One of the greatest things about choosing the Calhoun Beach Club as a wedding venue is that your entire wedding day can happen seamlessly in one location.  A wedding ceremony takes place in the Boulevard, a spacious room that boasts an elegant curved staircase, floor-to-ceiling windows, and balconies that look down from the second floor library.  From there, guests head just down the hall to the beautiful Solarium, where the reception will commence.  This historic building was started in 1928, completed in 1946, restored in 1977 and renovated in 2001, when it was turned into a luxury apartment complex and event venue.  It’s one of the best places in Minneapolis for wedding photography, as the tall windows provide ample natural light, and the interior layout and design make for remarkable backdrops.

Kaitlin and Jeff looked beautiful on their wedding day, and they were just SO excited.  We took their wedding photographs near downtown Minneapolis at Loring Park.  We got a little rain, but I know for a fact that it’s a good omen to have rain on your wedding day!  Kaitlin and Jeff didn’t even seem to notice the drizzle – they were too giddy, and didn’t seem to notice much besides one another… which is just as it should be.  🙂

Congratulations, you two.  Your happiness is contagious!  I wish you much more joy for many years to come!

Wedding planner – Sarah Trotter, Lasting Impressions
Ceremony & Reception venue – Calhoun Beach Club – Minneapolis
Hair stylist – Wendy Carlson
Makeup artist – Michelle Sachs – Minneapolis
Caterer – D’Amico – Minneapolis
Cake designer – Sweet Retreats – Minneapolis
Florist – Sadie’s Floral – Minneapolis
Dress – Rafael Cennamo
Tuxedos – Black by Vera Wang, Men’s Wearhouse
Bridesmaid Dresses – Bella Bridesmaid – Minneapolis
Limo company – Eclipse Limo
Music – Synergy, Baroque Trio, Joy Schwarz
Stationer – Paper Rock Scissor – Minneapolis
Table & linen rentals – Apres – Edina
Lighting – Instant Request – Minneapolis

Brady always knew Alicia was the love of his life, the one he had been waiting to meet, and despite their obvious differences – being respective diehard fans of rivaling football teams –  the two fell in love, and discovered they had enough things in common to make up for their conflicting sports preferences.  Wine, for example, has been a great unifier, and Alicia and Brady have enjoyed attending wine classes and events as well as building a fine wine collection of their own.   They also love cooking and dining out, and have developed quite the hobby of trying new restaurants around town.

So where do foodies and wine lovers choose to host their wedding reception?  At the Depot in Minneapolis, of course!  Alicia and Brady had a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony at the Adath Jeshurun Congregation in Minnetonka, MN before inviting guests to the Depot for a Minnesota wedding reception.  We took their wedding photographs around downtown Minneapolis, near the Stone arch Bridge and Mill Ruins Park.

Alicia and Brady’s “first look” photographs were unique.  They decided to have the entire family present in the room when Brady got his first glimpse at his beautiful bride.  It was a fantastic idea, and it made for a very touching moment, for both the couple and their families.  Tears were shed, proud parents beamed, and Alicia and Brady got to be surrounded by love from the first moments of their wedding day and throughout.

I had such a great time photographing this wedding.  Alicia and Brady, you have a wonderful family.  Thank you for letting me be part of your wedding day!

Ceremony venue – Adath Jeshurun Congregation – Minnetonka
Reception venue – The Depot – Minneapolis
Videographer – David Dotterweich
Officiant – Rabbi Harold Kravitz – Minnetonka
Hair stylist – Angela Ross, Mask Hair Designs and Day Spa – Minnetonka
Makeup artist – Mani Mela
Caterer – The Depot – Minneapolis
Cake designer – Cafe Latte – St. Paul
Decorator – Mani Mela
Florist – Mani Mela
Dress shop – Che Bella Boutique – St. Paul
Dress designer – Jim Hjlem
Tuxedos – Men’s Wearhouse
Limo company – Total Luxury Limo – Minneapolis
Band – Bruce A. Henry Dance Band
Stationer – Paper Event – St. Louis Park
Chair & table rental – Mani Mela
Jeweler – Wholesale Gold and Diamond

Murphy’s law states: “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.”  Though the term is generally used in the context of aerospace engineering, Matt would wholeheartedly agree that Murphy’s law was in full effect on the day he planned to propose to his beloved Angie.  Not only had he come home to whisk her away for a romantic dinner, only to discover that she had already eaten, but all FOUR of the restaurants he had in mind ended up being closed.  On a Saturday night, in downtown Minneapolis for heaven’s sake!  But still, he persevered….  After a (small) snack at another (less romantic) venue, Matt brought Angie to one of the most beautiful downtown locations he could think of – the immaculately maintained grounds of the Minnesota Orchestra Hall – only to find out the entire area was under construction!  At this point, sensing Matt’s disappointment, Angie suspected what was going on.   “I tried to make up for it a bit,” she says.  “The proposal was still the most beautiful moment, because we made it that way. (But the poor guy!)”

