There are a few faces that have been consistently present in my career as a photographer – a few of them being those of the Addis family. One of my very first photography sessions was Tori’s older brother Ross’ high school senior pictures – I was fresh out of college with a degree in journalism and only a minor in photography, and to be honest, at the time I could hardly believe there were people out there who were willing to pay me to take photographs. From the moment I met them, the Addis family made me feel like family – they invited me into their home, they rooted for me as my photography ‘side job’ grew, and they paid me one of the biggest compliments possible by hiring me again for Tori’s senior photos. And again, for Will’s. They referred friends and family to me, and I shot their weddings and sessions, too. So when Tori and Sam got engaged and they reached out to me to photograph their wedding, it felt a certain kind of momentous.

So, before I had even met this man that Tori was planning to marry, I knew shooting this wedding was going to mean a lot to me. Then, when I met Sam, I learned quickly how in love with him Tori was; I learned this because it was evident in the way her eyes seemed as though they were smiling when she looked into his, and the way she cracked up at the things he said casually. Through their wedding vows, I learned even more about what exactly they fell in love with about each other. Sure, they had a lot of fun together, but they also helped each other become better versions of themselves – they became a better son and daughter to each of their sets of parents, better believers, better siblings, and better friends. So on this day, they surrounded themselves with all of these family members and friends who mean so much to each of them, and they vowed to keep loving and supporting each other in this way – and they did it all while giggling, and smiling, and with that familiar, smitten look in their eyes.

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Jumer’s Hotel & Casino
Wedding Coordinator: Tamara Wendt Design
Videographer: Amy Blommer Productions
Flowers: HyVee
Hair: Cate Viager
Makeup: Maggie Kime