A couple of weeks ago, we met Lyndsay and Brandon for their engagement session.  They were looking for something laid back, yet with a touch of an urban feel.  We met at our studio and utilized some of the fun surroundings there and then proceeded to St. Anthony Main to capture a few images there.  We had a lot of fun and we can't wait for their St. Paul wedding at the University Club Downtown in February! 

Here is a preview of Jennifer and Ryan's beautiful wedding this past weekend!  Do they not look like they enjoyed the day!

A full blog post from their beautiful Metropolitan Club wedding in Minneapolis will follow later.  In the meantime, for some additional highlights from their lovely day, please visit our Facebook Page.  While you are there, we would love it if you became a fan!

P.S.  If you would like to be alerted when all of the pictures are available to view and order, you can get to Jennifer and Ryan's online gallery by using this LINK.  If you register before the event is released, you are eligible for a $5 gift certificate!

Samantha and Corey planned an amazing wedding weekend at the Outing Lodge in Stillwater, MN.  Though Corey's family only lives 5 minutes from this old-fashioned country lodge, this affair had all the makings of a true destination wedding!  They infused it with their personal style, while staying true to the outdoor theme.  In addition, this was the first time we have shot a "fire ceremony"!  So unique and really intriguing to witness.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

The Outing Lodge site, complete with its grounds, was a great place for the ceremony and yard games that were available for the guests during the reception.  Adults were able to enjoy a cocktail while the kids could run freely.  After dinner, the crowd was led downstairs to the lodge's cellar for a night of dancing!  Their outdoor wedding was blessed with beautiful weather and a sun that shone brightly on this wonderful couple. 

Lastly, this was our first attempt at doing video along with still photography during a wedding.  Be sure to check out some of the photo highlights from the day as well as our fusion video below.  We would love to hear your thoughts!  If you have any problems streaming, you may want to let it fully download and then try playing it again.

P. S.  If you would like to view and/or order additional pictures from the wedding, you can view Samantha and Corey's online gallery by using this LINK.




Samantha + Corey from Staja Studios on Vimeo.

Event Design:  Event Lab
Gown:  Carmelle Elizabeth
Venue:  Windows On Minnesota
Catering:  The Marquette Hotel

Anne & Blake had a beautiful wedding at Windows On Minnesota.  Their story is a bit unique, as Blake has been suffering from terrible back pain as a result of a sports injury.  He has a very hard time sitting which makes things a bit difficult.  With the help of The Event Lab, they were able to incorporate a lot of things that are unique and special to them while making sure he stayed comfortable. 

Choosing the site of their first date, Windows On MN, Anne and Blake were well on their way to injecting their personal style.  Because they got ready at The Marquette Hotel, they rented Segway's to help with the walk over to the ceremony.  Needless to say they got a lot of applause and looks cruising around.  Since they first started dating, Blake has sent flowers weekly to Anne, complete with bows.  This was an element that they wanted to incorporate, so they had various elements throughout the wedding adorned with bows.  In addition, the cake, custom drink luge, favor glasses, and napkin holders were all adorned with doves.  To top things off, the head table was a very large high top so Blake could stay standing and wouldn't have to sit, allowing him to enjoy dinner and the reception.  Needless to say, it was a beautiful wedding and everyone had a great time!

Be sure to take a peek at some of the highlights below, complete with a few from the photo-booth we set up!

P. S.  If you would like to view and/or order additional pictures from the wedding, you can view Anne and Blake's online gallery by using this LINK.



 

This is a story about overcoming great obstacles, seeing the bright side and of course, undying love.

