Seeing Grace become the most gorgeous bride and capturing this day was so precious to me. Grace is a really dear friend of mine and for as long as I’ve known her, I’ve known that she wanted to marry Darrell.  It seemed like it took half of forever for them to get engaged, then once they did, it seemed like it took forever for their wedding day to finally arrive.  At the time, it was a whole lot of patient waiting, but after being present on their wedding day, I could see that it was all meant to be a very beautiful build-up to the most special, joyful day of their lives!! Clearly, every piece of this day was worth waiting for—from perfect fall colors surrounding the Bearpath Golf Course to having Darrell’s brother/best man home from his military deployment. Grace’s flowing-full length veil and elegantly beaded gown transformed her into a real-life princess, but the most stunning part about her was her radiant, infectious expression of joy as she vowed to be Darrell’s partner for the rest of her life. Grace & Darrell have been through so much together already, and their devoted commitment and best-friendship is so evident when you are with them. My heart was literally exploding with happiness for them all day long!
xoxoxo.

>> THANKS <<
Venue & Catering : Bearpath Golf & Country Club, Eden Prairie MN
Officiant : Rev. Leslie Johnson
Florist : Simply Stated Elegance
Dress & Jewelry : Wedding Tree
Hair : Samantha Palumbo
Makeup : Amy Johnson
DJ : Steve at Instant Request
Cinematography : Princess Bride

Now that our yard is raked and our little boy’s Halloween candy has mysteriously disappeared, we are officially ready and excited for winter! It feels really wonderful to have wrapped up our “regular season” weddings, to be getting caught up with all of our office work, and to be shooting lots of family sessions just in time for seasonal greetings!  Each weekend during the month of November, I am sharing a little eye candy to help you get inspired for your annual holiday photos + card! (See last week’s edition here.) As an aside, we heart Minted cards, because they showcase some of the most talented independent designers around–and so we have partnered with them to create a special stationery shop just for our clients! Also, we still have space for a few portrait sessions this month–please book before 11/20 to ensure that you’ll have your photos in time for Christmas!
xoxo.

This day was a complete dream come true for Ashley—a perfect afternoon in the backyard of her childhood home, overlooking the lake near Sauk Centre Minnesota where she had spent lazy summers swimming and learning to water-ski with her sisters. I don’t think she could have imagined a more meaningful, beautiful place to marry Geoff, her college crush, now handsome husband. Their friends and family pitched in with tremendous amounts of time and love to help make this day so special for these two lovebirds! We loved that Ashley choose to walk down the aisle wearing Toms wedges—so perfect and practical for the backyard setting. After tearful I-dos, Ashley & Geoff, along with their wedding party, raced down the hill and hopped into her parents’ pontoon for a Just Married joy ride around the lake. Boat rides continued into the night—until all the guests had a chance to take a spin! This day was so rich with nervous excitement, joy, and togetherness, and we felt so honored to be there to document it! Congrats Ashley & Geoff, we just know you’ll make endless new summertime memories with your family in this special place, each time you return & remember the day you became husband & wife!
xoxo.


>> THANKS <<
Officiant : Briana Melom
Floral : Michelle Meyer, Centre Floral
Dress Designer : Maggie Sottero
Dress Shop & Men’s attire : Mestads St. Cloud
Bridesmaids dresses : JCrew
Shoes : Toms
Desserts : Linda Beste
Catering : Custom Catering by Short Stop
Music : Nik Haas
DJ : Minnesota Pro DJ

Adam & Laura are such a special, crazy-fun couple whose marriage, I predict, will never outgrow the madly-in-love honeymoon stage. Why? Because these two cherish every minute together, pull off crazy cute surprises for each other, and establish non-trad traditions like having their photo taken every.single.December on SANTA’s lap! Their love story might one day end up in your Netflix under the Romantic Comedy category.

So of course, their wedding day at the beautiful Blue Horse Farm was absolutely brimming with the same sort of laughter, joy, and some extremely delightful surprises. After exchanging the sweetest vows, they wowed everyone by dancing around the perimeter of the ceremony while inviting everyone to a sing-a-long to Kermit the Frog’s rendition of “Life’s a Happy Song.” Next, Laura surprised Adam with a first dance music video, created by a few amazing teens who, on their first Valentine’s Day together, had randomly serenaded them at a DQ in New Jersey (you must definitely go get the full song & story here!!!). (And actually he was doubly surprised, because he had also attempted to track down the same group of winsome teens to request the exact same favor.) Every single one of us in that barn were in tears…because it was just so epically sweet. Then after a gourmet dinner including an amazing Tater Tot Hotdish from Chowgirls, jaws dropped when Laura & Adam announced Santa’s arrival at the party! Let me tell you, Santa can not only deliver in the gift department, but he can also bust some pretty fine moves on the dance floor. However perhaps the very best part, was a chance for all of their guests to sit on Mr. Clause’s lap in our photo booth and put in a few mid-year good words and wishes.

Congrats you two crazy lovebirds. Yours is a wedding we will never ever forget!!
xoxoxo.
>> VENDORS <<
Venue: Blue Horse Farm, New Richmond, WI
Planner: Lizie Anne
Videography: Memories in Motion
Floral Design: Studio Fleurette
Rentals: Affordable Elegance
Vintage Goods: Sweet Love Vintage
Accordionist: Peter VanWyngeerten
Officiant: Rev. Leslie Johnson
Catering: Chowgirls
Band: Fish Heads
SANTA!: ggkroft@aol.com