wedding. They had so many details and great moments, I couldn't fit them all into one post!

Amanda and Chris had their intimate family wedding ceremony out at Stonehaven too. The rain stopped and everyone found seats around the fire ring. Dawson, the ring bearer, was very careful to keep the rings dry as he led the way and started the ceremony:) They wrote the most heartfelt vows... you could really feel the love and the joy in their ceremony. It was beautiful :)

Amanda + Chris's Stonehaven Barn Wedding :: Des Moines, Iowa Wedding Photography (Part 2)

Amanda and Chris had so many lovely little details at their wedding at Stonehaven Barn, that I couldn't exclude any of them! They put a lot of planning into their wedding, and I loved seeing their ideas and hard work come to fruition. They scoured antique stores for furniture for the decor.... a vintage suitcase to hold cards, oil lamps for the tables, as well as chairs and pictures for the buffet area. They had tons of cute DIY details too... sayings on the table, a banner, and mason jar votives, Every detail was exceptionally planned and placed. You can tell that a lot of love went into this wedding :)

Antique drawers held treats and sweets!

Photo Booth!

Best first dance EVER!! Amanda and Chris did a chreographed dance to Dirty Dancing's Time of my Life! It was so cute.... and so Amanda :) I think she has loved this movie since we were like tots.

If you missed Part 1 of the wedding of Amanda and Chris.... Here it is!

Tina + Jerry :: Iverson Park, Stevens Point Engagement Photography

The park is one of the best places to play, and that we did during Tina and Jerry's engagement photo session! We met on a Sunday evening at Iverson Park in Stevens Point. None of us had ever been, so we had a great time exploring the park, taking pictures and swatting mosquitoes. We checked out the swings, the many bridges and the ball park. It was a perfect summer evening in the park. It was also one of the hottest days of the year, but you wouldn't know it looking at Jerry and Tina. They were so fun and easy-going, I can't wait to photograph their wedding next August!

Kasey + Paul's Summer Wedding :: Edgar, Wisconsin Wedding Photography

Kasey and Paul's wedding was summer at it's best. It was Fourth of July weekend, (the best weekend in summer) the weather was perfect, and golden summer light streaming through the trees was gorgeous. I photographed Kasey and Paul's engagement photos last year, so I knew that their wedding would be just as fun and laid-back.

Kasey and Paul got married in their hometown of Edgar, Wisconsin at St. John's Church. Their reception was held a short skip and a jump at Rib River Ballroom where the danced the night away, complete with a serenade and a patriotic Grand March. They were surrounded by huge smiles from family and friends, not to mention their own:) Their wedding was full of cute details, especially the wine glass favors that Kasey decorated. Best wishes Kasey and Paul!! I'm so glad that I was able to photograph your wedding and be part of your big day! Thanks!

Featured :: Iowa Farm Engagement Session in Landlocked Bride!

Today my Iowa farm engagement session with Amanda and Chris was featured on the blog Landlocked Bride!! Landlocked Bride is a wedding blog that features weddings in the Midwest and Mountain states; their tagline is "plan a modern wedding in the middle of the country." Just my style! Every Friday Landlocked Bride features different engagement photos for the feature "Engagement Photo Friday." I was pretty excited (and had been anticipating this for awhile) since this is my first submission and first feature in a wedding blog. I loved photographing Amanda and Chris and am super-excited to photograph their wedding in September! Thank you Landlocked Bride for featuring my photos!!

Jenny + Phil :: Green Bay, Wisconsin Wedding Photography

Last weekend I had the honor of photographing Jenny and Phil's wedding in Green Bay. They got married on a perfect summer day at St. John the Baptist Church in Howard, Wisconsin. Phil's uncle, who is a priest, officiated the ceremony, which I thought was one of the nicest ceremonies that I have been to. After church we headed to Lambeau Field, home of the Packers, for some photos. This my first trip ever to the stadium, and I think now I am an official Wisconsinite:) Following church and pictures, we headed off to their reception at The Marq. Jenny and Phil, thank you for having me be part of your wedding day! I really enjoyed it! All the best to you both:)

Bailey + Randy :: Marshfield, Wisconsin Wedding Photography

Last week I had the pleasure of photographing Bailey and Randy's wedding at North Wood County Park in Marshfield, Wisconsin. I have never photographed a wedding there, so I was pretty excited. We took photos on the swinging bridge over the Yellow River as well as a few in the woods and the field. The location is ideal for weddings. The weather was gorgeous, the couple was in love, everyone looked great, and the party was a blast, so it was pretty much a perfect wedding :) Thank you for having me photograph your wedding! Congratulations Bailey and Randy!!

Bailey made all these poms that hung from the ceiling. They were so perfect for the setting! She also had lilacs and garden flowers everywhere, it smelled like spring.

