I haven't blogged a wedding in awhile. Truthfully I have been busier than I would like to be, and each moment "off the clock" I have been soaking up the MN summer sun. Also I am not sure if anyone reads blogs anymore? And also I treat vacation as sacred and love shutting off my email. And while I am sure other photographers would prefer not to admit that they can't keep up the illusion of "doing it all" (or also maybe they can and I just love playing with clay and having coffee with people who friend me on instagram)...but either way, I have needed a break....

But THIS wedding was just calling to be shared! Yes, it was at one of the coolest venues in the city, including vintage flags, a flower wall made by the bride, gold spray painted dinosaurs, a live band, smores bar for dessert, and so much more I could brag about (and certainly will share enough pictures to show that off). But what made it so special was it didn't feel like a work day in the least. Ashley and Andrew and family just let me in, and I felt as if I fit into their day so gracefully. I think that is what makes Ashley and Andrew so amazing. You feel their energy as soon as you are in their presence, their joy, their tears, their wholehearted smiles, are contagious. You just know you are in the presence of a big big love.

Oh and also they can throw one hell of a party!

**Also huge shout out to my talented second photographer Annabelle. (check out her work!)

Venue: Aria

Florist: Summer Harsh Botanical Artistry

Caterer: Crave Catering

Smores Bar: North Mallow & Co.

SPACE.

Room to breath in deeply, to truly sink in to your day.

Throw out every tradition (seriously just toss it). There is no need to spend this most beautiful of days hiding from each other or anxiously trying to squeeze in every ritual.

What if you created your own? Like having coffee together in the morning while sitting in that favorite swing by the lake, carving out an hour for a first look so you can hold, and kiss, and share some significant time together just the two of you on your most beautiful of days, get married intimately surrounded by everyone you love and hugging each and every one of them, then sneaking off in a canoe while the sun is setting. If you don't believe the magic that can be created, when you stop trying to plan "the wedding" and start planning something that is so deeply yours take a look at Laura & Bjorn's images and fall into their story. This space is so authentically theirs. The beauty, and love, and community that fills is so much bigger than any tradition, it is everything.