On Fargo and marriage and this Nicollet Island Pavilion wedding
Its the 20th anniversary of the film Fargo. It is a film that I appreciate much more now that I live in Minneapolis than I did when it first came out. Partially because references to places like Chaska and Edina bring more meaning. But mostly because there are layers upon layers of meaning, and I am at a point where a different layer resonates with me.
Eventually, if you decide to live in the Midwest, you have to think about the epic question of adulthood – is there a difference between settling and choosing? Is there a way to choose to live a lovely and meaningful life, enjoy all the beautiful days, and have that be different from settling?
Obviously, (I’m here!) I think that you can choose to enjoy and notice and exist, even if it is not the largest life you can live. I think the meaning is the same.
All of that is to say, when I have clients (like Maria and Mike) who choose to have their wedding in Minneapolis, even though they are living on the East Coast, I have a little extra joy in my heart. A little joy at knowing they will have guests from all over in to enjoy this lovely place. And joy also at knowing that they, too, make a choice to celebrate here above all other options available to them.
And celebrate they did – a stunning evening to enjoy being outside at the Nicollet Island Pavilion, a light breeze to enjoy down by the Stone Arch Bridge.
Thank you for choosing to celebrate here, for choosing to bring the Midwest with you in some sense. It was a true joy to be with you!
And if you are looking for some lively discussion of Fargo, I recommend this analysis from the Dissolve.
Ceremony: Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral
Reception: Nicollet Island Pavilion
Hotel: The Depot, Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel
I know they don’t have mosquitoes in DC, but with summers like this, how else would we keep the whole country from moving to Minneapolis? Technical notes: With my assistant crouching behind the couple to get the light right, capturing sharp focus using the manual-focus tilt-shift is tough and basically requires a lot of persistence and, as always, some luck. ISO 640, 1/200 at 2.8. 
