Tyler and Jess had a b-e-a-u-tiful wedding up north on Kabekona Bay. It was hotter than heck but everyone, including the bridal party and family stuck it out and stayed hydrated! The two have been together since HIGH SCHOOL and are more in love than ever. Tyler and Jess are seriously fun, ridiculously cool, and full of adventure which made photographing their wedding a complete blast. They both work for the airlines which gives them the opportunity to travel all over the world and come back to Minnesota with shweet photos, memories, and an even stronger bond. It was such a delight and honor to photograph your wedding! Thank you so much for letting me be apart of your awesome day. Congratulations! xoxo
Weddings
At long last (Post by Louisa)
After trying to write the first sentence of this blog post 4 times, I'm just going to skip right to the second sentence and tell you all about Georgia & Andrew's wedding. They were married on a hot, hot summer day, surrounded by their closest family and friends. The lovely bride wore her mother's wedding gown and our handsome groom was decked out in a snazzy suit, a pink shirt (love men who wear pink, btw) and suspenders. These two were mellow, warm, kind and so happy to be getting married to each other that the day couldn't possibly have gone better. After an 11 am ceremony, everyone was treated to thebestweddingfoodiveevereaten at Brasa Restaurant. After lunch the couple was whisked away in a pedicab for portraits and the whole affair was wrapped up by 5:30 pm. Here's what I learned from this wedding: I learned that I LOVE morning ceremonies. The rest of the day is so easygoing after the ceremony is finished! I learned that little boys in bow ties are the cutest thing ever. I learned that sometimes it takes 2 states, 2 continents, 2 countries and 7 years for a relationship to get to the right place. I learned (again) that I am mega lucky and honored to be included in days like this one. Georgia & Andrew: CONGRATULATIONS! Can't wait to see what lovely moments life has in store for you.
wedding tips & tricks: engagement sessions {by natalie}
Engagement sessions…where oh where to begin!? Booking an engagement session isn’t only a great way to capture photos of you and your bride or groom prior to your wedding day but it’s also an invaluable way to get everyone comfortable with all the photography and direction and posing (or not) that is going to be taking place on your wedding day!
Why does your photographer love engagement sessions with you? One of the many reasons is because it gives me the ability to hang out and get to know you without all the stress of the wedding day. I usually find that it’s during this session that we discover our similar love for all things covered in white chocolate or friends we have in common! From serious couples to silly ones, getting to know you prior to your wedding day in this relaxed, casual atmosphere really helps me build a relationship with you!
Why should you love engagement sessions with your photographer? One of the many reasons is because it gives you the ability to just hang out and get to know me without all the stress of the wedding day. I usually find that while you may have fallen in love with my style/work online you may know very little about my personality! Getting to know me prior to your wedding day in this relaxed, casual atmosphere really helps you build your relationship with me!
Why else does your photographer love engagement sessions with you? This is my time to experiment with the two of you! How do the two of you fit together? What poses accentuate your best features? Are you naturally comfortable with a lot or a little direction? Before I photograph a wedding I will usually look back through the engagement photos to remind myself what worked and what didn't. This is a great way for me to prepare for your wedding day!
Why else should you love engagement sessions with your photographer? This is your time to see what it’s like being in front of the camera! How does it feel to be photographed? Are you comfortable and relaxed? Are you stiff and stressed? Before your wedding day take a look back through the engagement photos to remind yourself what worked and what didn't. This is a great way for you to prepare for being in front of the camera on your wedding day!
From relationship building to getting comfortable in front of and behind the camera, engagement sessions are just as beneficial for the photographer as they are for the couple! Remember to make booking an engagement session with your photographer a priority!
Wedding Tips and Tricks: Rain or Shine (post by Desiree)
Rain or Shine the show will go on! Not only will your wedding go on but it will be FANTASTIC and great photos can be taken whether it rains, shines or hails. So no matter what the day looks like: relax and enjoy it! During the middle of July - peak wedding season - sometimes you can be hoping for a bright and sunny day for your wedding but I just wanted to let all the brides out there know that it's completely OK if it rains on your wedding day. Believe it or not my perfect dream wedding to photograph includes a cloudy day! Clouds help diffuse the sun making the light fall all around you just perfectly without harsh shadows. Also, you won't have to worry about squinting your eyes into the sun. I know it might be hard to see those clouds and not think gloom, but remember it's ALL about you and your love for the one you're marrying. Seriously NOTHING else matters except your love when it comes down to it, right?!
