Susan Solo – VA/DC/MD Photographer

Kim and Shawn are married! I really don’t even know where to start with this post, and it’s already going to be a long one, so I’ll try to keep my wordy self at bay! Kim is a very dear friend of mine who I met when we worked together about eight years ago. When she and Shawn asked me to not only attend their wedding, but to be the one to photograph their day, I couldn’t have been more honored. Chris and I traveled out to Decorah, Iowa for the wedding this past weekend. I knew it was going to be tricky when I was choked up in the first five minutes at the salon where Kim was getting ready! But I managed to maintain my composure and focus (literally) on getting some pictures for them. Okay, onto those pictures! I started out at the Eclips salon with Kim, and then we went back to her B&B to finish getting ready.

Kim’s MOH/maids’ reactions after we got back from the salon.


The B&B on Broadway where Kim stayed and got ready for the day was adorable. I had the best time shooting there.

Kim’s bouquet represented all of the different flowers in the bridal party’s bouquets and boutonnieres (see bridal party below).

More fun doing detail shots around the B&B.

Kim’s mom assisting with the final touches.

Kim and Shawn decided to see each other before the ceremony, so we had plenty of time to do some portraits.
We stopped by the Ashmore-Jewell Barn at Luther College for a few pictures, because who doesn’t love a huge bright red barn?! It looked so incredibly great with Kim’s dress and Shawn’s dress whites.


And then we did a few more quick pictures (it was so chilly and windy!) around town. These doors with the silhouette lead into a bridal boutique on Water St.

The ceremony took place at Dunning’s Spring Park. Despite a chilly, windy day, the ceremony was amazing – everyone was all smiles.

Chris really did such a great job helping me to capture the ceremony – these next tight shots are all his!




This part of the park was perfect for a ceremony with the backdrop of the falls and the spring running alongside.

We did capture the first kiss, but the “fist-bump” was the perfect Kim and Shawn finale to the ceremony! 

Shawn’s grandfather loaned them a (I forgot the year! 1940s?) Hudson as the perfect getaway car.

The reception was held at the Hotel Winneshiek, where the Steyer Opera House has been converted into a ballroom space for events.

Kim and Shawn put so many personal touches into the reception details, including engagement photo table numbers, a reception program (see the last photo), a slideshow and tickets as placecards.


The first dance:

And then the party got started!

“Tonight I gotta cut loose…footloose…”

“How low can you go? Can you go down low?”

Aw.

Whew! Long post. Kim and Shawn, I hope you are having an amazing time on your honeymoon! Chris and I had such a wonderful time at your wedding, and we’re having so much fun going through the pictures, too. We’ll have them all ready for you and your family/friends soon! Love you guys!

Chris and I just got home from our trip to Decorah, Iowa for Kim and Shawn’s wedding! I have stories to tell about our visit and a ton of images to go through before I can pick out a bunch for the real blog post, but I just wanted to get one sneak peek image up here before Kim and Shawn head out for their honeymoon.

Have a safe and wonderful trip, you two!