We are obsessed with every aspect of this wedding. Taara and Glenn sported super classic looks, Glenn in a black suit and Taara wearing a ball gown style dress with a gorgeous lace neckline. Many of their wedding details referenced “A CardNole Love,” a nod to their college football teams, Taara’s Stanford Cardinals and Glenn’s Florida State Seminoles. They even wore shoes repping their respective teams to their reception!

Taara got ready at Hotel Ivy, with her makeup done by the fabulous Mia from WarPaint International. This luxury hotel is the perfect site for bridal portraits and wedding party photos, with plenty of shimmering backdrops and an impeccably lit skyway.

Forgoing a first look, Taara and Glenn were both ecstatic when Taara came down the aisle, having a quick ceremony before darting outside to spend some time alone after their ceremony. Their venue, the McNamara Alumni Center, sits on a manicured lawn that makes you forget you’re in the middle of Stadium Village, even with a Minnesota United game happening just across the street. The venue also features high, geometric windows, which let ample sunlight in throughout the evening, which shone off of their gold-accented ceremony and reception.

The McNamara Alumni Center is even cooler when you look up, with their geometric windows and rows of office. Check out that shot of Taara and Glenn high above their wedding guests towards the end of the post!

Taara and Glenn’s wedding was beautiful in so many ways. It was emotional, all of the details worked together perfectly, and Taara and Glenn are just so much fun. Thank you to this incredible couple for an incredible day!

Wedding planner — Tara Meyers, Ask for the Moon Events — Twin Cities, MN
Ceremony venue — McNamara Alumni Center — Minneapolis, MN
Reception venue —McNamara Alumni Center — Minneapolis, MN
Officiant — Imam Omar Shakir, Masjid Bilal Ibn-Rabah — San Antonio, TX
Hair stylist — David Calhoun III, David Calhoun Hair — Los Angeles, CA
Makeup artist — Mia Pietruszewski, War Paint International — Minneapolis, MN
Caterer — D’Amico Catering — Minneapolis, MN
Cake designer — Farina Baking Company — Excelsior, MN
Florist — Kimberly Harrison, Artemisia Studios — Minneapolis, MN
Dress shop — Brides of France — Edina, MN
Tuxedos — David’s Bridal
Carriage company — The Hitching Company — Minneapolis, MN
DJ — Erick “DJ Big E” Goodlow
Stationer — Minted.com
Chair cover & votive rentals — Linen Effects — Minneapolis, MN

Before we get into Rishi and Lorena’s second day of festivities, we want to thank Mani Mela! Hana Chughtai, the powerhouse behind Mani Mela, was not only responsible for Lorena’s gorgeous hair both days of their wedding celebrations, but for planning their entire wedding, in addition to taking care of florals and decorating. It’s no exaggeration when we say that this celebration could not have happened without her hard work.

Now, onto the other good stuff!

Rishi and Lorena’s second day of wedding celebrations took place at A’bulae, which features a mirror-lined bridal suite, a rooftop ceremony space, and a bright, open reception room. A’bulae is in the heart of St. Paul, one of our favorite places to shoot! One of the best parts about shooting in downtown is that you have direct access to so many beautiful parks, and you’re able to capture dramatic wedding day moments amidst people going about their everyday lives.

These two didn’t let the immense heat of their wedding day get to them, happy to stroll around the city following their sunny ceremony.  Lorena’s veil was one that wedding photographers dream of, so of course we had to squeeze in as many veil tosses as possible! Even after several long days, Rishi and Lorena showed no sign of slowing down during their reception, smiling and laughing through their speeches and dances that evening.

Rishi and Lorena, we are so grateful to have been a part of your wedding weekend!

Vendor List
Wedding planner – Hana April Chughtai, Mani Mela – Minneapolis, MN
Ceremony venue – A’BULAE – St. Paul, MN
Reception venue – A’BULAE – St. Paul, MN
Videographer – AnA Video – Houston, TX
Officiant – Mark Scannell – Twin Cities, MN
Hair stylist – Hana April Chughtai, Mani Mela – Minneapolis, MN
Makeup artist – Melissa, Mani Mela – Minneapolis, MN
Henna Artist – Victoria Welch, Blurberrybuzz Body Art – Rosemount, MN
Robes – BMINX – St. Louis Park
Caterer – Mintahoe – Minneapolis, MN
Cake – Marion’s Legacy – Menomonie, WI
Desserts – Farina Baking Company – Excelsior, MN
China – Apres Event Decor & Tent Rental – St. Paul, MN
Decorator – Mani Mela – Minneapolis, MN
Florist – Mani Mela – Minneapolis, MN
Dress designer – Crystal Design – Mumbai, India
Tuxedos – Festari – Mumbai, India
Limo/party bus company – Eclipse Transportation – Minneapolis, MN
DJ/Band/musicians – DJ Trevor Samaroo, and Instant Request – Minneapolis, MN
Lighting Design – Instant Request  – Minneapolis, MN
Stationer – A Milestone Paper Co – Burnsville, MN
Chair/table/tent rentals – Mani Mela – Minneapolis, MN
Jeweler – Amijag – Houston, TX

We recently spent two days in downtown St. Paul, photographing Rishi and Lorena’s wedding festivities! The two had a traditional Hindu ceremony on Saturday, followed by a more Western ceremony on Sunday. Both days were full of friends, family, and celebration!

Rishi and Lorena are both doctors, completing their medical residencies in Texas. The two have a close-knit circle of friends and family, many members of their wedding party being in the medical field themselves.  Their loved ones were close by while the two prepared for their wedding day, keeping them company and helping them get dressed.