A great example is the wedding of Lydia and Clayton. It actually hailed a few hours before their wedding! Yes. Hail. What did we do? Bring the bride underneath an overhang and get some awesome photos, eventually it stopped hailing and we were able to venture further out and the grey skies were just stunning with a wedding dress in front of it! Lydia and Clayton didn't let a thing stop them on their day. :)
Holy Smokes it was dark!
Those clouds made for AMAZING evenly lit shots!
Maybe it's not raining but it's 90 degrees and bright as heck outside?! Trust your photographer - they will find the right light. It is our job to find 'the light.'
Or will your wedding be 30 degrees and freezing?! Below: winter sun set
Our tip: just RELAX. Know that whether it's raining or sunny on your wedding day it's going to ROCK and you will end up with some creative one of a kind photos for you to remember your special day.
wedding tips & tricks: where to get ready {by leslie}
While Louisa talked to you all about how to get the best family photos on your big day, I'm going to talk about the importance of where you get ready. Now, I don't think any wedding photographer expects a bride to think about light when choosing the church or ceremony location (but if you do, hooray!). Many times the location is chosen for personal reasons, and we photographers understand that. But where I *do* want you to consider lighting is at your "getting ready" location.
In my opinion, some of the most gorgeous photos come from the bride and groom preparing for their wedding. It's when you see several generations working together, lots of nervous laughter, and things that we don't normally do -- like applying fake eyelashes or tying bow-ties. There's a lot of nervous energy, and it's so fun to capture that. But it's not so much fun if we're trying to capture it in a dark and moldy church basement with buzzing fluorescent lights.
Many couples don't put much thought into where they will be getting ready until the last minute, but finding a place that is large enough for your wedding party, clean and has clutter-free corners near large windows will make an enormous difference in your photos.
Having natural light in your "getting-ready" space is crucial because while we photographers have many tools that can help us fix bad light (flashes, light stands, reflectors), using them in a room with five to seven women and all of their clothes, makeup and hot hair appliances is asking for disaster. This is one of the times (as well as the ceremony) where we want to be nimble and pretty much ignored. We want to be documenting this from "behind-the-scenes," and we want to stay out of everyone's way. Not only because it's the courteous thing to do, but also because people may be running a little behind, and we certainly don't ever want to be the cause of tardiness to the ceremony.
So when choosing a place to get dressed before the ceremony, these are the things I'd keep in mind:
• Is the space large enough for the bridal party, the parents who will be stopping by, all of the dresses and hair and makeup supplies plus snacks and drinks as well as any photo or video staff you may have hired?
• Are there mirrors? You would be surprised at how many places don't have them...
• Are there large windows or skylights that will allow for natural lighting? By the way, the photographers aren't the only people who will thank you for this -- your makeup artist needs that sunlight as well.
• Is there an area of the room where everyone can stash their street clothes, purses, makeup etc. so that when the photographer is shooting everyone putting on dresses, the background isn't cluttered?
• Does the door lock? You will be leaving many valuables here during the ceremony, and you don't want anyone worrying about their things.
Considering these points will make your wedding prep go even smoother, making everyone more relaxed before the big event.
stephanie and aaron {by natalie}
I am going to have to apologize a head of time for the absurdly long post...I just couldn't help myself! Stephanie & Aaron were married in at Sylvan Lake Lodge in Custer, South Dakota. Minneapolis is home but family & friends traveled from as far away as Japan to celebrate their wedding day with them! Sylvan Lake Lodge was the perfect backdrop for their wedding...from the amazing rock formations that surround the lodge (the beginning of the Needles!) to the beautiful lake side ceremony, everything about this outdoor wedding was a reflection of Stephanie & Aaron's laid back, natural style. I thought for sure we were going to get rained on during the ceremony but the huge dark cloud that swept into view only stayed long enough for me to get a few dramatic photos (no complaints!). It was lovely to see how attentive & sweet these two were with each other all day long & I am absolutely thrilled that they are now officially Mr. & Mrs! Congratulations!
