Jennifer & Aaron’s delightful Loring Pasta Bar & Varsity Theater wedding

Jennifer & Aaron were surrounded by fun people, a gorgeous day, and decadent locations for their wedding in September. We played around the Mill City Ruins park and St Anthony Main before heading to the Loring Pasta Bar in Dinkytown for their gorgeous and classy wedding ceremony. Then, a short walk to the Varsity Theater, certainly among the most unique venues in the Midwest for a wedding reception. What can I say – the food was great, the ambiance was lively, and everyone was laughing and dancing – it was lovely!

 

Jolynn & Tim’s East meets West guthrie ceremony & chinese banquet reception wedding

Jolynn & Tim are amazing people to photograph. Not only do they look great (see below!) but Jolynn is always laughing and knows just how to make Tim feel comfortable, who in turn brings a stern strength wherever he goes. Also, did I mention that they planned a gorgeous wedding? There was a small ceremony on the Endless Bridge of the Guthrie theater, with an amazing view of the stone arch bridge and the Mississippi river. We played around the Guthrie for a bit afterwards, and then their reception was at Peking Garden in St Paul. Even though Jolynn had told me that they were going to have 12 courses of amazing food, I couldn’t believe how tasty the food was (even the sea cucumber!) Jolynn changed into yet another dress for their first dance, and the night was over all too soon. Thanks for choosing me to document such a laugh-filled and intimate day.

 

East meets West wedding with elegance – Nasreen & Philip’s wedding

I don’t really know how Nasreen planned her fabulous day of wedding festivities with Philip – she works, she goes to school, they just bought a house – and yet they had a series of gorgeous events at the downtown Minneapolis Hilton. After a short Muslim ceremony, Nasreen’s brother oversaw a more traditional wedding and then on the the reception, which featured a few Afghan traditions, a lot of dancing, and a afghan pop singer!

It is kind of still a whirlwind for me of red shoes, gorgeous golden rooms and awesome details. Congratulations, Nasreen and Philip, and thanks for letting me be a part of your wedding!

Jolynn & Tim {wedding preview}

Jolynn & Tim had such a gorgeous wedding! Here are some pics from our time around the Guthrie – more to follow in a few weeks!

Feona & Nolan – wedding in Columbia Heights Minnesota

Feona & Nolan are a fantastic couple, and they had a gorgeous 2 part wedding in Northeast Minneapolis this summer. The first part was a traditional Hindu wedding at Vishnu Mandir, complete with drumming. The second part was a western style reception with a fabulous color scheme.

At the Hindu church, Feona changed from one fabulous outfit to another before the ceremony ended!

After a little break in the day, the whole group reassembled for a fabulous reception, new dresses, and lots of dancing. Feona picked out a very energetic DJ, and both Feona & Nolan’s families stayed on the floor for a long time!

Nasreen & Philip – preview

Nasreen and Philip have excelent taste – in locations, in details, and in each other! Here is a quick preview of their fabulous downtown Hilton wedding.

Nora & Mike – Spring at its best in Minneapolis, with the sculpture garden and grand hotel

Nora and Mike had a beautiful wedding in Minneapolis this June. Nora’s taste is wonderful – from the subtle and bright purple flowers and classic satin shoes to the adorable  Cubs baseball garter. Mike was also impeccable, and his choice of Nora says enough about his great taste! We had so much fun going to the sculpture garden for photos with the wedding party, and then onto the Grand Hotel in downtown Minneapolis for the reception.

Wedding ceremony: Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Flowers: Summer Harsh
Wedding reception: Grand Hotel, Minneapolis

Even your photographer enjoys a good photobooth

I love photobooths. I really do.

Whenever I mention photobooths, I am asked if it is doing my job for me. I think not: a good photobooth is not redundant with a professional photographer. A photographer will be with you all day – finding those little moments of shared emotion and documenting formal groups.

A photobooth is part reception entertainment and part fun guest documentation. Think of the photo booth as an upgrade to “table shots” from a your wedding – you get photos of each guest, but instead of a table number and waterglasses, they are in smaller groups and often (gasp) having fun! Even though any photographer will try to photograph most of the guests, it can be impossible to document everyone – there is usually some group of family friends or coworkers that doesn’t like to dance (where I usually am) and leaves a little early (so I don’t get them on my next time around the room). For those people especially, a photo booth is a fun way to get their photos in your guestbook.

With digital photobooths, like Snapz or the Travling Photo Booth, the machine prints two strips – one for the couple, and one for the guests.

Which is especially good news when one of the groom’s college friends asks if he can join you in the photobooth – of course the answer is yes! And now I have a copy, too!

Wolfgang Puck

I was lucky enough to photograph chef Wolfgang Puck for an interview appearing on the Heavy Table. Chef Puck was at his restaurant 20.21 at the Walker for a brief visit, and we were able to sit down with him for a few minutes. Not only was the food amazingly delicious, but he was also a very energetic and fun person to talk with!

Probably the most amazing food was the miso-glazed black cod. Fortunately, this is part of their regular menu (some of the other items were unique to the tasting menu), so I can go back and order it again!

We were also able to also talk with Asher Miller, the Executive Chef for Restaurant 20.21

Nora & Mike – preview

Nora and Mike had a fantastic wedding in Minneapolis. Here is a quick preview of the amazing light we had at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.