Minnesota is known as the land of 10,000 lakes…. now, that’s a lot of lakes. This can only mean that there must also be 10,000 amazing waterfront and outdoor wedding venues in Minnesota to choose from right? Well, not quite that many, but there are definitely some outdoor and waterfront venues that are worth taking a look at. There are different venues to fit different size guests lists and different wedding styles. From rustic to elegant, traditional to something a bit more modern, Minnesota has it all. For all the Landlocked Minnesota brides out there, be sure to take note, and for the Landlocked brides in the surrounding areas, hopefully you are able to find some inspiration. I’ll let the photos take it from here…
1) Eagle Lake – Willmar, Minnesota
{Shelley Paulson Photography}
2) Mill City Museum – Minneapolis, MN
{Rivets & Roses Photography via The Knot}
{Erin Johnson Photography}
3) Round Barn Farm – Red Wing, MN
{Studio 360}
4) Maddens on Gull Lake – Brainerd, MN
{Shelley Paulson Photography}
5) The Outing Lodge – Stillwater, MN
{Geneoh Photography}
Big knit sweaters, football, pumpkin spice lattes, football, the changing leaves and did I mention football? These are the reasons why I absolutely love Fall! With September around the corner and the start of football season underway, what a better way kick off this approaching season then with couples who share the same love for their home team as they do for each other.
Mark Hawkins Photography | Lisa Mathewson Photography | Molly Marie Photography
Krakora Studios
Photo via The Gazette | Corey Ann Photography | Brian Kellogg Photography
Corey Ann Photography | Karen Lisa Photography | Studio314 Photography | Jason Aten Photography
Todd Pellowe Photography
Holly Birch Photography | A Girl in Love Photography | Photo via AnnArbor.com | Larry Gindhart Photography
Sweet Little Photographs via Ruffled Blog
Mark Hawkins Photography
So who’s ready for some football??
My fab friend and photographer, Lisa Hessel posted some seriously awesome photos from a wedding she recently shot. I cannot wait to share them all, but in the meantime, I HAD TO share these two.
Carl’s Drive-Inn is a local fave hot spot. I was surprised to hear when I found out not too many people know of this delish spot (which is totes unfortunate). It also happens to literally be down the street from where I live (I’m talking within walking distance people). If you’re look for delish diner food and awesome homemade root beer, Carl’s is THE place to go.
The bride even had these awesome aprons made for the wedding party so they could eat without making a mess. You have no idea how jealous I am of this idea right now. My mouth is watering.
Images courtesy of Lisa Hessel Photography
Recently, a local woman was gifted a wedding, and her story seriously touched everyone that heard about. And, with the success of her wedding, many other wedding professionals in town have reached out to the founder of The Gifted Wedding to express their interest in donating their services to help the next couple in St. Louis.
Image courtesy of The Gifted Wedding
Some background: The Gifted Wedding is an organization which is dedicated to giving couples who have a terminal illness, disability, or a unique financial situation, the wedding or vow renewal of their dreams.
Let me explain. Anna Jimenez married her husband nearly 15 years ago in a small courthouse ceremony. A few years ago, she was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease (also known as ALS), and had expressed to her friends and family how she wished she could have had a bigger wedding with their family and friends. A friend of hers, and bridesmaid contacted several vendors in the area to see if they would be willing to donate their venues or services. She was amazed with the response that she received. It was then that Dawn Thornton founded The Gifted Wedding.
Image courtesy of Under Grace Photo
I wanted to share this with all of you, so you can begin to spread the word. Spread the word to professionals, and spread the word to family and friends who you feel may benefit from this. They are looking for their next couple. But, they also need support. Support from local vendors and support from anyone and everyone.
Visit The Gifted Wedding website to find out more information and to donate.
So, I realized I have not shared many of the details of our wedding lately and wanted to bring some of you up to speed. I also realize there are a million other things I still need to blog about, so bare with me.
Since the moment the Pilot and I got engaged, we have been racking our brains to find the perfect rehearsal dinner venue. Now, to most couples, this is probably the least of our worries, but we really wanted to find a spot that is unique and/or different, somewhere fun. There are a lot of places in town where many people have their rehearsal dinners, but we wanted to find something else.
Choice #1:
The first and obvious choice for us was Sage.
