Kristin & Josh-Um Ya Ya!

Josh and Kristin met at my alma mater, St. Olaf College. Both members of the St. Olaf Band, Kristin played percussion and Josh played the trumpet, they noticed each other from the “first note.” Kristin asked some fellow band mates about Josh and was warned about his bad-boy brass-ness. Josh says, “I don’t know what it is about brass players, but we have a bad reputation.”

Meanwhile, told to “find someone else,” Kristin did. Later, Josh and Kristin met up in an introduction to Psych class where Josh mustered up the courage to ask Kristin to lunch after class in the cafeteria. She told him she’d call him.

Kristin did call him, but let him know right away that she was dating someone, than again, it was just lunch…

And so, these two began a lasting and complicated friendship that would bloom into a wonderfully beautiful love.

From the moment I met Kristin and Josh, I could tell how comfortable and in love they are with one another. They smile and laugh a lot around each other. They tease and flirt and I can see in Josh’s eyes that he believes Kristin is the most beautiful woman in the world. They are an inspiring couple.

My two favorite colors are blue and green, I think has something to do about my Irish heritage, the colors of me Emerald isle. Favorites of Kristin, these hues were incorporated throughout their wedding day.

Amazing flowers were arranged by the talented Jennifer Dick Guion from Luna Vinca. I love this creative mecca located near Uptown on Hennepin Avenue and have purchased many a Christmas gift there.

The couple walked down the aisle to the most amazing music, arranged by Josh, and performed by an amazing orchestra. The couple each chose and read a poem to each other. It was a magical moment, and I couldn’t help crying. I’m really good at being emotional (p.s. so is Rachel! Adam gives us grief for crying behind our LCD screens during services).

After the lovely ceremony we stopped at a couple locations to take some quick shots of the bridal party, one of these being Purgatory Creek Park-what a name!

The reception was held at the Stonebrooke Country Club in Shakopee, and upon our arrival we were treated to a surprise serenade from the groom to the bride.

It was a wonderful event and we’re so happy we were invited to share it with these two special Oles.

We come from St. Olaf, we sure are the real stuff.
Our team is the cream of the colleges great.
We fight fast and furious, our team is injurious.
Tonight Carleton College will sure meet its fate.

Um Ya Ya, Um Ya Ya
Um Ya Ya, Um Ya Ya
Um Ya Ya, Um Ya Ya
Um Ya Ya Ya
Um Ya Ya, Um Ya Ya
Um Ya Ya, Um Ya Ya
Um Ya Ya, Um Ya Ya
Um Ya Ya Ya

MN Bride – Best of 2007

Adam, Rachel, and I headed to Five on Tuesday to attend the annual MN Bride Party. They unveiled their latest issue, including the the Reader’s Choice Awards: Best of 2007. We are very happy to be included in an article about videography spotlighting two of our clients, Jennifer & Brian and Kate & Todd and six of our photos! If you would like to read the article, click here to download it.

It’s always a pleasure to hang with the beautiful creative people that transform the dream little girls have of a fairytale wedding into a sophisticated modern day reality. The complimentary wine, kicking eats, and back flipping desserts, are nice added bonuses.

In between chatting with some great friends and catching up with the ever constant change that is life (congratulations to Amy & Matt Coppersmith on their pregnancy and Jennifer-Che Bella & Victor on their beautiful baby Alexander!) Rachel and I took advantage of the traveling photo booth.

I used some of my St. Olaf Theater degree for these pictures. Ha! Ha! Too Fun!

We moved the party down the street to Bryant Lake Bowl where we changed our names to Mabel, Peg (Bundy), and Al (Bundy) respectfully.

Sarah & David – Good Things Can Happen From Being Stood Up (Alternatively Titled- A Timeless Celebration)

Sarah and David met each other in Iowa on a blind date in college. Sarah was supposed to attend a formal dance with some friends, at the last minute her date called in sick and David stepped up to the plate. A romance was not instantly kindled between these two, however, they became good friends. Occasionally, setting one another up with friends they thought she or he might like.

Serendipity played another one of its cards when these two found themselves both living in the Twin Cities. Sarah in Minneapolis, and David in St. Paul. Once again, they started to try and think of friends they could tell how great the other was. Finally, Sarah said, they thought what about dissing the set ups and trying a go at it themselves?!

A ha! Presto! Love Connection-O!

