Courtney & Ross | Simple Minneapolis, MN Elopement

Courtney & Ross | Simple Minneapolis, MN Elopement

“Why elope?” – As told by Courtney

To me-marriage isn’t about a party, guests, or the perfect DJ list. Marriage is about the dedication between two people. It’s about love, commitment, & knowing you always have each other.

Ross & I have been together for 7 years…the more we thought about being engaged–the more we both realized we didn’t want a big wedding. We wanted it to be a sacred, special day about us. Just us. No outside opinions, no extra cooks in the kitchen, no extravagant budget. I didn’t want anyone having an opinion & feeling empowered simply because they were paying for it. Mostly though—I didn’t want to look back on our wedding and remember how stressed, cranky, & anxious I felt. I wanted to look back on our day with absolutely nothing but love & happiness. For me, that doesn’t come from months of extensive planning….I live for spontaneity. I also thrive on independence. Knowing that we paid for everything & did it 100% by ourselves was a big motivating factor. Also? I wanted killer photos. I didn’t want posed church photos, I didn’t want terrible lighting…I wanted my day to be for the photos. At the end of everything—that’s the only tangible item you walk away with from your wedding. I wanted them to be amazing. 

We set the plan in motion. If no party, cake, nor guest list was happening, what would we do? I like to think we really caught our footing and found our roots in Uptown. It’s where, until we moved, I was happiest in Minneapolis. We did our formal photos at Lake of the Isles—a lake we have walked a hundred times. We played arcade games at Updown & bought our *favorite* donuts from Glamdoll. This day was truly about us-down to the camera bobby pin in my hair. There isn’t a time I look back on this day without a giant smile on my face. In the end-our happiness is all that matters within our marriage anyways. I would elope 100x over. I truly can’t imagine I will look back & feel like I missed out from having a big wedding. I look at these photos & I am constantly reminded that we find happiness in ourselves and each other. That’s magic, my friends.”

 

Emily & Spencer | LaCrosse Summer Wedding

Emily & Spencer | LaCrosse Summer Wedding

Emily and Spencer picked out the most gorgeous spot for their wedding portraits at Riverside International Friendship Gardens in LaCrosse. The paths and greenery were absolutely stunning made such a gorgeous backdrop for their special day. It was definitely a popular spot as we saw about 3 other wedding parties come and go throughout our time there. If you’re in the LaCrosse, WI area I definitely recommend checking it out, the gardens overlook the Mississippi River as well which made for a breathtaking evening shot of the couple.

Check out Emily and Spencer’s day below.

Images shot under Danielle Vetterkind Photography.

Dacia & Chris | Cannon River Winery Vineyard Wedding

Dacia & Chris | Cannon River Winery Vineyard Wedding

This wedding made me a believer that Cannon River Winery and Vineyard is possibly one of the most breathtaking wedding venues in Southeastern, MN.  Dacia’s details made it even more gorgeous with her stunning bouquets put together by part of the bridal party along with her simple and elegant signage and decor that truly was like something you see straight out of a bridal magazine.

The winery itself has so many wonderful facets and character that I strongly urge any wine lover to see for themselves.

Take a peek at their day to see for yourselves.