Well, it all worked out in the end, and Angie and Matt were married by a judge in Minnesota in preparation for an overseas wedding ceremony on a beautiful cruise ship headed to the Southern Caribbean last October.  They planned a large wedding reception for the rest of their friends and family at Matt’s father’s farm and apple orchard in Wyoming, Minnesota later in the spring.  I am so excited to show you these wedding reception photographs, because they couldn’t have turned out better!  The Sunrise River Apple Farm was in full bloom, with gorgeous white blossoms on the trees, and bright green clovers in the fields.  The greenhouse on the farm was spectacular!  The interior had been decorated by a family friend, and featured colorful linens, an enormous candy table, a dinner buffet and plenty of room for dancing.  Have you ever been to a wedding inside of a greenhouse?

Angie said her favorite part of the night, aside from the moment Matt teared up upon seeing her in her wedding dress, was going out to the pasture with him to feed the family’s donkeys.  “It was hard work walking in the mud with heels, but it was such a blast getting our photos taken with the donkeys.”  Well, I’m sure glad you humored me for those shots, Angie, because they turned out to be some of the absolute best wedding pictures from the day!  See for yourself below!  (You have to admit, those donkeys are pretty cute little buggers…..)

Congratulations, Matt and Angie!  I wish you the best!

Reception venue – Sunrise River Apple Farm – Wyoming, MN
Hair & Makeup – Cara & Tracey, Salon Ultimo – Woodbury, MN
Caterer – Old Log Cabin – Forest Lake
Cake designer – How Sweet it is Cakes – Duluth MN
DJ – Mike & Nate, Adagio Djay Entertainment 
Dress shop – The Wedding Shoppe
Dress design – Mori Lee by Madeline Gardner
Suits – Men’s Wearhouse
Tables & chairs – Ruddy’s Rental – Forest Lake

Summer went long this year.  And that’s fine by me… Jen and Sara had the most beautiful weather imaginable for their outdoor wedding ceremony at Schaar’s Bluff Gathering Center in Hastings, MN.  This was the first wedding I’ve photographed at this gorgeous outdoor venue, and I can’t even begin to tell you how beautiful the natural surroundings were, or how impressive the expansive view across the Mississippi River bluff was… I’ll have to let the pictures speak for themselves.  It’s hard to say what made the day more magical, the beautiful surroundings, the sweet, intimate gathering of family and friends, or Jen and Sara’s genuine love for one another and sheer excitement for their wedding day.

Here’s Jen’s story about her proposal to Sara…

“We had just returned from a  trip to Costa Rica with Sara’s entire family. The evening before I proposed, we were at a friend’s house and I was watching Sara play hide and seek with their little girl Courtney. I just remember thinking to myself, “This is it. I’m ready. This is going to be a great life together.” The next morning I asked Sara pretty bluntly over coffee before we’d even brushed our teeth. I wasn’t sure if she was going to slap me for taking 5 years or if she was just super excited that the moment arrived. I think she’d known for a while and was just waiting for me to get there. I’m so glad I did.”

Jen and Sara got married the same week the state of Minnesota legalized same-sex marriage. The couple felt blessed to have their siblings and closest friends write a touching and personal story of their lives before and after meeting, and read it at the ceremony. 

“We were also both fortunate enough to have both sets of parents support us and walk us down the aisle,” says Jen.

This wedding was one honestly of my favorites. It was just SO beautiful. I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Ceremony & Reception Venue – Schaar’s Bluff Gathering Center – Hastings, MN
Caterer – Rhino’s Black Diamond Catering – Hastings, MN
Pies – Emily’s Bakery – Hastings, MN
Florist – Sweet Top Farm – Hudson, WI
Limo – Smart Ride – Hastings, MN