Wedding | Alejandra & Erik

Erik's family has spent their summer vacations in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin for years. The little town had become a pilgrimage of sorts for them. They came back year after year to get away, to relax, to escape, and to reconnect as a family. Even when the kids grew to be adults, they still came back, year after year. Then one year, Erik brought along a girl. The family knew it must be serious, and this girl must be special, because he had never allowed any of his other girlfriends into the Elkhart Lake world. And special she was. One of three daughters of an Argentinian father and an American mother, she came all the way from Colorado to see just what was so special about this little hole-in-the-wall location in Wisconsin. And she found it just as charming, refreshing and special as Eric's family did. Mosquitos and all. And with that one visit, Alejandra passed the test and Erik knew he had found a partner.



(Erik is always, always, on the phone)



I just loved this shot of Alejandra's sister striking the same pose as her grandmother (unknowingly) caught in the mirror:


It was no big surprise then that they would choose to cement their relationship in this place that meant so much. There is just something about Eric and Alejandra that makes you want to book a plane ticket to the middle of nowhere in Wisconsin, don some eau de bug spray, dodge rainstorms and drive long distances. Just to be there with them. And be there with them people did - all the way from Argentina, Colorado, all over the country in fact.








I was super stoked to catch this moment where Erik was admiring his new ring:




The day was peppered with heavy mosquitos, a crazy rainstorm (right during picture time), fantastic music, big cobalt blue skies and more charm than you could ever imagine. Alejandra and Erik really took it all in stride. When we only got one shot of their wedding party in before the rain poured and their attendants scattered, they shrugged and said they would prefer the more photojournalistic shots anyway. When we took refuge at the Osthoff Resort only to discover another wedding going on, they switched gears without blinking an eye and chose another location. When getting in and out of their adorable getaway car proved too problematic in the rain, they laughed and jumped in the back of my Jetta. Their fantastic attitudes certainly made my job a lot easier, and kept their guests in the spirt of the day for sure.


How gorgeous is that veil?

Don't let those blue skies reflected in the windows fool you - behind this wedding party is a huge storm ready to pour
just seconds after I got this shot:


Turns out, Bells of Ireland wilt. Quickly:






Their reception was held at Siebken's - one of the resorts in Elkhart Lake. Harmony can testify that we ate quite possibly the biggest meal there ever. Apparently it is a house speciality, but I kid you not, there was half a chicken on every plate. (We did not eat even 1/4 of the chicken, who could?) The place had a fantastic vibe to it though - fun, formal in a up-north way, a little smattering of summer camp and a healthy dose of shabby chic, all wrapped up with a wink. Here are some details:


There were some great kids at this wedding. They always steal the show:





Check out the slideshow for more great moments: