Wedding
I have posted about Laura & Melissa's wedding a few times already on this blog…about their engagement session, backyard brides dinner & their wedding! I was beyond excited to see that the Spring Wedding issue of Lavender Magazine hit news stands last month! Absolutely thrilled to have these two lovely brides grace the cover & inside spreads! What an amazing day this was!! Here are a couple of screen shots from the magazine…click on the links above to enjoy the online issue! Enjoy!
I have an engagement session this weekend & as I was preparing for it I couldn't help but go back to this inspiration session I photographed for the venue that the brides will be getting married at! The Southern Theatre's mission is to foster a community of exceptional artists & this amazing theatre couldn't be a better place for just that! In addition to proving the perfect backdrop for musicals, plays, one acts, dance shows, comics & more this theatre is also available for your wedding! I was very lucky to be able to work with some amazing vendors & models who really brought this inspiration session to life! June can't get here soon enough! Enjoy!
I have a thing with shoes. Shoe shots that is. Brides shoes are some of my most favorite things to photograph at weddings! I think it's because more often than not they are sparkly & I have a tendency to be very attracted to sparkly things…even my camera strap is sparkly! The other thing I love about bride’s shoes is how they are such a reflection of the bride! My bridesmaids dresses we purple so my shoes were purple…I loved wearing a pop of color on my feet when I walked down the aisle! So I thought today I would share just a few of my favorite shoe shots with you! Enjoy!
Defining an aesthetic for your upcoming wedding can be a daunting task. Let’s face it, once you start wedding planning you are constantly being asked about your specific tastes & personality. Do you prefer a contemporary style? Modern? Classic or Vintage? Will you be designing your wedding with a rustic look or something more traditional? Where do you go for inspiration to figure this all out?? Pinterest. Pinterest is the new bridal magazine. It’s no longer necessary to run to the store & buy every Bridal magazine on the rack. Just turn on your favorite device & log into Pinterest & you have all the inspiration you could ever need at your fingertips. Chances are it will also be easier to convince your significant other to be check out your Pinterest boards rather than be seen lugging around a 350 page Wedding book (been there, done that!).
Pinterest can help you find all the inspiration you could ever dream up, however the mistake I have seen time & time again is just because it’s a DIY doesn’t make it a Do…it could be a hot mess of DIY Don’ts!
So what makes Pinterest-worthy photos? Cohesiveness! Pick a theme & stick with it! Spend your time on several really well executed ideas & don’t just jam pack your wedding with DIY after DIY after DIY that don’t really work well together. And as a photographer, what I mean by “work well together” is “look beautiful photographed together”.
Have you ever logged onto Pinterest & searched “Pinterest Fail”? or “Pinterest Nailed It”? I highly suggest you do so before executing all the amazing DIY ideas you have for your wedding day! Some things are simply better left to the professionals!
First things first though, you need to join Pinterest which allows you to “pin” & “repin” images to your own boards that you create. You can also “like” pins, which is similar to those people who are avid Facebook users. So start by perusing & create a few Wedding Inspired Boards for your special day….make sure to follow us on Pinterest too!
If you are looking for feedback from your friends & family then invite them to comment on your boards…think this option through before you commit however. You may want to create a secret board for those “special” details you don’t want everyone privy to. Do you want everyone knowing your “look” before the big day??? It’s your decision!
Your vision will start to come together & this will soon become a helpful tool when meeting with vendors…like your photographer! Happy pinning! Enjoy!
{Here are a few Pinteresting wedding sats I found…granted they are from 2012 but nothing about brides moving more & more towards embracing digital habits is slowing down anytime soon!…}
{I’ve been thinking about that opening line for a while now!} So lets pretend we’ve chatted over email about the date you are getting married, where, how over the top or intimate the wedding will be, you love my work & totally want to hire me…what’s the next step? Getting together to go over all the details of the wedding day! Usually when a couple hires me it is still pretty early in the planning process, maybe you don’t even have the ceremony or reception locations booked yet??…but I still like to get together over a cup of coffee or at the studio to go over all the plans you have in your head for the big day. Why? Well, to be honest, I’ve photographed a lot of weddings {not hundreds of weddings, but a lot compared to someone who has photographed a few} & I have seen a lot of things that work well & a lot of things that don’t work well. For instance, debating if you should see each other before the wedding? I would ask you what season are you getting married in & if you are set on a specific time for the wedding…why would I ask you these things? In the winter we lose daylight fast so if you aren’t going to see each other before the wedding & you are planning a 6pm ceremony, then some of the Wedding Party & Family photos will have to be photographed when it is dark outside, in a short period of time most likely over happy hour & prior to dinner…are you ok with that or did you envision your Wedding Party & Family photos in pretty, soft, sunny light outdoors, or did you envision mingling during happy hour with your guests? All things to consider when planning your wedding day!
