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North Central Wisconsin Senior & Portrait Photographers James & Katie Stokes Located in Medford, Wisconsin // Rustic    

Tag Archives: Rustic

Jake & Hannah | Northern Wisconsin Spring Engagement

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June 21, 2019

/ James Stokes

North Central Wisconsin Engagement Photos Eau Claire Dells Aniwa Wisconsin Spring Northwoods Engagement Photos Wisconsin Photographer

Couples, Engagement / Central Wisconsin, Eau Claire Dells, Engagement, Northern Wisconsin, Northwoods, River, Rustic, Woods / Comment

Megan & Alex | Chippewa Retreat Resort Northern Wisconsin Wedding

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October 12, 2018

/ James Stokes

 

Wedding / Chippewa Retreat Resort, Church, Church Wedding, Classic, Elegant, Holy Family Catholic Church, Lakeside, Manitowish Waters, Northern Wisconsin, Rustic, Woodruff / Comment

Kiaya & Nick | Backyard Fall Wedding

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April 5, 2018

/ James Stokes

Wedding / Amherst, Amherst Wedding, Backyard, Barn Wedding, Bohemian, Boho Wedding, Central Wisconsin, Eclectic Wedding, Fall, Farm Wedding, Harry Potter Themed Wedding, Iola, Portage County, Rain, Rustic, Tent Reception, Tent Wedding / Comment

Kate & Michael | Camp Chi Wisconsin Dells Wedding

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September 3, 2017

/ James Stokes

Wedding / Camp Chi, Camp Wedding, Irish Wedding, Jewish Wedding, Multi-Faith Ceremony, Rustic, Southern Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells / Comment

Taylor & Tanner | Tansy Hill Farms Barn Wedding

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August 20, 2017

/ James Stokes

Wedding / Barn Wedding, Central Wisconsin, Rustic, Rustic Wisconsin Wedding, Tansy Hill Farms / Comment

Derek & Taylor | Stevens Point Outdoor Wedding

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July 30, 2017

/ James Stokes

   

Ceremony & Reception Venue: SentryWorld Golf Course | DJ: Over The Top Entertainment |  Wedding Dress Shop: White Dress Boutique | Menswear: Michael Kors | Stationery: Vine Wedding | Videographer: Films Neaveau  | Cake: Cake Corner

Wedding / Carriage, Classic, Country Club, Elegant, Golf Course Wedding, Horse, Outdoor Wedding, Outdoor Wedding Venues, Pergula, Romantic, Rustic, SentryWorld, Sparklers, Stevens Point, Wisconsin Wedding / Comment

Romanic Wedding Photos

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February 14, 2017

/ James Stokes

Romantic Wedding Photos

Valentine’s Day. Very few know the reason for the Holiday, so being the history buff I am, I looked it up only to find several conflicting stories all deeply shrouded in mystery from antiquity. Thanks to some surviving hagiographical records, we’re able to compile the various records of a man or men named Valentine and combine them into one identity and merged with a pagan fertility festival which we celebrate today in the form of pink and red hearts and roses, chocolates, and possibly engagement rings!

I like to think that there is always a bit of truth in legends. In short, we celebrate a day named after St. Valentine who allegedly married young Christian couples in secret due Emperor Claudius II outlawing marriage because he thought that married men made poor soldiers. Accounts state that Valentine broke the law and also attempted to convert the Emperor to Christianity. This ultimately culminated in his demise outside the Flaminian Gate.

In later years, the Roman Catholic church would turn the story of a priest & a bishop into a patron Saint for bookkeepers and lovers alike. In an interesting personal twist, a common ancestor of both Katie and myself, poet Geoffrey Chaucer (16th great grandfather), may have single-handedly created the romantic tradition we know today with his work “Parlement of Foules,” in which he stated that birds and human find a mate on Seynt Valentine’s Day.

For whatever reason, we like to remind those closest to us that we love, care, and are thinking of them on this special day in February. I always look forward to the vintage cards my grandmother sends my children, a tradition she started with me and has kept over the last 30 years. I am reminded of how fortunate I am to have been loved by so many throughout my life. This is a gift I have often taken for granted. Not everyone is so fortunate and blessed to love and be loved in return.

My wife, Katie, knows wholeheartedly that I am not the biggest fan of this American Holiday, but maybe that was because I never understood the story behind and the personal attachment to its origins. As a believer, we embrace the very real possibility that our faith will have negative earthly ramifications for following Jesus. We’re blessed to live in a country where we’re able to worship how we like and marry whom we love. 

Special thanks to all of our 32 Couples from 2016 for reminding us why we love what we do so much and Happy Valentine’s Day! – The Stokes

Couples, Personal, Wedding / Faith, Kiss, Midwest, Romantic, Rustic, Valentine's Day, Weddings, Wisconsin / 1 Comment

Utah Bride Western Wedding Inspiration

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December 20, 2016

/ James Stokes

Antler Bouquets Silk and Willow Antler Bouqets Utah Bride

Wedding / Anterls, Deer, Editorial, Horses, Rustic, Silk and Willow, Styled, Utah, Wedding, Western / Comment

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