The bride and bridesmaid flowers were done by Bows and Boards in Marshfield. Aren't they gorgeous?

Bailey and Randy had a special dance with their daughter, Lucy. They danced to "Daughter" by Loudon Wainwright, it was probably one of the sweetest dances I have seen. Lucy was smiling the whole time, as well as everyone else in the room!

Claire + CJ's Lakeside Wedding :: Oshkosh, Wisconsin Wedding Photography

As I was looking through Claire and CJ's wedding photos, I couldn't stop smiling. This was one of the sweetest couples I have ever photographed and their love for each other and their excitement to be married just shines through in their photos.

They were married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony at The Waters in Oshkosh, which overlooks Lake Winnebago. It couldn't have been a more beautiful ceremony, setting, or day. They wrote vows for each other and also had a unity sand ceremony, which I have never seen before, but love that idea! We took photos around The Waters boat docks and lawn as the sun set before their reception in the ballroom with many musical serenades. Thank you for having me be part of your special day! Congratulations Claire and CJ!!!

How cute are they?!?!

Katie + Matt's May Wedding :: Stratford, Wisconsin Wedding Photography

I've been looking forward to photographing Katie and Matt's wedding for quite some time now. If their engagement session was any indication, I knew it would be a really fun wedding. I photographed their engagement session last July, and it was a blast! Their wedding definitely didn't disappoint, fun was had by all.

Katie and Matt got married in Stratford, Wisconsin at Zion Lutheran Church. After that we headed to the Shack and then the reception at Country Aire north of Stratford for dinner, dancing and the party! Katie put tons of cute touches into the wedding. She had purple and zebra print umbrellas for the girls to be photographed with. During the Grand March, all the girls donned mustaches and football jerseys too! Congratulations Katie and Matt! Thanks for having me be part of your big day!!

Emily + Jake's Iowa Spring Wedding :: Iowa City, Iowa Wedding Photography

Last week I had the honor of photographing Emily and Jake's wedding in Iowa City and Coralville, Iowa. I was excited to go back to Iowa City, I went to school there and love being back. I also was really excited to photograph this wedding. Emily and Jake had a ton of great ideas for photos; from the mural on Iowa Avenue in Iowa City, to the comic book shop where Jake works and the Hotel Vetro lobby.

I met up with Emily as she was getting ready at home where the fun started. It was seriously really fun. We headed to downtown Iowa City and had a blast walking around the Ped Mall and taking photos in the perfect early spring weather. From downtown, we went to the ceremony and wedding site at North Ridge Park in Coralville. Emily and Jake had an outdoor wedding near the pond and then ate and danced the night away in the park pavilion. I really enjoyed photographing and being a part of their wedding. I loved all the details and personality that they put into their special day.

Amanda + Chris on the Farm :: Iowa Engagement Photography

Last week I had the pleasure of taking Amanda and Chris's engagement photos. Amanda is one of my oldest and best friends, I think we have known each other since kindergarten! Amanda and I are both planning our weddings, so over the past few months we have been sending emails and commiserating over wedding plans. Amanda also had a ton of good ideas for her engagement photos and even brought props - so fun! We met in our hometown, Charles City, Iowa and headed out to the farm early in the morning. I managed to avoid stepping in the cow pies. We finished up the morning on a vintage couch, which Amanda pretty much searched all over the state of Iowa for. It was a blast taking their engagement photos; lots of laughs were shared. I am honored that Amanda and Chris asked me to take their engagement and wedding photos and be part of their special day. I can't wait to shoot their wedding and see all their fun ideas!!

Early spring sun! The buds were just out in Iowa.

Amanda and Chris are going for a vintage feel to their wedding, so I made a few of their photos look a bit more vintage-y.

How cute is the love banner?!?! Amanda and Chris made it!

They also got the t-shirt made!

This was pretty much too cute to not add :)

We couldn't find a tractor, so a neon dump truck did the trick.

Classy!

More vintage feel.

Jessica + Will's Early April Wedding :: Marshfield, Wisconsin Wedding Photography

Last Friday evening I had the opportunity to photograph Jessica and Will's early April wedding. They got married at The Chestnut Center for the Arts in Marshfield, Wisconsin, which was a lovely location. There was tons of cool old furniture and mirrors around, and the afternoon light coming through the windows was beautiful. It was really fun to to be there as the girls got ready and did last-minute wedding preparation. But, my favorite part of the wedding was Jessica and Will's vows that they wrote for each other. It was pretty much one of the sweetest ceremony I have ever been to :) Congratulations Jessica and Will!!!