The gals started early on the morning of the wedding, donning exceptional hairstyles from the talented crew of Five Two Six Salon & Art Gallery. An art gallery and an up-do in one location? What a cool concept! It’s a really great space and terrificly charming neighborhood.

An added surprise was Sarah’s Salon Diva, Jennifer! We documented Jennifer’s wedding February 2006, you can watch her Featurette on our Video Gallery here. It was so fun to catch up with Jennifer. What a small world!

Adam and the guys were fortunate to hang out at one of St. Paul’s coolest places-Heime’s Haberdashery. With a nod to simpler days left to the wayside, this place embraces masculinity. A good pint of beer, freshly rolled cigars, a custom shave, dead animals on the wall, and a tailor on site…what a more says manly man (with taste to boot…)?!

After the salon experience, Rachel and I crammed into a car with Sarah and the gals to head over to the church. Sarah had to make a quick stop at the Wedding Shoppe to buy a garter. Her attendants were fast to point out that this last minute shopping on the day of her wedding was “so Sarah!”

After putting on their final touches, Adam explored the amazing grounds of the Gothic House of Hope Presbyterian Church, and took some breathtaking photos.

After the ceremony, the lovely ladies and gentlemen strolled through a couple of St. Paul’s most pristine parks; enjoying the nice June evening and the bliss of newlyweddedness.

A lovely reception and dinner was held at the University Club in downtown St. Paul. Special toasts to the bride and groom flowed as freely as the champagne, and included a group of guests donning Hawaiian shirts, bubbles, and presenting the couple with plastic lays. Too funny!

The cake was a stunning creation brought to us by the talented people at Buttercream cakes. Yummy!

Guests had a great time with the photo booth set up near the guest book, they even enjoyed queing for a chance to sit in the old fashioned booth. Where good conversation and good times are present, I guess waiting in old fashioned lines just doesn’t matter too much. At the end of the evening, everybody was up and dancing. Thank you Sarah and David for sharing your timeless celebration with us.

Katie & Joe – We Talked About Vegetables…

Katie & Joe met working after-school jobs at Cash Wise grocery store. Katie noticed him right away, and even told a co-worker jokingly, “I’m going to marry him someday.”

Joe noticed Katie too. He saw a chance to talk to her, when he couldn’t figure out what to do with a coupon. Katie gave him the wrong advice, and he got in trouble. However, Joe’s not a guy to harbor foul feelings against anyone, especially for someone so cute. So, he asked for her number and they hung out with some other friends and watched a movie together at Joe’s place. Katie fell asleep during the movie, which they both admit she does often.

“We were friends first,” admits Katie, “I was still in high school, so you know…”

They spoke on the phone a lot, and their relationship naturally blossomed. “It was so easy talking with her (Katie), I felt like we could talk about anything. We’d go off on these tangents, and start talking about vegetables or something.”

I hear you Joe. Katie and I met at Daylily Salon in St. Cloud over 3 years ago, and since my first experience with her we’ve chatted up a storm. We’ve become good friends over the years, and she’s naturally candid and honest about herself. I won’t go to anyone else.

Joe and Katie both grew up Catholic, and were married at St. Anthony’s Church by Joe’s uncle, Fr. Donald Wagner.

Katie radiated on her wedding day that special bridal glow, and being “a do-it-herself” kinda gal, she couldn’t resist giving her attendants her personal attention in the beauty department.

Katie “killed two birds with one stone,” so to speak; as she wore the blue garter she had worn (sewn by herself) to a Prom she had attended with Joe.

While the women put on their final touches, Joe and the guys arrived at the church ready for a few quick candids.

It’s uncanny how much Fiona, Joe’s niece, resembles her uncle.

After the ceremony, Katie quick pinned up her hair using beautiful rhinestone brooch/hairpins, with the help of ultimate personal assistant, Dani.

Next it was off to downtown St. Cloud for some q.t. with the newly married couple.

Boy, do these kids ( I only say that now that I’m in my thirties…) know how to have a good time! Makes life as a photographer so easy, when all the guests are having such a great time.

Thanks you two for the fabulous day! Katie, I’m having a really bad hair day…so, I’ll see you on Tuesday. Our best to a truly wonderful couple.

New Review Blog

I’m always searching for candid advice, maybe you are too. I decided to start ANOTHER blog.

Thus, I Rant I Rave was born today.

Here you will find my unsolicited opinions on art, food, books, hotels, and more.

Enjoy, or not.