Sometimes I look back on life and see the experiences that brought certain people into my life and I feel so blessed to see these friendships come full circle in the manner that they do. Keri & I met in the first few months after my move from Utah to Minneapolis and I can truly say to know Keri is to absolutely fall head over heels in adoration.

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.

Whitney smiled from the salon chair; her amazing dimples shadowed in her cheeks. It was her wedding day and even the early October snowfall hadn’t dampened her spirits. When she saw Paul for the first time that day, Whitney’s smile became even bigger; the dimples even deeper. As Paul pulled Whitney to his chest, she snuggled in for warmth and giggled. “We’re getting married today.” He looked down at her and said with the utmost assurance, “We’re getting married today.”

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 could not have been more excited for their wedding day. A sour weather forecast could not dispell my enthusiasm for September 25th; even as I checked the Hourly Forecast page and could not find a single hour without rain, I still could have jumped for joy that this day had finally arrived.  As the first wedding clients that I could call my very own, Beth & Jeremy will forever be incredibly special to me.

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 am head-over-heels in love with my friends. They love me enough to not only encourage me in this really amazing adventure but also allow me to witness portions of their lives that few get to see. I find that I become so overwhelmed with emotion at times because I truly believe I have the most amazing friends in the world.

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!).

Love. If there is one thing a wedding is supposed to do, it is to celebrate the tiny four letter word that means everything. These two…they LOVE each other. I don’t think a single person could refute that.

There was a moment just before the ceremony where I found myself alone with Whitney and as she sighed and looked down at her bouquet of gorgeous pink peonies, I asked her how she was feeling. “Ready, so ready.” Her big blue eyes held so much emotion it nearly brought me to my knees. Big love.

Congrats to my new friends and their made-for-each-other love.