After a sweet first look, Rishi and Lorena split up until their ceremony, with Rishi taking part in the Baraat procession to their ceremony site while we took advantage of the gorgeous interior of the Landmark Center for bridal portraits of Lorena. The two had a relatively short ceremony in a breathtaking space, with drapery criss-crossing through the levels of the Landmark Center, and the Mandap decorated in bright jewel tones and modern, geometric terrariums.

The wedding party’s brightly colored attire made for some awesome shots along the streets of downtown St. Paul, and perfectly complemented the floral arrangements at the reception. Speaking of their reception, it was out of this world. Rishi and Lorena were entertained by performances by many of their family members and friends, even taking to the dance floor themselves after a quick outfit change. Before the dance floor opened up to everyone, Lorena’s grandmother and uncle took the stage, followed by a final dance by Lorena’s family, who were all wearing Colombian football jerseys!

Keep an eye out for another blog post about Rishi and Lorena’s second day of celebration!

Check out Rishi and Lorena’s feature on MN Bride

Vendor List
Wedding planner – Hana April Chughtai, Mani Mela – Minneapolis, MN
Ceremony venue – Landmark Center – St. Paul, MN
Reception venue – Landmark Center – St. Paul, MN
Videographer – AnA Video – Houston, TX
Officiant – Priest Ronur Murali – Maple Grove, MN
Hair stylist – Hana April Chughtai, Mani Mela – Minneapolis, MN
Makeup artist – Melissa, Mani Mela – Minneapolis, MN
Caterer – India Palace – Roseville, MN
China – Apres Event Decor & Tent Rental – St. Paul, MN
Decorator – Mani Mela – Minneapolis, MN
Florist – Mani Mela – Minneapolis, MN
Dress designer – Asopalav –Ahmedabad, India
Tuxedos – Jade Blue –Ahmedabad, India
Limo/party bus company – Eclipse Transportation – Minneapolis, MN
DJ/Band/musicians – DJ Trevor Samaroo, and Instant Request – Minneapolis, MN
Lighting Design – Instant Request  – Minneapolis, MN
Stationer – A Milestone Paper Co – Burnsville, MN
Chair/table/tent rentals – Mani Mela – Minneapolis, MN
Jeweler – Amijag – Houston, TX

Anna and Cil spent the entire day laughing, and has us laughing with them. They are a super laid-back, super in love couple that make life looks easy. Their wedding was cool and casual, with Anna wearing custom Converse and them opting to serve dessert and appetizers at their reception in lieu of a dinner service.

The two wed at the Nicollet Island Pavilion, which is conveniently across the street from the gorgeous Nicollet Island Inn where the couple got ready. They carved out plenty of time on their wedding day to spend together, giving us ample time to explore all of the awesome photo spots near Nicollet Island! We got to hit up the overpasses and bridges that Nicollet Island has to offer and take advantage of the awesome view of the Minneapolis skyline.

After their short but sweet ceremony, their reception kicked off with their first dance. After their first dance, Anna’s parents took the floor for a first dance of their own. The two have been married for years and are still deeply in love, so Anna and Cil gave them their own space to celebrate, which we love!

Anna and Cil, we haven’t laughed that much at a wedding in a long time. Thank you for sharing your day with us!

Check out Anna and Cil’s feature on Equally Wed

Vendor List
Ceremony venue – Nicollet Island Pavilion – Minneapolis, MN
Reception venue – Nicollet Island Pavilion – Minneapolis, MN
Officiant – Alana Burns
Hair stylist – Haley Ludwig – Minneapolis, MN
Makeup artist – Sarah Christine
Caterer – Mintahoe Catering – Minneapolis, MN
Florist – wayfair.com
Dress shop – Effie’s Bridal Trunk – Burnsville, MN
Tuxedos – Tip Top Tux – Plymouth, MN
Band – Flannel – Minneapolis, MN

For most states, March means spring, but Minnesota has other plans. Luckily the Radisson Blu has a skybridge that allowed us to take all of our photos inside without sacrificing natural lighting!

Christine and Nick have been together for over 10 years, you can tell that they’re one of those couples that just get each other. Even between more serious poses they found time to goof around. It seemed like they spent the whole day waiting to crack a smile and let loose at their reception.

Their reception was all kinds of cool. The red, black, and grey color scheme was perfectly elegant, the ideal combination of classic and minimal. The room was spotted with balloons that read “happy birthday,” as there were four birthdays being celebrated that evening. Their catering included a salad bar, a mac and cheese bar, a slider bar, and a mashed potato bar!  In addition to looking great, the reception was where the party really started. Christine and Nick have an expansive group of close friends who were ready to take to the dance floor and take full advantage of our Antibooth. It seemed like every time Christine was done snapping a photo, someone else was waiting to grab her for another! While Christine was getting her model on, Nick was tearing up the dance floor. Make sure you scroll all the way down for proof!

Thank you for a blast of an evening, Christine and Nick!

Vendor List
Ceremony venue – Radisson Blu – Bloomington, MN
Reception venue – Radisson Blu – Bloomington, MN
Hair stylist – Megan from Solimar Spa – Bloomington, MN
Makeup artist –Megan from Solimar Spa – Bloomington, MN
Caterer – Radisson Blu – Bloomington, MN
Florist –Guillermina Mancilla from Floreria Yare – Minneapolis, MN
Dress shop – Diamond Bride and Tux – Plymouth, MN
Tuxedos – Sharp 360 – Minneapolis, MN
DJ – Michael Grey – Minneapolis, MN
Chair/table/tent rentals – Radisson Blu – Bloomington, MN
Jeweler – Wedding Day Diamond – St. Louis Park, MN