Monthly Blog Topic // Team Post

For this months blog topic we asked our team why they think it is important for couples to get a wedding album and prints. In the time of digital what is the value of printed product?

Bryan

I think having a printed album gives you a reason to relive your big day over and over. Friends and Family will also enjoy picking up the book off your coffee table for years to come. 

Ryan

Receiving 750 images from your wedding day can be really overwhelming. My wife and I decided to create an album from our wedding photos and every year, on our anniversary, we find a cozy spot and go through it together. A lot of couples simply miss out on having a real, tangible experience with their photos because they are forever stuck on a digital device. If you love the smell of coffee, the sound of music on vinyl or actually going to a forest or lake and smelling the trees and diving into the water, not just seeing all this on your instagram feed, you NEED to make it a priority to get your hands on an album. I've never heard a couple regretting the decision to get an album. Do it! 

Melissa

Wedding albums and prints are a meaningful piece of family history that for centuries people hold onto. We will never know if we can hold onto digital files forever since we live in a time where things are constantly changing. From my own personal experience having a wedding album to display the highlights of the day is priceless for the amount of joy it brings to us and others.

JESS

Honestly, it’s nearly impossible to describe the value of a printed photo,  or of an album. As a kid, on rainy days or just when bored, I would grab family photo albums and just flip through the pages often asking my mom and dad to replay the stories of when I stepped on my sister because I learned to walk first or that time I rode my tricycle down the stairs. I mean honestly, is it the same to scroll through Facebook photos? Photos trigger memories and laughter and tears and all those cheesy things. There is just something different about a physical photo. Somehow it seems that a photo just isn’t a photo until it exists in print form. 

Angela

I think it's important for couples to get a wedding album because it's something you can physically hold. Unfortunately technology can fail but you can always have a physical copy of prints. I also think it's much more meaningful and special to see a wedding day through prints or an album versus scrolling through images on a screen. 

Introducing Jess + Angela | Welcome to Rivets and Roses

We have some exciting news here at Rivets and Roses! As we are all in the midst of the 2016 season, we are also gearing up for 2017 and all that it will bring! 

We want to introduce you to our two new photographers that will be joining our team! Please help us in welcoming Jess Ekstrand and Angela Baggett! Both of these women come with years of experience and a ton of talent behind them. We are so excited to offer their services for 2017!

Jess Ekstrand

Jess Ekstrand

Meet Jess Ekstrand!

You might recognize Jess, as she has been assisting weddings with us for the past five years! Beyond that, Jess brings a total of 10 years of experience to her clients and we couldn't be more thrilled with her becoming a lead photographer for Rivets!

"A wedding day can be really fun and a little crazy, so I like to keep things chill. I love small weddings and clients that infuse their day with a combination of their personalities. Of course it's considered a bonus if you like bikes, beer, and the great outdoors!"

View more work from Jess and see pricing on the website!

Angela Baggett

Angela Baggett

Meet Angela!

Angela joins our team with five years of wedding experience! After graduating from the Arts Institute of Minneapolis, she knew she wanted to focus on wedding photography and she is the perfect addition to our team.

"My ideal client: It's simple. They are all about celebrating their love together with the people they love most in the world. My style is documenting the day in the most genuine, elegant, and creative way possible."

View Angela's full portfolio and pricing on the website!

As always the rest of our Rivets and Roses team is currently booking for the 2017 wedding season!

Downtown Minneapolis Wedding // Mr. + Mrs. Mara // Post by Ryan Stadler

Christina and Brian traveled from Seattle Washington to Downtown Minneapolis for their wedding. They began the day with all their close friends and family as they got ready at the Westin Hotel. Everyone gathered for their ceremony at the Church of Saint Albert and for their reception at the Mill City Museum. The entire day Christina and Brian bubbled with happiness and we couldn't be happier for the two of them! Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Mara!

Schaar's Bluff Gathering Center Wedding // Mr. + Mrs. Thorn // Post by Jackson Faith

Jamie + Paul's Schaar's Bluff Gathering Center wedding brought us gorgeous views that complimented their genuine love. They both are so easy going and have a true understanding of love that is admirable to all who know them. The good luck rain came before the ceremony and held off through their reception. Friends and family enjoyed their two favorite foods trucks and games as the skies broke into a gorgeous sunset. Congrats to the new Mr. and Mrs. Thorn on a beautiful wedding!

