Como Zoo Conservatory Wedding | Liz + Alex Married! | Post by Tara Sloane

For their nuptials, Liz and Alex chose to exchange rings and sign their marriage license at the Como Conservatory, with each of their sisters and a dear friend as witnesses, and followed up by brunch. Heck yes. We had the North Garden to ourselves, Liz and Alex were so dapper in a velvet dress and suit, respectively, and their small party kept the laughter going throughout both the ceremony and our portrait session. I can not think of a more delightful way to spend a Wednesday morning, or a more fantastic couple to spend it with. Cheers, Liz and Alex!

St. Paul Wedding | Mrs. + Mrs. Stevens | Post by Melissa Hesse

Natalie and Alex’s wedding day took place at their new home in St. Paul, MN. Well, it’s not just any new home, it’s the home where Natalie’s mother grew up and the one their grandparents built that has stayed in the family for multiple generations. The home is filled with many memories and gave even more significance to the wedding day. They kept their ceremony small with immediate family in the backyard and had an open house with a taco bar for the reception. These two snuck away for a newlywed session at a nearby park that had a stellar view of the Mississippi River which also tied in with the theme of their engagement session. One of my favorite things about small backyard weddings is getting the opportunity to truly spend time with the couple and their families. It was so much fun being part of their day and being a witness to the love that surrounds them. Congratulations to Natalie and Alex!

Mystic Lake Casino Wedding | Mr. + Mr. O'Donnell | Post by Tara Sloane

Nick and Elliott’s Mystic Lake Casino wedding was an absolute blast! Both of them have careers in IT, and their love of technology was infused into so many aspects of their celebration - from tech summit-level sound, lighting, and graphics to a very apropos hashtag (#securetheone) to my personal favorite: a giant projection of a full moon over the dance floor. Their first dance was to an ultimate 90s throwback - Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One” - and the combination of heartfelt speeches plus a touching slideshow of images from Nick and Elliott’s childhoods and their many travels together left very few dry eyes in the house. It was an honor to document their day and all the love, humor, and support that surrounds them. Cheers, Nick and Elliott!

Watson Block Wedding | Autumn + Cheryl | Post by Melissa Hesse

Autumn and Cheryl’s wedding day started at the Hewing hotel where they each helped one another get ready for their big day. They were surrounded by the Minneapolis skyline for their ceremony at Watson Block and included their adult children to stand with them as they tied the knot. The night kicked off with a piano singalong that led to everyone dancing and celebrating this amazing couple. These two complement each other so well and have already intertwined their lives together in a big way. This was the cherry on top of it all. Congratulations to Autumn and Cheryl!

Wedding planning by Bre Is Fun.

Barns of Lost Creek Wedding | Mr. + Mrs. Bostom | Post by Tara Sloane

Natalie & Ryan’s love story has a serendipitous beginning: the two of them met while working at Trout Lake Camp, which is the exact same place where Ryan’s parents met years ago! It felt fitting that their wedding day at The Barns of Lost Creek also began providentially. Ryan’s brother serves in the military & was not going to be able to attend the wedding due to deployment to Afghanistan. Two days before the wedding, completely unexpectedly, he was given permission to fly home, landing at the airport only hours before the ceremony! The whole day exuded joy. From the entire wedding party wearing matching Converse sneakers to the rings being transported to the altar via fanny pack to a series of quirky get-to-know-you questions at all the guest tables to cupcakes adorned with edible butterflies, Natalie & Ryan’s playful personalities shined through every detail of their wedding. Documenting everything was an absolute blast! Cheers you two!

Intimate Backyard Wedding | Abby + Sharon | Post by Melissa Hesse

After taking a pause on the big wedding, Abby and Sharon bought the cutest house and planned their wedding celebration around it. They took the opportunity to have a small intimate backyard wedding with close family and friends to gather at the place where they have begun a new chapter in life together. Abby’s aunt officiated the ceremony and each guest who attended warmed their rings as they tied the knot. Chowgirls Catering created a vegetarian menu for their reception and the evening was filled with stories and memories that got them to where they are today. There are so many amazing things I could say about this couple but I’ll let these photos speak for themselves. Congratulations Abby + Sharon!

Holden Room Wedding | Mr. + Mrs. Rao | Post by Jess Ekstrand

Photographing Elizabeth and Adam’s wedding was a little unreal. This duo is incredibly kind, generous, and thoughtful. I’ve felt this way about many of my clients and should not have been surprised to learn that Elizabeth and Adam are friends with THREE previous Rivets and Roses couples: Ari & Zuza, Megan & Merritt, and Paige & Ashley. There were so many familiar faces as there were guests present from these previous weddings as well.

It’s truly incredible to see our couples years down the road. Many have had children, made career changes, bought houses and who knows what else.

