R&R Team Retreat | 2018

This year we took our Rivets and Roses team up north for a retreat at a cabin in Park Rapids, MN to gear up for the 2018 wedding season. One of the reasons that our clients value working with our studio so much is that they know they are supported by our entire team. We are like a little family over here at Rivets and Roses and we love to invest in our artists.

We spent the weekend with our cameras out documenting the ordinary and challenging ourselves to be stronger at what we do. We covered the back of our cameras for a shooting challenge that forced us not to see the instant results of an image. This pushed us to think differently about taking an image and the results were fascinating! Some of those images made this post.

Taking the time to truly bond together as a team was very special and we are so glad we could make this happen. A huge shout out to the one and only Liz and our biggest fan Nick for taking their support and putting the meals together. 

Good Fucking Design Advice

W.A Frost Wedding | Sadie and Nora Married | Post by Melissa Hesse

Sadie and Nora have an incredible love story. It begins in grade school when they first met and became friends. Their friendship turned into love after being roommates in college and traveling the world, which brought them closer together. They knew there was always something special and anyone who has ever met these two would feel the same. Their love is a force you can feel when you are around them. Their much-anticipated marriage was a grand celebration!

Their wedding was split into two parts. Their intimate ceremony and private dinner at W.A. Frost was a cozy winter evening with champagne and wine paired with a tasting menu. The second part was a reception open to friends and extended family that filled the room at Hygga in Lowertown. To tie both of the days together Sadie's cousin from Girl Friday did the floral and decorations. 

A little backstory that I love telling, Sadie and Nora stepped in for a mock wedding I did in college to build my portfolio. Everyone thought they eloped and got married, so to be their photographer on their actual wedding day was serendipitous. It was such an honor to not only document it all but to be there as a friend in support of their amazingly true and powerful love. I am beyond excited for what the future holds for them both.

Congratulations Sadie and Nora!!

112 Eatery Wedding | Todd and Jesse Married | Post by Nicole McCoy

Todd and Jesse's wedding was super intimate. There were thirty-five handpicked and special guests that joined them on this wintry Minneapolis day. Something I will never forget is when Todd and Jesse spent half of their ceremony sharing reasons why each person was there and praising each one for what makes them a beautiful human. These guys were incredibly thoughtful, fun, and positive. I was honored to witness their tremendous love for each other!

Winter Engagement Session | Megan and Tom | Post by Jess Ekstrand

Tom proposed to Megan in one of those ways you might see in the movies. In November, using the Palace Theatre marquee, Tom popped the question. And you guessed it, she said yes! Congrats you two! Can’t wait for your wedding in August!

2017 Wedding Couples | Team Post

Image by Melissa Hesse

Image by Thea Volk

Image by Melissa Hesse

Image by Thea Volk

Image by Jess Ekstrand

Image by Melissa Hesse

Image by Jackson Faith

Image by Thea Volk

Image by Jess Ekstrand

Image by Melissa Hesse

Image by Jackson Faith

Image by Melissa Hesse

Image by Jackson Faith

Image by Jackson Faith

Image by Jess Ekstrand

Image by Melissa Hesse

Image by Jackson Faith

Image by Jess Ekstrand

Image by Jess Ekstrand

Image by Jess Ekstrand

Minneapolis Wedding | Ben + Ella | Post by Jess Ekstrand

Alright, you guys. I ended my 2017 wedding season with a really good one. Ben and Ella got married October 7 at Plymouth Congregational Church with their reception at Architectural Alliiance.

This adorable pair couldn’t have been sweeter. Allow me to call out some incredible moments:

+ Ben did a run that morning and mapped it with Strava. At the end, his course on the map spelled out the name of his bride, Ella.

+ Ella’s grandfather made floral crowns. If I remember correctly, this stylish grandpa also helped Ella pick out her dress. 

+ Ben and Ella led their wedding guests in a parade of sorts from the church to the reception. 

Congrats to Ben and Ella! It was a real pleasure documenting your wedding day!

Juliane James Place | Mr. + Mrs. Kress | Post by Jess Ekstrand

Morgan and Adam got married in the woods of Finlayson MN at the beautiful Juliane James Place in September. While every wedding is great in its own right, weddings in the woods are quite possibly my favorite. Not only was the location idyllic, but the temperature was perfect, it only rained at the most convenient times and this couple was so chill and fun, it hardly felt like I was working. To Morgan and Adam, thank you for having me and congratulations! 

