Category Archives: Weddings

June 12, 2018

White Fish Lodge Wedding:: Allie & Joe

Tags: Brainerd Lakes, Brainerd Lakes wedding, Brainerd wedding, central minnesota wedding, central mn wedding, Cross lake wedding, cross lake wedding photographer, cross lake weddings, june wedding on lakes, june weddings, lake wedding, lakes wedding, lodge wedding, Minnesota, minnesota wedding, mn wedding, outdoor wedding, outside wedding, St. Cloud wedding, summer wedding, Wedding Photographer, Wedding photography, Weddings, White fish lodge wedding, white fish wedding

Good things come to those who wait.

A phrase we often hear, but one that Allie and Joe actually lived out in their relationship. The two met in high school and were long time friends even before they started dating. Allie always had a crush on Joe, and over the years they would both write letters to each other. Sharing a love for hockey, the outdoors and their city, the two eventually began seriously dating.

A few years later, Allie and Joe were spending a night in. Both exhausted from a long day of working, they snuggled up to watch their favorite show, Grey’s Anatomy together. Being that it was one of the most romantic episodes, and one of Allie’s favorites, Joe decided this was the perfect moment. He carefully slid a ring out of his pocket. He had been waiting for their perfect moment and here it had arrived. He asked her to marry him and Allie, completely taken off guard, said yes!

Both Allie and Joe are from the Brained Lakes area, so it only seemed fitting for them to have their wedding in one of Minnesota’s beautiful lodges. WhiteFish Lodge held both their ceremony and reception. Guests from all over the state came to celebrate with them on one incredible June day. Allie’s amazing friends and staff she works with from the Fine Line Salon did her hair while she did her own make up beautifully. Her white princess cut Stella York dress from Carrie Johnson Bridal paired beautifully with Joe’s navy vest and navy bow tie from Knights Chamber in St. Cloud.

Lakes Printing created the stationary for the day while JF Kruse Jewelers hand-crafted Allie’s incredible diamond rings and Joe’s north woods ring. Both Allie and her father were in tears upon seeing each other for the first time and both used hankies that Allie hand made for any “ugly crying”. Allie’s sweet bridesmaids wore beautiful Allure pastel pink gowns and Wild Daisy provided the most incredible wildflower blooms which popped against the north woods tree line. Friends and family danced the night away with DJ Sloppy mixing tunes and at the end of the night the sun finally came out. Allie and Joe were lucky enough to get some sun shots and also capture the downtown area before the end of the evening! Allie and Joe, congratulations! You both were an incredible couple to work with. I was so honored to document your amazing day!!

Vendors for the day included:: Ceremony and Reception:: White Fish Lodge //Hair:: Fine Line Salon and Spa// Florist:: Wild Daisy LLC// Wedding Dress:: Stella York from Carrie Johnson Bridal // Bridesmaids Dresses:: Allure from Carrie Johnson Bridal// Men’s Ware:: Knights Chamber of St. Cloud// Rings:: J.F. Kruse Jewelers // Stationery:: Lakes Printing // DJ:: Sloppy// Caterer:: White Fish Catering // Shoes:: Converse // Brides Shoes:: Mare //

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June 5, 2018

University of Northwestern Wedding:: Meghan and Jeff

Tags: june wedding, Minneapolis, minneapolis photographer, minneapolis wedding, minneapolis wedding photographer, Minnesota, Minnesota wedding photographer, St. Paul, St. Paul wedding photographer, summer wedding, university of northwestern photographer, university of northwestern wedding, unw wedding, Wedding Photographer, Wedding photography, Weddings

Their online profiles connected them as Meghan and Jeff shared interests in faith, loving the outdoors, and camping. After chatting a bit online, the two decided to meet in between the Cities and LaCrosse to go on their first date. Being that Meghan was an active bow hunter got Jeff (an engineer of bows) interested right away, they hit it off and began dating long distance.