This particular restaurant is a big favorite of mine and the Pilot’s. And, a big plus? They have a large private space on their second level, which is devoted entirely to private events. We loved the idea that we would sort of have our own little party area. Sage was opened a few years ago in the historic Soulard neighborhood in downtown Saint Louis. It look over the same location where Lynch Street Bistro was housed. The restaurant is literally a 5 minute walk from the front doors of the Anheuser-Busch Tour Center (and, you can trust me – I used to be a tour guide there).
And, on to the food. Oh, man is the food good. It’s pretty American, but they really try to keep it seasonal and local (big bonus). Not to mention, the Pilot loves their chili and tuna, and I’m quite fond of their pulled pork sandwich and Amber Bock onion rings. Now, if I only had pictures to share, because, they would so make you hungry. The lunch and dinner menu, although not huge, is filled with deliciousness. As for dessert – they offer little dessert shots. My favorite? Pumpkin gooey butter cake (and for you non-Saint Louisans – here is a little background on Gooey Butter Cake, only one of the best desserts ever).
I love finding unique spots in town for wedding pictures, mostly because I’m still scoping places out to hit for my wedding in September. I have had this particular location on lock down and tried to keep it a secret for some time. Now, I’m quite the awesome secret keeper, if I do say so myself. BUT, I really couldn’t keep this one quiet for much longer. Now, if I can just make sure no one will be on the ferris wheel when I need to be in September, I’d be golden.
Image courtesy of City Museum
A little background:
The City Museum is practically like this huge indoor playground for people of all ages (yes, we held sorority events here during college). It is also a great venue for weddings (I’ll save this one for another post). It has all of this re-purposed material used to make slides and things to climb on. Plus, on the roof, there are more things to do, including riding the ferris wheel.
Local bride (and wedding planner), Katie, and her husband took a ride on the Ferris Wheel after their wedding. Their photographer, Todd Studios got some awesome shots – including this one, featuring the night sky in Saint Louis.
Image courtesy of Todd Studios
So, for every obvious reason, I love this shot. And, I’m very excited to ride the ferris wheel in September with the Pilot. Lets just hope Lisa isn’t afraid of heights.
Are there any great spots in your hometown to get unique pictures? Please share them (or don’t if you’re uber protective)!
Don’t you just love when you find out about great hidden gems in town to take pictures or grab a bite to eat? Well, I know I do.
Local photographer, Clary Pfeiffer, shot a wedding recently and had taken some shots of the bride and groom in a great, modern space. And, fitting enough, it was at the Contemporary Art Museum. Not everyone is a fan of this look, but I definitely am! Allows the photographer to really focus on the bride and groom without distracting decor, plus the light that day looked perfect!
Hello gorgeous!
Images courtesy of Clary Photo
While, I don’t whole-heartedly agree with that statement (I have a strong affinity for the mountains of Colorado and the San Francisco Bay), I must agree that these are great totes.
Megan Lee Designs
I originally found these on Etsy a while back and forgot about them, but then they popped up on a recent post on Clover & Bee and knew I had to feature them. They would make great out of town bags for your guests (which Rebecca mentions). Plus, it’s a great way to tie in the Midwest into your wedding (of course, if you are a Midwestern bride). I completely love the idea of bringing in some hometown favorites into the out of town bags, and this would be a great tie-in.
Not too long ago, the City of Saint Louis opened the Citygarden. It’s this great little “urban oasis” right in the heart of downtown. Although I have yet to visit this lovely little spot in downtown, I am already in love with the idea of it.
Mark di Suvero for Citygarden
For those of you not familiar with Saint Louis, it’s a great town, but there has not been much to do downtown other than catch a St. Louis Cardinals‘ game (which I highly recommend), go to a St. Louis Rams‘ game or take a brewery tour at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery (which I also recommend, but maybe that’s because I used to be a tour guide there…I digress). When the Citygarden opened (which is free, by the way), it gave Saint Louisans a great new spot to get away to on a beautiful day, which we have been having a lot of lately. Plus you can bring your pets!
Not only is this place a fun spot to visit on a weekend (or for lunch on a weekday), but it is a great new spot for couples to get a few of their engagement or wedding photos. You still get the feel of a park, but you get that urban feel that is really popular in photography right now.
Jodi Schlosser Photography
Now I’m really excited to get my photos taken in a few weeks by a great friend for a new little project I’m working on (more on this later).
