The first wedding of the year is always a special one – it’s the start of a new adventure, a new season of love, a new set of amazing couples to get to know, and new wonderful stories to tell. What I’m trying to say is that regardless of the wedding (how beautiful it is, how in the love the couple is, how crazy the guests are, etc.), the first wedding is always memorable. In Heidi and Tony’s case, however, their wedding would be memorable whether it was the first, the last, or happened 20 years ago. They had the kind of love that you just don’t forget.

Heidi and Tony have been together for about five years. When they first met, at an event for Heidi’s Matron of Honor’s wedding, they had an instant connection – one that everyone noticed, and everyone was excited about. The day of their wedding seemed like day one for them all over again – if anything their connection and passion for one another had grown.

Their first look is a perfect example of this, and one of the most beautiful first looks we have ever witnessed. Heidi naturally lights up a room, I swear, her smile literally radiates joy. But for Tony, she lights up his life. When he saw her for the first time on their wedding day, he couldn’t stop letting her know how true this was for him – how beautiful she was, how amazing she was, and how excited he was to marry her. And that same passionate, authentic love continued to shine throughout the entire day.

There was not a single moment that wasn’t full of joy. Heidi and Tony were so obviously in love and so obviously excited to be spending the rest of their lives together that their happiness spread throughout the entire wedding and everyone who was there. So, they celebrated! In a fun loving, St. Patty’s day fashion! It was a celebration indeed, and one that all who were present will remember dearly for a long time.

Heidi and Tony – your relationship is inspiring. I have no doubt your love and passion for one another will only continue to grow (as it has already) for the rest of your lives. It was such a joy to capture your special day, congratulations again!

Vendor List:
Ceremony Venue— St. John the Baptist Catholic Church — Dayton, MN
Reception Venue — Monticello Community Center — Monticello, MN
Videographer — Princess Bride Cinematic Videography — Minneapolis, MN
Officiant — Fr. Tom Margevicius — St. Paul, MN
Hair Stylist — Amanda Hill Salon — Elk River, MN
Caterer— Von Hanson’s Catering — Monticello, MN
Dress shop — Xandy’s Bridal House — Minneapolis, MN
Tuxedos — Tip Top Tux — Plymouth, MN
DJ— Aaron Fruen — Minneapolis, MN

We first fell in love with Nova and John after hearing their engagement story. It was just so beautiful and unique. John teamed up with Nova’s father to plan what she thought was an elaborate scavenger hunt for her birthday. The hunt led her throughout her favorite places in her hometown and ended with a huge surprise—John and a ring!

To say the least, we fell in love with this awesome couple all over again on their wedding day. The entire day held the same kind of character that their engagement story did. It was all so intentionally and uniquely “them.” They continued with fall-themed details similar to their engagement photos and took it one step further by creating decorations that showcased their journey together. Each table was named after a different place they had travelled together and decorated with a pumpkin with the name of the place written on it. They even honored their common interests with awesome South Park cake toppers! It’s special to be in an environment that is so personal to the people who created it. I felt like I got to know Nova and John better by simply stepping into their wedding venue, which is rare.

What’s even more amazing is that the personal touches didn’t just come from them—those involved in the wedding added something special as well. You could tell the entire bridal party was super close friends, who loved Nova and John. Which made it clear that this special couple didn’t just focus on investing in each other, but they invest and care for their friends together as well. Everyone was just having a good time together. The dance floor reflected this perfectly, as it was full of energy and laughter all night. But the most touching and unique moment from the guests came from Nova’s father, during his Father-of-the-Bride speech. As he was talking he slowly unloaded objects from a box he had brought with him. The first was a rock from the glacier he visited. The second was a full bottle of water from the same glacier that he had been saving for eight years. Those two objects symbolized the potential and trust he had in the newlyweds to grow old together. And to close, he handed an old rose bud to John, because on this day, he was “handing him his rose.” It was so sentimental and intentional, it made it obvious how much he loved Nova, and how much he loved that John loved Nova, too.

I felt so lucky to be involved in a wedding that was so beautiful, so full of love, and so personal to the bride and groom. It was an honor to be let inside and given a opportunity to fully understand Nova and John’s wonderful relationship and the wonderful people that surrounded them. Congratulations again, you two! You are so loved and you love so well, this will undoubtedly inspire a lifetime of happiness together.

Sam & Dave’s story started in 2013. They worked together in the same office and quickly developed a friendship rooted in their mutual appreciation of each other’s kindness and personalities. After years of lunches and happy hours, with coworkers and just with each other, their friendship suddenly developed into more. Last minute after work, they decided to go see the movie “Her.” As the plot of the story unfolded, both Sam and Dave were stunned at how the movie seemed to mirror what was currently happening in their own lives. Read this synopsis of the movie, and you’ll understand.

“A sensitive and soulful man earns a living by writing personal letters for other people. Left heartbroken after his marriage ends; Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) becomes fascinated with a new operating system that reportedly develops into an intuitive and unique entity in its own right. He starts the program and meets ‘Samantha’ (Scarlett Johansson), whose bright voice reveals a sensitive, playful personality. Though ‘friends’ initially, the relationship soon deepens into love.”

That night, both Sam and Dave dreamt about each other. They both realized that the chemistry that had been developing between them was something special—something that they could not and did not want to ignore. But the irony of the movie did not create something new between them; it simply shed light on what was already there. And what was already there turned out to be a really beautiful thing—a beautiful and forever thing.