When Meghan decided to take a much needed trip up to Canada to visit a close friend, Jeff decided it would be the perfect place to propose. He worked with Megan’s friend to coordinate where she would be and when to meet her. Midway through her hike, Meghan was taken off guard when her beloved Jeff stood in a clearing, down on one knee, ring in hand and asked her to be his wife! With a resounding yes the two, celebrated together and began planning.

Their beautiful June wedding day took place on the campus of the University of Northwestern in St. Paul. Because both Meghan and Jeff love being outside, we planned all their photos on the lush greens of the campus with the brick architecture as a backdrop. Rain was forecasted to fall all day, but Meghan and Jeff along with their incredibly fun wedding party, were able to get photos outside on the lawn and near the lake just in between the raindrops falling, and we even got a full hour of sunlight and a beautiful sunset to end the evening

Meghan’s white elegant lace dress from The Wedding Shoppe was stunning against Jeff’s grey Michale Kors suit from Savvy Formalware. The beautiful June blossoms from The Flower Petalers that Meghan and her bridesmaids held added a touch pinks and whites their periwinkle dresses that the bridesmaids wore from Weddington Way. The staff at Cole’s Salon in Eagan did a fantastic job of hair and make up for both Meghan and her bridesmaids. Family and friends came from all over Minnesota and Wisconsin and beyond to celebrate Meghan and Jeff as they were wed at Nazareth Chapel on the campus of the University of Northwestern. Meghan’s beautiful ring from Ritani added a pop of bling when paired with her simple, but elegant Vista Print invitations.

Bon Appetit provided an incredible meal for guests as they enjoyed a night of music and dance from Beautiful Day Dj’s in the Blue Room.

Meghan and Jeff, it was an honor to spend your wedding day with you, thank you for making me feel like a long time friend, and for an incredible day.

Vendors for the day included:: Ceremony and Reception:: University of Northwestern//Hair and Make-Up:: Cole’s Salon // Florist:: The Flower Petalers// Wedding Dress:: Wedding Shoppe // Bridesmaids Dresses:: Weddington Way // Men’s Ware:: Michael Kors from Savvi Formalware // Rings:: Ritani // Stationery:: Vista Print // DJ:: Noah from Beautiful Day DJ // Caterer:: Bon Appetit //

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May 29, 2018

Brent and Maria:: Bloomington Wedding

Tags: bloomington wedding, May, may wedding, Minneapolis, minneapolis wedding photographer, Minnesota, Minnesota wedding photographer, purple wedding, Spring wedding, summer wedding, wedding, Wedding Photographer, Wedding photography, Weddings

Going on a blind date with anyone can be scary, but when Brent and Maria’s mutual friend set them up, they knew other people would have to be around them! So for the first date they decided to have dinner with mutual friends. The date didn’t go quite as smoothly as either had hoped, both thought the other was too quiet. But they were both willing to try again and from there conversation got easier and smoother! Even when Maria went out of the country early in their relationship, the two continued texting each other freely throughout their trip almost as if he was right there with her!

On Christmas day, exactly seven months from the day they met, they spent the day with family. Brent and Maria planned to exchange gifts. While everyone else in the family was busy opening their stockings, Brent snuck upstairs to get another gift for Maria. A handmade black velvet plaque he had handmade from mini roses was on the inside of the box with the question “Will you marry me?” When Maria looked back to Brent, he was on one knee.

May certainly brought a heat wave for their beautiful wedding day! Friends and family from around the state and elsewhere came to celebrate Brent and Maria. For part of the day we headed to the beautiful and scenic Arneson Acres in Edina.

Born in the Ukraine with a disability and told she had a low survival rate, Maria’s birth parents made a grueling decision:: They decided to give her up for adoption in hopes that she would survive. Two years later she was adopted into an amazing Godly family from the United States. And she did survive. And she did THRIVE!! And by the grace of God, she was able to marry the man of her dreams.

