Walk with me through Kelsey and Tai’s dreamy day. Their wedding was a cold day in November that ended up being coated in the most beautiful snow storm.
Venue – Northern Pacific Center in Brainard MN – https://www.northernpacificcenter.com/
I first met Mason & Selin in Florida, of all places. They were guests at a wedding I was photographing there. Read more about how we met here.
I had been so excited about this wedding. Simply because of them. We have become so close over the last year and I am so excited to see how they grow in love and what they accomplish in this world. Because I know that they will do great things together.
Their wedding day was perfect! I felt like I got to be a part of their fairy tail day!
One of those weddings that I want to relive over and over again! You could feel the joy all day long.
Mason and Selin met as little kids. Selin actually told a childhood friend the day she saw Mason that she was going to marry that boy! How amazing, to know your husband since you were both so young. To literally, grow up together.
I hope you enjoy this beautiful lake side wedding at The Quarterdeck Resort.
More to come soon on Selin’s sunrise session the next day!
Mason and Selin chose not to see each other before their ceremony. They had a moment alone, with eyes closed to talk and pray. I could hardly keep myself together standing in that room. Sweet Mason wouldn’t even touch her dress, he didn’t want it to give him any hints of what it looked like before she walked down the isle.
Imagine this…
You are all comfy at home and ready to do your evening workout routine. You do this often and sometimes you FaceTime with your boyfriend and you do the workouts together, since you live a few hours apart! What a great way to hang out together! However, this time instead of him calling you, you get a knock on your front door. A little confused, you go to answer the door in your workout gear to see your boyfriend standing there asking you to be his wife!
And that is how it all started for Maria. To top it all off, it was also her birthday!
Now that is an awesome birthday gift! A surprise visit and proposal from the guy you love!
Brandon & Maria’s wedding day was held at All Saints Catholic Church in Lakeville, MN and the reception was in the stunning and charming town of Northfield, at The Grand Event Center. They chose The Grand because of their love for music and the history that The Grand holds.
The day was perfect and full of so many laughs! My favorite part of the day was Maria’s sister’s speech. She put together the best compilation of songs and sang out Brandon and Maria’s love story! So thoughtful and so entertaining! Thank you so much Brandon and Maria for sharing this incredible day with me.
Cheers to many, many happy years!
Venue: The Grand Event Center
Florist: Judy’s Floral Design
Cake & Cupcakes: Bluebird Bakery
Hair & Makeup: Salon Onyx
Dresses & Suits: The Wedding Shoppe Inc.
DJ: Midwest Sound
How did I get to be the way that I am? Is it my generation, or this fast paced world that we live in? If we aren’t making the most noise does anyone even hear us?
I am a doer, a go getter and a mover. My brain never stops thinking and processing and moving. Until the last year I never really noticed how much I just went… without thinking. I constantly feel rushed and that if I am not moving then I must be wasting time. I have been doing so much soul searching since I turned 30. Now 32 I have never felt more of a pull to slow down. To watch more, listen more, and be still.
I don’t think my crave for adventure and new things will ever go away, that’s part of who I am. But, I can do it slower. Just like my parenting.
This last winter has felt so long here in Minnesota. I happened to be driving by my favorite Green House, Queen Beez, one afternoon and decided to swing in with Georgia and Bowdy to feel some warmth and see green living plants! Crystal, the owner is a sweetheart and let us hang out in the warm green house with her. I was in no rush to get back home to what can most days feel so full of mundane chores. So we stayed. Crystal let Georgia help her fill seed starters with dirt while Bowdy played with a truck and chased around the Green House puppy.
We spent an hour or so chatting and playing and I was happy. Happy just to watch and listen and feel the dirt on my hands. We of course left with a few new plants and happy hearts.
It has been one of my goals to parent slower. To speak with a calmer voice, to not rush them when they are just trying to understand this world they are growing in! Because they are so innocent yet. So in awe of every new thing that they see. These kids just want to soak it all up (and so do I) so why do I feel the need to rush it all?
Slow was my inspiration for these Green House sessions. To stop and learn to grow. It was such a joy to have Sophia and her beautiful girls Beatrice & Elouise join me for the morning session. We all need a good reminder to slow down and enjoy the moments before they are gone.
Location: Queen Bee’s Lawn & Garden Prior Lake
Sophia is Wearing: Stone + Willow
The sweetest little newborn session! I always love when families come out to the studio for their sessions. The lighting is my favorite. Its almost edible! Baby Grant was total perfection for hi session. He slept the entire time and loved all the cuddles. Big sister Quinn was so loving and I always enjoy giving the older sibling some time in front of the camera alone!
I hope this brings you joy today! That you feel the sweetness all over!
Mark and Courtney met while out one night with friends. They went on their first date two nights later and have been inseparable ever since. It’s so easy to love this couple!
I had met Mark a few years ago at another wedding and then later that same year at his sisters wedding. He is such an incredible guy and his family radiates that same nature as well. I am continually blown away at the people that I have met just this year. The families and the stories that I get to be a part of.
Mark and Courtney had such an awesome day! Everything was wonderful. I especially loved their ceremony. Their Pastor spoke about the way that great marriages have the ability to change the world. I fully believe this. And if any couple is going to make big changes its going to be Mark and Courtney. The kindness and love that they share with others is completely genuine. I wish you could all personally know them. I am so looking forward to seeing how they change the world with their love story!
Another amazing and surprisingly fun part of their day was when Goldy Gopher showed up during the best man’s speech! He even stayed and danced the night away with everyone. Now that’s an awesome wedding gift!
