I need to start this blog post with saying how much fun this couple and their wedding party were! Their wedding  story began in November when we headed to The Riviera May for Sheena and Chris’ gorgeous destination wedding on the beach. They were surrounded by their closest friends as they read their vows. Immediately following their ceremony we headed down by the water for their first dance in the sand. The evening followed with a caribbean themed dinner and a night of love and laughter. The following morning we headed back to the beach for a sunrise Trash the Dress Session. The sunrise was amazing as Sheena and Chris jumped off the beach pier (they were brave!) We finished the session with a quick pit stop at the pool bar.

Last weekend they hosted an intimate ceremony and reception at The Wabasha Street Caves in St. Paul to continue the celebration with their family and friends. We headed to Mears Park for a few wintery photos and then headed back to The Wabasha Street Caves where their guests danced the night away. Enjoy…

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I had the opportunity on Saturday to be the matron of honor at my sister’s wedding at Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel. My husband and assistant photographer Pete, photographed the majority of the day and Jason from Joy Orcutt Photography also helped out for a couple hours. The photos below are a combination of  Pete’s and mine. A very special thank you to Luna Vinca for gorgeous flowers and to Amy Stuzriem for beautiful hair and makeup!

They started off their winter wedding at the studio getting ready where they had their first look outside on the cobblestone streets.  Then we headed to Fort Snelling for some gorgeous photos. The lighting was incredible and we even managed to find a couple patches of snow Matt, a former Marine suited up in his dress blues shortly before the ceremony in the gorgeous intimate stone chapel. Candles lit up the aisle and live music from the very talented Jeff James filled the chapel throughout the ceremony. We headed to Mears Park in downtown St. Paul to capture some of the twinkling lights, then headed off to Ideal Hall for a reception filled with mason jars, candles and birch trees. The evening was complete with great music played by DJ Travis Stanich of Sound Factory Systems. Enjoy….

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So many of you may think photographing those closest to you would be a piece of cake… well that is not the case. I have found the more you know someone the trickier it gets and the pressure is on to create the most spectacular photos, although the outcome is even more special and rewarding I had the opportunity last month to photograph my sister’s engagement session (I know I am waaay behind blogging and they have been super patient!) We did a few quick photos at Fort Snelling the week before, where their wedding will take place this January. Their “real” engagement session took place downtown St. Paul. I also had a unique  opportunity to photograph their session along side my husband who as many of you know is one of my second shooters and will be photographing their wedding day. We started off the shoot under a loading dock downtown that I have driven by for years and never had the chance to photograph, followed by a stroll through the downtown streets, a quick stop in Mears Park (love the birch trees here), and ended their session with a gorgeous sunset view of St. Paul. I hope you all enjoy these photos as much as we did photographing them…

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Friday’s overcast day  transformed into a beautiful blue sky with big white clouds as I photographed Jessica and Steve’s wedding. Jessica started by getting ready in the gorgeous bridal suite at 413 on Wacouta  and the couple had their first look in a classic downtown  St. Paul alley. I photographed the wedding party, who were decked out in purple, in Mears Park before moving to Nazareth Chapel at Northwest College in Roseville. Friends filled the pews as Jessica and Steve exchanged vows on the altar of the beautiful sanctuary. They exited the church for a ride in an antique Cadillac and arrived at 413 on Wacouta just after sunset where we headed to the roof for some breathtaking shots. Their cocktail style reception featured appetizers and a variety of cupcakes and plenty of dancing to celebrate a beautiful day.

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