With Maria being from the Ukraine, the couple decided to incorporate some of her Ukrainian heritage into the ceremony. The Ukrainian “Rushnyk” or wedding cloth the two were wed on was handmade for Maria before she was adopted and was made to be a faith declaration that she would survive and thrive… and she HAS!!

Thank you Brent and Maria for honoring the Lord in all that your wedding day held and telling the beautiful story of the Gospel through your own lives. Many blessings to you both as you begin this next journey of marriage together.

Ceremony and Reception:: Emmaus Lutheran Church //Hair:: Bea Paiko // Make-Up:: Bride // Florist:: Bride’s sister// Wedding Dress:: Lida Christiansen// Bridesmaids Dresses:: Colorsbridesmaid // Men’s Ware:: Vera Wang from Men’s Warehouse // Rings:: Jared. and Shane Co. // Stationery:: Bride’s sister // Video:: Laura Sukowatey Films // Planner:: Lonnie Peterson // Second Shooter:: Lily Watkins

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Connie Smith
The pictures are beautiful!! So wished we could have been there.

May 23, 2018

A’Bulae Wedding:: Taylor and Brian

Tags: minneapolis wedding photographer, Minnesota wedding photographer, St. Paul wedding photographer, Wedding Photographer, Weddings

It was the absolute perfect May day for an A’Bulae wedding, but let’s back up for a minute…

Taylor and Brian had been texting back-and-forth for over a week when Bryan finally asked if Taylor would meet him at an Apple Orchard in Lakeville for a first date. After apple picking and easy conversations the couple went to dinner. They then proceeded to spent the next five hours talking through various topics; everything from politics to past relationships and future plans. When they looked at the clock they had nearly closed the restaurant down! Brian asked Taylor on a second date and she couldn’t deny him! From there the two continued dating.

Being a hard person to surprise Taylor, showed up at the Sawyer family fish fry one Friday night not expecting anything else but dinner. But she knew something was up when Bryan met her at the door and asked her to walk outside. Excited, she followed after him and there on the on the bench of the patio was a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Confused because it wasn’t their anniversary, she thanked Brian, looked more closely at the flowers and found attached to the ribbon around the flowers was a ring. She teared up and turned around to find Brian on one knee with that question she had been waiting for; “Will you marry me?!”

Their beautiful May wedding day was filled with glorious sunshine and friends and family who joyfully watched them exchange their wedding vows at The University of Northwestern. Being that Taylor is the girls LaCrosse coach for the Northwestern Eagles, they had to make sure that the entire wedding party as well as some of the girls from Taylor’s team on the field for some photos!

It was also an emotional day as friends and family mourned and celebrated the loss of Taylor’s father who had passed away one year ago due to pancreatitis. It was a tragic case where his pancreas shut down and 53 days later it took his life. Her brother stood in the gap and walked her down the aisle as guests wiped away tears.

After the ceremony, guests celebrated with the couple at A’Balue, an industrial event center in the downtown St. Paul area. Taylor’s elegant ivory More Lee gown from the Chicago House of brides wedding shop was paired perfectly with the elegant navy Versa dresses her bridesmaids wore from David’s Bridal. Their all white spring bouquets with hydrangeas and roses from Lexington Floral were a perfect pop of white against the dresses. Jared provided the most beautiful diamond surrounded with blue sapphires for Taylor’s diamond ring, and her amazing shoes from DSW (some I had never seen before!) added a sharp bling to the rest of her ensemble. Brian and his groomsmen wore classic black suits from Men’s Warehouse with a pop of navy pattern in their ties. Elegant Invites created the intricate wedding invitations and stationary. Guests danced the night away with music from Justin Martin of Bellagala and during the “father/ daughter dance,” Taylor’s brother and uncles stood into fill in for her dad, leaving no dry eye in the place. There was even a few quick retreats to the rooftop at A’Baule overlooking the entire city while Freed Films caught everything on video!