After this initial meeting I like to put together an editable tentative timeline for my clients that outlines the events of the day. This is something I always pass along for you to use as you start to narrow down the details & work out the logistics of your wedding day! Then, about a month before the wedding, we get together again! By this time the details have all been worked out & we really get into the nitty-gritty of the day…who is going to be where & when, what I am photographing when & how…we fine tune the schedule so we are all set walking into your wedding day! I love photographing weddings…but I also really enjoy the collaborative process of making sure your timeline for the day is going to allow you to get all the photos you want & enjoy your wedding day to its fullest!
Anyone who knows me knows that I am not normally at a loss for words! I've been trying to wrap my head around everything that this day meant to Melissa & Laura...somehow capture that in words & spill it all over this page for you to soak in...oh how I wish you all could have been there for every wonderful moment! From the nervousness of getting ready to the anticipation of that first look...& then to that moment, standing before their friends & family, legally committing themselves to one another...ohhh! & the party!!! This was such.a.beautiful.perfect.day. So, instead of trying to spell it out, I'll just let you re-live it with me in the imagery...congratulations Melissa & Laura! Enjoy!
2,457 days after their first date...they got married! I shared the first part of Sarah & Luke's wedding in a post a little while back...just in case you want to check out all of it's loveliness click HERE! But what I couldn't wait to share with you was their first look! We weren't allowed to post these images until Orchestra Hall officially opened after their extensive remodel...but it was worth the wait! The newly remodeled space is absolutely breathtaking. The gray-and-white color scheme, granite floors, glassy staircases, various levels and large glass-enclosed atrium was the perfect backdrop for this beautiful couple! My heart skips a beat every time I look at these images! And a HUGE thanks to my amazing second shooter Melissa! Some of the below images are hers...love working with such talented people! Enjoy!
These two are gentle, kind souls. She's sweet, sincere & ridiculously witty. He's charming, funny & thoughtful...& together, they are amazing. Sarah & Luke's wedding took place at the Historic Wesley Church in the heart of Downtown Minneapolis. The ceremony was followed by dinner at Porter & Frye at the Ivy Hotel & the day ended with an intimate reception at Britts Pub for 150 of their closest friends & family. From the shoes, the dress & perfectly placed details, like a pocket watch held within the brides flowers, to the historic & modern spaces that made up the backdrop of their wedding day...every moment was perfectly orchestrated. Perfectly orchestrated as it should be given how musically gifted these two are! Speaking of music...this is only part one of their sneak peek. Part two will be unveiled after September 20th! I simply can't wait for you to see where they had their first look! Until then...enjoy!
Remember that huge storm we had a few weeks back? Yeah, Ben and Andrea here were on a pedicab on the way to their reception when that hit! And I could not have been happier in that moment to have been with these two, as they did nothing but laugh and make the best out of the situation. After all, it's just another amazing story that they can tell the grandkids about someday. But besides the storm (and even including it!) it was truly a lovely day, as you can see below. In fact, a few days after the wedding when I was editing these images, I realized that my face hurt from all the smiling. Have you ever seen a couple so happy? I was smiling along with them and not even realizing it!
Special thanks to the lovely Meredith for working as my second shooter for the day!
Adria and Jon are two of the most sincere and happy people ever. We had a wonderful time goofing around at Como Zoo and Conservatory last week. Well, all was good except a fateful ride on the Tilt-A-Whirl. Ahem, I for one may be getting too old for that and was woozy for hours afterward! But, all in all, Como Park may be one of my favorite places to shoot an engagement session. There is a kitschy amusement park, gorgeous landscapes, nature trails, even a bit of architecture! Looking forward to Stillwater with these two and their families this August.
After two rain delays, Jennie, Tom, and I finally found a gorgeous day to run around St. Paul. The two share a lot of history in the city. Jennie works in downtown St. Paul and Tom proposed to her in Rice Park. We started the evening at Harriet Island, where across the river I'll shoot their wedding in September. Given Jennie's eye for detail, I know it will be beautiful! Congrats Jennie and Tom!