Two years later, Sam and Dave travelled to Gimmelwald, Switzerland. Sam had travelled there herself five years prior and carved her initials in the wood frame of a hut along the mountainside. It read, “SJ + ____.” She intentionally left half blank, with the intentions of returning with the person she would spend the rest of her life with. After a day of hiking through mountains and waterfalls, they found that very same hut. Sam had a feeling she would be carving Dave’s initials next to hers, but what she didn’t know was that Dave had been holding a ring in his pocket the entire day. In beautiful mountains of Switzerland, next to their freshly carved initials, Dave asked Sam to spend the rest of her life with him. She obviously said, “yes!”

Sam and Dave’s love story is one for the books, but being present on their wedding day made it obvious that they are more than just a beautiful story. Everything about their special day was low-maintenance. Neither of them was stressed, worried about small details, or concerned with anything but each other and the loved ones who came to celebrate with them. Scroll down until you see pictures of speeches being given. Uncontrollable laughter, smiles radiating pure joy, and everyone present in the moment. That is a perfect depiction of Sam and Dave’s wedding day, and ultimately their love. Congratulations again Sam and Dave! You brought so many, including myself, happiness on your wedding day. I have no doubt that you will continue to do that for the rest of your lives together.

April and Mike first locked eyes when passing each other in the Minneapolis Skyway. They worked in the same building, and after that first encounter, getting to know April became Mike’s priority. It took a little while, but Mike eventually built up the courage to ask April on a date, and she said yes. Two years later, he asked April if she would marry him, and she said yes a million times over. On this day, they both said yes to a lifetime of happiness together. And it was beautiful.

The wonderful couple got married on a chilly, fall day at the Villa Bellezza Winery in charming, small town Pepin, Wisconsin. Their special day was joyful, authentic, and understatedly gorgeous. Not one aspect was overdone.  White and gold pumpkins nodded to the autumn season without becoming thematic. Simple white floral arrangements added something special to each reception table, while still allowing the stunning vineyard architecture to speak for itself. Which was especially fitting because these newlyweds LOVE wine. It was classic, it was them. And that is exactly why it was such a fun wedding to be a part of.

While the weather was cold, their love was not. Looking at these pictures, you would never know, and that’s because no one cared. April and Mike radiated the warmth that only true love can generate to each other and all of the guests present. Everyone was genuinely happy for April and Mike to get married, and genuinely excited to be there celebrating with them. As the couple entered from the balcony for their grand entrance, they were greeted by the entire reception cheering and spinning their napkins above their heads. And it didn’t stop there. They kept the dance floor going late into the night, too. This kind of joyful celebration doesn’t just happen, though. It has to be inspired by the bride and groom, and that it exactly what they did. April and Mike are hilarious, easy-going, caring towards all, and arguably the most excited about their marriage. Wonderful decorations, awesome dance music, and great wine help – but it was April and Mike themselves that made their wedding so amazing. Congratulations you two, I have no doubt that you will continue creating amazing moments like your wedding day, for the remainder of your lives.

Ceremony & Reception Venue – Villa Bellezza – Pepin, WI 
Officiant – Grand Avenue Wedding Officiants (Carolyn Germaine) – St. Paul, MN 
Hair Stylist – C’est La Vie (Katie Rote) – Minneapolis, MN
Makeup Artist – Mara Skujins Dunn 
Caterer – River Valley Catering – River Falls, WI
Florist – Amy Studnicka  
Dress Shop – A&Bé Bridal Shop – Minneapolis, MN
Tuxedos – Heimie’s Haberdashery – St. Paul, MN
Limo – Jeremy Niss
Band and Photobooth – Showtime Entertainment – River Falls, WI
Stationer – Karol Smith
Jeweler – Erik Vijums

When Chris asked Kami to be his date to the Christmas Dance in high school, she agreed only on the terms that they would go just as friends. Although they were “just friends” the joke between the two of them became that they would fall in love while dancing together and end up getting married. High school Kami and Chris didn’t realize it at the time, but they unintentionally predicted their future together. Eight years later, those high school friends are happily in love and married.

One of Kami’s favorite things about her now-husband is his humor and ability to always brighten her mood and make her smile–even when she doesn’t realize he’s doing it. His proposal reflects this quality perfectly. The two were hiking (one of their favorite things to do together) at Gooseberry Falls, and had walked down to a streambed to sit and take a short break. When it was time to get up and leave, Chris insisted that Kami stand up first, so that she could help him up after. Reluctantly, she did, and when she turned around to help him, Chris was on one knee ready to ask her to spend the rest of her life with him. Her reluctance quickly turned to surprise and then immediately into pure joy as she obviously responded, “YES!”

Kami notes Chris’s ability to bring laughter and joy to others as one of her favorite qualities about him. But on their wedding day, I quickly noticed that this is a quality that they radiate as a couple. Kami and Chris and their love for each other was contagious, and brought joy to all of the guests who came to celebrate with them. The newlyweds obviously love each other, but what they enjoy the most is sharing that love with those around them. Sharing special moments with friends and family was their favorite part of the entire day. From my perspective, it went both ways. Kami and Chris, it was obvious how much joy you brought your friends and family, even on your wedding day. Congratulations again, I have no doubt that your inclusive love will continue to bring you and those around joy for the rest of your lives!