Jenna + Nathan

I mean, how cute are these two?  I love weddings, but I especially love filming weddings when the groom is head-over-heels smitten with his bride.  Nathan just could not get enough of Jenna, and it was adorable!!! Loved this wedding, loved this video (great editing by my groom), and loved the experience.  We thought the unpredictable Oklahoma weather was going to prevent us from taking outdoor photos, but the skies cleared up for just enough time to get it done!

Thank you Jenna and Nathan for trusting us to capture your special memories, we loved being a part of your wedding day! I hope you cherish your wedding video for years to come!

Lacey + Jonathan

I mean how did I forget to blog about this wedding!?!  It was SO MUCH FUN! We had such a blast filming Lacey's sister's wedding (Brooke's wedding video) so we knew we were in for a good time this go around!  I mean, you can just tell from watching what a fun group this is!   And how special is the stuff with Jonathan and his son?!?? I die! 

We ran into Lacey and Jonathan at Sidecar the other night, and they paid us one of the best compliments we have ever had.  They said the day of their wedding, we were "everywhere, and nowhere."  That is exactly what we try to do.  Stay out of the way, blend into the background, and capture really great footage of your day.  

Thank you again to Lacey, Johnathan, and the whole Rayburn family for trusting us to preserve your memories.  

The Birth of Adalyn- Part One

Well, here's a new one.  I posted Part Two of this post, before I posted Part One.  It was such a joy to watch this family experience such a special moment.  Enjoy!

Elie + Aaron

We have loved getting to know Elie and Aaron.  It seems like only yesterday I received a call asking if we could film a proposal.  It was amazing to be a 'fly on the wall' of sorts for their proposal and first moments together as an engaged couple.  We were then so honored when they asked us to film their wedding.

The day was smoothing sailing.  I mean, what would you expect from a professional wedding planner.  Elie works for The Yes Girls, a professional wedding and proposal planning team.  When you have some time, take a look at their website and watch all the creative ways men have proposed to their future wives.  

Elie and Aaron, thank you again!  We loved working with you and getting to meet your family and friends.  You are blessed with wonderful people in your lives, and we wish you a long and happy marriage.

Seize the day!

Lauren + Jared

Jacy + Josh (Part Two)

Happy 1 Month Anniversary to Jacy and Josh!  We seriously had such a good time at this wedding!  Not only are Jacy, Josh, their family, and friends so much fun, but we felt like we really knew Jacy and Josh going into the wedding because we had filmed an 'our story' for their rehearsal dinner and seen them dancing up a storm at other weddings we filmed.  

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We went out on a limb on this one and used the letters they wrote to each other, even though we had filmed them reading those letters just to put on their personal Blu-ray/DVD (and not for public sharing).  The thing was, these letters were just soooooo good.  We sent the draft to Jacy and Josh, and they approved! 

Jacy and Josh, thank you again for choosing us to be a part of this journey with you.  We enjoyed every party of it, right down to the limey.  (Tastes like college :-) )

**** Click HD in the bottom, right-hand corner for the best viewing experience!*****

Birth Photography

We've been so slammed the last few months, I forgot to post some of the images from Danielle's birth.  There is just something so special about that moment you become a parent and hold your baby for the first time.  I don't think I will ever get over it.  Gives me goosebumps every time I capture it. 

Carlton Family

Ah, Spring! Is there any better time for family photos?!??  I say 'no.'  I so enjoyed spending time with this sweet family.  Liam is adorable! There was a campfire with a few remaining glowing embers, and Liam LOVED the smell!  He kept sniffing the air!  Carlton family, thank you for allowing me to capture a bit of your family life at this stage.  It's a good stage.  :-) 

Hello, World! The Birth of Luke Samuel

Seriously, this is one of the coolest things I get to do with my job as a 'record keeper.'  I love to document the moment a mother holds her baby in her arms for the first time.  The joy.  The relief.  So surreal.  Sorry photographers, but photos just won't do it justice.  

I loved Danielle since our very first meeting, where we discussed the many aspects of birth and motherhood over tea!  And, let me tell you, this woman is STRONG.  She planned for a natural birth and never once did she falter or say "I can't."   As anyone who has been in labor knows, births don't always go as planned, but Danielle faced every moment with courage, conviction, and grace.  

Thank you so much for trusting me to capture such an important moment.  It was an honor.

Seize the 'good stuff,'

Lauren Keester

Robert + Paige

Oh, man! It was soooo much fun (and a tiny bit terrifying) to capture this special moment in Robert and Paige's life!  Terrifying because you don't want to mess up!!!  And, I have to say, (phew) these photos turned out great! I mean, how could they not?!?? Just look at how cute and in love these two are!  

Robert worked some magic to get the key to the top of the midtown plaza building!  And (so genius) had all their friends across the way on the rooftop bar, BosoNova! Anyway, congrats to these two and happy wedding planning! 

Seize the 'good stuff,'

Lauren

Lauren + Matt (Part Two)

Well, I had intended to post this last week, but that was before our family came down with some gnarly cold. Everyone was coughing and no one was sleeping.  And, poor Jared, who had the shortest bought of it, got to play nurse-maid to everyone else.  Anyway, one week and about 40 clorox wipes later, here we are.

