We love this photo of Steph getting ready for her big day – proof that she was all smiles from beginning until end!

Tanner was Steph’s first friend when she moved to Minneapolis. After six months their friendship turned into a relationship so wonderful that they never wanted it to end. So Tanner proposed to Steph by surprising her in front of the stunning Minnehaha Falls after a walk with their good friends and their dog, Oakley. Now, they are happily married, and hosted their wedding in the city that initially brought them together and that they fell in love in. And wow, what a wedding it was. Steph and Tanner’s big day was the epitome of a classic and glamorous cosmopolitan wedding.

The ceremony was held at the Basilica of Saint Mary. The gorgeous church was not only the perfect venue to hold their faith-centered ceremony, but also served as a stunning backdrop for pictures (check out how the bridesmaids’ sequence dresses pop in front of the gold doors!). The wedding crew then headed downtown to the IDS building for their reception. But the reception wasn’t just in the IDS building; it was at the top floor of the tower. My ears popped as I went up the elevator. The views of the city were unbelievable. I can only imagine how special it must have been for Steph and Tanner to be able to gaze out over the city and be able to see so many of the places where they have made memories together, each one leading them to this day, where they committed to spend the rest of their lives together. That is part of what was so extraordinary about Steph and Tanner’s wedding day. The glamorous gold and silver details were absolutely beautiful (and made for great photos) but the beauty of their day went so much deeper.

It was truly a celebration, not just by the couple, but also by everyone present, especially their two families—who clearly love them and their relationship so much. Steph and Tanner had previously told me how close they each were to their big families, and it was made so obvious on this day. But out of all the gorgeous decorations, distinctive details, and special moments, what I believe made Steph and Tanner’s wedding especially unique, occurred right after the ceremony came to a close. Each guest received a small bell labeled, “Join us in ringing the bell to celebrate a lifetime of love & happiness,” and rang it as the Steph and Tanner joyfully exited the Basilica. Their joy was contagious, and it rang through each and every bell.

Vendor List:
Ceremony venue – Basilica of St Mary’s – Minneapolis, MN
Reception venue – IDS Building – Minneapolis, MN
Officiant – Father John Bauer
Videographer – MOVE Weddings (Glenn Bruno)
Makeup artist – Sugar Bomb Make Up (Sarah Halberg)
Caterer – Basil’s (through the Marquette Hotel) – Minneapolis, MN
Cake designer – Buttercream Cake – Saint Paul, MN
Florist – Sadie’s Couture Floral (Melissa Straton) – Minneapolis, MN
Dress shop – Schaffer’s – Des Moines, IA
Dress designer – Paloma Blanca
Tuxedos – Men’s Wearhouse
Party bus company – Half Price Party Bus
DJ – Aaron Fruen
Chair/table rental – Linen Effects – Minneapolis, MN
Jeweler – Shane Co.

The lighting was just perfect during this sweet moment between Katie and Ben.

As it is with all beautiful love stories, Katie and Ben’s ended, or should we say began, with a happily ever after. But unlike most love stories this one featured two leading ladies: Katie and her daughter Grace.

Three years ago Katie and Grace were going through life pretty happily. They were content and cozy in their Minneapolis home with their dog Shelby, but something was missing for both of them. They were operating as a puzzle waiting for its missing piece and life felt incomplete. After many years of dating Mr. “Not Quite Rights” Katie was getting burnt out in her quest to find the perfect man to complete their little family. It was no surprise to Katie’s friends, that when she first stumbled upon Ben’s profile on an online dating app, she wasn’t entirely convinced that he could be the one to fill the void she had been feeling in her life. Ben and Katie messaged back and forth but when it came time to meet in person Katie got cold feet AND her babysitter had to cancel on her! But something inside Katie told her Ben was worth another shot. So after the unceremonious cancelation of what would have been their first date, Katie messaged Ben one more time to see if he still wanted to meet up, and of course, he did!

The first night they met in person, Katie knew there was something different, special even, about Ben. Although he had already passed the test with her, he still needed to pass the test with the other leading lady in this story: Grace. When Ben finally met Grace, there was an instant connection between the vivacious 5 year old and Ben; who himself was equally effervescent through his years directing and acting in Minneapolis Theater productions. “The first thing she did when she met Ben was give him a great big hug!” Katie recalls with amusement.

