A Simply Joyful Minnesota Summer Wedding

April 2, 2024

Wedding

Karissa and Austin were an absolute dream from the minute they booked with me so it was no surprise that this day was full of sweet tears, endless hugs, and big dance moves. It’s not hard to see how head-over-heels these two are for each other. You know that “look” the guy gives the girl in the movies that makes us all go weak in the knees? Well, that’s how Austin looks at Karissa, and she meets him there with unrestrained joy. Oh the celebrating that came from two entirely in love humans and their favorite people. And the endless amount of dancing… What else can you expect from a Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader? (Yes I know, she is so cool.)

There are a lot of things I loved about Karissa + Austin’s approach to their wedding day at the lovely Cottage Farmhouse but a couple things really stuck out to me. Continue on and you may just find a new perspective on how you want to approach different aspects of your own wedding day.

Bride and Groom's rings placed in a nude velvet box and laid in a stripe of afternoon light. Surrounded by little white flowers left over from the bride's bouquet.

Black and white close up image of the hair artist finishing the bride's perfect ballet bun.

Black and white image of the bride smiling in the mirror after putting on her dress while her mom and sister smile as they watch from behind.

The bride dancing in the bridal suite with her mom and bridesmaids

A blurry image of the bride looking out the window and laughing on her wedding day.

Black and white image of the groom hugging his mom after seeing each other all dressed up for the first time on his wedding day.

The bride and her father crying after she gave him a new tie with an image of the two of them when she was little on the back of it

The bride and groom holding hands and smiling really big at each other after seeing one another for the first time on their wedding day.

Keeping bridal party photos relaxed and fun

When I met with Karissa and Austin for their wedding day consult, there were a couple of things they shared that were really important to them! The first of these was the desire to keep bridal party photos from becoming too formal. Instead of spending a lot of time in a perfect line and all smiling at the camera, they wanted to feel surrounded by their best friends, and they wanted to have some fun.

So we went for a music-blasted, wonderfully chaotic, big group hug vibe and it did not disappoint especially with a party this down for whatever I threw their way. Let’s just say, if you decide the playful route will fit you and your crew well, you are sure to have a darn good time.

The bride and groom kissing while surrounded by their cheering bridal party members.

A slow shutter black and white image of the bride and groom smiling at each other while their bridal party members dance around them.

The groom wiping a tear from his eye as his bride makes her way down the aisle.

The grooms parents wiping tears from their eyes as they watch their son tear up as his bride comes down the aisle.

Black and white photograph of the bride and her dad make their way down the aisle while guests watch.

The bride and groom joyfully giggling at each other just moments after their first kiss as newlyweds.

A black and white image of the bride and groom processing down the aisle while their family and friends cheer after being announced as husband and wife for the first time.

Bride and groom walking hand and hand away from the ceremony.

An up close image of the bride and groom wrapped in each others arms with her bouquet of white roses and orchids and smiling at each other.

The bride leaning in towards the camera and sticking her tongue out.

Skipping the ever famous golden hour photos

Ok. Ok. I know. Golden hour is the best light of the day if the sun is out. But Karissa and Austin knew two things and to be honest, I was all for skipping it when I heard this.

They wanted to spend some time right after their ceremony, sipping their favorite beverages, practicing their grand entrance dance, and snagging some fun flash photos while they were at it.
They also didn’t want to leave their party once it got going (which is by the way, something I never force my clients to do).

So after the “I do’s,” we met in the groom’s suite where cocktails for a cheers had been dropped off and we had ourselves A TIME. Doing it this way provided them moments together as a newly married couple without being pulled in a million directions. After doing so, they felt refreshed and ready to celebrate the night away with their family and friends. From there on out they spent their evening hugging the ones they love most, listening to sweet words, and if I had to guess… dancing until they could dance no more.

Whether you take me up on one of these two ideas — being informal as all get out with your bridal party photos or skipping golden hour entirely to hunker down in the groom’s suite– or you incorporate other creative concepts, be sure to make your wedding day 100% your own.