I have a thing with shoes {post by natalie}

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!

Some very Pinteresting Information… {post by natalie}

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!…}

The Grand Cafe (Post by Thea)

Today, I want to feature one of my favorite restaurants in Minneapolis, The Grand Cafe. Annika and I braved the cold weather late this morning for Eggs en Cocotte, Carmel Apple French Toast, and fresh orange juice. As always, the table setting was irresistibly quaint and the atmosphere comfortable. And, in case you didn't know, they host weddings. I can only imagine an intimate and cool reception here. Hope you enjoy these pictures that I managed between bites.  

Wedding consultations | Let’s chat about chatting! {post by natalie}

{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!

alethea + jarl, married {by leslie}

A few weeks back I was lucky enough to shoot an intimate wedding on a cold winter day inside of a cozy home packed full of friends and family. Oh  man, do I love the small, casual wedding! Alethea and Jarl traveled all the way from their London home to get married surrounded by the ones they love, and it was so great to be a part of their special day!

Also! Special thanks to the wonderful Jackson for second shooting this one with me.

Leah and Brian // New Year's Eve (Post by Thea)

Leah and Brian have a truly amazing story. When I first met them, I also met their daughter Samantha, a playful and wise little girl. Through a touching series of events, Leah adopted Samantha after growing close to Brian, Samantha's father, some years back. The three have an impenetrable bond but they keep their family and friends close as well. Though their wedding day was epically cold, they threw a delightful party at the McNamara Alumni Center. It included 40 children who were treated to a special reception all their own, complete with movies, activities, and glow sticks. This inclusiveness plus the faith and culture of a traditional Jewish wedding made the day one of a kind.

Kaitlin and Mike // Married (post by Desiree)

Take style and class mixed with the right amount of awesome and you get Kaitlin and Mike. Naturally these two were both totally relaxed and enjoying their big day despite the rain showers in November.  It still made for a beautiful wedding at St. Kates Chapel. After meeting these two during their engagement session I knew their wedding was going to be sooooo much fun and they did not disappoint.  One beautiful bride in her stunning gown, one dapper groom, love, friends, family...it was perfect.

Melissa & Laura | Married {post by natalie}

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!

Jennie and Tom // Sep. 21, 2013 (Post by Thea)

Narrowing this post down to a set of images was not an easy task. There were just too many awesome moments to choose from. Jennie and Tom's wedding was an old-fashioned meets modern affair in St. Paul early this Fall. There were gold and glittery details, wispy and monochromatic bridesmaids dress... DIY touches in every corner, then a sky-high reception at the carousel on the 22nd floor of downtown St. Paul's Crown Plaza. I would do this day again. It was just that fun. Congratulations to Jennie and Tom!

Family Style Back Yard Brides Dinner {post by natalie}

When I showed up to the Brides Dinner & saw the cans of Contadina Tomato Puree I just knew these were going to be my kind of people! This backyard Brides Dinner was simply perfect. From the family style set up & checkered table cloths to the twinkling lights & the puppy's tux...yes, the puppy's tux...Melissa & Laura couldn't of had a better night with their family & friends! While I was there I had the opportunity to sneak Melissa & Laura away for a bit...goodness how I love the excited nervousness of a couple as they start to realize that tomorrow, TOMORROW they will be married! And how truly exciting that we live in a state where Melissa & Laura would be able to make their commitment to one another legal! Very proud to be a Minnesotan on this particular night...enjoy!

Sneak Peak: Jennie and Tom (Post by Thea)

Jennie and Tom's wedding day was romantic, fun, and beautifully planned.  Full post on the way!

2,457 Days | First Look {post by natalie}

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!  

Meghan and PJ // August 24, 2013 (Post by Thea)

Meghan and PJ had a wonderful day. Their ceremony was held at an historic cathedral in downtown St. Paul with a reception following at the AMAZING Heartland Restaurant in Lowertown. The two chose Heartland because they really wanted the feeling of a large family dinner for their reception. Totally a success. The menu was phenomenal, giving each guest many choices when it came to salad, entree, and dessert. With such an intimate setting there just wasn't room for a dance floor. But, at the end of the night, the Maid of Honor surprised everyone with a special song for the newly married couple. So they danced, one dance, together amongst their guests. Congratulations to Meghan and PJ!

xo, thea

Sneak Peak (Post by Thea)

amy + kevin, married {by leslie}

I was fortunate enough to shoot a wedding last weekend in Lake Tahoe, and oh my was it gorgeous up there. The first day I arrived, I spent two hours driving around the lake taking photos of the scenery, dreaming of the spots I could put this bride and groom for their portraits, and generally just so thrilled to have such an amazing location. And then the wedding day came, and it rained all day long. Seriously, all day. I think there was a ten minute break! But, it all went wonderfully. The wedding party and guests all pitched in 100% to help relocate the ceremony and the reception to the lodge where they were all staying, and it was a wonderful, beautiful day and ceremony. And you better believe I used that 1o minutes that it stopped raining to get the adorable couple outside for a few photos (before it then started coming down even harder).

Also, you'll see a critter in the photos below. That bear? That was trying to break into the lodge the morning of the wedding! This day was nothing but adventure, I tell you!

Anyway, through all of this, Amy and Kevin just laughed and rolled with the punches. It really showed me that they make such a wonderful team, and clearly they are ready for whatever life throws their way. Congrats you two!

Jason & Rodney // Aug. 16, 2013 (Post by Thea)

Jason and Rodney are two very handsome guys. But they are taken. August 16th, 2013 may have been their "official" wedding day, but these two have been married for 10 years. In fact, 10 years ago on August 16th, they wed in Vermont, where same-sex marriage was legal at the time. Their wedding at the Guthrie was a great mix of family, friends, cocktails, and dancing. Lots of dancing! Style Architects planned the day and did a fabulous job bringing their two visions together. Congratulations Jason and Rodney!

xo, thea

Adria and Jon // August 2, 2013 (Post by Thea)

Adria and Jon had an intimate, family-focused wedding in Stillwater aboard the Anastasia. We started the day at the historic Lowell Inn and ended with sunsets along the St. Croix. They really did everything right and I was lucky to be a part of it.

xo, thea

stacy + carl {by leslie}

I have watched a lot of my dearest friends get married this summer, and this day was one of them. Stacy and Carl decided to tie the knot at the Seventh Street Entry (a deep passion for music being one of the many things we have in common) and it was lovely. There were so many tears of joy at this ceremony, and I loved that the whole day was very much "them" and not at all a "traditional" wedding. Seeing how couples add their own personality to their special day is one of my favorite things, and these kids did it up big. See a few shots below!

Love in the heart of the city | Minneapolis Wedding Photographer {post by natalie}

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!

katie + b married {by leslie}

I had a court house wedding last week with the adorable Katie and B. The wedding was so simple and small and sweet and genuine -- sometimes these small affairs are so dang touching. But besides all the romance, there was also a ton of laughing. You will see what I mean with the "fight" photos below. Congrats, you two!