Brennan & Kim: Married, Mayowood Stonebarn { Wedding Photographer, Rochester MN }

Bliss. It’s rare to see, and when you do see it, it takes your breath away.

Upon arriving at the Mayowood Stonebarn on Kim & Brennan’s wedding day, to say I was excited is an understatement. The setting is just magical, vintage, storybook, old fashioned, pure, intimate. However you want to say it, everything screamed Kim & Brennan. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and his smile was contagious.

The bride in a simple, vintage inspired gown took everyone’s breath away, Brennan’s most of all. The moment they were beside each other, the love between the two of them was so undeniable, it was almost as if you could reach out and touch it. Brennan shared a story during their ceremony and it’s significance was not lost on me. The story goes as follows:

Kim & Brennan were on their way to work one day on the train (subway?), and they were just enjoying each other’s company, unaware of anyone around them. When a older gentleman, said “Excuse me, are you two brother and sister?” (Brennan explained that they’ve been asked this before, and thought oh great another one..) Brennan said “No we’re not”. The older gentleman said “Good”.

Do you get it? It’s amazing to be in the presence of that kind of love. That kind of PURE BLISS.

Kim & Brennan, thank you for letting me be a part of your wedding day. It’s something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.. Enjoy just a small teaser of their wedding images. (And they said they didn’t photograph well, Ha! Beautiful!!).

Weddings… Let’s talk shoes! {Wedding Photographer, MN}

Tis the season of Bridal Shows, and for a good reason it’s never to early to start booking and planning for your wedding.

When planning your wedding, we all think of the big things first-

1. Venue

2. Venors (DJ, Florist, Cake Decorator, Photographer)

3. Dress

But some of my favorite parts of a wedding, as the wedding photographer are the little details, and some of my favorite details are the SHOES!!

I’ve always loved shoes, (what woman doesn’t?) and it’s exciting to see a bride put her personality into her wedding shoes. POPS of color, Beading, to details on the bottom. I’ve seen it all, and haven’t been disappointed, in fact I’ll go ahead and say no one has been disappointed.. they’re a conversation starter and you can hear the buzz of the crowd start when the shoes are noticed. I like fun, unique shoes at a wedding, because it’s like a little secret only the bride knows about, you’ll catch just a glimpse as they peek out from under the dress, but you only see them when she wants you to.

Here are a couple fav’s from weddings I’ve photographed.

For a  Wedding in a Garden with a Vintage feel, YUM!

For a traditional church wedding, with one of my favorite grooms, this couple had the most amazing connection with each other as well as their wedding party. LOVE.

 

Some from Etsy.com for your viewing pleasure (and you can purchase these as well, just click on the image to go to the designers store). **Images not taken by me**

Can’t afford the shoes you’re drooling after?? Try Shoe clips to add that bling you desire to a shoe you can afford (or at least is in the budget!)

 

Or add the bling to the bottom of your shoes for a little “ssshhh” secret..

Or….

The only thing better than Amazing shoes for your wedding, is getting married in bare feet.

Happy Shoe Shopping!

Wedding Budget- Let’s Talk Flowers {Wedding Photographer, Rochester MN}

As I sit her on this FRIGID Minnesota morning, looking out my window and seeing the wind whip the snow around, I need a pick me up. SO let’s talk flowers, colorful beautiful wedding flowers!

Bouquets, Corsages, Centerpieces, Hairpieces, Aisle Runners, Decorations, Flowers have so many uses on your wedding day! There are so many options when it comes to flowers, where do you begin?

Budget- Let’s face it, it’s the unromantic part of planning a wedding, but every wedding has one. Budget. To keep your flowers in budget go with a flower that is in season, or use artificial. Yes, I said it fake. Out of all the weddings I’ve photographed at least 50% used artificial flowers, out of the 50% that didn’t use artificial only a handful used a florist. What?! What did they do? They purchased bulk flowers online and made their own arrangements.. AND they were beautiful!

Would you know these are artificial flowers?

What about making your own?

