These photos are of my sister and her daughters from when they visited in early March. I asked them if they wanted to do a little motherhood shoot while they were here. Keli and I were excited when the girls agreed to dress up and take some photos with their mama! I am so grateful we created these images because we have a reminder of my nieces at these ages. The girls are currently in fifth and eighth grade. Due to the current situation, school will be taught at home for the remainder of the year. Some of the celebrations typically associated with these milestones are unable to happen. Even if there are no parties or graduation ceremonies, she has these memories with her girls before they transition to a new chapter!

On another note, my sister and her husband enjoy a mostly vegan diet. I find this fascinating because they are also such foodies. They love to eat out at restaurants and to cook at home. Keli gave me many pruning and drying tips for the herbs and vegetables in my little garden. I am constantly asking her for product information and recipes. It's funny, most of our text messages are usually about food in some way, shape or form. She inspires me in the kitchen, always coming up with healthy and delicious creations! 

Since we are all spending more time at home and cooking a lot, I asked her to share some vegan recipes that her family enjoys so we can change things up a bit. I asked her for recipes that are easy to make and that her non vegan kids will happily eat. I linked the recipes below for anyone that may be interested! 

Creamy Vegan Lasagna Soup - one pot! 
From: ELA Vegan

Vegan Mac and Cheese 
From: Ela Vegan

Now for some of my favorite photos of these three...All of these images were photographed on film! 

Newborns bring such light and joy and I think we can all use a little of that right now!  This was my last session before social distancing was a thing. Alex and Steven are such natural parents. Steven had quickly mastered the swaddle and Alex knows exactly how to calm her sweet baby girl. They are such a great team already as they navigate parenthood together. 

I don't know about you guys, but I feel like we need our team now more than ever. Each day, something new unfolds and often more uncertainty. We are confined to our homes, working and doing life closer than most of us ever have. It is crazy and chaotic here. Some days seem eternal. Others fly by and I am left wondering what we did all day. Through this experience, I have also recognized that I have slowed down. I don't have a list of places to get to and activities to get done or drive to. I have been more present and for that I am grateful. Tommy and I have started taking daily walks. It almost seems like going back in time when we walk around the neighborhood, seeing everyone out with cheerful smiles and hellos from a distance. We hang outside, as a family, when Mike is done working and the weather here has been amazing. The sun is usually dipping behind our neighbor's home and we listen to music, have a drink or swim as an evening breeze gently brings a close to the day.  This situation is not ideal, I am as excited as anyone for things to go back to normal. But we are healthy and I will choose to take what I can from it and right now, that is spending more time with my little crew and listening to fart songs. Thanks Alexa.

Shelbi and Shane share an intense love, for one another, and for those around them. This love was evident on their wedding day. You can easily see it in the way they look at each other, they are so in love. Shelbi and Shane are the type of couple that others gravitate toward. Kind, sincere, welcoming and fun. They were surrounded by so many people who absolutely love them both individually and as a couple. 
Shelbi and Shane's wedding celebration was beautiful day that began at Bending Branch Ranch, a lovely venue with an adorable  cottage where all the girls got ready. Gloss Bridal & Beauty Bar did hair and makeup for everyone and the ladies looked amazing! Shelbi stunned in long, loose waves that highlighted the open back of her form fitting lace and satin gown from One and Only Bridal Boutique.  She added a mid length veil with beaded edges and a beaded barrette to her hair to complete her wedding day look. Shelbi was absolute perfection! The bridesmaids were gorgeous in their long taupe, chiffon gowns from Lulus.  Everyone carried bouquets by Kelly Shannon Floral full of fluffy white blooms and fresh greenery. Shelbi's bouquet was sprinkled with her favorite, sunflowers, as an homage to their engagement. Shane proposed to her in a field of sunflowers! The groom and his crew wore navy suits and taupe ties. They hung out and played pool at the venue as they awaited the start of the ceremony. One of my favorite things about this wedding is that Shane's dad was his Best Man. They truly are best friends!
Shelbi and Shane's wedding ceremony took place on a wooden altar between two large oak trees just as daylight was coming to an end. There ceremony was both sweet and emotional with many working to fight back tears. Cocktails were served immediately after the ceremony in the brand new wooden barn of Bending Branch Ranch.  Wooden center pieces from a 16 year old oak tree cut down from Shelbi's parents home were surrounded by white blooms, baby's breath, greenery and candlelight. The interior of the barn was simple and elegant. Gold chargers adorned with navy napkins topped the white linen tables and each guest was gifted a wooden monogrammed coaster. The reception began with Shelbi and Shane's first dance as husband and wife. He sang to her as they held tightly to each other. There was hardly a dry eye in the audience! The father/daughter and mother/son dances were equally as sweet and emotional. There is just so much love between these two families!  A four course dinner was catered by Whatever's Clever Cuisine. After dinner, the party really got started with DJ Live Productions.  This group knows how to party! Everyone was out on the dance floor, no matter the age!  These families know how to throw a party! 

