Erin and Bo are free spirits. Erin is the type of person who can talk to anyone and genuinely relate to them. She's got an edgy glam thing going on that makes her constantly look like she's walked out of the pages of a magazine but without the attitude. Bo has a heart the size of Texas and is always up for an adventure. The love he has for Erin is steadfast and true. Together they are a serious force to be reckoned with so their wedding day was approached was with great anticipation and excitement from us. They both live in the Twin Cities but have been escaping to Madeline Island for hiking and outdoor adventures the last few years. When their wedding planning began, they knew Madeline Island would be the perfect location for their destination wedding. During their past hikes, they found a gorgeous rock cliff that overlooked Lake Superior. It was about a mile and a half hike into the woods, but they knew their guests would be up for it. And boy were they! We've seen a lot of beautiful ceremonies in our day but the rocky shoreline with dense fog and water spray made for the most dramatic and beautiful location for their ceremony. Shooting this wedding was a photographer's dream. The stunning natural scenery allowed for minimal decor fluff (because who can compete with Mother Nature?) which everyone loved. Erin and Bo's friends and family there with the best, loving energy and excitement for these two. The Inn on Madeline Island made for a beautiful reception (with a clear tent! natural light and moisture protection for the win!) and the couple themselves just happen to be incredibly easy to photograph (understatement) so with the dreamy fog I left the day on a pretty serious photo high. Erin and Bo, thank you for trusting us to capture your wedding. It's been our pleasure and we're so grateful you had us along for the ride!
Julia + Andrew = Married
There is so much to love about this wedding! I don't even know where to begin. It's been such a pleasure working with these two. From their authentic and loving personalities to the way they decided to commemorate their wedding day - it's just been so *great*. They decided to have their wedding at one of our favorite New England venues - Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, Mass on the most glorious fall day. They finished getting ready at the venue where our fabulous second photographer, Devin an I met up with them. The energy was buzzing about as their friends giggled and drank champagne. They shared a sweet moment together when they first saw one another and put up with us hiking around the grounds of the museum to get some photos that incorporated the stunning scenery. Their ceremony overlook a glorious valley of trees and mountains off in the distance, which was bordered by the understated and so-very-New-England stone wall. It was perfectly simple and heart felt. The rest of the evening was spent in good company with delicious food. No party is complete without dancing and this crowd brought their A game to the floor. All ages were cutting a rug and it was so much fun to document. Julia and Andrew, we truly mean it when we tell you what joy you've brought to us. Congratulations!!
Cheryl + Alex = Married
When we started this business we had no idea what would happen. We didn't think we'd eventually be shooting in over a dozen states each year - and we definitely didn't think we'd get to work with other talented photographers and showcase their lovely work for our clients. When Cheryl and Alex (who live in Missouri) contacted us about working with Summer Street for their Wedding in Cheryl's hometown in South Dakota, the stars aligned and our Midwest Associate Abby was able to shoot their wedding. Our new friends from Sioux Falls, Jenny, joined Abby for the day and the results are wonderful. This is not surprising, given Cheryl + Alex's kind hearted demeanors and unique love for one another. Once they added in some beautiful elements to celebrate their day in style, we had ourselves a pretty fantastic day. Cheryl and Alex, we've had such a great time working with you both and we are over the moon for you. You truly deserve one another. Congratulations to the newlyweds, and Cheers to Abby and Jenny for a beautiful set of images!
Andi + Alex = Married
In 2015 - pretty much anything goes when it comes to celebrating your wedding. The sky is literally the limit, so this can be a pandora's box situation for couples getting married today. With limitless options of how to celebrate your wedding, the one commonality between weddings we see executed with greatness whittles down to one thing: personalization. Finding elements that add to the celebration in a meaningful and beautiful way always works. Andi + Alex did this with ease and style. They decided to get married in a quaint little church on the outskirts of the Twin Cities and bring along their dearest friends and family. A procession of classic cars waited for the wedding party after the ceremony where they made a getaway for the backyard reception. Instead of the traditional layout for a wedding reception, Andi and Alex did things their way. The evening was filled with numerous musicians, food stations, an endless tap of Bud Lite and BBQ from a Food Truck. Oh, and there were also Wedding Sausages! Guests mixed and mingled by the bonfire enjoying each others company and hugging the newlyweds. The evening ended with a fabulous display of fireworks and dancing under the stars. It was a very good day, indeed.
