One of my very favorite things brides have asked about recently are champagne shots! Not only do they make for great wedding party photos, but awesome expression shots! If you decide to bring champagne and use it for photos here are a few tips::
Buy the cheapest bottles, they are usually more fizzy and really all you are doing is shaking the bottle and letting it fly.
Try, if you can, to do this shot after the ceremony. Typically champagne flies everywhere and with that it goes everywhere! The last time a bride did this with me, champagne went all over me and a few of the bridesmaids!
Bring a few bottles. Chances are the first bottle won’t work as well as you hoped, and better to have another bottle to have more fun with
Hype up the photo! Typically I prompt the wedding party to yell and shout as the couple is opening the bottle. Makes for great shots and really a LOT of laughter!
Try to have the groom open the bottle. Brides, you probably don’t want to get anything on your dress, so stand back and let him do the work!
Happy Tuesday to you! Today I wanted to take a few moments to highlight some incredible venues in the Minnesota area.
For those of you recently engaged and looking for a venue, here are some wonderful spaces that I have loved shooting at. To see the full wedding from this location, simply click on the names in bold beneath the photo.
And if you have any questions as you are planning your wedding, or still need to book a photographer, I would absolutely love to chat!
Ryan was visiting with friends from Brazil when they asked him if he was dating anyone. The software engineer from Idaho, said he wasn’t and his friends began to rattle out names of friends that they thought would be good for him when Laura’s name came up.
The Brazilian geologist wasn’t looking to date an American either, but the friends persisted and eventually introduced Ryan and Laura to one another over Facebook.
Being that Ryan speaks English and Laura Portuguese, the two communicated through Google Translate and after a few months of doing that, Ryan jumped on a plane to Brazil to meet Laura in person. He thought he might be crazy, but upon meeting Laura, his suspicions subsided and despite the language barrier, the two got along wonderfully and after dating for a while, they were engaged.
Their winter wedding day was beautiful.Balmy 30 degree weather gave us a reason to do all the photos outside and we even headed to Parker’s Lake for photos on the frozen water.
What a joy it was celebrating with the both of you. I wish you years of joy and happiness!
Each June, Brian and Kelsey go up to northern Minnesota to camp, followed by a stay in Duluth. In June of 2018, when the couple was in Duluth, they had just had dinner at a Japanese restaurant on Lake Avenue. Brian said it would a great idea to go down to the lift bridge one more time and walk down the pier to see the sunset. It was so much colder than both of us had planned for and the rain jackets they brought couldn’t withstand the wind, so they huddled together. Before deciding to head back to the hotel, they watched the sun go down. Brian stopped Kelsey before they went down the stairs and she thought he was tripping. As it turned out, he was getting down on one knee and pulling a ring box out of his pocket. Surprised and overjoyed Kelsey answered yes!
Their October wedding day was full of surprises. An early snowfall and unusually cold day did not keep us from being outside in the beautiful fall foliage. Kelsey and Brian were wed in the beautiful Church of Saint Pius X where Kelsey leads the church in music. Because the couple are both highly involved in lives of music, Kelsey an elementary music teacher and Brian a highly skilled music technician, there were beautiful pieces within their ceremony.
After the wedding, we headed to a beautiful park that Kelsey and Brian walk at frequently and was full of beautiful colored trees. Despite the weather, we managed couple and wedding party photos outdoors as their southern based bridesmaids were troopers amidst the cold!
North Oaks Golf Club provided a beautiful wedding space for the couple, and we were able to use many of the green space and side paths for wedding party photos.
What a wonderful October day it was, congratulations to both Kelsey and Brian!
Vendors for the day included:: Ceremony:: Church of St. Pius X // Reception:: North Oaks Golf Club // Hair and Make Up:: The Beauty Bar // Wedding Dress:: David’s Bridal // Rings:: Wedding Day Diamonds // Catering:: North Oaks Golf Club // Baker:: Grandma’s Bakery // DJ:: Midwest Sound // Bridesmaids:: David’s Bridal // Jewelry:: Earrings from Mom, bracelet – wedding gift from parents given to me on their anniversary, grandmothers pin in my bouquet. // Men’s Designer:: Knights Chamber // Shoes:: DSW // Second Shooter:: Lily Watkins //
Katie Nick’s June wedding at Seven Vines Vineyard was the perfect blend of timeless elegance and joyful celebration. From the classic black-and-white wedding party attire to the dreamy golden hour portraits among the vines, every detail felt effortlessly sophisticated.
Surrounded by their favorite people and endless love, these two kicked off married life in the most beautiful way.
Baby Mary has arrived and is already so deeply loved by Nicole and Aaron.
I’ve had the true honor of photographing this family since their oldest was born over 16 years ago, and watching their story grow through each new season has been something really special. From newborn snuggles to busy, full family life being invited back again and again is something I never take for granted.
This family is deeply rooted in the world of forage, county fairs, and raising and showing lambs and sheep, so it only felt fitting to include a little lamb hat for baby Mary’s first photos. A small nod to a big part of their life and traditions.
Rob and Sarah’s wedding day was a beautiful blend of faith, family, and thoughtful design. Inspired by Monet’s garden paintings, their celebration was filled with soft spring colors, meaningful heirlooms, and intentional details at every turn.
After a joyful ceremony at Eagle Brook Church, surrounded by family and friends, they celebrated the night away at Silverwood Park with beautiful florals, heartfelt speeches, lakeside portraits, and dancing.
One of my favorite details? Sarah changed into her mother’s wedding dress for the reception, while flowers made from that same gown were sewn into her veil.
Welcome, to the world sweet Julia! It was such a blessing to see Travis, Marisa, and Jalen again! What joy Julia has brought to this family! Congratulations!!
