Bridget and Samantha

Bridget and Samantha were married today!

Samantha grew up sailing, and chose a beautiful little island in Lake Minnetonka for the wedding venue.  However, good ole Minnesota decided to change those plans with threats of severe thunderstorms.  Sam and Bridget along with all their fabulous vendors took the weather in stride and moved the location to Pique Travel‘s event space in Excelsior.  The team of Event Lab and the owners of The 110 North Loop Loft made this new venue look like it was always meant to be the location!  As the pastor put it, “we couldn’t get you all to the yacht club, so we brought the yacht club to you!”  And it looked amazing, draped with nautical bunting and styled in navy blue and crisp white.

I absolutely love when couples get ready together, there is something so sweet and tender about those moments.

Samantha knows the weather well, having a sailor’s intuition.  She told us we had only a little while before the rain came, and we took her seriously!  We also took advantage of the rustic outbuildings near Pique.  Our job was easy for us since the brides were just glowing!

The wedding party looked pretty fancy, let me tell you.  They handled this serious pose like a boss.

and there is nothing cuter than catching the flower girl twirling away!

The thunder got louder and Sam said we had only a few minutes more before the sky opened up, so we headed back to the venue and the brides raced the rain back inside…they JUST made it!

Guests gathered, got their champagne, and settled into the cozy space for the touching ceremony.  It was emotional, sweet, and very personal.  The brides’ vows were beautiful, and one of their readings was “I Like You” one of our favorites.

During the cocktail hour and reception, guests hopped outside for games in between bouts of rain and enjoyed amazing food by Lunds and Byerlys.  Nautical flags were used as a seating chart and guests signed a life preserver as the guest book.  Model sailboats showed the table numbers, and luxurious navy blue linens gussied up the tables.

After dinner, the ladies had their first dance, and then Instant Request started the party right…playing Whitney’s Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”.  Which, in this photographer’s humble opinion, is how EVERY dance should start.  The dance floor was jumping, and it was tough for John and I to keep up with all the antics.  Though I think the world stood still when Sam’s cousin channeled her inner Tina Turner and danced “Rollin’ on the River” to perfection.

 

Bridget and Samantha, it was an honor to be a part of your wedding day!  I hope you love your sneak peek!