Today was not just about one person, today Minnesota as a state came together to give every single person the equal opportunity to marry the one they love and I know the the whole Rivets family is proud of our state today!! Congratulations!!
When my husband proposed to me there wasn't a ring involved. Just a nice dinner, some romantic hand holding, and the big question. He wanted us to shop together for the perfect ring. That suited us and we ended up finding rings for both him and myself together. I wonder, how did you pick your ring? Guys, was it something you toiled over or did you know the look you wanted immediately? Ladies, how would you prefer the proposal go down? With the ring or sans ring? Oh, and the picture above is actually my own! I still love it.
Happy Valentine's Day to all the newly engaged couples out there. Today would be a great day to start practicing that camera ready kiss. Step 1: Lean In Step 2: Meet Lips Step 3: Eyes Closed Step 4: Let it Linger
More amazing kisses here.
Can you feel it? All the excitement in the air? With the holidays right behind us and the most romantic one almost upon us it tis'the season for engagements! If you are anything like me, and anything like most of my girlfriends, once that proposal is made it's all about plan, plan, planning for your big day! And what better way to get all of your thoughts organized into once place than in Pinterest! Pinterest is swiftly becoming the go-to resource for brides when planning for their wedding day. It's so easy (and fun!) to create boards to keep track of all the ideas you have for your flowers, wedding invitations and those swoon worthy bridal gowns! I'm fairly certain that if you can think it, you can pin it on Pinterest and that's what we love about it! Rivets & Roses is on Pinterest now too! From snippets of our work to creative DIY projects, the Rivets & Roses Pinterest site is one you will want to follow!
Katie & Jeff were the winners of my wedding giveaway last year! They met at the wedding of a mutual friend, Katie was a bridesmaid & Jeff served the dutiful role as an usher. After the wedding, Jeff returned home to Arizona. Even though he was a few thousand miles away, Katie & Jeff stayed in touch. They talked daily...for hours at a time! They got to know each other very well & it was during a trip back to Minnesota that they officially decided to date long distance. Distance is never easy on a relationship, but they made it work. In July, Jeff decided to pursue his career as a pilot back in Minnesota. Katie went out, helped him pack up, & they drove across country to bring him back home. Since Jeff's return to Minnesota they have been inseparable. And since November they have been husband & wife! This wedding was so much fun to photograph! Personally, my favorite moments are always those moments when I get the bride & groom to myself. The air was cool, but not yet too cold and the ground wasn't yet wet...perfect for photographing their first look outside! From the adorable salon on Grand Avenue to the historic St. Paul Hotel, from the Church of the Assumption to Rice Park & the Town & Country Club every moment of their day was filled with amazing locations to photograph them, their wedding party & family in! Enjoy!
I've been walking by Brudesalongen in Stavanger for weeks now. Admiring, finding inspiration, and staring in awe at their beautiful window displays! I knew it was a must to pop in to say hi and see their dresses up close. The owners Birte and Hege, both trained as tailors and designers, met in the theatre department and decided to partner up to open Brudesalonngen 8 years ago. Brudesalongen translates literally to 'Bridal Salon' from Norwegian! They've transformed this adorable antique building into a modern bridal boutique with one of a kind service, gorgeous gowns, and accessories. I think they offer some of the best dresses in the area and most of all they care about their brides and customers! "We're not too old and we're not too young - we can relate! We want the bride to be comfortable and be true to their personality." says Hege. For their own line of dresses they get inspiration from following the latest trends, magazines and nature, but also "We choose what we'd want to wear ourselves." she says. The two travel across Europe and love going to the London trunk shows hand-picking every gown to hang in their store as well as unique fabrics to design and sew their own! "We are quality tailors and we want to make sure the dress fits very well." I have noticed that weddings in Norway are a bit different from American weddings so I was courious to ask the two what changes they've seen in the last few years and how the American bridal market has changed their business. Birte mentioned,
"Norwegians are a bit more laid back when they shop, sometimes a bride will come alone to pick a dress out herself. But now they see they want something different, something magical, something to share!. So, it's a challenge for us but of course it is our service! Brides that are watching the TV show 'Say Yes to the Dress' are influenced by it. They want to have an experience similar. They want to find a dress and share an experience with their friends and family. It should be something extraordinary. "
Stop in to see their own line of dresses and the cute wallpaper (see below...aaadorable!) - or check out their website online and view the incredible designers! They feature Norwegian designers Sadoni and Leila Hafzi, who has a very bohemian look and uses a lot of silk. They also offer Danish, Spanish, and English designer gowns!