Erica + Kelvin's Early Spring Wedding :: Wausau, Wisconsin Wedding Photographer

This past weekend I had the honor of photographing Erica and Kelvin's early spring wedding in Wausau, Wisconsin. The sun was shining and spring was definitely in the air on Saturday. Erica chose tulips as her flowers and they were so were perfect for the day. Their wedding ceremony and reception was held at The Plaza in Wausau. It was fun to take a lot of shots inside the venue and they were really accommodating at The Plaza. Despite the sun, it is still March in Wisconsin, it was a bit chilly outside, but the bridal party were troopers and went outside for some shots. Thank you for having me photograph your wedding! Congratulations Erica and Kelvin!

New Wedding Photography Website :: Central Wisconsin Wedding Photography

I have been working with my most recent wedding, Beth and Kent's winter wedding in Marshfield, to develop an online gallery and sales option for my clients. I am making a few final tweaks, but here it is!

The website address is http://lauraschmittphoto.photoshelter.com/

I chose to use Photoshelter because it was really photographer friendly. I can choose my own layout (and they all look very clean and crisp, which I like) and have large images and galleries featured. It also directly loads from my PhotoMechanic. Another plus for PhotoShelter is that I can fulfill my own sales from my trusted photo printing company. That way I can see the images before they go to the printer and when they are done. I am kind of a perfectionist :)

Beth + Kent's Winter Wedding :: Marshfield, Wisconsin Wedding Photographer

This past weekend I photographed Beth and Kent's winter wedding in Marshfield, Wisconsin. The night before there were a few inches of snow, which made a perfect snow cover for photos. Everything and everyone had an additional sparkle (especially Beth and Kent :)) from the fresh-fallen snow, as well as the added Christmas decorations. All the details and colors were so fitting for the season and everyone looked amazing! Beth and Kent, along with all their attendants, braved the cold, wind and snow for some fun outdoor shots with Christmas lights. Thank you for having me photograph your wedding! Congratulations!

For more wedding photos, check out my website: http://lauraschmittphoto.photoshelter.com/

Locations
Beth and her attendants had their hair done at High Street Salon in Marshfield.
Beth and Kent had their ceremony at Trinity Lutheran Church.
We stopped to take Christmas light photos at Rotary Winter Wonderland.
Their reception was at the Eagle's Club.

Wedding Albums :: Central Wisconsin Wedding Photography

I am excited to share that I am now offering wedding and engagement albums! I wanted to offer albums that were classy, clean, and cute and I finally found some that fit the bill. I am offering wedding and engagement albums from KISS Wedding Books.

I wanted to keep the options simple, which is what KISS does. I don't like millions and zillions of options, and gimmicky design elements. Your wedding photos are forever, so you want them in a high-end, classic and timeless style that won't look dated in ten years.

You can chose either leather or linen covers. The leather albums have heavier pages and are more resistant to damage. The linen albums have flexible pages and would be great for guest books!

The albums are offered in 4 sizes: 4 x 4, 8 x 8, 10 x10, or 12 x 12.

The colors are not only awesome, but the names are too! Chose from Smouldering Brown, Forbidden Green, Sultry Blue, Virgin White, Redlight Red, Passion Pink, or Voluptuous Black.

The lay flat page binding allows for full page photos. The photos are also directly printed on the page!

I ordered 4 x 4 leather albums in Forbidden Green. These mini albums are perfect as brag books and would make a great Christmas gift! They come in sets of two, which would thrill each sets of parents. Cross them off the list!

The photos look great as a part of the book - directly printed on the archival paper.

For more wedding photos, check out my website: http://lauraschmittphoto.photoshelter.com/
or my Wedding and Engagements page on my blog!

If you want more information or are interested in ordering an album, email me: l.t.schmitt@gmail.com or call me at 715.486.6567

Kasey + Paul :: Central Wisconsin Engagement Photographer

This past weekend I had the pleasure of photographing Kasey and Paul's engagement photos. We went down by the river, the Big Eau Pleine River to be exact, and had a great time exploring and taking photos in the park. Despite the early fall chill and wet grass, the sun was out and we got some great shots! I am looking forward to photographing their wedding next July!

Katie and Matt :: Central Wisconsin Engagement Photographer

Last week I photographed Katie and Matt's engagement photos, which was really fun! We took photos on Matt's family's farm in rural Stratford. There were tons of fun elements to take photos with; a bridge, table, swing, field.... so we had a good time taking a bunch of different shots. I am excited to take their wedding photos next spring. If taking their engagement photos is any indication, I think their wedding will be a blast!

For more wedding and engagement photos, check out my website: http://lauraschmittphoto.photoshelter.com/

Tim + Jill's Big Lake Wedding :: Duluth Wedding Photography

This past weekend I photographed Tim and Jill's wedding in Duluth. The setting was beautiful and the wedding was super fun. Tons of people were dancing right up to the last song. Thank you for having me shoot your wedding! Congratulations you two!