Minneapolis Sci-Fi Lovers wedding – Kelly and Jason
Honestly, Kelly and Jason’s intense love of many things sci-fi was such an awesome running theme for their wedding. I loved geeking out with them, finding all the details (because, well, I am also a sci-fi nerd) and documenting how much fun they had.
One thing I find difficult as I write about weddings all the time is this – we often look through photos from events and focus on the details that look charming, the elements that stand out. But to me weddings aren’t about the trappings. I don’t want to distill a celebration down to the most common denominator. And yet that is by far the easiest way to write about weddings – the quirky details, the unique customs, the offbeat or unexpected elements.
So, I am really excited to share these photos from Kelly and Jason’s wedding at the Loring and Varsity theater. Yeah, I way love the Death Star purse Kelly had. I love their video game elements and Kelly’s blue dress (TARDIS blue, even?)
But I don’t want to offer these details up as a fun oddity. I want to show them as they are – an authentic extension of the quirky, awesome, powerful affection and shared lives of Kelly and Jason. As parts of a day full of laughter and joy and celebration.
So I’m trying something new – captioning each of the photos, really showcasing only the elements that complete the wedding story, and giving a little insight my thought process as I document and conceptualize the images in the first place.
I present Kelly and Jason’s Sci-Fi loving wedding at the Loring and Varsity: loads of celebrating, an epic dance party, and a wedding.
Kelly and Jason, and their Zelda inspired marquee at the Varsity theater “Its dangerous to go alone”
This is a panorama of many images stitched together – how else to show off the multitude that is the interior of Loring Restaurant
The most elegant Star Wars themed bridal accessories I’ve ever seen – Death Star purse and R2D2 ballet flats
Exterior of Loring Restaurant – former dinkytown pharmacy, loaded with style.
Smiling throughout – Kelly getting ready before the wedding getting ready at the Loring
Kelly’s dress, reflecting the infinite, evoking a night sky with blue and silver.
Jason, his dapper suit, and his mom to pin on the boutonniere, a word that is impossible to spell before spell check.
The dark suit, dark shirt, and blue vest/tie combo was both dramatic and elegant. A perfect compliment to Kelly’s blue dress.
That moment before the first look, when emotional chaos rules, but the end is in site.
First looks are just fun looks. You both look so great!
And then you need a moment to take it in – its really happening.
The Loring has so many quirky spaces to find and use – this seemed like a perfect casual place for a photo of the wedding party
Never stop laughing – at the combination of joyous, silly, and celebratory that any wedding must contain
Quiet little corners are my favorite – a semi-stolen moment
With so much color and texture and emotion happening, I enjoy the occasional black and white image to highlight different elements of a wedding day.
Breaking the glass
And a first kiss
Kelly and Jason looked way elegant most of the time, but I also love this totally happy excited face from Kelly as she walks down the aisle.
Thats a great entrance to a wedding
Dessert buffet of doughnuts, mini mouses, and tarts.
During cocktail hour, I set a few goals for myself. Obviously, I take photos of groups of people talking, and others hugging. But I also strive to get unexpected portraits of parents and grandparents. There is something timeless about this dad and his drink.
The Varsity theater takes a dark space and weaves light into it, creating a magical experience for weddings.
Toasts, truths, and a lot of baby’s breath
First dance magic
Kelly and Jason had quirky, geeky, funny, fun music playing throughout – and a DJ playing videos to correspond. It was an amazing dance party.
Again, a touch of black and white to pull out this one moment
I’m not totally sure what move this is, but I’m pretty sure some of the monsters in Doom do it.
But then back to an all out frolic again!
This is a gorgeous space for couples.
DJ Mad Mardigan – spinning excellent dance music, but also pairing it with this video of a robot destroying a city.
DJ Mad Mardigan at the Varsity Theater
At the end of the night is a perfect time to get a few minutes off the dance floor for a few last portraits – this wall of posters is pretty exceptional
If you’ve got a marquee, you better believe there will be lots of photos by it
Oh, goodness, I made my second shooter do a lot of running around with a giant pixelstick while I took a long exposure of this image – the TARDIS is captured in camera (not a photoshop effect). Its a little bizarre, but I strive to push myself and try things that ultimately might be bizarre.