It seemed at last that the twosome was now a threesome and that feeling of incompleteness started to vanish as Ben slowly made his way into the hearts of Katie and Grace. As time passed, and more animals began to fill the house (two cats and another dog to keep Shelby company), Katie quickly came to admire how well Ben stepped up into the role of boyfriend and parental figure for Grace. The difficulties Katie faced in raising Grace as a single mother started to diminish as Ben began to fit into their family puzzle. Ben not only courted Katie, but courted Grace as well, taking her on fun adventures around the city. Katie and Grace both were certain that Ben was the one!

However, it took Ben a while to propose to Katie. As much as he was confident and poised up on the theatrical stage, he was a little timid in finding the perfect way to propose to Katie. Katie remembers the feeling of months going by without the proposal and getting a little anxious and impatient to start their lives together. But just when Katie was about to give up hope, Ben said four simple words in an intimate and special moment as they watched snow trickle down their drive way… “Will you marry me?!” The rest, as they say, is history!

Katie and Ben were married at Wesley United Methodist Church and had their reception at the Historic Minneapolis Club. Their wedding was a nod to classic elegance. Katie’s beautiful dress captured the essence and style of old Hollywood glamour and their reception venue and details carried out a traditional classic feel from the gold silk table cloths, to the ornate mahogany chair backs, and the breathtaking pink and white floral arrangements. I have had the honor to work with many wonderful couples, and Katie and Ben were no exception! Their wedding was indeed a celebration! And just as this story shared two leading ladies, Ben shared his first dance with both Katie and with Grace, finally completing their little family puzzle perfectly.

Vendor List:
Ceremony venue – Wesley United Methodist Church – Minneapolis, MN
Reception venue – Minneapolis Club – Minneapolis, MN
Hair sylist – Mani Mela – Minneapolis, MN
Makeup artist – Mani Mela – Minneapolis, MN
Decorations – Cici Events – St. Paul, MN
Florist – Your Enchanted Florist – St. Paul, MN

G and J enjoy their first dance as a married couple.

Photographing G and J’s wedding was like becoming a part of their family. It was intimate: a small guest list and hosted at the historic Stillwater home, Arcola Mills. The classic setting was transformed into a cozy, personal, and romantic event by the entire family’s involvement. Everything was homemade! From the beautifully handwritten chalkboard signs to the epic candy and dessert bar, they created a gorgeous and delicious day. I made it my personal goal to capture the simplicity and sincerity of the wedding in their photos, while allowing the Bride and Groom to enjoy the presence of each other and their family, which was clearly most important to them.

Their pictures turned out amazing. It was the greenest day I can remember. The lush foliage of the surrounding woods provided a gorgeous backdrop for the classic black, grey, and white attire of the bridal party. My favorite picture in the woods, however, is during the couple’s first look, where Jeremy is wiping his tears after being able to see his gorgeous wife-to-be. In that moment especially, it was so obvious how totally in love the two were. There is nothing more satisfying than capturing raw and beautiful emotion like that, and Gemuel and Jeremy gave me so many opportunities to do so.

I also snapped some stunning pictures of the bride and groom on the banks of the St. Croix River. They were clearly just enjoying the few minutes of alone time together, amidst the tall green grass, which allowed me to capture them in a very natural way. I can’t imagine they would’ve acted any different had they been alone. That’s how G and J do it, though. They created their dream wedding in a way that allowed them spend time with one another and the people they love, not overwhelmed by small details or elaborate events. I felt lucky to be invited in to celebrate and capture all the special and unique parts of them and their wedding day. Congratulations you two! You’ll go down in history as the greenest wedding I’ve ever photographed.

Ceremony and Reception Venue – Arcola Mills Historic Foundation – Stillwater, MN
Hair and Makeup – SM Makeup Inc
Cake Designer – Whole Foods Market – Maple Grove, MN
Dress Shop – AniA Collection – Portland, OR
Tuxedos – Men’s Wearhouse
Chair, Table, and Tent Rental – PartyOnStillwater – Stillwater, MN
Jeweler and Dress Alterations – Amazing Alterations – Anoka, MN

Karna and Nick were so wonderful to photograph. They were totally into each other, they trusted me to do what I do, and let me do it. The couple allowed me to oversee their day and schedule adequate time for pictures. Because they put their complete trust in me they were able to spend their wedding day at ease, and fully enjoy their picture taking experience. Which resulted in good times and gorgeous photos taken all around the city of Minneapolis.