Now, don’t get me wrong… I used a florist. A florist can guide you in your choices, and honestly what they can do with flowers is amazing!

 

To make things easier on you, your florist, and your budget do some research before you decide on your Flowers and their uses for your wedding day.

A few things to keep in mind when choosing your wedding flowers-

1. Budget

2. Color

3.  How many bouquets/corsages/centerpieces and where else will you be using the flowers, aisle, cake, decor?

4. Be open to your florists advice and design, but don’t lose YOU in it.  Your flowers should show your taste & style and fit in well with your wedding day.

5. Bouquet Style- Round, Cascading, Long Line, Modern, etc.

 

Now, choosing a flower. How in the world do you choose a flower, rely on your florist for this, they have an extensive knowledge of flowers and don’t be afraid to try something new and other than a Rose or Lily. Now if you’re not using a florist (or even if you are) check out this list, and choose a flower with Meaning!

• Anemone | Unfading love
• Baby’s Breath | Everlasting love
• Bells of Ireland | Good luck
• Calendula | Joy
• Red Carnation | My heart aches for you
• Daisy | Innocence
• Fern | Sincerity
• Forget-me-not | True love
• Forsythia | Anticipation
• Gladiolus | Love at first sight
• A Garland of Roses | Reward of virtue
• Hibiscus | Delicate beauty
• Iris | Faith, hope, wisdom and valor
• Ivy | Fidelity
• Lavender | Devotion
• Calla Lily | Beauty
• Lily of the Valley | Sweetness and a return to happiness
• Magnolia | Sweetness
• Orange Blossom | Brings Wisdom
• Orchid | Love, beauty and refinement
• Pansy | Thoughtful, love
• Primrose | I can’t live without you
• Red Rose | Love
• Red and White Roses | Together, unity
• Tea Rose | I’ll always remember
• Sunflower | Loyalty, wishes
• Red Tulip | Believe me
• Violet | Modesty
• White Violet | Let’s take a chance on happiness
• Magenta Zinnia | Lasting affection
• Scarlet Zinnia | Constancy
• White Zinnia | Goodness

 

And now for some more inspiration!

 

Many times by working out the style and colors of your wedding flowers ahead of time will help you work to an overall theme to have the wedding of your dreams. Flowers really do provide the finishing touch to a wedding! By choosing flowers to complement your wedding theme it will give you wonderful memories to treasure for a lifetime.

Have fun!!

 

 

 

 

Newly Engaged!! Now what?

So you got engaged, Congratulations! Now what’s the next step? Unless you’ve gone through this before how do you know what to do next?

It can be very overwhelming unless you have someone to hold your hand through this, and while your fiancée is great at holding your hand, they may not be so great at planning a wedding (but they may want to be involved in the planning and if so, take full advantage and give them a special job- mine was in charge of finding the DJ and Food/Refreshments for the Reception. It took A LOT off of my shoulders, so don’t be afraid to delegate!).

A great place to start is GO2Wed.com if you’re located in MN, WI, CO, and FL. Go2wed has all your wedding vendors in one location, as well as personal stories from brides who’ve used these vendors. Check it out for inspiration for your dress, down to your reception favors.

One of the best things about Go2Wed is they have a Wedding Planner for you FREE, all you do is pay $2.95 for s&h. This guide tells you what you need done at each step of the wedding planning, and is full of great questions & tips for choosing your perfect vendors.

Now speaking of inspiration.. Check out Etsy.com, for everything handmade, vintage or supplies to make your own handmade items. A great place for invitations, favors, flowers, hair pieces, jewelry, shoes, dresses, you name it and all of it personalized and unique!

Here are a few favorites I’ve found on Etsy. ( **Images are not mine. To view item & Etsy Shop click on the image.

What about a Bridesmaid dress that can be worn in unlimited different ways! So each bridesmaid is unique, this would definitely be a dress they would wear again & again!

Have you chosen your flowers yet? Check out this Awesome Etsy shop for flowers in your hair, and more! Have a one of a kind look for your wedding day!

This I just have to share, perfect to wear for your Bachelorette Party or Bridal Shower!

