Jeff + Katy | Madden's Resort on Gull Lake Summer Beach Wedding

What a beautiful day for Katy and Jeff's summer beach wedding on Gull Lake at Madden's Resort!  When you call Madden's make sure you ask for Meredith to help you plan you wedding because she's terrific.

I met the girls at their cabin where they were getting ready, enjoying mimosas and music and sharing their stories about Katy: how they met, why they are friends, what they love about Katy.  It was great fun.

Once we got the men's ties sorted out Katy, Jeff and I explored the resort for their engagement session before meeting up with their wedding party and family.

Jeff and the guys both arrived and departed the ceremony on a pontoon bringing the ladies with them on their way out.  While they enjoyed a pontoon ride with cigars and champagne I shot the amazing details by Kate at Bloom Designs in the Wilson Bay's Pemican Room.

As always, the food at Madden's was amazing but as their guests were finishing dinner, I stole Jeff and Katy for a quick portrait session on the beach and docks of Gull Lake because those are some of the main reasons people host their wedding celebrations in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

As the light faded away outside, the band FlashMob! was heating up the dance floor as a terrific ending to an awesome wedding day.

 

An Authentic Bow-Tie... GO FOR IT!

How many fake bow ties to I see every year?  Lots.  The ones with the adjustable metal slider with the hook. Guys, a real bow-tie is NOT hard to tie and it looks about, now I'm just estimating here, a thousand time better!  Check them out really. Whether your thinking fun colorful patterns or the dapper black bow tie, make it a real one.

This video is from "Trunk Club" an awesome service for guys that I just joined.  I can't wait to receive my first "trunk"!

I'm sure Panache or Petals and Beans can hook you up!

 

 

Chris + Jenny | Minnesota Outdoor Lakeside Wedding at Lake Benton

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I met Chris and Jenny at the Brainerd Wedding Association's "Unveiling" wedding expo only to find out that their wedding was going to take place on Lake Benton, one of my old fishing hot-spots back when I was growing up.  In fact it was the lake that my wife (girlfriend at the time) caught her first walleye!  I used to drive to school in my 1986 Jeep Grand Wagoneer (I loved that truck. Think of the Jeep in The Great Outdoors) with my 16' fishing boat on the back.  I'd call my mom during band class, which was first period, and ask if I could get out at lunch to go fishing.  My great friend Mike would do the same and we'd take off right from school to Lake Cottonwood or Lake Benton!

Jenny and Chris's wedding was full of charm, fun, laughs, yard games, pontoon rides, a rope swing and lots of photobombs!  It was terrific!

 

Jason + Whitney | Breezy Point's Antler's Pavilion Wedding and White Birch Room Reception

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The rain held off, the sun poked through once in a while, the wedding party was fun and enthusiastic and the couple was in love.  It was a gift to be able to witness Jason and Whitney's wedding at Antler's Pavilion at Breezy Point Resort's Whitebirch Golf Course. 

Then, Lissa from King Garden's in Longville, MN did an AMAZING job with the decor at the Whitebirch Room at Breezy Point Resort for the reception... amazing!  To top off the night, the band October Road was incredible.  If country music is your thing you need to check out this group.

 

Justin + Kristen | Gull Lake Wedding and Cragun's Resort Celebration

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Justin and Kristen's classic lakeside wedding was held on Lake Margaret which connects to the Gull Lake Chain of Lakes just south of Nisswa.  The day started with Kristen getting ready at the family cabin, followed by the ceremony on the shore of Lake Margaret, then the wedding party took the pontoon the length of Gull Lake to finish their wedding day at Cragun's Resort on the south shore of Gull Lake. 

 Dyana at Petals and Bean in Nisswa rocked the floral and Diane's staff at Cragun's were tremendous hosts.  

 

Jake + Shelby | Pelican Lake Wedding and Breezy Point Resort Celebration

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Jake and Shelby's wedding was fun and beautiful! Starting at Breezy Point Resort with the Shelby and the ladies getting ready, then the ceremony and champagne toast at a family cabin across Pelican Lake, then back to Breezy Point Resort for the celebration, it was a day filled with smiles, tears, hugs and lots of love. 
 
Breezy Point did an amazing job with the White Birch Room and Kate from Bloom Designs along with Gwen from The Hearth Room rocked the decor.  Tim Mahoney sounded amazing playing for the ceremony and cocktail hour.

It was a spectacular day with everything from notes sealed with a kiss to the breezy blowing off of Pelican Lake to an image of over 60 wrestlers that either wrestled in the state meet or wrestled in college. It was an awesome day.

Reed + Bailey | Crosslake Minnesota Outdoor Lake Wedding on the Whitefish Chain of Lakes

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Reed and Bailey's Manhattan Beach Lodge wedding was spectacular and simple at the same time. Bailey's dress was amazing and the tuxes they chose for the gentlemen complimented the venue and feel for the wedding day perfectly. All of the ladies looked stunning and everything else, from Reed's flow to the flowers from Celebration's Floral Design, complimented the day and the feel of a relaxed yet elegant Northern Minnesota lakeside wedding.

As always Manhattan Beach Lodge's food was the best around and the staff (especially Crystal) knocked it out of the park.

 

Reed and Bailey... congrats! 

Jake + Katie | Breezy Point Resort Summer Wedding

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The wedding planners and staff at Breezy Point Resort are expert's at hosting weddings. Experts!  To top the excellent service and atmosphere of Breezy Point Resort, Jake and Katie's wedding day was the very first day that really felt like summer in 2013.

Also, I can't forget to mention the lovely flowers and decor from Donna at Celebrations Floral Design.

 

Dan + Jenni | Madden's Resort Wedding in Brainerd

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Madden's Resort on Gull Lake is a hidden gem wedding venue in the Brainerd Lakes Area.  Madden's is an expansive and beautiful resort on the Gull Lake chain just north of Brainerd that doesn't really "pursue" weddings, but does an amazing job hosting them.   Their new wedding coordinator, Meredith, is spectacular and attentive.  If you're looking to host a Minnesota destination wedding, be sure to stop at Madden's for a look.

Dan and Jenni's wedding was intimate, personal and peaceful. Rain moved the ceremony from the beach inside and Madden's handled the change beautifully as did Jenni and Dan.