Five Event Center Wedding // Mr. + Mr. Friend-Heintz // Post by Melissa Hesse

Dominic and Ken met in Laguna Beach where they lived and got engaged. They now have made a home together in Minneapolis where they started their wedding day. Friends and family gathered at FIVE Event Center to witness the two of them tie the knot and celebrate their magnetic love. Mi Mi Design created a beautiful day for everyone that was commemorated over a casual dinner by Chowgirls. The entire day we kept thinking how perfect everything was for Ken and Dominic. Cheers to the newlyweds!

Ask the Team // Frequently Asked Questions

Photo by Thea Volk

Photo by Thea Volk

THEA VOLK

Most of the questions I receive are related to how photography and their wedding timeline can work best together. Getting all the photo events and locations that the couple want into the schedule is important to do before the wedding day. That way the family and the couple are not left wondering where to be or what to do. They can relax more and enjoy the celebration.

JACKSON FAITH

Clients ask me what I recommend most.

I think it is a great investment to have a wedding planner.  This takes so much stress off the couple on their wedding day and makes everything more enjoyable.

Photo by Melissa Hesse

Photo by Melissa Hesse

MELISSA HESSE

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive is about wedding day coverage. For some couples full day coverage is the way to go and for others hourly coverage will depend on what kind of wedding they are having. Every wedding is different and each couple should consider what is important to them when booking a photographer. With full day coverage you will get your photographer from the start of your day to the end of the day with no time or coverage restrictions. With hourly you will have to figure out what parts of your day you will want your photographer to document. Deciding which way to go will depend on budget and the type of wedding you are having!

 

Summit Manor Wedding // Mr. + Mrs. Coben // Post by Melissa

Amelia and Tom's wedding was held at the Summit Manor Reception House in Saint Paul, MN. It was the same location that Tom's parents had their wedding and in the neighborhood where Tom grew up. There is nothing I love more than the perfect venue and meaning behind the details that go into a wedding day that fit perfectly for the couple. Amelia and Tom kept the tradition going in the family and kicked it off with an amazing celebration of their love!

Ask The Team // What Advice Do You Have For Clients?

Photo by Jackson Faith

Photo by Jackson Faith

JACKSON FAITH

My biggest push for clients is to have the engagement session. That way they get comfortable with their photographer and the camera prior to the big day and all the added pressure. Also, having a day of coordinator so that the bride and groom do not have to worry about details and scheduling that day is super helpful to have!

THEA VOLK

Photo by Thea Volk

Photo by Thea Volk

There are a million ways to go about things when planning your wedding and everyone picks what best expresses them as a couple, so giving advice is not something I do often. Getting photographs that can be a lasting heirloom of your wedding day is my sole area of expertise though. So, over the years, I've come up with lots of little ways to help make that happen. The two biggest are time and light - time with the couple for portraits and access to beautiful light in a lovely location. Before the wedding, I work with couples to find these locations, which are usually around their venue, and to find the moments in their day's timeline.

Photo by Melissa Hesse

Photo by Melissa Hesse

MELISSA HESSE

Finding a photographer and vendors that you connect with helps create the energy you are looking to have on the wedding day. Nothing is worse than the couple running around trying to solve problems on the day of. If they have selected vendors they can trust and have everything nailed down ahead of time then couple can truly enjoy the day and stay on track with the itinerary. That also goes along with sitting down and finalizing the details with your vendors. Communication and organization is key to allow everything to run smoothly on your wedding day!

Photo by Ryan Stadler

Photo by Ryan Stadler

RYAN STADLER

I try to encourage couples to take whatever the day brings and make the most of it. The hard work is finished. Now, sit back and experience everything. Rain or shine, hot or cold, the good and bad. It'll fly by so enjoy it! I'll be there to document it.

