Olivia & Jonathan’s elegant fall wedding at the Beach Club in Minneapolis

Olivia and Jonathan always feel excited when autumn arrives. They love taking long walks with their dog to see the colorful trees, they had their engagement portraits taken in the fall, and this October they had a beautiful fall wedding surrounded by family and friends. Olivia and Jonathan live near the Chain of Lakes in Minneapolis, and they loved the idea of getting married in their neighborhood, so they chose The Beach Club near Bde Maka Ska as their wedding venue. When I met the two of them on their wedding day to begin taking pictures, they each had such calm, grounded energy, feeling so happy and at ease to be married.

Sentimental getting ready portraits

Tyler (my second photographer) and I began by capturing getting ready portraits of Olivia and Jonathan with their wedding parties. They each had picked their siblings to stand up with them, and there was so much bright, joyful energy flowing in their close-knit community. I also captured meaningful details from the day, including their wedding stationary, rings, and attire. Olivia’s sister Eliza (who I’ve worked with many times, most recently for some lifestyle sessions with her family!) pulled me aside and showed me these incredible, hand-stitched hangers that Eliza and Olivia’s grandmother had made many years ago and passed down to them. We hung up all of the bridal party’s dresses on these hangers for me to photograph. Their grandmother has since passed away, so it felt extra special and sentimental to document this family heirloom on Olivia’s wedding day. 

The first look + family portraits

Since it was a blustery day outside, Olivia and Jonathan opted to take first look, family, and wedding party portraits indoors. Olivia and Jonathan met in the beautiful space where their ceremony would take place for their first look moment. Surrounded by gorgeous florals and greenery draping the stairway behind them, they were overflowing with happiness as they saw each other for the first time. We then moved throughout their venue - which had grand, historic windows and incredible natural light - to take more portraits of Olivia and Jonathan, their wedding party, and immediate family. 

The wedding ceremony 

Olivia and Jonathan’s wedding ceremony was so heartfelt and lovely. One of my favorite moments to photograph was Olivia’s entrance: as she descended this grand staircase and processed into the ceremony space, she had the biggest smile on her face as she saw all the people she loved gathered to celebrate her and Jonathan. Meanwhile Jonathan looked so happy with his eyes locked on Olivia - it was such a moving moment to witness. 

Jonathan's brother-in-law officiated the wedding ceremony, and Olivia and Jonathan each shared really lovely vows. Olivia’s sister Eliza is a musician, and it was super special when she stood up and directed a choir that sang during the ceremony. Olivia and Jonathan were beaming as they recessed out, and it was such a happy, iconic moment. 

Cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, and toasts (featuring a delightful surprise!) 

After the ceremony, Olivia and Jonathan ducked away to share a toast and a few quiet moments together while their guests drifted into the cocktail hour. Once Olivia and Jonathan rejoined the festivities, we gathered all of their extended family members together for some portraits. Olivia and Jonathan knew how rare it was to get their full families in the same space at one time, so they felt really excited to document their entire families together with a couple big portraits. Then I stepped outside onto a terrace with Olivia and Jonathan to capture a few more portraits with just them. The sun was setting and there was incredible, soft light in the sky, giving these portraits a relaxed and romantic feeling. 

During dinner, Olivia and Jonathan’s loved ones showered them with sweet toasts. Olivia’s sister shared such a heartfelt toast that brought tears to all of our eyes. Then Jonathan’s sister shared in her toast how she has always been a big fan of Jonathan, and she became a fast fan of Olivia and Jonathan as a couple when they started dating. She pulled out a foam finger and started waving it to symbolize that she is their number one fan, and then spoke a code word and all of a sudden dozens of guests started waving foam fingers they had snuck into the reception, signaling how they also are number one fans of Olivia and Jonathan! It was such a delightful, meaningful surprise, and Olivia and Jonathan had the best smiles on their faces as their surprise shifted to laughter and sheer joy to see all these foam fingers being waved for them.

After dinner, Olivia and Jonathan cut their wedding cake with an iconic, neon sign of their names on the wall behind them. The Bluewater Kings Band started playing live music, and before long the dancefloor was in full force with Olivia, Jonathan, and their loved ones celebrating the night away. 

Vendor List 

Attire - Dress: Annika Bridal, Tux: Suit Supply (Groom), the Black Tux (wedding party)

Band - Bluewater Kings

Catering - D’Amico Catering

Ceremony Officiant - James Slagle

Ceremony/Reception Venue - The Beach Club

Day of Coordinator - Piece of Cake

Decor - Apres Event Decor, Richfield Flowers & Events

Dessert - D’Amico Catering

Florist - Sadie’s Floral

Hair/Makeup Artists - WarPaint

Jeweler - R.F. Moeller

Photo Booth - Mister Mustache Photo Booth

Stationary - Zola 

Transportation - Renee's Limousines

Videographer - Mast Wedding Films