Wedding Tips and Tricks: Family Portraits (Post by Louisa)
Today I am going to kick off a new series of blog posts where the Rivets and Roses staff talks about some great tips and tricks to make your wedding even more beautiful than you've already planned it to be. Between the five of us here on the Rivets staff we have quite a bit of wedding experience and we love seeing couples who find inventive ways to heighten the quality of their photos. We thought we would share some things we've seen at weddings with some things we've learned over the years to help you maximize your photography budget and get images that you'll love for the rest of your life. These are all just suggestions, so feel free to take these ideas and interpret them in your own way for your own big day! I'm going to start things off by talking about group photos, specifically the family portraits. Generally this is everyone's least favorite and most stressful part of the day, but it doesn't have to be! Family portraits can go smoothly and look beautiful with just a little bit of planning and since these are the images that are going to hang on your parents' walls from now to eternity, use my top 5 tips to get great family shots.
1. Have a detailed, and I mean DETAILED list of each and every shot you want to get during the family portraits. My clients generally keep this time of the day reserved for parents, grandparents and siblings, but be specific and list out every combination of people with their names, who they're related to, and how. Work with your photographer to figure out how much time (realistically) this will take. I usually work with my clients to budget 45-50 minutes for family photos, even though it usually doesn't take quite that long.
2. Consider doing all of the family shots with the couple as a unit. For example: instead of doing a shot with the bride, the bride's parents and the bride's siblings and ALSO doing a shot with the bride and groom (or the bride and the other bride!), the bride's parents and the bride's siblings, just do the shot with the couple together. For one or two combinations of people, this isn't going to cut much out timing wise, but once you get 30 combinations of family members it can actually cut out big chunks of time. Consider whether your parents and family members will want a group shot on your wedding day without you in it.
3. Think ahead when planning a location. I am a big fan of shooting family portraits outside. I find that religious buildings often have terrible lighting and too much stuff in the background. I try to find a large expanse of brick wall or a shady area with trees in the background for my clients. Again, these photos are going to be hanging on people's walls. If you're able to find an outdoors spot where people can meet, your images might be cleaner and the lighting will be better. If you're going to be driving from one location to the next, get a map for the people in the portrait group, or caravan so that everyone knows exactly where to go.
4. Smile! Yes, we know it is a long day and we know that having your parents, grandparents and siblings (not to mention your bridal party and your vendors!) talking to you all day can be tiring, but these are the people who love and support you the most and they aren't going to be in every single photo. Make sure that they get a chance to shine...after all, you might not be where you are without them! These are also the photos that will last forever in your family history. When grandparents and parents start to pass away, you'll still have a beautiful memory of everyone together on your wedding day. It's worth spending the extra 15 minutes to get everyone together and smiling.
5. Dress to impress. This is something that may not be possible for all couples to accomplish, but the more coordinated the clothing choices, the more cohesive the family shots. I recently shot a wedding where the colors were black and white with pops of red. The bride asked her immediate family to dress how they liked as long as they were either wearing black or white, or a combination of the two. The result was a shockingly beautiful and put-together portrait that I'm sure they will be proud to have in their home. Everyone was wearing something that flattered their body type and they felt comfortable in their choices. Depending on the personality types in your family, you may be able to accomplish this same look. Pick a color scheme for the people who will be in these large shots and ask them to dress accordingly. It's an easy way to make photos with lots of people look as great as they can.
Happy Anniversary Ali & Riley!
Once upon a time there was an enchanted barn... (Post by Louisa)
This. Wedding. Was. Awesome. Mimi & Brian (who are not only beautiful but also ridiculously nice) got married last weekend at The Enchanted Barn in Hillsdale, Wisconsin and I cannot wait until someone hires me to shoot there again. Seriously. This place was nuts! Horses roaming around, a barn with soft, dreamy light and, oh yeah, the most incredible staff...seriously. SERIOUSLY. Brides: if you don't have a venue yet, let me just go ahead and recommend that you check this place out. Okay, enough waxing poetic about this perfect location. Let's talk for a moment about the handsome groom and his merry band of seersucker-clad groomsmen. Dapper for days. And then there was our bride Mimi, decked out in a Tara LaTour gown that couldn't have been more perfect for this bucolic location. All in all, I'd have to say this was one of the most picturesque weddings I've had the pleasure of shooting. Mimi & Brian, I am so thrilled that Jess and I got to be your photographers on your wedding day! We grinned the whole time and I think you're going to like the images we made for you.