Mark and Courtney- thank you so much for sharing your love story with me.
Cheers…
Venue: Minnesota Valley Country Club
Church: St. John Neumann Catholic Church
D.J.: Instant Request
Florist: Design in Bloom
Cake: Hyvee (Eagan location/ Baker Kelley
Dress: Effie’s Bridal
Bridesmaids Dress’s: Davids Bridal
Hair & Make-up: Primped
Party Bus: Aspen Limos
Suits: Savvi Formalwear
How many people do you know can say they met their soul mate in kindergarten? I know that this was the first time I had ever heard it.
Max & Jenni have literally grown up together. I find that so rare and so special.
Their wedding day was full of tears… “Happy tears” as Jenni says.
As we got ready for their first look Max chocked up with the thought of his soon to be bride coming towards him. From there on the day was full of tears and kissing! Every time Max looked at Jenni he teared up and then he kissed her. What an amazing memory to have from your day! That your husband couldn’t stop his joyful tears at the thought of you becoming his wife and then he couldn’t stop himself from kissing your lips. It was such an incredible day to be a part of.
Max and Jenni were married at Legacy Hills Farm in Welsh, MN. I was so excited to be at this venue. It is beautiful everywhere you look.
Jenni also has amazing taste. From her dress to her florals, I was in photographers heaven! I loved her bouquet wrapped with a piece of her mothers wedding dress. Every detail was beautifully crafted. I hope you enjoy this love story as much as I did. Congratulations Max and Jenni and thank you so much for having me.
Jenni did a first look with her Dad too! Such a sweet idea!
My first meeting with Sarah and Keanu was so much fun. They originally had been planning a traditional fall wedding for this year. But after chatting with them it was clear that that’s not what they really had in mind. We started dreaming together about what an elopement would look like on the North Shore. It was so fun to be a part of dreaming out loud with them.
About a week after our meeting, Keanu called me and asked how I would feel about a sunrise wedding on the North Shore, on the 4th of July! I, being a dreamer and adventurer myslef quickly got on board with this plan!
The morning of the big day was an early one (waking up at 3am) but so worth it. The entire morning truly spoke to who Keanu and Sarah are as a couple. Full of life and spontaneity.
The sunrise gifted us with beautiful pink and blue tones on the the very still waters of the grand Lake Superior. I was so wrapped up in the sweetness of the morning and truly honored to be a part of this intimate ceremony.
The ceremony was held at The Grand Superior Lodge in Two Harbors, MN.
My favorite moment of the morning was the written vows. I love when couples right their own vows. So much love and truth comes out of them.
Thank you so much for having me Keanu and Sarah! It was an amazing wedding to be a part of.
A while back I got the privilege to meet baby Sawyer! I have been photographing this sweet family since Avery, their oldest was 3 months old! That was almost 5 years ago now!
I have always had a wonderful time with this sweet family. I was so excited to find out that they would be having another baby. And you guys, he is so crazy loved by his big sisters.
We did Sawyers session in the studio when he was about about 6 days old! The perfect age for a newborn session.
I love the light in the studio for newborn sessions. It is so fresh and bright and life giving. Happy spring!
I just have to share this session!!!! I love all newborn sessions so much, but I especially love when they are full of baby details! I am a self-proclaimed detail junky- I love homes and the things inside of them that tell the stories of the people who live there.
The walls covered in photographs of families and friends. Or art that means something. In our home, we have a small painting that was hand painted by Jason’s grandfather on our wall. It’s one of my favorite things. These are the little things that make a house a home to the people that live in it.
Hazel was born August 23rd, 2016. She is such a sweet little baby and so very loved by her mama, daddy, and big brother. Today, take time to enjoy the little things that make up your home, and this sweet session.
What can say about Jason and Amelia? They are just the best!!
After 7 years of dating this is a couple that knows who one another is, what sets them on fire. You can see it shine through them when they are together! They have the most genuine smiles towards one another. They are just the cutest.
Jason and Amelia didn’t know what exactly they wanted for their engagement session so they gave me the go ahead to do whatever I wanted! So, I did. I set out to find a dress, a florist, a canoe, and a bunch of food to style their session to perfection. I love that they were open to anything. Even when that “anything” meant getting in a canoe, on a really windy day, on a cold lake and standing up in it while I shouted directions from shore.
It was such a fun shoot and I am so excited for their June wedding. They are a beautiful couple with so much life to give to those around them.
I hope this session inspired you to do something fun, and maybe even a little out of your comfort zone.
Floral Styling by : Cassie, of Two Designs
What better way to start your marriage than to be surrounded by your closest family and friends on a beautiful gulf coast beach in Florida?!
The first time I met with Steven and Hope was for their engagement session. It was a very HOT evening in September with crazy mosquitoes that seemed to come out of no where!!! During that session is when I truly got an idea for who they were as a couple.
The first thing to understand about them is that they are crazy about one another. They make each other light up and it overflows onto everyone around them. They first met at North Central college in Minneapolis. That’s when Steven said “I couldn’t take my eyes off of her”
Steven and Hope wanted to have an intimate beach wedding on the gulf shores of Florida where Steven’s family has been spending their winters for the past few years.
It was the perfect setting for this couple. I’m not sure I have ever seen a more emotional groom before. His love and Joy for his bride could not be contained. Isn’t that the love that we all want to have? What a beautiful image.
The perfect sunset beach wedding followed by a sweet and intimate dinner at The Club at Barefoot Beach. What an incredible way to start your marriage.
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