I’m just gonna go ahead and say it: Marissa and Taylor's wedding on Crosslake this past weekend was an absolute beauty. Seriously, if you’re looking for a blueprint for a classic, yet completely unbuttoned and authentic Minnesota lake wedding, bookmark this one. From a proper ceremony to a reception that was pure joy, these two knocked it out of the park.
Ceremony & The Lake Life Aesthetic
They started things off at Immaculate Heart in Crosslake, MN, keeping it traditional and sweet. I'm talking high ceilings, a gorgeous backdrop, and the kind of respectful hush you get when something real is going down. A moment that got me? The detail shot of their shoes under the pew—her "Wifey For Lifey" message was a chef's kiss of cute-meets-real.
But let’s be real, we were all waiting for the shift to lake time.
The reception venue was The Cov on Crosslake, this stunning, brand-new lake house owned by the family Marissa used to nanny for. Talk about connection—it’s not just a beautiful spot; it’s loaded with history and heart. You could feel it in every corner. And yes, the girls Marissa nannied were in the wedding party and straight-up rocked it. I love when the crew is family, old and new.
The Best Commute, Hands Down
When you’re doing a wedding in the Brainerd Lakes Area, you better incorporate the water. Marissa and Taylor understood the assignment. They took a pontoon ride from Moonlight Bay over to The Cov for the reception. Cruising the water, cracking open a couple of cold ones, arms in the air—it was the perfect way to reset and step into the party phase. That dock shot? That’s peak Minnesota summer, captured. Pure, unscripted joy.
Getting the Shot (and the Signature Cocktails)
Marissa planned and decorated the whole damn thing, and the details were impeccable. Seriously, she has a knack for design. But even with all the stunning decor and the killer sunset shot by the glowing "The Barrs" sign on the water's edge, my enjoyment photos are always the unfiltered ones.
The candid moments with their crew were gold. The bridesmaids in sleek black dresses, Taylor flashing a cheeky smile—it was loud, honest, and the kind of group hype that deserves its own montage. You see the deep, genuine connection between them and their people, and that's the stuff I live for. Also, a couple holding those sharp cocktail glasses, showing off their signature Old Fashioned and Espresso Martini that perfectly frames a rock like that? Iconic.
To Marissa and Taylor: Thanks for letting me hang, keep it real, and capture all the genuine connection you two share. Your wedding was proof that when you lead with love and a little lake sass, you simply cannot lose. Y’all are the main event.