Elizabeth and Kevin booked me as their photographer about three years ago. After three years of getting to know this amazing couple, three years of anticipation building surrounding this amazing event – you can imagine how crazy excited I was for the wedding day to arrive, and to finally celebrate their awesome love. Needless to say, their wedding day did not disappoint. In fact, almost every aspect blew me away. The venue was gorgeous, the details were stunning, and Elizabeth and Kevin were glowing.

It was a really hot day. So basically everyone was glowing with a shimmery sheen of sweat (haha), but Elizabeth and Kevin were different, they radiated genuine joy the entire day. They could’ve complained about the heat – but I literally don’t think I heard either of them mention the high temperatures once. They were too busy truly enjoying themselves to care. But it wasn’t just Elizabeth and Kevin that were overjoyed by their love and the excitement of them tying the knot – everyone present was, too. For example, all the family and bridal party members wanted to witness their first look, and they hid inside and watched from afar to steal a peek at the special moment the happy couple shared. When your loved ones are as excited about your love as you are, that’s when you know you’re doing something right. Elizabeth and Kevin, it has been an absolute joy to be your photographer and get to know you over the years. I also, am as excited about your love as you two are. It was well worth the wait to experience and shoot your absolutely stunning day. Congratulations again, I see nothing but a lifetime of happiness in your future!

Vendor List:
Wedding planner — George Maverick — Farmington, MN
Ceremony venue — Glenhaven Events Center — Farmington, MN
Reception venue — Glenhaven Events Center — Farmington, MN
Videographer — Dan Riggs of Summit Hill Studios — Stillwater, MN
Officiant — Mike Neely — Apple Valley, MN
Hair stylist — Molly from Salon 104 — Rosemount, MN
Caterer — Nicole Sindelar of Ruby’s Redeye Grill — Rosemount, MN
Cake designer — The Cakery — Farmington, MN
Decorator — Encore Events — Eagan, MN
Florist — Rosemount Floral — Rosemount, MN
Dress Shop — Bride to Be Consignment — Woodbury, MN
Dress Designer — Mori Lee
Tuxedos — Men’s Warehouse 
DJ — Matt Iverson — Rosemount, MN
Chair/table/tent rentals — Christine Corning — Farmington, MN
Jeweler — Jared

Making this heart with sparklers was such a blast with these two.

When I first met Alicia and Matt I could tell these two had found their soulmates in each other. They have so much charisma and not to mention so much in common, we just knew their love for each other was as strong as steel. Plus over the years of shooting weddings we can say now for sure that marrying your best friend is a great strength.

Something I picked up about these two on their wedding day was the compelling way they looked at each other, and that is not something you see with every couple. Alicia had this contagious smile every time I saw her looking at her soon-to-be husband. Same with Matt, he looked so happy to have Alicia by his side officially and forever. Their happiness was radiating.

These two met on a trip they were both taking to Australia and got engaged under the sunny rays of the California sky, as they were biking across the Golden Gate Bridge. I don’t know what you think, but to me that sounds like a surreal love story. Thinking about it in my head, that had to be so perfect. Trying to keep your eyes up focused on biking, after receiving an engagement ring from your love. We give you credit on that Alicia!

Alicia and Matt tied their knot at the Pilgrim Lutheran Church.  After the Ceremony we stopped at Thomas Liquor right off the campus of the University of St. Thomas where they both went to college. This is a wine shop that Matt has been working at since college. When we got there, Thomas Liquors was nice enough to gift Alicia and Matt with a bottle of champagne. Matt opened the bottle by striking it with a sword, as we worked hard to capture the essence of that moment by getting a shot of the cork flying towards the camera. We had a lot of fun being apart of that experience.

We took the trolley to their reception at the Lowertown Event Center. Located in the historic Park Square Court building on Mears Park in St. Paul, this venue features incredible limestone walls, exposed wood beam ceilings and steel columns. Needless to say, it was stunning! One of the coolest details that we have ever seen, was the projection of Alicia and Matt’s names and wedding date on the wall behind their dance floor. It was especially cool to watch them dance alongside it during their first dance together as a married couple. See pictures below, but man was that a unique idea!

