Kristina & Rob. The day of your wedding I woke up so thrilled to photograph your wedding. I knew when we first met that I wanted to be a part of your day because you were special and your love was so honest and true. I didn’t think it possible but that notion ran even more true on your beautiful day, surrounded by your fabulous friends as they toasted your new marriage. What an amazing couple you both make. xoxo

Ceremony & Reception Location: Oak Glen Country Club in Stillwater, MN
Flowers: Sweet Peas Floral
Cake: Buttercream Wedding Cakes
Chair Rental: Midwest Party Rental

i’m yours,
melissa

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Megan & Kenny are the real thing; they are two people so rooted in love that it completely fills whatever space they are in. It’s a rare thing to find two people who are all things sweetness, humility and laughter but then combine those qualities and you have a love so powerful it truly takes your breath away. I know I sound totally infatuated with them as a couple and maybe I am because they remind me of how beautiful love is every moment I am with them. How at moments it will completely rob you of thought and coherency and at other times it will fuel actions and deep, deep commitment without fear or hesitation. This couple is all of that to me and after spending a day with their best and closest, they are those things to them as well.

To Megan & Kenny. I am so blessed and so honored to have been a part of your day. I love you both. A lot.

Ceremony & Reception Location: Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park
Bride’s Dress: The Loft Bridal
Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal
Custom Suits: Measure Custom Clothing
Flowers: Bachmans Floral
Catering: Lancer Catering
Cake: Buttercream Wedding Cakes

i’m yours,
melissa

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In the darkness of some cloudy days came one amazing ray of sunshine. Jenna of Eat Drink Pretty made my week and featured Kimber & Chas’s fabulous Utah engagement session. If you don’t follow the Eat Drink Pretty blog, you are missing out. (I mean that.) Between her panache for making the most gorgeous sweet treats, she also posts about one of my very favorite topics: entertaining.

I also found out that a couple of the photos I took of the JNP Studios Workshop Tablescape were published in Issue 9 of the online magazine Utterly Engaged. The tablescape was all about the manly-man so I’m sure they were – ahem – thrilled with the uber-girly squeal that escaped my lips when I first saw my name.

Even though it hasn’t been the kindest of last 30 days, I know how blessed I am to have my photography recognized by a blog and an online publication that I love. Blows to the stomach included, I realize I am living one hell of a charmed life.

I have so many fun blog posts coming up soon including the details of two spectacularly gorgeous Minnesota weddings. Look for those to hit your Google Reader this month, but first…I must go put Life in a headlock. He deserves it.

i’m yours,
melissa

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My hope for next year is that I can look back and cherish where I am right now; WHO I am right now because I think the recognition of how far one has come is important but remembering who you were is just as important. A year ago, I was holding myself back in protection from the fear of the unknown but today I am purposefully running full stride in the direction of fear and uncertainty. I know my failures will be numerous but that’s ok because playing it safe is no longer in my vocabulary.

I am so grateful to the clients and friends I have gained since the beginning of this journey. I have been entrusted with documenting one of the most important events in a couple’s life and I am being honest when I say I am totally honored by their trust. 

Saturday was the first wedding of my second wedding season ever and let me tell you, it set the bar pretty high; can’t wait to share. Until then, Happy Anniversary to me and a heartfelt thank you to my clients, friends and support system for pushing me and believing in me. I would not be here without you.

i’m yours,
melissa

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“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

When I first started my photography journey, a very wise and wonderful friend gave me this advice: Dream BIG. There’s no point in dreaming if you don’t dream big. So I did. Some may look at my 5-and-10 year plans and laugh (There’s likely an entry for “Portraits of Justin Timberlake” in my ten year plan. No big deal.) but I am crazy passionate about making these things happen for myself. Yes, a lot of the things on my list are out of reach right now but what fun is there in aiming low?

In the past couple weeks I have been so humbled and honored to have some of my work featured on the blogs of women & publications that I respect and adore. With a huge thanks to these very fabulous women, I have been able to cross off one 2010 goal far (far!) earlier than I originally had hoped.