Home is where the heart is (by Desiree)
Sometimes home really is where your heart lies...so why not profess your love and marry your favorite person at home? It's ridiculously fitting for these two. Here are a few favorites of mine from last weekend with the super awesome Photogen-Inc. crew!
Travis & Teresa Tie the Knot (Post by Louisa)
The Sunday before Memorial Day was supposed to be 96 degrees and raining. You know what happened instead? The weather was GORGEOUS. It was hot and sunny and windy and gorgeous. You know what else was pretty gorgeous? This fine-looking couple. They were married in a quiet ceremony in front of their family and then had a rocking party at the Crowne Plaza. These two thought of everything and their day was spectacular; from the dramatic floral arrangements to the way their entire family dressed in black and white (resulting in some seriously killer family portraits) to the fact that they rented a vintage Ford to drive us around for portraits. Travis & Teresa: thank you for choosing me and for letting me be a part of your lovely wedding day. I wish you all the best!
A few favorites {by Desiree}
Just going through some shots and I found a few favorites that I wanted to share. Isn't she just lovely?
Sneak Peek
These two lovely people got married on a
chilly, grey day in Madison last weekend. I think we made the most of it :)
Rivets and Roses Gives Back to Charity!
We are incredibly excited to announce that for every wedding booking from now on for the 2012 wedding season, $200 from each booking will be donated to charity! Each of us have chosen an organization to support that has been very close to our hearts and we're excited to give back. As a studio, we are all about finding the perfect photographer that fits your style. Now is your opportunity to not only have amazing wedding photography, but also to make a change and donate to an amazing cause, in honor of your big day! [quote]I am thrilled to announce that a percent of my proceeds will go toward the Animal Humane Society. As most of you know, I love taking photos of animals, and especially puppies. I have two very large dogs of my own that I rescued, and I'm a big supporter of saving dogs that are in need of a home. Donating some money to help adopt out more dogs is something I am really happy to be a part of. - Leslie[/quote]
[quote]I have an old childhood friend who was diagnosed with ALS a few years ago. I've thought about him often since then and I feel like this is a way to be supportive to him and his family and friends. -Louisa[/quote]
[quote]I have chose to work with the organization ART START. The purpose of ART START is to nurture the voices, hearts and minds of at-risk youth through creative arts workshops conducted daily inside homeless shelters and alternative to incarceration programs throughout New York City. With structure and connection to opportunity, art can be the starting point of a process that turns project achievements into life achievements. - Marc[/quote]
[quote]Giving and helping NAMI is important to me as they are committed to helping those who struggle with a mental illness such as depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. They also focus their efforts on helping the family members and friends of those who struggle with these illnesses. I feel it's important to educate the public about mental health and NAMI is out there to promote community programs, improve services, and reduce stigma. This is close to my heart as I have family members who struggle mental illness and I'd love to be able to help everyone! - Desiree[/quote]
Find Your Photographer
If you are interested in being a part of this amazing opportunity, please check out our portfolios and also the charities we support!
Leslie's Portfolio & The Animal Humane Society
Natalie's Portfolio & Camp Get-A-Well-A
Desiree's Portfolio & The National Alliance on Mental Illness
Louisa's Portfolio & The ALS Association
Feel free to contact us directly for more information and pricing. Cheers to giving back!
- Team Rivets and Roses
Gretchen & Tom | Destination Wedding Photography {by natalie}
Gretchen & Tom decided to get married in Mexico & I couldn't be more happy that they did! The quaint Azul Beach Hotel was the perfect backdrop for their sweet, intimate wedding. And can I tell you, spending time with couples & getting to know them, especially in a situation like a destination wedding, is so much fun for me! These two are seriously so in love...my favorite moment? After the ceremony I had the two of them alone on the rooftop for a few photos in the setting sun & Tom, reached in, pulled Gretchen to himself tightly & sweetly kissed her on the forehead...ahhh...my heart! I am so happy for them & all that lies ahead of them! Congratulations!
