When Katie and Amanda mentioned doing their engagement session near the St. Croix River it got me so excited to go on an adventure with them. We hiked into the St. Croix National Riverway for these stunning views as the rain came and went. It was our intention to get the golden hour light but it didn’t seem to be in the cards that day. We worked our way down to get closer to the river and just as we stepped into the perfect spot the sun peeked out. It was meant to be for these two! Congrats to Katie and Amanda on their engagement!
Aria Minneapolis Wedding | Chris + Eyal | Post by Melissa Hesse
Chris and Eyal really incorporated both of their backgrounds into their wedding day. It was split into two parts beginning with the Chinese tea ceremony in the morning at Chris’s family home and the second half was a Jewish ceremony at Aria to represent Eyal’s background. The two of them currently live in San Francisco, so their friends and family came from all parts of the world to celebrate in Minnesota where Chris is originally from. We love seeing weddings intertwine all parts of life from the couple and the people who have known them individually and together. Every person at their wedding has been a significant part of their lives in one way or another and you could feel their worlds colliding as one.
Even though they already had a ceremony is Isreal, Chris and Eyal put in every detail with Julia LaCroix into their wedding day. They created their own menu with Create Catering and called the cuisine “Chewish” - a mix between their favorite Chinese and Jewish eats. Everywhere you looked these two had a detail to represent their cultures and it was beautifully done. Congrats to Chris and Eyal!
Wedding Planner: Julia LaCroix Styled Events
Venue: ARIA
Floral: Wisteria Design Studio
Dessert: Cocoa & Fig
Stationary: A Milestone Paper Co.
Videography: A.B. Rich Films
Decor/Rentals: Après Party & Tent Rental
Outdoor Engagement Session | Mariah + Matt | Post by Andy Yelken
An adventure is always best appreciated when shared. Could not be more excited for the one Mariah and Matt are on. Congrats to these two on their engagement!
Theodore Wirth Park Wedding | Robin + Nick | Post by Jess Ekstrand
What a day! Robin and Nick’s wedding was full of so many wonderful details. The invitations were designed by Robin and include custom watercolor she did herself. Floral arrangements by the bride’s good friend, Maxine of The Southern Table, could not have been more impressive. To top it off, the couple wrote their own vows. You can’t go wrong. Congratulations Robin and Nick!
Minneapolis Event Center Wedding | Brandon + Michele | Post by Jess Ekstrand
That dress! One of my favorite parts of a wedding is seeing how a couple incorporates their personal style into their wedding day. After shooting Brandon and Michele’s engagement session, I couldn’t wait to see the dress Michele picked out! I don’t have to tell you, because you can see for yourself, it was incredible! Congrats you two!
MIA Engagement Session | Rebecca and Melaney | Post by Melissa Hesse
Nothing like coming back to your hometown to celebrate Pride weekend and have your engagement photos taken with your loved one! These two traveled to Minneapolis from Madison, WI where they met in college and established their relationship. Rebecca being from Minnesota has brought them back to her roots where they will soon move to and celebrate their marriage in October. So excited for all the new life chapters that are ahead for these two!
Minneapolis Engagement Session | Robin and Nick | Post by Jess Ekstrand
I can never emphasize enough that one of the greatest benefits of being a photographer is just meeting new people. Robin and Nick live just blocks from me and of course, we hadn’t met until they came to me to photograph their wedding. Robin and I bonded over our mutual love for Patti Smith’s book Just Kids and they’re getting married in one of my favorite places, Theodore Wirth. Their wedding is at the end of the month and I am truly looking forward to spending the day with these two!
NE Minneapolis Engagement Session | Michele + Brandon | Post by Jess Ekstrand
Ladies and gentlemen, Brandon and Michele. What can I say? Photographing these two was flat out lovely. And now their wedding is literally right around the corner and I cannot wait!
The New Victorian Mansion Wedding | Amy and Mary Married | Post by Melissa Hesse
On a bright sunny afternoon in February, Amy and Mary exchanged their vows in front of their families at The New Victorian Mansion Bed and Breakfast in Saint Paul. They started the day having breakfast and getting ready with Amy's daughter Ella who was a huge part of their day. The love surrounding this amazing couple filled the room during their ceremony as they tied the knot. After the ceremony, everyone walked over to W.A Frost for brunch and celebrating. It was such an honor to be part of their day and document all the special moments. Congratulations to Amy and Mary!!
R&R Team Retreat | 2018
This year we took our Rivets and Roses team up north for a retreat at a cabin in Park Rapids, MN to gear up for the 2018 wedding season. One of the reasons that our clients value working with our studio so much is that they know they are supported by our entire team. We are like a little family over here at Rivets and Roses and we love to invest in our artists.
We spent the weekend with our cameras out documenting the ordinary and challenging ourselves to be stronger at what we do. We covered the back of our cameras for a shooting challenge that forced us not to see the instant results of an image. This pushed us to think differently about taking an image and the results were fascinating! Some of those images made this post.
Taking the time to truly bond together as a team was very special and we are so glad we could make this happen. A huge shout out to the one and only Liz and our biggest fan Nick for taking their support and putting the meals together.