St. Paul Athletic Club Wedding | Mr. + Mrs. Power | Post by Jess Ekstrand

Carlin and Lucas are an absolutely stunning couple! Their wedding day began with each of them getting ready with their close family and friends that led up to an epic first look between the two of them. The Saint Paul Athletic Club was the perfect space to compliment this beautiful couple and the celebration of their love. Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Powers!

Mill City Museum Wedding | Jeffrey and Matthew | Post by Jackson Faith

Paikka Wedding | Paige and Ashleigh | Post by Melissa Hesse

The moment Paige and Ashleigh got married you could feel all the love they share explode out of the room. These two have everything a commitment is about and being there to document it all was an incredible way to end the wedding season. Their wedding at Paikka welcomed all their close friends and family who traveled near and far to celebrate the two love birds. Congratulations Paige and Ashleigh!

Mill City Wedding | Eli and Reed | Post by Jess Ekstrand

I loved so much about Eli and Reed’s wedding day, I’ve had an incredibly hard time coming up with just a few words to go along with this blog post. To simplify, I’ve made a list but limited myself to three things.

1.) There were cats. Whether intentional or unintentional, it’s always so fun when animals are present on a wedding day.

2.) Their timeline for the day allowed for a 2-3 hour break, allowing me and Angela to get lunch and giving everyone a chance to recharge before the ceremony.

3.) Eli and Reed’s lovely wedding party consisted of their parents and siblings. Not only was this the sweetest group of people but we also took some time to get some really great individual portraits.

Congratulations to Eli and Reed! 

Mill City Museum Wedding | Mr. and Mrs. Gorski | Post by Jackson Faith

A'bulae Wedding | Mr. and Mrs. Mains | Post by Jackson Faith

Mill City Engagement Session | Jeffrey and Matthew | Post by Jackson Faith

As we are getting closer to Jeffrey and Matthew's anticipated wedding day we got to spend some time with them in the city picking flowers at the Mill City Farmers Market and a beautiful sunset by the lake. So excited for these two to get married this weekend!

Elm Creek Chalet Wedding | Mr. and Mrs. Thaisen | Post by Melissa Hesse

I met Robin and Michael at Michael's sister's wedding two years ago. When these two started planning their own wedding and called me to be their wedding photographer I knew it was going to be a love story for the books. The excitement of being part of their day has never left me. These two are so in love and without a doubt are meant to be. After traveling the world and following their dream together to teach in Ecuador they came back to their hometown to get married. Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Thaisen!

Mayowood Stone Barn | Mr. and Mrs. Rogers | Post by Jackson Faith

Amanda and Jake had the sun shining over them all day for their Mayowood Stone Barn wedding! We were surrounded by a beautiful field and cobblestone buildings that brought a romantic element to their day. Taking a look back at all these special moments has us wanting to jump back in time and celebrate with these two all over again! Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Rogers.

Aria Wedding | Mr. and Mrs. Shah | Post by Melissa Hesse

Anjelica and Abe traveled from Arizona to Minneapolis to gather with all their friends and family to celebrate their love at the beautiful Aria. These two could have had a celebration of their own with all the love they share but we were so honored to be there to document this special day. Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Shah!

Irvine Park Wedding | Mr. and Mrs. Kitzberger | Post by Jess Ekstrand

I’ve known Kara and Dan for a few years and when Kara told me about their wedding plans, I knew I wanted to be there to photograph it! These two got married at Irvine Park in St. Paul on a beautiful summer day. They invited a handful of close friends and family and of course their dog, Mable. Their wedding was beautiful and perfect and I felt truly special to be a part of it. 

Woodhill Country Club Wedding | Mr. and Mrs. Conley

Alyson and Kevin's wedding day was pure magic. Their personalities can light up any room and take that on top of one of the best day of their lives, everything about them just glowed! We had an amazing time photographing this special day at Woodhill Country Club. These two have such a beautiful life ahead of them together. Congrats to the new Mr. and Mrs. Conley!

NE Minneapolis Engagement Session | Carlin and Lucas | Post by Jess Ekstrand

Meet Carlin and Lucas! This couple is so fun and easy going, I felt like I was photographing some old friends! For their engagement session, Carlin wanted color, so we spent an afternoon exploring Northeast Minneapolis on the hunt for colorful spaces. I had such a great time with these two and I cannot wait for their wedding in August!