Sneak Peek | Destination Wedding {by natalie}
Soul Magnets (Images by Louisa)
The first wedding of the year is a big deal. It's exciting and fresh and everyone in the wedding world puts their best foot forward for occasions just like this one. When I met Lindsey and David last fall I knew they were going to have a special wedding. Their relationship is so sweet and they love each other so much that it's just refreshing to be around them. After we shot their engagement photos I was totally hooked. They got married on gorgeous, windy, unseasonably warm March 10th of this year at the Hope Community Church in downtown Minneapolis. Their ceremony was heartfelt and emotional with lovely vows that they had written themselves. As usual, I cried. Lindsey and David describe themselves as soul magnets, and insofar as I know about these things, I'd have to agree with them. They are wonderful together and much beloved by their families and friends. Lindsey and David: I hope you two have the most wonderful life together, and I hope you make babies really, really soon, because I can't wait to work with you again! Special thanks to my second shooter Jessica for some of the lovely images below and to Munster Rose for the breathtakingly beautiful flowers.
2012 Rivets and Roses Wedding Giveaway // Winners
What a week! We can't BELIEVE how many of you came to the blog and showed your support for the AMAZING couples who were a part of the 2012 Rivets and Roses Wedding Giveaway! We were blown away by the response and we want to thank each and every one of you for casting your votes! The final count is incredible: 35,590 votes!!!! A big thank you goes out to all of the friends, family, co-workers and social-media-friends who helped the couples win! And, of course, thank you to all of the couples who participated and truly hustled for your votes all week!
Congratulations to the winning couples below! We are SO excited to photograph your weddings and to give back in this way!
-Team Rivets & Roses
LOUISA // Kirsten & Graeme
DESIREE // Jessica & Tyler
MARC // Megan & Dylan
LESLIE // Missy & Mike
NATALIE // Katie & Jeff
2012 Rivets and Roses Wedding Photography Giveaway // Leslie!
Hello Blog Readers! Welcome to the official voting for the 2012 Rivets and Roses Wedding Giveaway! The three amazing couples below have all sent in their nominations and would LOVE for Leslie to be their photographer! The winning couple will be decided by you, the public! Please take the time to read each couple's story and cast your vote for who you think deserves to win this amazing giveaway!
Couple #1// Liz & Neel
Wedding Location// Stamford, Connecticut
Their Story// Liz and Neel met the old-fashioned NYC way, at a bar! They were both there invited out by mutual friends on a Friday night to see a comedy show, and as soon as Neel sat down at the table, Liz couldn't take her eyes off of him. That was 3 years ago yesterday, and has felt like a dream. The best kind of dream.
[quote]In most ways, we are just your average twenty-something couple. And we've been through a lot in our short three years together so far. We have an amazing dog, bought a house in the suburbs, comforted each other after deaths in our families, celebrated the births of babies, the devastation of an estranged parent. Neel truly is my soul mate, my better half. I am so blessed that we found each other. Neel is an only child, and I am the first of my siblings to be getting married, so we have a lot of pressure on us! We are throwing a day-long event with a full Indian/Hindu ceremony, followed by a traditional/western ceremony, and a big dinner and dance party for our 250 guests. As you can imagine, that's a big event for two average people to be hosting! We would love to have a legit photographer, and such a talented artist such as yourself, to preserve these memories for us as we celebrate with our families on our wedding day.[/quote]
Couple #2// Missy & Mike
Wedding Location// On the Shores of Lake Michigan
Their Story// Mike and Missy met in a funny way. They are from the same small, Wisconsin town, lived in the same neighborhood, and even dated siblings from the same family through high school. All that considered, we never exchanged a word. When college came around, Missy moved to Seattle and eventually back to Minneapolis, where she randomly moved into a house across the street from Mike's brother, Patrick. One day, a bunch of their friends piled into a car to take a trip back to their hometown, tt was here that she met her future husband. Long story short, it took 8 years, 2 moves and 1 extremely long car ride to finally meet one another. They have been together ever since.