W.A Frost Wedding | Sadie and Nora Married | Post by Melissa Hesse
Sadie and Nora have an incredible love story. It begins in grade school when they first met and became friends. Their friendship turned into love after being roommates in college and traveling the world, which brought them closer together. They knew there was always something special and anyone who has ever met these two would feel the same. Their love is a force you can feel when you are around them. Their much-anticipated marriage was a grand celebration!
Their wedding was split into two parts. Their intimate ceremony and private dinner at W.A. Frost was a cozy winter evening with champagne and wine paired with a tasting menu. The second part was a reception open to friends and extended family that filled the room at Hygga in Lowertown. To tie both of the days together Sadie's cousin from Girl Friday did the floral and decorations.
A little backstory that I love telling, Sadie and Nora stepped in for a mock wedding I did in college to build my portfolio. Everyone thought they eloped and got married, so to be their photographer on their actual wedding day was serendipitous. It was such an honor to not only document it all but to be there as a friend in support of their amazingly true and powerful love. I am beyond excited for what the future holds for them both.
Congratulations Sadie and Nora!!
112 Eatery Wedding | Todd and Jesse Married | Post by Nicole McCoy
Todd and Jesse's wedding was super intimate. There were thirty-five handpicked and special guests that joined them on this wintry Minneapolis day. Something I will never forget is when Todd and Jesse spent half of their ceremony sharing reasons why each person was there and praising each one for what makes them a beautiful human. These guys were incredibly thoughtful, fun, and positive. I was honored to witness their tremendous love for each other!
Winter Engagement Session | Megan and Tom | Post by Jess Ekstrand
Tom proposed to Megan in one of those ways you might see in the movies. In November, using the Palace Theatre marquee, Tom popped the question. And you guessed it, she said yes! Congrats you two! Can’t wait for your wedding in August!
2017 Wedding Couples | Team Post
Image by Melissa Hesse
Image by Thea Volk
Image by Melissa Hesse
Image by Thea Volk
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Image by Melissa Hesse
Image by Jackson Faith
Image by Thea Volk
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Image by Melissa Hesse
Image by Jackson Faith
Image by Melissa Hesse
Image by Jackson Faith
Image by Jackson Faith
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Image by Melissa Hesse
Image by Jackson Faith
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Image by Jess Ekstrand
Minneapolis Wedding | Ben + Ella | Post by Jess Ekstrand
Alright, you guys. I ended my 2017 wedding season with a really good one. Ben and Ella got married October 7 at Plymouth Congregational Church with their reception at Architectural Alliiance.
This adorable pair couldn’t have been sweeter. Allow me to call out some incredible moments:
+ Ben did a run that morning and mapped it with Strava. At the end, his course on the map spelled out the name of his bride, Ella.
+ Ella’s grandfather made floral crowns. If I remember correctly, this stylish grandpa also helped Ella pick out her dress.
+ Ben and Ella led their wedding guests in a parade of sorts from the church to the reception.
Congrats to Ben and Ella! It was a real pleasure documenting your wedding day!
Juliane James Place | Mr. + Mrs. Kress | Post by Jess Ekstrand
Morgan and Adam got married in the woods of Finlayson MN at the beautiful Juliane James Place in September. While every wedding is great in its own right, weddings in the woods are quite possibly my favorite. Not only was the location idyllic, but the temperature was perfect, it only rained at the most convenient times and this couple was so chill and fun, it hardly felt like I was working. To Morgan and Adam, thank you for having me and congratulations!
St. Paul Athletic Club Wedding | Mr. + Mrs. Power | Post by Jess Ekstrand
Carlin and Lucas are an absolutely stunning couple! Their wedding day began with each of them getting ready with their close family and friends that led up to an epic first look between the two of them. The Saint Paul Athletic Club was the perfect space to compliment this beautiful couple and the celebration of their love. Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Powers!
Mill City Museum Wedding | Jeffrey and Matthew | Post by Jackson Faith
Paikka Wedding | Paige and Ashleigh | Post by Melissa Hesse
The moment Paige and Ashleigh got married you could feel all the love they share explode out of the room. These two have everything a commitment is about and being there to document it all was an incredible way to end the wedding season. Their wedding at Paikka welcomed all their close friends and family who traveled near and far to celebrate the two love birds. Congratulations Paige and Ashleigh!
Mill City Wedding | Eli and Reed | Post by Jess Ekstrand
I loved so much about Eli and Reed’s wedding day, I’ve had an incredibly hard time coming up with just a few words to go along with this blog post. To simplify, I’ve made a list but limited myself to three things.
1.) There were cats. Whether intentional or unintentional, it’s always so fun when animals are present on a wedding day.
2.) Their timeline for the day allowed for a 2-3 hour break, allowing me and Angela to get lunch and giving everyone a chance to recharge before the ceremony.
3.) Eli and Reed’s lovely wedding party consisted of their parents and siblings. Not only was this the sweetest group of people but we also took some time to get some really great individual portraits.
Congratulations to Eli and Reed!