Shelbi and Shane, your wedding day was so amazing! Mary and I sincerely enjoyed getting to know the two of you as a couple and your sweet family and friends. We hope you had a wonderful time in the Turks and Caicos! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Godwin!! 

A huge thank you to all of the fantastic vendors who made this couple's dream a reality! 

Venue: Bending Branch Ranch
Dress: One and Only Bridal Boutique
Hair and Makeup: Gloss Bridal & Beauty Bar
Bridesmaids: Lulus
Florals: Kelly Shannon Floral
Planning and Catering: Whatever's Clever Cuisine
DJ: DJ Live Productions
Invitations: Shutterfly
Photography: Rooted Love Photography
Second Shooter: Mary O'Sullivan

Tea parties, jumping on beds, this whimsical family session was every little girl's dream! Sisters are forever friends and it was fun to see this sweet friendship beginning to blossom! ​

Baby Adrianna at one year. This is really such a sweet age. Crawls turn to wobbly steps and this new independence inspires exploring everywhere. I believe this is usually when parenting becomes an all day cardio event! I remember the curious pointing, everything going in their mouth and the most adorable belly laughs. Our tiny babies morphing into little humans! 

Krissy and Brian are two the most warm and kind people I have met. They are just easy to be hang out with and to laugh with. They also happen to be the cutest together! It is always so wonderful when our couples know other friends who we have photographed on their wedding day. Lucky for us, Krissy and Brian know several! I was cracking up as they listed off all of the couples they know and recalling some of the weddings we have all been a part of. I am truly so grateful for all of the amazing couples we have been fortunate enough to work with and honored to be included in one of the biggest days of their lives. We can hardly wait for Krissy + Brian's wedding next year!!  

​I want to remember it all. The curiosity, the faces they made, that wispy baby hair. These days when they are young. They are long, but the years somehow pass us by in a blink. The memories continue to build up as I try to grasp at them to hang on. Finding new ways to connect as they grow and no longer need to be held. Thinking about this as I snuggle my youngest baby, hoping she doesn't ever get bigger. Knowing that every child must grow up.

I met Stephanie + KC for maternity photos at their home, just a week before the arrival of their new baby girl. Stephanie is one stunning mama! This amazing view is what they look out at from their home, every day! 

