Minneapolis Country Club Wedding – Bethaney and Adam

I’m trying a different approach for writing about Bethaney and Adam’s Minneapolis Country Club Wedding – I’d like to add commentary to each of the images almost as stand alone images that, together, tell a greater story of their wedding day. Maybe it’s all the time I spend writing instagram captions, or the internal monologue that runs when I look sort through images for a blog post like this, but I find I want to tell more details.

In the meantime, over a year has passed since their wedding – I recently had the pleasure of photographing them again with their new baby girl. Congratulations on a new generation of happiness in your family!

interior - Minneapolis wedding at St Stephens Church, edina
The Interior of St Stephen’s before the ceremony
dress detail - Minneapolis wedding at St Stephens Church, edina
Bethaney had a customized hanger for her wedding dress, and outdoors seemed like the best place to show it off.
details for groom - Minneapolis wedding at St Stephens Church, edina
Adam is an enthusiastic photographer, and took several photos throughout the day himself with this old gem of a camera.
Minneapolis wedding at St Stephens Church, edina
Weddings are not about wedding dresses, but it is still nice to start the day with a little still life of the dress and the location together before the celebration
bride Minneapolis wedding at St Stephens Church, edina
Rooms for getting ready in churches are often a little dark and small, perfect for intimate moments
Minneapolis wedding at St Stephens Church, edina
Here is why getting married is a big deal – it allows those who love you most to celebrate with you. It kind of hits everyone hard when they first see you in your wedding finery
Minneapolis wedding at St Stephens Church, edina
In my opinion, all flower girls should be slightly precocious.
Minneapolis wedding at St Stephens Church, edina
Collar up, mid tie – always a classic
Minneapolis wedding at St Stephens Church, edina
A gorgeous suit deserves the royal treatment- top button done, bottom undone
Minneapolis wedding at St Stephens Church, edina
Just so happy to be together again, looking so good
Minneapolis wedding at St Stephens Church, edina
The river was particularly high for Bethaney and Adam’s wedding – threatening to flood the lower levels of the church on it’s banks. But this intrepid kayaker got to enjoy a first look as well.
Minneapolis wedding at St Stephens Church, edina
After the sort of “staged” part of a first look, the authentic moments happen – I love this emotional hug
Minneapolis wedding at St Stephens Church, edina
Flowergirls with flower crowns are so perfect. She got sassier later, but was clearly enjoying being a part of the wedding
Minneapolis wedding at St Stephens Church, edina
There are many photos of the flower girl being demure and so cute, but I love strong willed ladies, so this tiger growl is awesome
Minneapolis country club wedding
Brides and flowergirls are such a timeless pairing – each admiring the other.
Minneapolis wedding at St Stephens Church, edina
Bethaney’s train wasn’t easy to walk in, but it was a stunner in front of the church
Minneapolis wedding at St Stephens Church, edina
Yellow is a less used color for wedding bouquets, and it is just so darn cheerful! Perfectly matching Bethaney as a bride
Minneapolis country club wedding
This is one of my favorite photos from their wedding – the garden and the architecture all framing the two of them, so in the moment.
Minneapolis country club wedding
More of a traditional pose, mostly because Bethaney’s train deserved some attention
Wedding St. Stephens Church edina Minneapolis
When I’m inside older church spaces, I really like the line from the back of the church looking towards the altar – the line of the pews and the full arch of the ceiling are often more interesting frames for photographs than just the details of the altar.
Minneapolis country club wedding
A side view at St Stephen’s Church
Minneapolis country club wedding
A little nook among the stone arches
Wedding St. Stephens Church edina Minneapolis
Flower girls never disappoint.
Wedding St. Stephens Church edina Minneapolis
Sometimes, the best “first looks” at a ceremony happen after the couple has already seen each other – the total gut-wrenching nervous tension is gone, replaced by excitement and joy
Minneapolis country club wedding
Fathers and daughters are a story that deserves to be told with care during weddings
Minneapolis country club wedding
Weddings are about more than the two people getting married – its about generations of family and larger communities. I love the support Bethaney’s dad is getting from his relatives as he walks her down the aisle.
Minneapolis country club wedding
This image uses a tilt shift lens to get an unexpected focal plane – making the ceiling more blurred out and ethereal while keeping the focus on the action
Minneapolis country club wedding
Showing connection during a ceremony can be hit or miss – so much depends on the way the spaces are used and how much room there is for interaction, but its always there.
Minneapolis country club wedding
Vows get me every time
Minneapolis country club wedding
And rings never seem to fit quite right in the excitement of the wedding
Minneapolis country club wedding
Sometimes people add “first kiss” to their list of must-have photos. Let me tell you – I wouldn’t be taking photos of anything else at this moment!
Minneapolis country club wedding
That just married feeling
Minneapolis country club wedding
Such a classy camera for Adam to carry around on his wedding day
Minneapolis country club wedding
Bethaney, timeless
Minneapolis country club wedding
The Mendakota country club
Minneapolis country club wedding
Tiny cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes were so delightful – I topped this one with the wedding rings
Minneapolis country club wedding
A quick jaunt around the grounds at Mendakota, and this is probably my favorite photo – Bethaney with her hands in her pockets, Adam in his dapper 3 piece suit, laughing together.
Minneapolis country club wedding
A little piney outcrop at Mendakota
Minneapolis country club wedding
A sunny day at Mendakota
Minneapolis country club wedding
Toasts should do the following – make the couple laugh and or cry
Minneapolis country club wedding
Thanks how you react to a toast about you!
Minneapolis country club wedding
Speeches
Minneapolis country club wedding
First dance at Mendakota – a little of the crowd
Minneapolis country club wedding
Even surrounded by everyone, a quiet moment on the dance floor
Minneapolis country club wedding
Minneapolis country club wedding
Minneapolis country club wedding
Minneapolis country club wedding

Ceremony: St. Stephens Episcopal Church
Reception: Mendakota country club
Florist: KMB floral
DJ: Bellagala
Dress: The Wedding Shoppe
Dessert: Nothing Bundt Cakes