Below: Birte dressing a mannequin for the window display. The pink dress is one of their own designs!
Below: Hege
The salon also carries to-die-for, designer shoes, hats and accessories!
Rivets and Roses, Brudesalongen, and Leila Hafzi will all be showing at an upcoming bridal fair this winter. We're pumped for it - so stay tuned for more info!
Vows. The whole point of your wedding. Solidifying yourselves as a couple, into a marriage by making promises to each other. Right?...The whole reason you're standing up there with your beautiful love on your wedding day.
I got to thinking the other day about my very favorite part of a wedding day and I realized I've changed over the years and especially since becoming a wedding photographer. I used to love receptions. Rockin' out and eating cake til the weeee hours of the night. While I've gotten older, I still like to get out there and 'cut a rug,' but my absolute favorite now are the VOWS. I am one big tear fest when it comes to the vows. There is something SO touching and POWERFUL about watching a couple exchange their promises and commit to one another. I find it exciting to be taking photos of the bride and groom, waiting on the side or back of the pews, to be a witness during this incredible moment.
So...then I got to thinking... What do vows mean to YOU? Every relationship is different and special. Every couple defines their marriage in their own unique way. Some people choose to honor the more traditional vows, depending on their religion. Some people write their own vows and suprise one another on the wedding day with their personal promise. Some find inspiration in books, movies, television shows to help describe their own love.
Now, I'm not married but my twin sister is. She married the love of her life, her HIGH SCHOOL sweethart, Ryan. :) I was the Maid of Honor for her wedding and remember how awesome it was watching them profess their love in front of friends and family. I asked her what her vows meant to her and she said this -
"Everyone is different, but vows to me are a representation of your marriage. It's your mission statement. It's can be easy to get wrapped up in the wedding day, but my vows are what help remind me what's important."
Kelly and Ryan created their own vows by pulling ideas and inspiration from one of Kelly's favorite movies, 'Shall We Dance.' (Yea, the one with J.Lo.)
I bring myself to you this day to share my life with you. I promise to care about everything. The good things, the terrible things, the mundane things...all of it, all the time, everyday. When our love is simple and when it is an effort. Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will not go un-witnessed because I will be your witness. I believe in you, and I will be there to chase away your fears, wipe away your tears and love you always.
And check out the YouTube clip!!! Susan Sarandon ROCKS!
(Photography by: Davis Photography)
"I can go back and look at something and be like, what are our core values? How are we going to recreate that? If Ryan and I are having a rough time I can go back and ask 'Am I caring about everything? What can I do to do that?' They help get us back on track. Bring it back to your vows."
Look! I'm over there in the left corner holding a bouquet instead of a camera...with a giant lump in my throat holding back sobs ;)
"Sometimes caring about 'EVERYTHING' is a challenge. 'I don't care' shouldn't be in our vocabulary. Besides, that's mean!" - Kelly Vredenburg
Below: I cried at every single one of these weddings. Seriously I'm such a SAP. I LOVE watching and photographing these awesome moments. What an honor.
Jenny and Bart wrote their very own individual vows and shared them for the first time on their wedding day. It was soooo touching and cool.
What are you favorite moments? What did you do/are you going to do for your vows? Share below...We'd love to know!
Last weekend I took a beautiful drive on a two-lane highway out west to shoot this lovely couple getting married in Granite Falls, MN. It was a stunning day, but more importantly, a fantastic couple. I have known (and adored) the bride for awhile, but I didn't know the groom that well. Luckily for me (um, and for the bride) he turned out to be AWESOME. We had so much fun at this wedding, and I couldn't be happier for the adorable couple.
Also, a special thanks to the lovely Margaret who was not only in the wedding, but snapped up my second camera to grab a few extra shots as the day progressed.
I had the absolute pleasure of documenting Megan & Dylan Guerbers wedding day. They are the lucky couple that won one of the Rivets and Roses wedding giveaways and I must say that I was the lucky one. To find a couple so pure at heart and genuine is rare, they made my job effortless and after spending 2 minutes in there company I forgot I was even working. True love comes naturally and when it is real, everyone knows.