I hope to see Adam and Elizabeth as guests at future weddings or at least around the neighborhood! Congrats you two!

Mr. + Mrs. Meddock | Backyard Wedding | Post by Jess Ekstrand

Backyards are often on the top of my list for a wedding venue. They tend to be very intimate, personal and well, outdoors!

With plenty of family and friends, these two got married in Anne’s backyard in Champlin. They had a live band, all friends and bandmates of Ed’s, and the beautiful floral arrangement were done by Anne’s friend Shauna Kober. There were so many wonderful elements and moments but my favorite was Anne and Ed’s first dance. It was so fun to watch and photograph and they were clearly having such a great time!

Congrats again to this lovely duo!

MN Landscape Arboretum Wedding | Bridgett + Dylan | Post by Melissa Hesse

Bridgett and Dylan planned a small ceremony at The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum followed by a larger backyard reception at Bridgett’s parents’ house. Their intimate ceremony had a warming of the rings before they exchanged vows and were announced husband and wife by Bridgett’s aunt who officiated. They kicked off the celebration by having Dylan saber a bottle of champagne. They even had enough for everyone to pop a bottle of their own and fill glasses for a group toast to the newlyweds. It was such an honor to document their love and photograph all these memories for them to look back on for all the years to come. Congratulations to this incredible couple!

Homestead Wedding | Mr+ Mrs. Holt | Post by Nicole McCoy

Photographing this wedding day was extra special to me because I’ve known Adam since middle school! I used to hang out with him and his core group of guy friends, going from house to house in one day and getting to know all of their families and siblings over time. Through photographing Adam and Grace's wedding, not only did I get to reconnect with Adam and meet the bubbly-as-ever Grace, but I was able to see that core group of guys that I hadn’t seen in many years. What a blast from the past.

Most of the wedding day took place at Grace’s parents' homestead where she grew up in Plato, MN. Having the wedding at the homestead was special to her and the whole family, and after spending time on the property I could understand how meaningful the different spaces were and how much love went into taking care of it. For the ceremony and reception 75 people gathered to celebrate outdoors in a quaint garden space, along with an outdoor tent for the reception. It was a great time watching everyone celebrate and at the end of the night create their own dance party in the barn!

I’m so excited for you Adam and Grace, so thanks for letting me celebrate with you and capture your wedding day!

Camrose Hill Flower Studio & Farm Wedding | Laura + Dayna + Adam | Post by Melissa Hesse

Laura, Dayna, and Adam first reached out to me as they were planning to take photos for their 5-year anniversary. A year later they began planning their wedding after Adam proposed during a trip to Disney World where he took both of them by surprise! It was an honor to be asked for the second time to document their love and now witness their special day. There's something wonderfully defiant about standing up and not letting anyone dictate the validation of your love as it comes in many shapes and forms. The commitment and support of one another in their relationship is such an inspiration. It has been so sweet getting to know this power team and I couldn’t be happier to share these highlights from their wedding day!

Lake Elmo Park Engagement Session | Ryan + Natalie | Post by Tara Sloane

Natalie and her family have been some of the biggest supporters of my photography work over the years. It has been so meaningful to me to watch her and her siblings grow up in front of my camera, and I was absolutely ecstatic when she and her fiancee Ryan asked me to photograph their engagement and upcoming wedding at the Barns of Lost Creek. The two of them met while working at a summer camp: Natalie was playing professional paintball at the time, and Ryan happened to be in charge of camp paintball festivities. You know someone has to say it: their love definitely hit the mark!

For this session we explored Lake Elmo Park Reserve beneath a whimsical display of clouds, enjoying the wildflowers and laughing at (most of) Ryan’s dad jokes. I can’t wait to celebrate with the two of you in August, and may the force be with you until then!

Crosby Farm Park Engagement Session | Natalie + Alex | Post by Melissa Hesse

Natalie and Alex’s engagement session brought us to Crosby Farm Regional Park which is now officially one of my favorite spots! We explored the wooded areas and trails that brought us down to the Mississippi River. This park is full of special spots and it was such a joy being with these two from beginning to end. They bring out some of the BEST smiles in one another and I’m so excited to be back with them for their wedding day in September!

Como Zoo Conservatory Ceremony | Mr. + Mrs. Pyshora | Post by Melissa Hesse

Brandon and Maria didn’t need a big guest list to have such a large amount of excitement and love around them for their wedding ceremony. They invited immediate family and close friends to celebrate the day with them at the Como Zoo Conservatory. They stuck with a blue and green color theme to match their wedding rings and gave each guest a floral arrangement that added to the beauty of the conservatory. It made the day even more intimate to see guests participate in the ceremony as one officiated and another sang for them. It was all-around a group effort to make this day even more special for this amazing couple!

