Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge and Bloom Designs Wedding \\ Grace + Kiel

December 28, 2016 in Wedding, 2016, 2016 Weddings

They were both dabbing tears from their eyes when Grace finished reciting her vows to Kiel. This moment is a great illustration of Grace and Kiel's wedding day. Full of emotion, connection, joy and satisfaction in the celebration of their wedding. Grace is tender, gentle, giving and full of gratitude. Kiel is fun, witty, generous and ambitious. Both Kiel and Grace were truly grateful for the each other, their families and their friends.

The estate where they celebrated their wedding was spectacular with a beautiful, rustic-chic house, an immaculately renovated barn that was converted for guest entertainment and hospitality and grounds that included a wood-fired sauna, boat house, skeet-shooting station and private lake.

They worked with the best vendors Northern Minnesota has to offer.

Florals, decor and coordination by Kate Kuepers of Bloom Designs.
Catering by Prairie Bay of Three Cheers Hospitality
Entertainment by DJ JP of Premier Party Entertainment
Hair and Make-up by Tracy and her team at Captivating Beauty.

Airbrushed make-up by Captivating Beauty of baxter

Wedding Party getting hair and make-up done by captivating beauty in brainerd, mn

make-up tools being used to get the bride's make-up on for her wedding day

bridesmaids getting the brides dress ready

bride getting her mother-in-laws pearls on

brides wedding dress hanging in the window

groomsmen going for a sauna on the wedding day morning

groomsmenm running to the lake from the sauna to cool off

groomsmen skeet shooting on the wedding day

groom shooting clay target in brainerd, mn

brainerd wedding photographer groom putting on watch

brainerd bride getting her dress buttoned

mother putting on bride's pearl necklace at ruttger's bay lake lodge

bride opening a love letter from her groom on her wedding day

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brainerd mn groom waiting for the first sight of his bride

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bridal bouquet by kate kuepers of bloom designs in brainerd, mn

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Northern Pacific Center Wedding Ceremony

An NP Space Wedding in Brainerd, MN \\ Dy-anna + Tim

December 14, 2016 in 2016 Weddings, Wedding

Finally, my first full wedding at the beautiful NP Space in Brainerd, MN! Such a beautiful and historic location. I've photographed here many times, but Dy-anna and Tim's wedding was my first event that took place entirely at the NP Space.

My day started in the light and airy bridal suite that is full of beautiful light. Aimee Jobe, the director and manager of the NP Space, originally refinished the run down warehouse space to be her photography studio so it is no wonder there's great light everywhere! Aimee Jobe (and her husband) poured their blood, sweat and tears into this space and it really shows. A bride couldn't ask for a better trendy, chic suite for getting ready.

Wedding dress hanging in the bridal suite at the NP Space in Brainerd

custom hanger for brides dress hanging at the NP Space in brainerd, mn

wedding dress fluffing NP space brainerd, mn

bride surrounded by her bridesmaid getting ready at the np space in brainerd

The NP Space in brainerd bridal preparation suite

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bloom designs by kate kuepers bride's bouquet

bride having her shoe put on a the northern pacific center in brainerd, mn

bridal portrait at the NP space in brainerd, mn

bride laughing at the NP Space in brainerd

The NP Space in Brainerd, MN bridal portrait

Look at this incredible bouquet by Kate Kuepers at Bloom Designs. She always knocks it out of the park.

bridal bouquet by Kate Kuepers with Bloom Designs

bride cuddling with flower girls in the NP Space in Brainerd, MN

Dy-anna and Tim did a first look in the ceremony space of the NP Space and it was freezing in there but they were great sports and it warmed up quickly once the heaters were turned on and it filled up with people! Look how happy these two are!

the ceremony location at the Northern Pacific Center in Brainerd, MN

The Northern Pacific center wedding images

outdoor wedding pictures at the np space

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bride walking with the flower girls just before the wedding

wedding decor by kate kuepers from bloom designs

an amazing floral arrangement by bloom designs

northern pacific center decor by bloom designs

Dy-anna and Tim's wedding day was full of special details in all areas including the officiant being one of their friends from the UK and a bag-pipper too!

bride walking down the aisle at the NP Space

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bridesmaids bouquets during the wedding ceremony

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Look at this decor! Aimee and Kate do such a great job and their creativity just feeds off of each other. Really beautiful reception.

chandeliers over the entrance at the np space

the smoke stack at the northern pacific center

cafe lights in the reception area of the np space

gift card table at northern pacific center wedding day

grand view of the chandeliers in the np space in brainerd

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bride and groom kissing during the reception

best mans speech with catering by prairie bay in brainerd

couple's first dance with the beauty of the np space in the background

wedding party dance during the np space reception

Exploring with film at Grand Superior Lodge

September 19, 2016 in 2016 Weddings, Wedding, Sneak Peek, Film

Over the past 6 months I've been exploring with shooting film for a couple of reasons.

It slows me down and pushes me to make better compositions because each press of the shutter costs me about $1.50
The COLORS. Oh my I love the colors. I love how you can change the exposures and processing combinations to manipulate the colors you get in return.
There's something about the analog process of actually creating a new thing, in the real world, the instant you press the shutter.

Here's an image from Megan and Barry's wedding at Grand Superior lodge shot with Kodak Portra400 push processed two stops. I love the colors. Love, love, love them: the richness combined with the softness, her skin tones to die for, the inky blacks, the subtle transitions, all of it.

Canon AE-1 with 50/1.8 at 2.2.

Breezy Point Resort Wedding in the Lakeside Ballroom - Sammy + Mike // Sneak Peek

September 18, 2016 in Wedding, 2016 Weddings

How often in our lives are we moved like this? This is the stuff wedding days are made of, elation, weeping, hearts being moved. Everything has so much density and impact. I was a witness to this moment and it was beautiful.

Ali + Taylor - Look. At. This. Dress

August 15, 2016 in 2016 Weddings, Wedding, Sneak Peek

Look at this amazing dress Ali wore for her wedding day on South Long Lake in Brainerd.