Jen + Sam’s wedding is my Roman Empire. Okay, sort of kidding, but after photographing their wedding, I find myself using it as my guide when walking current clients through their planning process. In my super important opinion, these two got the secret sauce for a big wedding. By the end of it, it felt like they had 50 guests, rather than 150+. And it all started with their mentality around how they wanted their day to feel.

‘Round here, I require that ALL of my wedding clients allow me to be a part of their planning process. It’s important to me that I get on the same page with you before the vows so you can sit back and relax on your wedding day. Over a couple of cocktails, Jen and Sam shared all their hopes and plans for the big day. It didn’t take long for me to understand that the most important thing to them was being present with each other and with their favorite humans. I can’t wait to tell you more about it.

Building a Dream Team of Trusty Vendors

It seems crucial to me that I start this blog by talking about how important your vendor team is when it comes to shaping an event focused on being present. Your wedding day should be filled with celebrating, connecting, and a whole lot of love—not stress. After assembling an all-star team of Minnesota wedding superheroes (see said superheroes at the bottom of this blog) that Jen + Sam could trust, they were able to sit back and take it all in.

Let’s be honest—Murphy’s Law loves a good party. Your vendors should be ready to swoop in armed with experience, charm, and solid backup plans. Whether they’re finessing a last-minute cake mishap or herding family for a photo, they’ve got your back so you can focus on the good stuff—like holding hands and dancing your little heart out.

Great vendors don’t just handle logistics; they take the time to listen and understand you. They grab hold of your vision and make your dream day a reality. Between a coordinator to keep an eye on the clock, a photographer ready to record every champagne-fueled laugh, and a DJ that keeps Aunt Susan on the dance floor after her bedtime—you shouldn’t have to worry about a thing. And neither should your mom.

Less is more: planning a wedding day around moments, not photos

I’m gonna say it… Photos are NOT the most important part of your wedding day. Yup, you heard me. Now, I can’t lie, I do have to check myself because I can get real excited about a great “photo opportunity,” but a lot of times, it’s just not necessary. While planning with Jen and Sam, they emphasized wanting to spend most of their day being candidly captured. Don’t get me wrong, we scheduled some time for photos of the two of them and with all their very favorite humans to make sure they happened. Limiting this allowed Jen and Sam to just be Jen and Sam surrounded by their best people.

Wedding day tip to snag from these two-spend as much time as you can with one another. Where you saw Jen, you were also likely to see Sam. To be honest, I think this came naturally to them, but there’s no shame in setting intentions together before the big day. Putting a couple hundred of your loved ones in a single space is absolutely overwhelming. It’s no surprise many couples feel like they didn’t even see their spouse on a day that is supposed to be for the two of you. A quick convo could make all the difference. 😉

All in all, what I’m saying is you have enough to do on your wedding day. So minimize your shot list and focus on spending time with each other while being surrounded by your guests! Keep your family photos short (I offer mini sessions that are just perfect for those ;)). Don’t overdo bridal party photos. And for the love of all that is good, please do not get sucked into every little trend on social media. Pick things that feel authentic to the two of you and roll with it.

From Shot Skis to Dance Floor Kicks: How Jen and Sam Stayed Present

It’s simple to create a wedding rooted in the moment if you include little activities that encourage connection. Instead of having a bridal party, Jen and Sam invited their best friends and family members to spend time with them before the ceremony. As Jen and Sam would, they made it scream “them” by kicking off photos with a giant shot ski.. After a few rounds of champagne shots, a couple of broken shot glasses, and many laughs, they were ready to go! Post ceremony, they hosted the same crew for a champagne tower to toast their new marriage. Sharing this with loved ones turned it into a true celebration, not just a “photo op.”

Afterwards they joined cocktail hour, where they had games scattered throughout the room. They even took a moment to face off in a round of Hook and Ring, which Jen proudly won. With the two of them pretty much attached at the hip, it made capturing genuine moments a real piece of cake.

Last but not least, there’s nothing better than kicking off your dance with a giant group photo. I ran this idea past Jen and Sam, and they immediately loved it. It’s as simple as having your MC invite everyone to surround you for a photo, and it ends with an epically full dance floor for your first song. Your wedding night dance floor is where countless memories are made, so why not kick it off with a bang? Add in espresso martinis and a photo booth with giant printouts of your cat’s heads to ensure one hell of a time.

Jen and Sam’s wedding wasn’t just a celebration—it was an embodiment of what it means to be truly present on one of the most important days of your life. From their intentional moments of connection to the trusted vendor team that made it all happen, their day was a reminder that the best weddings aren’t about perfection or trends, but about embracing what feels true to you. With an espresso martini in hand, Jen and Sam showed us all how to throw a wedding that’s as genuine and memorable as the couple themselves. So, take a page out of their book: focus on what matters, surround yourself with people who support that vision, and let your day unfold in the most authentic way possible.

The Team of Wedding Superheros:

Venue: Urban Daisy

Planning and Floral: Maven Events

Decor rental and styling: Revelyn MPLS

Hair and Makeup: LHN Beauty

Band: Your Dad’s Band

Catering: Brasa

Dress: Anna Be