[quote]We love native plants, ducks, and our families' heritages, from the upper peninsula of Michigan + Scandinavia. We're not as concerned with a cohesive theme as much as we'd like it to be happy, colorful and tons of fun! I will just say that your photos are stunning, real and exactly what I've imagined for the big day. Mike and I aren't from the 1920's, and we aren't throwing a vintage carnival so props and unnatural poses aren't what we're looking for. I'd love our day documented as it is, in a beautiful way.[/quote]
Couple #3// Maggie & Matt
Wedding Location// Suncrest Gardens Pizza Farm, Wisconsin
Their Story// Matt and Maggie grew up 2.15 miles away from each other, but did not meet until they were 19 and 22. They ran with the same crowd, but at different times. Many of Maggie's friends from high school became Matt's friend's after she went to Madison for college. Their good friend Danny Turner would come home from California from time to time during his stint in the Marines and people would come back to Eau Claire to attend wild parties for his homecoming. And alas, this is how Maggie met Matt. Matt was very shy, but with much persistence, Maggie got him down to Madison for a visit in no time! After Maggie's graduation, they spent a year in New Zealand traveling around the country and working on farms and in hostels. Then they lived in St. Paul, MN for 2 years. Maggie has spent the last 3 years going to law school down in Madison while Matt has held down the fort in St. Paul. They cannot wait to reunite for a lifetime of fun!
[quote]We spent our first few summers together going to tons of music festivals. We are also into the music scene in Eau Claire and the Twin Cities. At our wedding everyone is getting a lawn chair and we are eating on hay bales, picnic style. We want it to have the feel of a music fest. The decorations will have old school circus details, such as lettering and flags hanging from the tent. We can't wait![/quote]
Voting is open from//
March 8th @12:00pm - March 15th @11:59pm
You are allowed to vote for one couple per day.
The polls reset 22 hours after your last vote!
[poll id="4"]
2012 Rivets and Roses Wedding Photography Giveaway // Natalie!
Hello Blog Readers! Welcome to the official voting for the 2012 Rivets and Roses Wedding Giveaway! The two amazing couples below have sent in their nominations and would LOVE for Natalie to be their photographer! The winning couple will be decided by you, the public! Please take the time to read each couple's story and cast your vote for who you think deserves to win this amazing giveaway!
Couple #1// Elizabeth & JB
Wedding Location// Columbia Manor, Maple Grove, MN
Their Story// Elizabeth and JB's love story is a little unique. The two met through a mutual friend in high school. JB was the cute boy and Elizabeth was the star struck girl. They hung out a few times with the arrangement of my best friend of course, but they went their separate ways. A few years later, one summer back from college Elizabeth's best friend and her decided to call him up. From that night on they were inseparable. That is, until Elizabeth went back to school in Hawaii. The couple never lost touched and became best friends. A few years later Elizabeth moved back to Minnesota and her and JB have been together ever since.
[quote]He is my friend and soul mate. In May of last year he got down and proposes (I wish I could say it was a surprise, but a month earlier he mentioned this to me over a romantic dinner because well we are best friends and best friends always like to talk first right?)This past August he started Med School in Maine and I am here teaching in Minnesota. These past few months have been tough, but we are doing it. I will be making the move out there this summer. I can’t imagine my life with out him. [/quote]
Couple #2// Katie & Jeff
Wedding Location// St. Paul, Minnesota
Their Story// Katie and Jeff met about a year and a half ago at a wedding. The wedding was for a mutual friend of the both of them, Katie was a bridesmaid and Jeff served the dutiful role as an usher. After the wedding, however, Jeff returned home to Arizona. Even though he was a few thousand miles away, Katie and Jeff stayed in touch. They talked daily, and sometimes for hours at a time. They got to know each other very well and Jeff decided that a trip back to Minnesota was in order. During this time, the two hung out quite a bit and it was during this visit that Jeff and Katie officially decided to date long distance. The distance was hard but they made it work. In July, Jeff decided to pursue his career as a pilot back in MN. Katie went out, helped him pack up, and drove across the country to bring him home. Since his return to MN they have been inseparable.
[quote]Katie has had in mind what she wants her wedding to be like for a very long time. It was always a fall wedding with cranberry dresses for her bridesmaids. They will be getting married in St. Paul, MN on November of 2012, the weekend before Thanksgiving. They are both thankful for each other, thankful for their friends and family who have shown them support throughout the years, and thankful that they are going to be celebrating the rest of their lives together.[/quote]
Voting is open from//
March 8th @12:00pm - March 15th @11:59pm
You are allowed to vote for one couple per day.
The polls reset 22 hours after your last vote!
[poll id="5"]