Dana & Brandon

Dana and Brandon were married in Mauston Saturday, and for an April wedding they couldn’t have asked for a better day. It was beautiful.

I love this photo of them in front of a weathered former mill in downtown Wonewoc. They are such a sweet and grounded couple.

Getting ready at the church. Dana’s 6-year-old daughter was the mini-bride while Brandon’s 10-year-old son was the mini-groom. They were such amazing little kids — polite and patient and sweet and excited all day and well into the reception. It was clear they have great parents.

Snapped this casual portrait of Dana’s brother when the men were waiting outside before the ceremony. I don’t think he even realized how sharp he looked…

Part of the wedding was a sand ceremony, where Dana poured white sand and Brandon poured royal blue sand together into a vase until the two colors were intermingled and inseparable. The pastor pointed out that there seemed to be quite a bit more of Dana’s color in the vase, though she insisted it was an equal mix…

Isn’t she gorgeous? She was just stunning, and I loved her tulip bouquet.

Dana is an EMT and Brandon and his best man are on the Fire Department, so the wedding party took a spin on Engine No. 1 after the ceremony — very cool. That’s Brandon’s son riding shotgun.

I adore both of these photos of Dana and her so-sweet daughter.

Brandon’s spry 80-year-old grandmother made the cake, which was just amazing.

Here she is serving a piece to Brandon’s sister to pass out to the guests. She’s retired from wedding cake-making unless you happen to be one of her grandchildren, so don’t even ask. I tried.

Dana planned hula-hoop contests for the guests, with separate ones for kids and adults (because the kids would take no prisoners in a contest like that).

Wiping away tears of joy during their first dance.

Thank you, Dana and Brandon, for inviting me to be part of your day. It was so much fun to spend time with you, your families and your beautiful children. It’s clear you have many happy years ahead of you…