It’s hot outside (well, at least in the Midwest). So, why not cool off, right?

Christ and Bo had planned a little fun for their wedding guests after their sweet and intimate ceremony in downtown St. Louis. A little fun in the form of a water balloon fight.  And, I cannot get over how fantastic these images are, not to mention how gorgeous the light is.

Images courtesy of Megan Thiele Studios

Obviously, not every bride is going to be game for launching water balloons back and forth with her groom, but you cannot deny that the idea is definitely a fun one!

brad + jen from oceanwide on Vimeo.

Image courtesy of Lisa Hessel Photography

You see, both the bride and groom, Kristin and Donald, are hearing impaired, including 13 of their 14 wedding party members. Their vows were signed, and interpreted so guests could hear.  Not that it is an important detail to note, but I love that love knows no boundaries. It is not tied to one specific language. And, it definitely does not judge.

Check out more from the wedding, including some great comments from the couple over on bobbi + mike’s blog.

Images courtesy of bobbi + mike

Why do you want to get married?

It’s a valid question. Is it about the dress? Is it about the perfect flowers? Or how about the best reception venue?

Are those the things that are important to you?

Don’t get me wrong, some girls have dreamt of their wedding day since the day of their birth, but was it really about all of the perfect details, or was it about the perfect guy (or gal!)? Is your world going to fall apart if the florist made your centerpieces from hydrangeas instead of dahlias. Or that the flower girl stuck her finger in your cake during cocktail hour?

In a hodge-podge wedding world of details, tradition, non-tradition, big parties, are you, in your heart of hearts really remembering why you are getting married in the first place?

Do me a favor while you “Oooo” and “Aaaahhh” over the pretty pictures you find on this blog, and others like it, remember why you’re getting married.  Trust me, I love the details, and still plan on having them at the wedding and pouring over them, but I know, each day why I said “Yes” to the pilot on top of that mountain. And, it makes me smile every. single. time.

So, why did you get married? What was it about your significant other that made marriage the word of the day?

Image courtesy of Fuse Photographic

Jillian Bisinger recently shot a friend of hers and his husband while they were in town (in town = Los Angeles) visiting. If there is something I’m a die-hard advocate for, it is same-sex marriage. So, of course, I love the fact that Alton and Andre were married several years ago while on board a cruise ship off the coast of Rio de Janiero in a fantastic ceremony with friends and family. Now, if only we can make the move to allow that to happen in the States (as in all of them, not just a few).

Jill was able to capture some wonderful, and high fashion shots of the two – of course while enjoying a few glasses of the bubbly. Besides being a fun, and perfect couple, the two have small ties to the wedding industry. Alton is the Creative Director at Kate’s Paperie, a paper boutique in New York and Connecticut. Andre, on the other hand is a jewelry atelier out of Rio de Janiero where he runs his own business A.Costa Deluxe. And, of course Andre made their wedding bands – which could not have been a more perfect situation.

Images courtesy of Jillian Bisinger Modern Photography

P dot S: If you have already jumped over to Jill‘s site, please do so – she does some amazing work. Not to mention she is extremely sweet. AND, add her blog to your Reader (no pressure or anything)!

P dot S dot S:  On April 8, the No H8 Project is hosting an exhibit featuring the photos from the St. Louis shoots. I urge you to check it out if you’re available!

This bride and groom met at a local hot spot here in town, The Dubliner.  So, on their wedding day, photographer Clary Pfeiffer snapped a few shots of them visiting the place that started it all.

Image courtesy of Clary Pfeiffer Photography

Image courtesy of you’re beautiful