Or this to wear on your wedding day!

 

Or how about these Shoes?! Comfortable, beautiful and Unique!

 

Have you chosen your wedding dress yet? NO? Be inspired!!

What about a unique wedding invitation? Handmade, just for you!

 

Or for more Inspiration from Etsy, check out this Awesome Treasury!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d17430065f36d91fbd358e3/feel-the-magic?index=2

 

Above all when planning your wedding, don’t be afraid to be true to yourself not follow the crowd, you’ll look back at your wedding day 20 years from now, and be glad that you did!

Sneak Peek “C & J” Wedding! {Farmington, MN Wedding Photographer}

*sigh. I love this couple! I met them over a year ago and we did some FUN engagement portraits which you may remember… They were in a movie theatre (which was their idea), so needless to say I was pretty excited about their vintage wedding!! It was a col blustery day in MN for their wedding, and flooding was all around, but we were all able to make it to their wedding and their venue was not affected. We were unable to shoot outdoors in beautiful historic downtown Farmington, but we made up for it!! The building had a neat elevator I found towards the end of the night. And I have to say we captured some of my favorite wedding portraits YET!

Wedding “N & E” Sneak Peek {Wedding Photographer, Shakopee MN}

I love when I get to photograph clients at new locations- this wedding was one of those locations. With the ceremony at the MN Landscape Arboretum and the reception at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, it was A LOT of fun for me, as well as the guests!

The weather was great, and the grounds at the Arboretum were beautiful! Not to mention the Chanhassen was nice & intimate with great mood lighting!

Here are a few of the images so far!

Catching you up! Sneak Peek “H & R” Wedding {Lanesboro, MN Wedding Photographer}

My poor little blog! I don’t come here enough, so much time is put into managing my business page on facebook  (Follow me on Facebook!) that I get behind on here!

However, I’ve had some great sessions this summer, and I HAVE to share them on here!

One of my most unique weddings so far happened at the end of this June, we got some spectacular images and…. Submitted them to MN Bride, & Rochester Weddings (and the bride has another magazine she’d like to submit to as well)! I will keep you posted on if I get published or not.. I’m just excited I had the guts to submit them and that the client was so happy with the images she wanted to submit them.

You may remember this client from their 1940′s themed engagement session (Click Here) well their wedding was nothing less than memorable!

They got married at Berwood Hill Inn in Lanesboro, MN. The 1st time I had a wedding here, it rained. Let me re-phrase that.. it poured and was 40 degrees.. it was the same weekend last year.. So needless to say the ceremony was not outside & we didn’t get to use the Inn’s grounds. HOWEVER this time around we did!!

The weather was HOT & HUMID, but we used the gardens for portraits & the ceremony. It was simply storybook!!

Sneak Peek “C” Wedding {Wedding Photographer Rushford MN}

I’m a little behind with my blog  posts, so I’m playing catch up. These image are from one of my first weddings of the year, which took place in Rushford MN, with the ceremony at St. Mary’s College in Winona MN. This couple was so laid back, and their wedding party was a riot! The groom surprised me a few times with his spontaneity, which we photographers LOVE! A BIG Congratulations to Andy & Krystal!! I’ve truly enjoyed meeting you both, and your wonderful families and friends as well!

Here are a few of my favorites:

Sneak Peek “C” Wedding – {Wedding Photographer, Winona MN}

I kicked off my wedding season this past Thursday with a intimate wedding at a unique location. Where? You may ask- Nola’s Flowers, located in Winona, MN. Why? You may ask… it’s where he Proposed! We started out in Windom Park taking pictures of the bride & groom (this was th first time they’d seen each other), and this is where my favorite pictures so far come from.. Enjoy a sneak peek, and CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. & Mrs.!!

Calling all Brides & Grooms! Book before 5/1/2010 and receive…. SE MN Wedding Photographer

Book your Wedding Date with Captured Photography By Maggie before 5/1/2010 and receive %20 off your wedding package!!

Valid with a $250 date reservation only.