​Amanda + Matt's wedding day was truly such a beautiful event. The people, the venue, the weather...it could not have been more perfect! Amanda and her bridesmaids began their day hanging out in their suite while having their hair and makeup done at The Tamarack Club of Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville, NY. Groomservice had all the ladies' hair looking amazing while The Makeup Parlour made sure all the girls' makeup looked flawless. Amanda shared the sweetest gifts with her mother, father and mother in law, while her sister/Maid of Honor gifted her with a beautiful bracelet to wear on her special day. It was all so touching and everyone did their best to hold back their tears!  Amanda chose a unique Inca wedding gown by Grace Loves Lace from NYC. It is a dress bridal dreams are made of. The gown was so flattering with delicate lace, a low back and feminine details. She was so unbelievably beautiful in it! Amanda paired this with a simple cathedral length veil and nude heels with dangling drop pearls and crystals around the ankles. A stunning half-up fishtail hairstyle with relaxed curls completed Amada's look. She looked effortlessly chic and beyond gorgeous!! The bridesmaids chose coordinating gowns in various shades of pink, blush and champagne from Adrianna Papell and Lulus. It was such a soft and beautiful color palette. Matt sported a modern navy suit by Hugo Boss, while the rest of the guys wore suits in the same hue from JP Tailors with multi colored satin ties and coordinating pocket squares and socks. They all looked so well put together! Matt gifted all the guys with personalized flasks, complete with a cartoon image of themselves on the front. These gifts were hilarious and actually very practical throughout the day! 

Matt and Amanda chose to have a first look and it was so lovely and romantic. These two are absolutely enamored with each other in the very best way! Their happiness is contagious! After the first look, we took some photos and guests headed to the ski chairlift for a champagne cocktail and a ride up to the mountain top ceremony. The view was amazing! Keith James played music for the ceremony while over 200 guests watched this happy couple become husband and wife in front of a gorgeous floral and pampas grass arch created by Swan Street Florist. Amanda and Matt recited their own vows that were incredibly heartfelt and thoughtful. After the ceremony, guests headed back down the mountain for cocktails and the reception in the main lodge at Holiday Valley Resort. The newlyweds sat at a sweetheart table in front of a decorative wooden hexagon sculpture with floral details that reflected the ascetic of the floral arch from their ceremony. Tables were adorned with elevated gold vases holding pampas grass, fresh eucalyptus and rich greenery. Amanda and Matt were showered with love during the kindest speeches from their dearest friends and her brother and father. When your brother tears up and calls your new husband your "soul mate", you know you've found a partner that your family adores! After dinner, the bride and groom shared their first dance and cut their three tiered, gold foil embellished wedding cake created by Chrusciki Bakery. DJ Mike S. of Toy Bros got everyone on the dance floor with glow sticks for Buffalo's favorite "Shout" song. Stephanie and Mary Beth of Video Network got it ALL on video and we cannot wait to see it! Everyone was out there, included all the kids that were having the time of their lives. It was really so cute! 

Amanda and Matt share a love that is so special. They are two of the warmest and kindest people. It was evident that they bring so much joy to those around them. You can't help but to feel the energy of their love and happiness when you are in their presence. We wish the two of you all the happiness in the world. Congratulations!!!

Thank you to all of the wonderful vendors that helped to make this day so amazing! 

Venue and Coordinator: Holiday Valley Resort
Dress: Inca Gown by Grace Loves Lace
Bridesmaids: Adrianna Papell and Lulus
Hair: Groomservice
Makeup: The Makeup Parlour
Groom Attire: Hugo Boss
Groomsmen: JP Tailors
Ceremony Music: Keith James
Invitations: Black Bow Studios
​Florals and Arch: Swan Street Florist
Bouquets and Boutineers: The Faux Bouquets
Cake: Chrusciki Bakery
Video: Video Network
DJ: Mike S. of Toy Bros
Photography: Rooted Love Photography
Second Shooter: Mary O'Sullivan

We had such a full visit to Buffalo in July. We really enjoyed our time hanging out with friends and visiting family. I cannot tell you the number of times I have heard someone in our family say they miss something about our  time in Buffalo, since we have been back in Orlando! There are just so many people we love and we come home with such great memories.
While we were in Buffalo, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to meet with the most wonderful families for summer photo sessions. I am super behind on blogging, but you have to start somewhere.. Below are a few of my favorites from this adorable family of three!