Minneapolis Engagement Session | Maria and Brandon | Post by Melissa Hesse

It’s sweet love like this that Maria and Brandon share that pulls on your heart and puts a big smile on your face. You might find these two cheering each other on during weight lifting and CrossFit competitions, or on adventure together with their dog. There is no slowing this couple down! As Maria finishes school, they have been planning their wedding for May, 2021. For their engagement session we strolled over the Stone Arch Bridge and explored near the Mississippi river. It was one of the first fine days of spring and it felt so good to be outside to capture their love. Congrats to this amazing, strong, and kind couple!

Stone Arch Bridge Engagement Session | Abby + Sharon | Post by Melissa Hesse

You immediately feel Abby and Sharon’s excitement of being together when you are around them. They have the kind of warmth and love that makes you know they have found the person they are supposed to be with. While the both of them were going through school and lived long distance until recently, they have supported each other the whole way making their love even stronger. Now they are making roots together in Minneapolis with their dog Wally. I couldn’t be more excited for these two and their wedding in August!

Small Wedding Guide

Image by Tara Sloane

Many people dream of their wedding day from the time they are young. As children, some envision a wedding fit for hundreds of guests. But as we navigate a new generation of weddings, we’re loving small weddings (50 guests or fewer) because of their intimacy and romance. While small weddings were already trending pre-pandemic, we think they’re likely to stick around. Let these ideas inspire you if you’re considering a small wedding for yourself.

Image by Jess Ekstrand

Small Wedding Locations

With a small guest list, your location opportunities are limitless. Here are some perfect venues for small weddings.

Backyard Wedding

Tying the knot in a friend or family member’s backyard is a great option because you have ultimate flexibility. When you know the host, there’s a lot you can prepare ahead of time, which can make the day of the celebration a lot easier and more relaxed. Some couples take a casual approach with homemade centerpieces and a potluck dinner and still others opt for catering and formal flower arrangements.

Garden Wedding

There are several great locations for small garden weddings in the Twin Cities area. There are multiple outdoor gardens at the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum also has some beautiful spots for weddings with less than 50 guests. With a garden wedding, you also have the benefit of gorgeous natural decor already surrounding your celebration.

Restaurant Wedding

While restaurants are currently figuring out how to navigate during a pandemic, warmer weather will bring options for renting out patios and rooftops for small weddings. Bonus: delicious food and drink already on site!

Taproom Wedding

Are you and your partner beer geeks? A taproom wedding may be the perfect fit. Hire a food truck to take care of dinner for tasty fare and some fun photo ops!

Vacation Rental Wedding

You don’t have to board a plane to take advantage of a vacation rental because there are probably amazing rentals wherever you happen to live. Check out Vrbo and Airbnb for rentals near you, or within driving distance. You could rent a cabin, cottage, farm or home with a large property and make a weekend out of the festivities. Keep in mind that certain vacation rentals may require advance notice of an event happening on the property because of additional permissions and insurance that will need to be secured. So be sure to ask about any requirements before you book.

A Small Wedding in a Large Venue

If you’ve had your heart set on a specific venue there’s no reason why you can’t still have a small wedding there. Museums, libraries, and various historic buildings all offer stunning settings to wed. A larger venue with a smaller guest list means you can have your wedding indoors, in your dream location, and stay properly socially distanced.

Image by Melissa Hesse

How to Include More People on Your Big Day

There are many reasons to have a small wedding, but there will probably be people who still wish they could be part of it. Here are a few ways to make them feel like they aren’t missing out.

Livestream

When you have a small guest list there are likely more people you wish you could include in the celebration. Now it’s easier than ever to livestream your wedding for an unlimited guest list. Make virtual guests feel even more included by mailing them some wedding favors.

Videography

Another way to make sure many people can feel part of your big day is to hire a videographer to document the occasion. From rehearsal dinner to the ceremony through speeches and the first dance, the videographer can make so many more people feel like they were right there with you. Many videographers have also started offering the ability to stream live, so check with your team to see if this is a possibility!

Photography

Another great benefit of a small wedding is you’ll get lots of photography of everyone in attendance and more photos of the most intimate moments. Once you receive your photography after the big day you could send a wedding announcement with your favorite photos to those people who couldn’t attend and instructions for viewing the photo gallery.

Image by Nicole McCoy

Shifted Priorities

Every wedding has a budget, no matter how big or small. With a small wedding, there are certain areas you may find cost savings, which means you can invest in areas you may not have been able to before. With a small wedding, you can focus on high-quality food, photography, and decor for an elevated event that won’t soon be forgotten.

