A WHIMSICAL CANNON RIVER WINERY WEDDING

It didn’t start as one, but we hit the ceremony and y’all there wasn’t a dry eye in the seats.  It all started with Ryan being a normal nervous groom before the ceremony, that is until he embraced his momma. He went in for a double or triple hug and the emotions started to flow and I knew the ceremony was going to be full of LIFE. There were heartfelt tears from both Ryan and Taylor during the ceremony that was inspiring and beautiful. The pastor commented that their emotion was such a gift of beauty for everyone in attendance and it totally was.

A wedding at Cannon River Winery is truly as elegant as is looks, and the sheer flowing curtains on the Vineyard barn made it even more stunning. I love the feel of this venue because the winery has all of the guests park at the winery in town and then has them take a bus to the top of the hill where the ceremony is held. It feels like a secret adventure! As a photographer, I love this venue because the open air of the ceremony site and the off the reception this amazing old white building right next to it that serve as a perfect backdrop.

Another favorite of this wedding was the love and support for law enforcement. Both Ryan and his father are police officers (dad handcuffed the couple after their first kiss as Mr. and Mrs.!). It was a great moment!

The sun peaked out at the perfect time after the wedding shining light on this absolutely beautiful day. I couldn’t be happier for you Ryan and Taylor! Thank you for including me on your day!

Enjoy!

Bridal Accessories: The Wedding Shoppe
Hair/Makeup: Indigo Salon
Wedding Coordinator: Pure Event and Design – Mary Carlson
Florist: Bel Fiore
Cake/Dessert: Miss Sara’s Bakery
Caterer: Premiere Catering and Event Planning
Invitations: A Milestone Paper Co.

BAYFIELD PAVILION CORAL AND NAVY WEDDING

Y’all, weddings by the water just have a special place in my heart. Stephanie and Brian feel the same way about being on the water and this became the inspiration and vision for their wedding day. From the rehearsal the night before on the Madeline Island Ferry to their reception at the Bayfield Pavilion decorated with ship lap, twinkle lights and splashes of navy and Brian’s family’s boats docked there.

The town of Bayfield and its waterfront carries the setting of just a place to relax and reset. My sweet bride Steph was the same! She was so calm and just excited to marry her man! I was a nervous wreck before our wedding almost 9 years ago and this girl didn’t see her man till the altar AND she and her girls were playing a fun game of Apples to Apples while getting ready! What a woman y’all!

Like I mentioned there was no first look for this pair, Brian first saw Stephanie as she walked down the aisle which made those images all the more powerful and meaningful. He mentioned that after his first couple of glances he had to focus on keeping it together, which was so incredibly sweet. Another sweet moment of the day was Stephanie’s mom sharing with me that Brian makes her so happy, like no one else has ever done.

My favorite portraits of these two are definitely near the docks. Shocking right? Hang in there and scroll to see these two enjoying walking the docks before enjoying their reception! So excited we made time for this specific set of portraits!

And to have double rainbows on your wedding day? It doesn’t get better than that. Rainbows hold a special place in the Bride’s family as well. It was quite a moment. The rainbow touch Mackinac Island all the way across to the Bayfield side. I also had to start this blog post with some of my favorite parts of the town. Seriously, the blues have my heart!

Enjoy!

    Ceremony/Reception: Bayfield Lakeside Pavillion
Wedding Dress: Brides of France
Hair/Makeup: Courtney from E’Clips
Bridesmaid Dresses: Eden Bridesmaids from Bella Rose Bridal Shop in Duluth
Wedding Coordinator: Northland Special Events
Florists: Northland Special Events
Cake: Dorothy Budiash
DJ: Sounds Unlimited
Caterer: Candlelight Catering
Invitations: Stephanie Reiter

FRESH & LIGHT JAMES JILL HILL LIBRARY WEDDING

Ever since I have started photographing weddings I have wanted to shoot a wedding at James J Hill Library. The building exterior and interior is so elegant and classic! Definitely one of my favorite spots to take photos in Downtown St. Paul. When figuring out Anna and Pete had chosen this spot, I might have jumped up and down……alot!!

These two are such an amazing pair, they compliment each other so incredibly well! Anna and her sweet bubbly self and Pete who is her calm and steady man. Now while Pete is a man of few words, the way he loves Anna is so apparent and amazing. His kindness in even the way he holds her hand is so inspiring! Men take note.

One of my favorite things about Anna is her amazing style! So classic and stunning. These bridesmaid dresses she picked out, my favorite of the year! I had never seen this amazing color & texture!!! So incredibly flattering and so classic! I also LOVE that we also share a crazy love for light. I think we rocked out the natural light and very airy look Anna, we had the most perfect summer day!

Anna and Pete your wedding day was remarkable! The weather was perfect, you two were smiling from ear to ear from day up till down. Wishing you so much love! Enjoy!

LUSH GREEN VAN DUSEN MANSION WEDDING

I’ve said it over and over again, but what a joy it is to work with my treasured clients over and over again. This is especially true when couples are so in love and just exude joy throughout the day. You can take a peek at Hailey and Chris’s engagement sessions here and here. We did one studio/downtown session and one summer session right before their big day and you’ll remember their familiar smiles and beauty!! My camera just loves these two and they have the biggest heats!!

Their wedding took place at the Van Dusen Mansion which was a stunning backdrop for their wedding. Hailey’s vision for the day was “Tuscan inspired with a little glam balancing  the historic venue with the outdoor greenery in July”. Um she nailed it right? It was my first time shooting here and I loved the variety! At Van Dusen, each part of the wedding is in a different building on the property making it fun for guests to experience and spread out through the day. It was so cool to see the history and glam of this location!

My favorite part of the day was the warming of the rings, where they passed their rings throughout their guests to infuse some extra love and prayers before they hit their hands. The rings only got about 2/3 of the way through the guests before they were needed for the ring ceremony but still awesome!

Such amazing memories during the day! H+C you were just the best to work with, I can’t wait to see you again soon!

Enjoy!

Reception: The VanDusen Mansion
Dress: Allure at Posh MN
Shoes: Badgley Mishka
Hair/Makeup: War Paint International
Bridesmaid Dresses: Wtoo 904
Florist: Bellagala Floral
Cake: Buttercream
DJ: Bellagala
Caterer: Mintaho
Invitations: Minted

Is it crazy that I honestly think I wouldn’t need ANY words in this blog post, and let the images tell you the story of Katie and Tyler’s love and remarkable wedding day! Seriously these two, their fierce love and just giving spirits blow my mind. These two exude joy in every way, I promise your heart will swell looking through each of these.

Their amazing blush and navy details included, the handwritten signs, the ridiculous Badgley Miskcha shoes, the floral by Apple Blossom Flowers  and their ceremony and wedding at StoneRidge Golf Course was so stunning. (seriously impressed with how we got to be ANY where on the golf course during play, as long as we were escorted! Amazing)The sunset! Y’all the sunkissed images with some rainbow flare was amazing!

Yet, to be honest they didn’t need one detail. Just them. SUCH a gift, to photograph these two & their love. This girl has held such a special place in my heart for almost 10+ years now. She has always lit the room anywhere she walked with those dang dimples. It was so amazing to see their friends and family pouring it back on them all day.

I’m so grateful that I have a job that combines my deep passion of people & photography.  A career where not only I can provide for our family, but can provide opportunities to be filled with HOPE and HEALING by capturing and witnessing beauty even in the midst of hardship. Y’all I was carried all day by HIS LOVE shining through these two! Thank you Katie & Tyler. The day couldn’t have been more perfect!