Minnesota Bride Blog:

First Blush Bride Event Planning:

Live the Fancy Life:

Justin Timberlake, here I come.

i’m yours,
melissa

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To my own sweet, sweet Valentine. Life isn’t worth anything without you. Thank you for showing me God’s Love every.single.day.

Love deeply.

i’m yours,
melissa

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Ryan & Keri’s love is pretty phenomenal, so it wasn’t at all surprising when an entire school stood behind and supported their marriage. When Keri emailed me a couple months back to let me know that their wedding plans had changed from eloping to a small wedding in the library of the school where they first fell for each other I knew it was going to be something special. When I saw the work the teachers and students had put into creating a library and hallway worthy of a wedding, it nearly brought me to tears. These two are not only special to me but also to so many others and it was tangible.

To Keri & Ryan – thank you for creating a wedding that was truly about your love and allowing me to capture that. I adore you both and can’t wait to see where life leads you.

Keri & Ryan opted to do a First Look which, of course, I am a HUGE fan of because…

…this face. This face is about 99% of why I love photographing weddings. The look a groom has when he first sees his bride contains enough love to power New York City.

So, this was a first for a wedding – Nordy, the Minnesota Wild mascot came by for a little photo op. He’s a sassy guy.To view Keri & Ryan’s engagement session – click here.

i’m yours,
melissa

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Ceremony Location: Historic Church of St. Peter
Reception Location: Commodore Hotel
Hair: Juut Salon, Grand Avenue
Dress: Borrowed (and gorgeous!)
Bridesmaid: J.Crew
Flowers: Market Flowers
Cake / Cupcakes: Lunds & Byerly’s

Doesn’t she look like Audrey Hepburn in her fancy collarless coat? (I’ll admit, the resemblance took my breath away.)

They chose to do a First Look, which I L-O-V-E. It was such a sweet moment and so, so perfect.

Paul’s gift to Whitney were these gorgeous drop-pearl earrings that I adore. The guy has taste!

i’m yours,
melissa

When we arrived that morning, Jeremy came out to greet us in his slippers and it occured to me how perfectly that scene set the tone of their day. Just as his slippers on a normal day would represent relaxation, their presence on this important day created an overtone of the unhurried easygoing nature that both Beth and Jeremy posess. Even during the most stressful part of the day, laughter dominated.

Congratulations to my wonderful new friends. I hope that those Park City mountains are giving you plenty of sunshine on your honeymoon; you deserve no less.

I was tempted to take her dress home with me. She’s lucky she was wearing it when I left.

She is so beautiful. Drop dead gorgeous is the term I heard used.

I love how happy he looks here!

We were able to access the viewing deck at the W in downtown Minneapolis and I have to tell you – it may be my new favorite spot in the city to photograph a couple. LOVE it.

I think this may be my very favorite shot from the day. They are so hot.

This. Cake. Was. So. Good.

Internet – meet my rockstar second shooter for the day. He climbed in a tree, laid down on wet pavement and essentially went all out to get the shot; Tom is amazing.

i’m yours,
melissa

Take Amy & Phil for example. They were married Saturday on an unusually gorgeous Minneapolis day. Amy was so stunning; Phil was so handsome. Their vows held laughter and tears and spoke volumes into the lives of this couple who couldn’t be more perfect for each other. What a life these two have ahead of them.

Caroline Yang was their (incredible!) wedding photographer but they were gracious enough to ask me to photograph the before and after.

There is quite the story behind these shoes and they sort-of took on a life of their own at the wedding but as the pictures can testify; they were worth every penny.

Her dress was breathtaking.

Without these two, I think Amy and Phil would have gone to City Hall. (Pretty sure Amy still would have worn her Louboutins.)

Very rarely do you see a family with such kindness and laughter with each other. I just loved his entire family.

Amy’s mom and dad are the sweetest (and he was rocking a pink shirt at the Groom’s Dinner – love him!).

i’m yours,

melissa