Abbie is one of my oldest friends and I couldn’t be more excited that she and Andy are having their first baby soon! When they came up to Minneapolis, it was a great opportunity to have a fantastic brunch and then head to Como Park for a little maternity/belly session in the conservatory.
Earlier I posted some detail shots of the wedding I was lucky enough to shoot for my friends in Mexico, and now I have some of the photos from the ceremony and reception. Melanie and Mark chose the fantastic Sol Melia Cabo Real Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico for their wedding. The weather was perfect for their beach wedding (especially for those of us that traveled from the upper Midwest!) and the timing worked out perfectly to take photos by the water after the ceremony.
Lauren and Devin were great sports about climbing all over the park around Minnehaha Falls for their engagement session. Having all previously lived in Madison, we had lots to talk about, and I am very excited to photograph their wedding next fall!
Kate & Bret had an amazing wedding in Wisconsin, which I blogged extensively in October, and now they are featured on the “real weddings” section of Wisconsin Bride online!
**this post is part of “dollars for comments” drive – Becca Dilley will donate $1 for each comment on her website between January 18, 2010 and February 14, 2010 to Doctors without Borders to support their Haiti relief efforts.
I am so lucky to have been able to photograph so many amazing weddings in 2009! People around me often ask if I have any wedding planning advice, having seen so many weddings, and I generally say this: choose the things that are important to you, and put your energy and resources into making those fabulous. Let the rest work itself out.
In 2009, there were a few ideas that were fairly simple to implement, and went a long way to personalize the day!
A live tree for your ceremony
Kate & Bret had the most creative and lovely alternative for an arbor or arch during a wedding ceremony I have seen. They bought a living tree, from a nursery, as a backdrop for a wedding service inside a small Wisconsin chapel. As a side bonus – they planted the tree later at a friend’s house and now have a tangible memory of their wedding ceremony.
Writing your vows inside a book that has meaning to you
Joyce & Dan had a lovely small ceremony at the Como Park conservatory’s sunken garden. Dan had written his vows inside a book Joyce had given them when they started dating. Writing your vows inside a book that has meaning for you is a wonderful way to keep your vows in your life, and on your bookshelf.
Going off color with your wedding gown
I loved these two non-traditional wedding dresses. Katie & Jake had a winter wedding in black and red, and Katie’s red wedding dress reflected their artistic and creative vibe. Melanie & Mark planned their slightly off beat wedding in Mexico and Melanie found a dress that was both elegant and a little Rock and Roll with a wide black lace corset belt.
Using a book as a Guestbook
Melanie & Casey’s wedding at the Cannon River winery and vineyard had many wine related touches, including using a book on the wine regions of the country as their guest book. Guests could sign on their favorite pages, and Melanie & Casey will read the lovely messages every time they pick up their coffee table book.
Getting rid of the flowers
Jolyn & Tim’s Guthrie theater wedding was a wonderful place to showcase Jolynn’s red parasol. She did also have a small bouquet, but for most of the pictures she got rid of the flowers sported her parasol. While parasols are not the most practical item to have in your closet, I love the idea of incorporating it into your house decor or taking it out for a picnic on your anniversary.
Going for the gold with your photo location
For Karen & Jeremy’s wedding at the Como Park railroad museum, carving out time to run to the carousel with their wedding party was a must. Sure, it added 15 minutes onto their photo time, and made their wedding even more memorable.
Now that we are well into January, I wanted to reflect back on a few of my favorite images from 2009!