We ended the night with this couple doing some outdoor Sprinkler art photos. This was my favorite part of their day. Watching Alicia and Matt work together to create one unified heart was heartwarming. The photo turned out wonderfully! Congratulations Alicia and Matt, I hope your good luck follows you wherever your marriage may take you!

Ceremony Venue – Pilgrim Lutheran Church – Minneapolis, MN
Reception Venue – Lowertown Event Center – St. Paul, MN
Hair Stylist – The Hair District – Eden Prairie, MN
Makeup – Brow Chic – Minneapolis, MN
Caterer – Brasa Premium Rotisserie – Minneapolis, MN
Cake Designer – Muddy Paws Cheesecake Co. – St Louis Park, MN
Florist – Marah Cole Designs – Saint Paul, MN
Dress Shop – Posh Bridal Couture – Wayzata, MN
Alterations – Amazing Alterations – Anoka, MN
Tuxedos – Men’s Wearhouse
Trolley – Stillwater Trolley – Stillwater, MN
Jeweler – Kay Jewelers
Champagne Toast – Thomas Liquors – St Paul, MN

Jennifer and Jake celebrate as they exit their beautiful ceremony at the historic courthouse in Stillwater as bride and groom.

It’s magical to be a part of someone’s dream coming true. For me, it’s even more magical to be able to photograph it. Jennifer and Jake’s wedding was their dream wedding, and I felt so lucky to be able to capture it in pictures. It is hard to know where to start when describing the beauty of their day. The stunning vintage style, the unbelievable dinner and desserts, and the gorgeous ceremony on the steps of the Historic Courthouse in Stillwater, Minnesota are only a few of the things that made this day so special; but then there’s the  couple themselves. Jennifer and Jake are world travellers. Their home is in California, but right now they are currently on a 4-month international honeymoon. I had known they were a good fit before their wedding day, but not until I spent the day photographing them did I truly get to know them and understand why exactly they are so good together. Their first look said it all. The two just looked so content and complete in that moment. I think they would’ve been okay with that first hug lasting the rest of the day. Jennifer and Jake understand each other; they knew what each other was thinking, and how to care for each other. Some might say that’s just because they have been together for a long time, but I say that’s a sure sign that they’re going to be together forever. Obviously they think so too, and made that clear not only by declaring their vows, but also by locking away wine bottles for their 1st, 5th, and 10th wedding anniversaries during their ceremony, which I thought was a unique way of not only creating a commitment, but also promising good times and celebration in the years to come as well.

Overall, Jennifer and Jake found a variety of ways to make their wedding uniquely them. They decorated with wine cork letters, wore top hats, created a table of old family photographs, and even allowed me to exercise my creative crazy by shooting them and their family in the Historic Courthouse’s Jail Cell, which created eerie, amazing, and absolutely unique photos. I have never photographed a wedding like Jennifer and Jake’s before and I don’t think I ever will again. It was so stunning and unique I don’t think it could ever be replicated. Congratulations Jennifer and Jake! I had an amazing time at your wedding, and I hope you had an amazing time traveling!

Wedding Planner – Wonderful Day Weddings – St Michael, MN
Ceremony & Reception Venue – Washington County Historic Courthouse – Stillwater, MN
Hair & Makeup – Creative Beaute Agency – Minnetonka, MN
Caterer – Lettuce Cater – Columbia Heights, MN
Beer – Total Wine & More – Roseville, MN
Dessert Caterer – Cocoa and Fig – Shakopee, MN
Wedge and Wheel – Cheese Wheel Tower  – Stillwater, MN
Florist – Rose Floral and Greenhouse, Inc. – Stillwater, MN
Dress Shop – Trudy’s Bridal Campbell
Bridesmaids Dresses – The Wedding Shoppe – St. Paul, MN
Bridesmaid Dress Designer – Bill Levkoff
Tuxedos – Savvi Formalwear – Woodbury, MN
Top Hats – CostumeRentals (Guthrie Theater) – Minneapolis, MN
DJ – Instant Request DJ Entertainment – Bloomington, MN
Stationer – Night Owl Studios
Linens – Linen Effects – Minneapolis, MN
Rehearsal Dinner – Gordy’s Steakhouse  – Willemie, MN
Wedding Party Accommodations – Ann Bean Mansion – Stillwater, MN