Photo by Maggie Witter

Photo by Maggie Witter

MAGGIE WITTER

One big piece of advice I would give to clients is to let the day happen as it happens! Schedules and timelines are SO helpful and important but at the same time, don't get too worried if you fall behind schedule or get off track. It's so unfortunate to see a timeline stress a couple out when they should be worry free and focusing on enjoying each other and their day. It is YOUR day - enjoy it!

Photo by Bryan Blumenschein

Photo by Bryan Blumenschein

BRYAN BLUMENSCHEIN

Having a solid timeline and plan for the day is critical. Make sure to communicate with everyone that's involved early on. Include names and numbers of the wedding party and vendors. See Itinerary example below!

Ceremony Location: Address & Phone Number

Reception Location: Address & Phone Number

*Main Contact Phone Number

10:00- Photographers arrive for getting ready photos (Grooms house)

12:00- Arrive and settle at (Venue address)

12:30- First look

12:35- Wedding party photos 

1:30- Couple's portraits 

2:00- Family formals

2:45- Wedding party takes break & prep for ceremony

3:00- Guests arrive

3:30- Ceremony begins

3:45- Ceremony ends

3:45- Cocktail hour begins // Receiving Line

4:00- Newlywed moment

5:30- Dinner begins (Buffet opens)

7:00- Cake Cutting & Speeches

7:15 - Tom and Amelia first dance

7:20- Party begins!

8:30- Sunset session with newlyweds

Varsity Theater Wedding // Mr. + Mrs. Schmidt // Post by Ryan Stadler

Kelly and Chad's wedding day was centered around the support and love of their friends and family. The weather was absolutely beautiful and so was every part of their day. After a not so traditional church ceremony, the wedding party bused it to the Stone Arch Bridge for some quick photos and eventually made their way to the Varsity Theater. Kelly's dance group, "Sole to Soul" performed for the guests and helped set the mood for the night. A sparkler send-off wrapped everything up perfectly!

Ask the Team // Topic: Favorite Part About a Wedding Day

 

For this months blog topic we asked our team what their favorite part is about a wedding day. There are so many moments that go into the day that we wanted to know what part our team gets most excited to photograph. This is what they said:

RYAN STADLER

The anticipation, nervousness & anxiety that goes along with the early stages of the wedding day are what I love most. I can relate to the bride and groom and everyone involved. I still vividly remember my own wedding day and how my stomach felt just waiting and waiting to see my bride. As the couples photographer, I feel a similar sense of anticipation and excitement leading up to that first photo I take. I love the family interactions and range of emotions during the first few hours of the day. Usually, preparation locations are accompanied by interesting and dramatic light, which adds to the overall intensity. All of this reminds me of competing in Track & Field. Warming up. Stretching. Eventually, walking up to the starting line, waiting for the gun to go off. The actual race is an absolute blur...but, all that leads up to it is like preparation on a wedding day and its so exciting.    

THEA VOLK

The first part of the day, getting ready, is one of my favorite parts. I love capturing the energy and anticipation as the day begins, like when the flowers are being delivered, the dress is hanging in the closet, and the bridesmaids are drinking mimosas.  But, the First Dance can't be beat as far as romance is concerned. I often get swept up with the music, emotion, and movement of those few minutes. 

BRYAN BLUMENSCHEIN

My Favorite part of the wedding day is the time immediately following the ceremony. Everyone is in great spirits, the excitement and mood is wonderful. The couple gets to relax a little and now everyone begins to party! I also really like to run away with the couple right after and grab photos with just the newlyweds!

Photo by Melissa Hesse

Photo by Melissa Hesse

MELISSA HESSE

The excitement and anticipation of the couple seeing each other for the first time in their wedding attire is my favorite part of a wedding day. The moments leading up to a first look creates an energy that is released when the couple finally sees each other and often times will share an emotional moment with their personal vows that no one else witnesses. After the first look it feels as if the wedding day has truly begun!

Centennial Lake Wedding // Lisa + Michael // Post by Bryan Blumenschein

Lisa and Michael met 6 years ago and instantly became best friends. They say to marry your best friend, and in this case they did! Their wedding and reception was held at Pinstripes in Edina, and right in the back yard sits Centennial Lakes which offered a beautiful landscape for their wedding photos. These two had an awesome night celebrating with their friends and family over bocce ball, bowling, and of course dancing!