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Blake + Alicia

Alicia is unlike any other bride whom I’ve had the privilege of working with. I’ve known the Mashek family for over 10 years now, and from day one, Alicia has always felt like a sister to me. Fun fact, Alicia actually asked me to be her photographer YEARS before she was even engaged to Blake!! This just melts my heart. So when the day finally arrived, Alicia + I were ready to party!

Picture this: Gold, glam, + elegance meet at a snowy Hollywood cocktail party on New Year’s Eve. That’s Blake + Alicia’s wedding. Love, laughter, and plenty of adorable puppy pitter-patter filled the Mashek house as the ladies were getting ready. (Duke has a DOGppelganger named Cooper who you will see in a minute!) Alicia’s younger sister, Sarah, did her big-sister’s make-up and oh my goodness is she GREAT at it! Side note: Sarah, you’re awesome!

As the ladies were getting ready, Blake and the g-men were looking dapper (as always) and Chelsea took some awesome shots before heading to the ceremony at Notre Dame in Cresco, IA. Blake’s expression when Alicia walked down the aisle towards him was absolutely priceless!! Even more priceless was the look of pure excitement when he shook his bride’s father’s hand! So sweet! I had tears in my eyes the entire time I was shooting the ceremony. Lucky for me, I could hide behind my camera!!

After the ceremony, we headed to a (very cold BUT stunningly) gorgeous forest preserve for some sunset photos. Wedding party, I need to thank you again for your amazingness during the outdoor photos… you all ROCKED IT! Thank you so much! Such troopers! (Blake + Alicia, you two have some great friends… they’re keepers!) 😉

You guys, I just have to say, I am so blown away by Alicia in these photos. She is just so effortlessly beautiful, inside and out, and I am so honored to call her my friend. Uhhh! Would you just look at her?! My goodness!

When the reception rolled around, there was never a dull moment. Speeches, dinner, and dancing ensued and before we knew it, it was almost midnight!! During the dancing, Chelsea shot some hilarious blackmail of me out on the dance floor that I may or may not post sometime in the near future. Needless to say, we had an absolute blast!

(How could I have forgotten our hilarious hotel front-desk guy?! THAT’S another story!)

Ringing in the new year with the Mashek + Andera families was one of the best New Year’s Eve’s that I have ever had. So many memories were shared and new beginnings were created.

Blake + Alicia, congratulations again on your exquisite wedding… thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for allowing me to be a part of your most precious day. It means the world to me. Alicia, you + your family as so close to my heart, I can’t thank you enough for everything that you have done for me. Blake, your kind, genuine personality is everything I could ask for in Alicia’s husband… thank you for taking such good care of my dear friend! I wish you both the most amazing of marriages + the happiest of ever afters.

So much love, Sara

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A big thanks to all the vendors who helped make this wedding possible! Incredible job!

DRESS : Mori Lee from Pure Bridal Ames, Iowa (info@purebridaliowa.com) |  http://www.purebridaliowa.com/

BRIDESMAID DRESSES: RenzRags | https://www.etsy.com/shop/RenzRags

FLORIST: Wedding Party Flowers – Country Garden Flowers | http://www.thecountrygardenflorists.com/

VENUE: Nob Hill | https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nob-Hill/104953959548550

CATERING: Nob Hill | https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nob-Hill/104953959548550

CAKE: International Bake Shoppe | http://internationalbakeshoppe.com/

DJ ENTERTAINMENT: FrontLine DJ | frontlineprodj@gmail.com

INVITATIONS: Shelby Walters | shelbywaltersdesign.com

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