Janine + Tom = Married
Janine and Tom met at a wedding and according to Janine "Tom was a groomsman. I called "dibs" on him prior to the wedding based on his facebook profile and when he walked into the reception hall wearing a cowboy hat and belt buckle I knew I was a goner! We consider that night the beginning of our relationship." Tom serves as an army ranger in the 75th ranger regiment based out of Fort Benning, GA. In the fall of 2013, Janine received the dreaded phone call. Tom had been critically injured by a suicide bomber. He lost his right eye and upper half of his nose, broke his right foot, had a collapsed lung, and shrapnel wounds all over his body. But according to Janine' "his brain & heart were untouched (the best parts!)." These two have been through so much together, and what they say is true: what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. They celebrated their long awaited wedding a few weeks back at the Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield, Mass where Chuck (and our talented second shooter, Vina!) captured their emotional and love-filled wedding day. It was a day filled with so much joy, as well as a solemn reminder to live each day to the fullest (as their memorial table for fallen service men and women reminded us). Janine and Tom, we can not imagine two more loving, genuine and giving people. You guys deserve one another, and that says a lot given the solid character and heart you each bring to the table. Congratulations on your marriage and we wish you so many years of love together!
Laura + Chris = Married
If we built a formula for a successful wedding, Laura and Chris' wedding would check every box (times 100!). A beautiful setting with meaning to the couple. Check. Clean and simple locations that don't distract from the event. Check. An A+ vendor team who brings their game face. Check. A day-of timeline that doesn't try to cram in too much and allows the couple to feel un-rushed. Check. A lively bunch of family and friends who pour their love on the couple. Check. And finally, two people that are head over heels for one another and make their lives more full by constantly raising the bar for each other to bring out the best in the other. Check check check. It was such a pleasure capturing Laura + Chris' Wedding. Matt and Chuck made for a dream team together and we're loving the photos that represented such a loving and wonderful day. Congratulations Laura + Chris! We know you'll share many years of happiness and adventure.
Alicia + Dennis = Married
Boy from New York meets Midwest sweetheart. Alicia and Dennis' story is hard to resist. These two are true class acts who share a love that truly radiates. Alicia and Dennis live in Washington DC but opted to have their wedding where Alicia grew up in Fargo, North Dakota surrounded by their nearest and dearest. When rain threatened some of their scheduled time to take photos outside, our stellar second shooter from Fargo, Missy, saved the day by opening up her studio for us to capture some timeless portraits of the newlyweds together. It was such a treat capturing this wedding. We thrive on shooting in new environments, so working in a small city like Fargo with true Midwestern hospitality is so inspiring and fun. Congratulations Alicia and Dennis - we wish you years of happiness together!
Kate + Rob = Married
Kate and Rob were married at the historic Semple Mansion in Minneapolis a few weeks back to what turned out to be such a classy day. The mansion served as a beautiful backdrop in an old-world romance sort of way, which was only exemplified with personal touches such as flowers made by the groom's sister and one of their dear friends serenading everyone with 'La Vie in Rose' during the ceremony. With Rob's contagious laugh and zest for life, and Kate's honest and loving heart, they are so good together. We've loved working with these two and know they have so much happiness in their future. Kate and Rob, thank you for trusting us to capture your big day. Congratulations!!
Lauren + Colby = Married
Molly + Paul = Married
We have a soft spot in our hearts for weddings like Molly and Paul's. There is something so classic about New England weddings. Even with an elegant ballroom, the waterfront of the Danversport Yacht Club brings a laid back vibe to the day where the guests feel like they can kick of their shoes, sip champagne and get down on the dance floor. Molly and Paul definitely brought their dancing shoes as they both opted for wedding sneakers in lieu of a more traditional foot wear - and their guests followed suit with this approachable elegance. Matt and Chuck were the dream team that captured it all, but it's easy to see that they were handed a pretty fantastic deck of cards with this wedding. Molly and Paul's genuine hospitality and loving hearts were the cherry on top of an already beautiful ordeal and we couldn't be happier for them. Congratulations!