 

We met Emily and Tyler on a gorgeous summer afternoon last year in the middle of nowhere (Le Sueur), MN.  Tyler's parents own a farm in the country.  Tyler's mom spends most of her waking hours tending to the expansive and gorgeous gardens that surround their amazing home.  It was here that Emily and Tyler chose as a backdrop for their farm inspired engagement session.  Spend just ten minutes with these two and their love for each other is apparent as is their kind, warm hearts.  Emily even made us dinner once we were done shooting.  What a wonderful evening it was.  Though we had met just a few hours earlier, our conversations were easy and comfortable.  Emily and Tyler seemed like a couple of old friends and we learned much about them over dinner.  Things like Emily's dad living with severe diabetes.  The possibility of him not being able to walk her down the aisle was more likely than not.  To Emily, the potential of missing out on this part of her day was of zero concern.  All she was worried about was her dad's comfort and making sure that he had everything he needed to enjoy the day.  We also learned that Tyler is a military man.  He would be gone for a good part of the planning and then set for deployment shortly after they wed.  Their commitment and love for each other was just oozing out of them.  There is no denying, they are a Team, yes, with a capital T.

 

Okay, so fast forward to June 26, 2010.  Hot! Humid!  Sticky!!  If you live in Minneapolis, you will remember...it was that crazy, stormy weekend the city streets all flooded.

 

We arrive at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas and wait for our beautiful bride.  No bride...an hour late?? Was it her nerves?  Anxiety?  It just didn't seem like Emily would be the type to let her nerves get the best of her.  Calm, relaxed and laid-back are words I would use to describe her.

 

She certainly did not look good when she did arrive.  She was a not-so-nice shade of green, which she wore with a smile.  No bridezilla here.  With lots of help from moms, sisters and bridesmaids, we got the flu-stricken bride into her gown and out to meet her groom.

 

Earlier in the week, we were informed that Emily's dad would only be able to stand up for a minute or two at a time during the family portraits as his diabetes had progressed.  We assumed that meant he would not be walking her down the aisle.  As the steamy chapel began to fill, we found our places and waited for the processional.  To our surprise and happiness, there, walking down the aisle was a beaming Emily and her father!  So much adversity for both to overcome, yet there it was, the moment a father and a daughter both envision; it was beautiful.

 

The ceremony was long and very hot as the chapel does not have air conditioning.  Jason and I were wringing with sweat by the time our post-ceremony portrait session had ended (and I wasn't wearing a heavy gown!).  Emily handled it all like a trooper as did Tyler (who spent the day in full military dress by the way) Wow!

 

It was after arriving at their reception site that Emily's dehydration set in.  She spent dinner and much of the dance laid-out, unable to move.  Eventually paramedics were called.  Tyler spent the entire time at his bride's side.  It was such a strange situation, a reception with no bride or groom.  As photographers, we felt a little bit lost, but their 300 guests were just great, making the most of this bad situation.  Table 10, which included Tyler's military buddies and Emily's single friends, kept the party atmosphere alive.  By 9pm, after getting a little hydrated and a costume change, Emily found the strength to join their party.  The spankin'  new couple were announced and everyone happily watched as they danced their very first dance as husband and wife.  Though slightly delayed, their reception had some fun and unique elements.  Family friend, Robert Hall of Robert Hall Winery, minded the "guestbook" (a very large, custom bottle of Cabernet) all night.   All the wine served was from his winery.  In addition, Emily, having a strong Irish name like Regan, wanted to surprise Tyler with some traditional Irish dancers!

 

Coming down with such a nasty virus on your wedding day is just a horrible nightmare for most.  For these two it was a reality that they both handled with incredible class and humility.

 

When they saw their pictures they were so thankful and felt like they needed to thank us for working with the changes to schedule and uncertainty of what was happening.  We felt so sad that they had to miss part of their day, and here they were thanking us for our flexibility.  Emily and Tyler are both shinning examples of what a wedding is all about!  It isn't just one single day.  It's about a life together, dealing with the ups and downs and being there for one another through it all. 

 

Congrats Emily and Tyler, you both deserve the utmost of happiness in your life together!

P. S.  If you would like to view and/or order additional pictures from the wedding, you can view Emily and Tyler's online gallery by using this LINK.

This is one of my favorite shots of the year!  This is Emily's mom and dad having a dance with Emily and Tyler in the foreground.  It's moments like this and knowing the stories behind the people that makes ours the most amazing job in the world!  We are SO grateful.