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!
The Interior of St Stephen’s before the ceremony
Bethaney had a customized hanger for her wedding dress, and outdoors seemed like the best place to show it off.
Adam is an enthusiastic photographer, and took several photos throughout the day himself with this old gem of a camera.
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
Rooms for getting ready in churches are often a little dark and small, perfect for intimate moments
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
In my opinion, all flower girls should be slightly precocious.
Collar up, mid tie – always a classic
A gorgeous suit deserves the royal treatment- top button done, bottom undone
Just so happy to be together again, looking so good
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.
After the sort of “staged” part of a first look, the authentic moments happen – I love this emotional hug
Flowergirls with flower crowns are so perfect. She got sassier later, but was clearly enjoying being a part of the wedding
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
Brides and flowergirls are such a timeless pairing – each admiring the other.
Bethaney’s train wasn’t easy to walk in, but it was a stunner in front of the church
Yellow is a less used color for wedding bouquets, and it is just so darn cheerful! Perfectly matching Bethaney as a bride
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.
More of a traditional pose, mostly because Bethaney’s train deserved some attention
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.
A side view at St Stephen’s Church
A little nook among the stone arches
Flower girls never disappoint.
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
Fathers and daughters are a story that deserves to be told with care during weddings
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.
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
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.
Vows get me every time
And rings never seem to fit quite right in the excitement of the 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!
That just married feeling
Such a classy camera for Adam to carry around on his wedding day
Bethaney, timeless
The Mendakota country club
Tiny cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes were so delightful – I topped this one with the wedding rings
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.
A little piney outcrop at Mendakota
A sunny day at Mendakota
Toasts should do the following – make the couple laugh and or cry
Thanks how you react to a toast about you!
Speeches
First dance at Mendakota – a little of the crowd
Even surrounded by everyone, a quiet moment on the dance floor