Taylor’s and Brian you are a power team and it was an honor to spend your day with you! I wish you both many years of joy and happiness!

Ceremony:: Nazarath Chapel // Reception:: A’Bulae //Hair:: Ashley Divish // Make-Up:: Lisa Bauernfiend // Caterer:: Mintahoe// Florist:: Lexington Floral // Wedding Dress:: More Lee from House of Brides // Bridesmaids Dresses:: Versa Dress by David’s Bridal // Men’s Ware:: Men’s Warehouse // Rings:: Jared // Stationery:: Elegant Invites // DJ:: Justin Martin of Bellagala // Video:: Freed Films // Shoes:: DSW Shoes // Jewelry:: Thin Blue Line USA //

Tags: minneapolis wedding photographer, Minnesota wedding photographer, St. Paul wedding photographer, Wedding Photographer, Weddings

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{Real Wedding} Taylor and Brian: A’Bulae Wedding – Elegantweddinginvites.com Blog
[…] for letting Elegant Wedding Invites be a part of your happily ever after! Also, great thanks to Karenfeder Photography who took these gorgeous wedding […]

May 15, 2018

Andrew and Julie:: Mariott Hotel Wedding

Tags: ballroom wedding, brewery wedding, charcoal wedding, grey wedding, martiott northwest wedding, may wedding, Minneapolis, minneapolis spring wedding, minneapolis wedding photographer, Minnesota, Minnesota wedding photographer, north loop wedding, scsu alumni wedding, Spring wedding, st paul wedding, Wedding Photographer, Wedding photography, Weddings

Julie and Andrew had met at St. Cloud State University, probably their freshman year, but neither one remembered each other that well. One night during their last semester, they ran into each other at a bar and started texting. Throughout the course of the night, Andrew asked Julie to come to dinner with her, but she politely declined. Little did she know she was leaving him to celebrate his birthday alone! Thankfully she had a chance to redeem herself when Andrew asked her out again and she agreed!

Not long after they began dating, Julie and Andrew decided to vacation at Cove Point Lodge on the North Shore of Minnesota over Julie’s birthday weekend in August. They loved it so much that four years later they decided to return for a quick get away and to enjoy quality time together.

After a long day of working on Friday, the couple settled into their cottage for the night. They got up bright and early ready to explore all that the North Shore had to offer, from Gooseberry Falls, to the scenic overlooks, to Tettegouche State Park and of course Betty’s Pies. After a full day of exploring, they ended back at Cove Point on the sandy beach. As they overlooked Lake Superior, Julie looked over at Andrew, and when she did, he was on one knee asking her to be his wife! It couldn’t have been more perfect! The two even celebrated with champaign and dinner back in their room. The next day they headed to Duluth and did the Timber Twister Coaster just like they had done the first time they had been vacationing there. They left the weekend excited, exhausted and filled with joy.

Julie and Andrew’s overcast May wedding day was just as memorable and filled with joy and fun. Friends and family came from all over the state to celebrate with them as they were wed at the incredible and ornate St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral in Minneapolis. Julie’s elegant, ivory Julianna dress from Posh paired perfectly with Andrew’s Light Gray suit from Night’s Chamber. Bridesmaids and groomsmen wore charcoal colored suits and Kennedy Blue dresses from the Wedding Shoppe to match the classic theme. Donatos provided the most gorgeous ivory florals while Buttercream created cake that was decadent! Magnetstreet created classic wedding invitations. The couple and wedding party headed to the North Loop for some downtown photos and then Fulton Brewery for after ceremony drinks and fun photos outside. The Minneapolis Martiott Northwest hosted the ballroom bash while Rick of Instant Request brought the music throughout the night as guests danced away!

Julie and Andrew, it was an honor to spend the day with you and your incredible friends and family. Thank you for making me feel like a long time friend. What a blast it was! Enjoy your mini moon in San Diego!!