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.
When I arrived at the Garden of the Gods park in Colorado Springs that morning it took my breath away!
I walked all around the park searching for the best places for photos and being in complete awe of my surroundings. I was totally overwhelmed by the beauty all around me! How on earth did I get the honor of being in this place and then get an even higher honor to be with this incredible couple?!
All I had to do was tell them to stand near each other and the chemistry and magic happened all on its own.
The photos speak for themselves and they made my job super easy that day! I can’t wait to celebrate more with them in September.
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
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
I am still in awe that I had the incredible opportunity to document a wedding in Breckenridge, Colorado! It was everything I thought it would be. I was able to bring my mom along on the trip which was so much fun- she does so much for us! I have been waiting for an opportunity to show her how much we appreciate her.
Surrounded by huge mountains in Colorado is the beautiful town of Breckenridge. We made the most of our time there by filling it with jaw dropping hikes, amazing meals, laughter with friends and so many steps, plus 2 yoga sessions.
Amanda started off her wedding morning with a yoga class in the same park she would be married in that afternoon. Amanda is a yoga instructor herself so this was the perfect way for her to get centered that morning.
Ryan and Amanda met a few years ago through mutual friends. They share a love for the outdoors and their dogs. I have loved following them on Instagram and watching all of their adventures. From dirt biking to snowboarding, they are always on the go!
After the beautiful and calming yoga session with friends and family, Amanda had lunch and got ready for the day. Amanda and Ryan chose to not see each other until the ceremony. It made for a beautiful entrance and a sweet moment. I love that they had their dogs Callie and Newman in attendance too. During their vows to one another, both dogs chimed in as well. They just had to be with them! You can’t part this sweet family!
We did a first for me in all my ten years of photographing weddings… never have I hiked to the top of a hill to overlook mountains. Losing my breath all the way up was so worth the view. I would do it again any day. It was an incredible day that I will always remember. Beautiful couple with beautiful views to back it up!
Venue: Carter Park, Breckenridge Colorado
Dress: Made with Love Bridal
Flowers: City Market
When Leigh reached out to me and asked if I would photograph their wedding I was mostly in shock. You see… Leigh was one of our youth students and how in the world is it possible that she could be getting married??? She was in my mind still only 15 years old.
Time has a funny way of moving faster the older I get.
She is no longer 15 and in high school. She is in fact an amazing young woman. Who went off to college in Sioux Falls South Dakota and met an amazing young man named Luke who loves her like crazy.
The day was filled with so much joy! I don’t have many other words to describe it other then joy. As I go through the images that’s all I see. Big smiling faces.
Luke and Leigh had their wedding at the Leif Ericson YMCA Camp in Sioux Falls. Luke had worked there in the past and it was the perfect setting for their day! They were surrounded by the sweetest of friends who have walked with them through their story. Both together and separately. It was a beautiful day! It spoke so clearly to who they are as a couple.
My favorite part of the day was the vows. Luke and Leigh chose to write their own vows. I love when couples do this. Leigh had the entire church laughing and crying with hers. She promised to not only love Luke, honor and serve him but to also watch Star Wars with him until she could have intelligent conversations with him about it. That’s love for sure!
Thank you Luke and Leigh for having me. And so much congratulations on your wedding!
Reception Site: Leif Erickson YMCA Camp
Hair and Makeup: Beauty Lounge LLC
Dress: Lace Bridal (Etsy)
Caterer: Rollin’ Pin Cafe’ & Grill
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.
Alex and Kelly were married on June 17th, 2017 in Taylors Falls, Minnesota at the beautiful Maple Ridge Farm.
I have been looking forward to this barn wedding for months. The moment I saw that big swing in the barn online my heart skipped a beat! It was everything I thought it would be.
Alex and Kelly have known each other for years! Their relaxed relationship with one another is going to make for a wonderful marriage. They are that kind of “friend” to one another that you always imagine yourself growing old with. They share a mutual love for things that go vroom; Motorcycles, fast cars, jeeps, and all cool engines. You know when your bride pulls up in a bright yellow mustang looking like Hollywood that it’s going to be a great day.
Kelly had driven her mustang to one of our meetings before the wedding day and, as she was leaving, our daughter Paisley yelled out, “Wow, that car is awesome!!!” That comment made both of our days!
