JEN + KEITH :: WEDDING

The afternoon began at the Aloft hotel just down the street from the Guthrie and the Mill City Museum. Jen Cortez and Becca Bighley did a fantastic job of shaping all the ladies' hair into vintage works of art.


My assistant Tamika and I took advantage of some time alone with Jen while we waited for a strangely difficult to locate groom.

And then, in true prince charming fashion, Keith arrived just in time to use the day's last 15 minutes of daylight.


Since Jen's wedding was vintage through and through, I worked in some cool, subdued tones, crinkly textures, and antique tints to match.



After the sun set, the Guthrie Theater provided an awesome indoor spot to snap a few more.


Then back to the museum for the ceremony where a classic guitarist strummed "Story Book Love" the theme song from The Princess Bride and a family friend sang Ben Fold's "The Luckiest" -- damn, that song gets me EVERY time!

Jen and Keith did a wine ceremony where they put a bottle of wine and letters written to each other in a box to share on their first anniversary.



Jen put together really cool centerpieces -- inside mason jars, she placed an engagement session photo on one side and an old family photo on the other. Such a cool way to weave in the family.


After the first few dances, Jen and Keith had Swing dance instructors teach a thing of three to the guests on the dance floor. As for me, I was lost after "left, right, back-step."


Congratulations!

MEGAN + AARON :: ENGAGEMENT

DEBBIE + ANDY :: HITCHED

Debbie and Andy's all-day wedding coverage started at the Marriott in Bloomington for getting ready and yummy breakfast.

After hair and make-up, everyone made their way to one of my all-time favorite venues, the Little Log House Pioneer Village in Hastings. The venue is a huge collection of antique buildings from gas stations to saloons, barns and homes. The bridal space has gorgeous natural light and is a perfect location for finishing touches.
Debbie made hangers as her gift to the bridesmaids and mothers; they were so cute!






As usual, my second shooter (Kristina this time) was rocking the sneaky shots :)




Guests were shuttled from Boloomington just as the sun was setting over the tops of trees and buildings, which made for a warm atmosphere in the chilly fall air as parents greeted everyone before the ceremony.

Debbie and Andy did a tree ceremony, which I had never seen before. Extremely elegant! Mothers carried dirt from the family home during the processional and the bride and groom added the family soil to their own tree -- so lovely.

Social hour was held outside as Debbie and Andy greeted guests and served goodies and hot apple cider (there was even a bartender adding rum to some of the cider ;) Deca catering made snacks and dinner absolutely wonderful!


Devon Nelson, the day's wedding coordinator, pulled together beautiful decorations that completed the day's Autumn-Cinderella feel -- from pumpkins and candle-lit lanterns to abstract pumpkin creations hanging from the high ceiling to my personal favorite, the little owls that inhabited the tree-like centerpieces.

Debbie and Andy's super-creative photo wall took the spot-light after the first few dances and kept guests (and myself!) entertained well into the night while a live band kept the dance floor full and swinging right until the end.
Debbie, I think you found yourself a new calling -- this wedding was beautiful and thought-out to the last detail. Congratulations!