Another great investment, no matter how large your wedding, is a wedding planner. A planner can help design your space, navigate safety guidelines and make sure everything is running smoothly. They will also ensure that your loved ones can still relax, have fun and enjoy the big day!

Image by Ben Lansky

Stay Updated on Health Guidelines

Guidelines have changed several times since the start of the COVID pandemic, so it’s important to stay informed as the rules change in your area. No matter how you decide to celebrate, a small wedding is just as wonderful as a great big one.

Como Zoo Conservatory Wedding | Ghazel and Natalie | Post by Melissa Hesse

Ghazel and Natalie’s intimate wedding day started at the Celeste of St.Paul Hotel. Surrounded by this landmark building with a historic background, they each separately got ready before their first look at the Como Zoo Conservatory. These two completely went with the flow and found value in the small guest count by really being able to spend time with each individual person who attended.

The ceremony inside the Sunken Garden lined with their guests who each lit a candle in honor of the couple’s love. It was special to see them also take a moment after the ceremony to connect with those who watched it all over Zoom. Dinner and drinks were served by Lancer Catering in the Bonsai room which perfectly and safely fit their guest list. This day was such an honor to witness and to be one of the few people there to celebrate this amazing couple!

Will 2021 Be the Year of Elopement?

Image by Jess Ekstrand

Among all the happy chaos of planning and hosting a large wedding, it can be easy to forget that weddings are supposed to be about the couple. Big weddings are big parties with lots to plan and keep track of. Elopements, on the other hand, give couples a chance to focus more on one another and a few guests who may be invited to be part of the big day.

One of the things we learned in 2020, is those small weddings can be just as fun, memorable, and special as big ones. The intimate moments you cherish can be even more significant when you share them with just your partner or a very small group of your closest friends and family. 

Elopement photography has shown us that some of the biggest joy can be found at the smallest weddings. Here are some things to consider when deciding if elopement is right for you.

Image by Ben Lansky

Elopements Don’t Have to Be A Secret

The old days of elopement—meaning a trip to the courthouse (or Vegas) for a quickie wedding—are long gone. Eloping, even before COVID, is more popular than ever, and couples are giving it a new meaning. Plus, the benefits, from the intimacy of the small gathering to the freedom and flexibility elopement allows, are hard for some couples to ignore.

For other couples, elopement might be preferred in the short term, with a larger party planned for later—whether due to COVID or simply because the more custom style fits your life better.

Whatever you decide, it doesn’t have to be a secret. If it makes sense for you and your partner, let certain friends and family in on the idea so they can offer support and be elated for you. Allow loved ones to be connected about the big day by creating a wedding website. It’s the perfect place to offer a live stream of the ceremony and share your photo gallery after the event if you so choose.

Image by Tara Sloane

Elopement Locations

One of the best parts about eloping is that you can have your wedding almost anywhere. If you’re going for the smallest wedding possible, you can get as small as you, your partner and the officiant. We, of course, recommend a photographer to capture the moment, too, but that still means you only need to coordinate with a handful of people.

The intimacy and personal touch of elopement photographs at your favorite spot in the world with your favorite person can’t be beat. Whether you want to get married in a garden, by the lake, or in your parents’ backyard, a small gathering allows you to dream up the most creative locations.

Image by Melissa Hesse

Eloping Saves Money

The benefit of saving money with elopement can be hard to ignore. The average wedding costs around $30,000 but when you’re keeping the festivities extra small, there are inevitably going to be savings. The flexibility of an elopement allows you to spend money on exactly what you want and skip things that don’t matter to you. The money you save can be put toward a down payment, an amazing honeymoon, or that big party down the road to celebrate with those you love in person. The possibilities are endless.

Image by Nicole McCoy

Elopement Photography

Elopement photography has the benefit of feeling very normal and relaxed because it’s such a small group. We’ll capture all of the intimate moments so you can have them documented to share with friends and family whenever you’re ready to. Plus, your photographs will make for a beautiful wedding announcement, if you want to announce the good news in a more official way.

Norenberg Memorial Gardens Wedding | Mr. + Mrs. Miller | Post by Jess Ekstrand

Jenna and Ernest’s wedding was perhaps the chilliest outdoor wedding I’ve ever photographed but also one of the coziest! These two got married on October 18 2020 at Norenberg Memorial Gardens in Wayzata. Guests bundled up and made use of hand warmers. The cocktail hour and dinner in Jenna’s parents’ backyard had a fire going along with plenty of patio heaters. There was hot cider, squash soup as a passed app and some delicious smoked meats for dinner. The couple even changed into warmer, more comfortable, clothing after we finished formal photos. Aside from the cozy vibes, my favorite detail from this wedding was the rings. Ernest, a ceramicist, made ceramic bands for them to use for the ceremony! Jenna and Ernest, congrats again!