The day started with Kelly and her girls all getting ready at the hotel. The guys had spent the night at the barn house and were getting ready there! Alex and Kelly had chosen not to do a first look but to see each other for the first time that day when Kelly got down the isle. My favorite moment of the day was when Alex read a letter that Kelly had written to him. His face says it all in the images!
It was such a beautiful day full of joy and happy tears. Alex and Kelly danced the night away with friends and family. They will soon be on their way to Alaska on their honeymoon to travel the state and fish. It sounds delightful.
Thank you so much Alex and Kelly for having me, it was an honor.
Caterer: Devine Swine
Florist: 101 Market
Stylist: Flawless Images
DJ: Party Patrol
Bar: Log Cabin Catering
Boots: Ariat
Venue: Maple Ridge Farm
Ryan and Liz met in Florida of all places, on a work trip. They quickly hit it off and Ryan stepped out and asked for Liz’s number with the help of a friend. I think its such a cool start to their story having both been from Minnesota and then meeting in Florida for a conference! The perfect timing for sure!
The day of the wedding Liz walked into the church glowing. She was one of the calmest and happiest brides! Her joy radiated onto everyone else that day. We started the day at the church and then headed to Spring Lake Park Reserve in Hastings MN. A beautiful park over looking the river. The day was HOT… 98 degrees to be exact, but that didn’t keep us indoors. The heat plus the wind would have scared most people off from doing outdoor photos. But, not Ryan and Liz. We found the perfect little trail for their first look and the rest of the day flowed really well.
Their reception was held at the gorgeous JX Event Venue in Downtown Stillwater. It was the perfect setting! The vibe of this wedding was so full of life. I wanted to stay and dance the night away too. Ryan and Liz make everyone feel so welcome and so do their families. The day was absolutely perfect! Ryan and Liz are a couple that you want to know. It has been a joy getting to know them over the last year.
Flowers: Tommy Carver
Dessert’s: Bread and Chocolate
Bridal Gown: Amelishan
Bridesmaid Dresses: The Wedding Shoppe
Suits: Mens Wearhouse
Brides Boots: Ariats
DJ: Manny with Instant Request
In the weeks prior to the big day I sat down with Jason, Amelia, and her maid of honor Gwen to go over all the wedding day details. To map out the schedule for the day. When they would get ready, the first look time, right down to when the cake should be cut. The meeting was so much fun. I love this couple and all they bring when they are together. We were chatting about the things they still needed to get done before the day. At this point, the wedding was about two weeks out. I asked Amelia about the dress and she just started laughing.
She said so coolly, ” I haven’t made it yet. But, I know what I want it to look like!”
My heart started racing for her. For most brides-to-be, this would have been a major problem. But not for Amelia.
Their wedding was pretty much all DIY. All hand-made things, mostly by Jason and Amelia themselves. The flowers were purchased at Trader Joe’s on Tuesday. (I would have never guessed- they looked amazing). The cake was made by Amelia and frosted on site. All the cutlery was bamboo and compostable. It was amazing. This is such a testament to what they will do in their marriage.
The dress and head piece were also made by Amelia. She had recently learned to sew. I think it was incredible. It fit her and their day so well.
The wedding was all held at Whitetail Woods Regional park in Farmington. This state park has the most incredible brand new cabins that the wedding party all got ready in and stayed in that night. They are tucked back in a beautiful forest of large tress. It was magic for photographing in. The day was perfect weather for the 1st of June.
My favorite moment of the entire day was the foot washing at the ceremony. A true picture of serving your spouse over yourself.
Congratulations Jason and Amelia! Thank you so much for inviting me in on your wedding day!
Ben and Nikki got married last month in Cabo, Mexico. When I asked Nikki how it was she said “Perfect”
I love that answer, isn’t that how every wedding day should be.
Since Ben and Nikki did a destination wedding not everyone was able to attend. So when they got back to Minnesota they planned a big party to celebrate with all their family and friends.
I dont know about you but I think being able to wear your wedding dress more then once sounds pretty awesome.
They held their reception at the beautiful Elm Creek Park Reserve Chalet and the weather was magnificent! You couldn’t have asked for a better Minnesota day.
Congratulations Ben and Nikki!
Venue: Elm Creek Park Chalet
Caterer: Classic Catering
Dj: Scott Tuff
The Photo Booth Group
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