Thank you again to Lauren and Matt! We soooo enjoyed working with you and your family! We wish you the best in all you do! May you have a long, happy marriage! 

Seize the 'good stuff,'

Lauren

Hip Hop You Don't Stop

When we meet with clients, we often are met with questions about what else is included in their wedding package outside of the ceremony and the highlight reels we publish on this website and our social media accounts.  We always have the same answer, "Anything we think you might want to watch again."  You want something on film, tell us! And we will film it.  

It is so hard in those meetings to list the 'bonus features,' for your wedding, because I have no idea what your wedding day will hold.  And, neither will you.  Here is a great example of a surprise performance by a guest at the wedding.  And, he nailed it.  Without further ado...

Megan + Nathan (Part One)

Tulsa, Here we come!  I tell you what, we just had the BEST time with this group!  (Even though they were actively rooting against my OSU Cowboys-wink-I guess we will forgive them).  And, I just cannot say enough about this beautiful new venue and its lovely owners.  Everyone go check it out at http://www.spainranch.com/ . 

Megan and Nathan, thank you for all the laughs and fun times at your wedding (and while editing your awesome honeymoon footage-- part two to come later).  We truly enjoyed it!

Dallyn + Tyler

Happy New Year! 2015 was a banner year for us, and we are so excited for the nine couples who have already booked for our 2016 season.  We are even headed to Dallas this spring.  As we wrap up the 2015 films, I thought I would post this one.  I LOVE the story of how these two met!  And how cute is their puppy?!?!  

Large Family Photo Session- The Hamptons

I had such a wonderful time capturing this very large, very fun family.  I hope you will enjoy this photos for years to come.

-Lauren

Kaitlyn + Kyle

Wow! This was a busy, busy fall for us.  We are hustling over here to get these videos out and to our brides for the holidays.  Can't believe 2015 is almost wrapping up....just one more wedding Saturday for Carpe Diem until 2016.  Thank you to all our brides for trusting us to preserve such an important day.  

Now, on to Kaitlyn and Kyle.  Seriously, I think I smiled the whole time I worked on this film.  I just couldn't help it.  This was SUCH a fun wedding and I LOVE how much these two love each other.  Happy Turkey day to all of you!  

Lauren

Kylie + Jordan

I mean could these two be any cuter? and could this wedding day be more beautiful?  I think not!  This was such a wonderfully fun wedding to shoot and to edit.  Thank you to Kylie, Jordan, and their family for being so fun to work with! It was a joy.  

Hopie's Home Birth Story (Part Two)

Thank you to everyone for your kind words regarding the photos (published earlier) of Hopie's Birth Story.  I've never really considered myself much of a photographer; I just like taking photos of my kids...but, obviously, photography and videography share a basic core knowledge about using light and sharing a narrative.  But, my medium of choice for birth story's is video, and, I think you will see why...

(Make sure the HD is on by clicking the "HD" in the bottom right hand corner.)

Hope's Home Birth Story (Part 1)

Dear "Hopie,"

It has been such a wonderful, amazing experience to watch your journey to motherhood.  When we first spoke over the phone about you taking on a part-time caregiver role for Jude and Harvey (in 2013 was it?  Harvey was just 4 months old), you apologized for not being able to start right at 8am that first day, because you were seeing a fertility specialist.  I have been praying for this day for you since that phone call, and here it is. 

When I told Jared I had finally found childcare, he asked what I knew about you, this stranger coming into our home, and I told him you had an inner light that shined bright and strong, and that was all I needed.  

My kids fell in love with you almost instantly, and your grace was a calming presence in our home.  Thank you for loving my children.  I say that knowing you now know, truly know, what it means to be apart from your baby for even just a few seconds, let alone a whole work day.  I always felt comforted knowing they were with you. And the testament to your love in grace is that my children still ask for mommy, daddy, and you when they are upset. 

I was so honored when you asked me to document your delivery, and when you look at these photos, I hope you will sometimes think about the smiles of the two little boys whose lives you shaped before you started you own family.  I am forever indebted to you. 

From one mother to another,

Lauren

Brene' + Taylor

This beautiful couple and their gorgeous wedding day have been on my mind lately since I recently met with Taylor's twin (and I mean tw-win), Jordan and his seriously adorable (and fellow Chi Omega) Kylie.  I am soooooo excited about this wedding!  Jared had a great time filming this one with our friend and college, photographer  Randy Coleman.  I mean, seriously, how attractive is this couple, right?  And so obviously in love.  Congrats Brene' and Taylor!  And thank you for having us as part of your wedding day. 

Libby + Jake

Well, it is that time of year!  Love is in the air.  Seems like every day my facebook page blows up with another couple's engagement.  And, as a wedding professional, I have to say, I LOVE it.  The inquiries are rolling in and we are quickly booking our 2015 season... 2015. That sounds crazy, right?  Crazy as in, when I was a child I really thought I would have a hover board like Marty McFly.  But, alas, I have a mini-van.  (Jared says it is a sexy, soccer mom SUV-Minivan hybrid, but lets call a spade a spade, you know?)

Well, as I have been meeting brides this season a question that often arises is "Can I get all I want out of the basic package?"  And, in most cases, the answer is yes.  So, here is an example of a wedding where the basic package was the perfect amount of coverage...And, obviously, Jared nailed it.