The steps of the Guthrie Theater were the backdrop for Karna and Nick’s touching first look. A moment that both the bride and groom agreed was their favorite. I easily could have told you that without even asking. The excitement and satisfaction that Nick expressed when he was finally able to see his bride-to-be was undeniable, I think he forgot I was even there. The couple had amazing chemistry, on and off camera. It was clear that they were not focused on getting incredible photos—even though they did— they were completely engaged in the moment, and with each other.

Their incredible connection never faded throughout the day, and was highlighted at their simple ceremony in 514 Studios. Karna says she doesn’t remember a single word that was said or vow that she spoke, she just remembers staring into Nick’s eyes and realizing that this moment was what they were here for. It was special. Both the bride and the groom looked completely content to be where they were. They understood that that moment was the moment that mattered the most.

Nick and Karna didn’t let any moment slip away from them. We took bridal party photos at the Mill City Ruins, and then they rushed back to celebrate appropriately: with dancing, drinks, and a catered Chipotle line. If that isn’t a recipe for wedding success, I don’t know what is. And when the crazy day had come to a close, the couple and I headed out to the Stone Arch Bridge to photograph one final moment: the newlyweds in front of a stunning Minneapolis skyline at night. Together, we successfully captured every stage of their wedding day. Congratulations Karna and Nick! You two are amazing. It was an honor to be a part of your wedding day, there is not a doubt in my mind that your amazing connection will continue to grow for the rest of your lives.

Oh, and they even coined their own pose! We nicknamed it the “nuzzle,” you’ll know it when you see it.

Ceremony and Reception Venue – 514 Studios – Minneapolis, MN
Hair Stylist – The Refinery – Minneapolis, MN
Makeup Artist – Makeup by Mindie – Stillwater, MN
Caterer – Chipotle
Desserts – Kowalski’s 
Florist – Sam’s Club
Day of Coordinator – Chelsey Webber – Minnetonka, MN
Dress Designer – Mori Lee
Alterations – Amazing Alterations – Anoka, MN
Limo/Party Bus Company – Buttered Toast Productions – Willernie, MN
DJ – Midwest Sound – St. Paul, MN
Table Rental – Midway Party Rental – Minneapolis, MN
Jeweler – JewelrySquare
Jeweler –Rosados Box – Chicago, IL 

Ashley and Arun’s love is something special.

There is something special about a simple wedding. I’m not sure whether it’s the lack of material distractions, the personal nature of the ceremony, or vulnerability of allowing your relationship to truly be the centerpiece of the celebration. Maybe it’s all of the above. What I do know is that Ashley and Arun felt no pull toward extravagance in order to proclaim their love. That is what I love about them, they don’t stress the little stuff, they remain focused on what really matters: each other.

A short wedding in the Hennepin County Justice Center and a small reception at their apartment in Uptown, Minnesota, provided lots of opportunity for the bride and groom to pay attention to each other and the people that love them the most. Ashley and Arun’s wedding day will forever be memorable because they took the time to make memories, and they let me capture them, in classic Minneapolis settings. The bride and groom wanted great pictures of the day, and they got them- against the Minneapolis skyline from the Stone Arch Bridge and on the gorgeous green bank of Lake Calhoun. I had so much fun photographing them in these locations with my Zeiss lens, which allowed both the couple and the beautiful scenery to be highlighted.

However, these gorgeous backgrounds didn’t stand a chance against Ashley and Arun’s love for each other, which always stole the spotlight. As Ashley recalls her favorite moment of the entire day, it becomes even more clear how genuine their love for each other is. It was right as she reached the floor of the courtroom that they were soon to be married in. She was waiting in the elevator lobby while Arun was instructed to walk towards a window at the end of the hall, understanding that he would soon see his future wife in her wedding dress for the first time. He still couldn’t see her, but she could see him, and the huge glowing grin on his face. I don’t believe that grin will be fading anytime soon, Ashley. Your wedding was authentic, beautiful, and overflowing with love- I felt lucky to be able to capture it.

Ceremony Venue – Hennepin County Family Justice Center – Minneapolis, MN
Hair and Makeup – Blowdry! Blowdry Bar – Minneapolis, MN
Caterer – Darbar Indian Restaurant – Minneapolis, MN
Dress – French Connection – Hollis, NY