My last wedding of 2019 was Dave and Molly’s, and I couldn’t have asked for a better one! It was December 7, and the weather was in the 30s, with very low winds. The snow had fallen, and all around us was a winter wonderland. And to top it off, the sun actually came out, so we could do sunset photos at golden hour…

This was my first time shooting at The Blaisdell, and I loved it! It’s a beautiful venue, and I love that you can do it all in one place. The getting ready room was bright and airy (just like I love), and very spacious.

These are some of my FAVORITE getting ready shots EVER! The Bridesmaids were dresses by Jenny Yoo, Adrianna Papel, and Monique Lhuillier, and Molly’s stunning gown was a Casablanca Bridal that gave me all the feels.

Molly Moon had been planning her wedding day since she was a little girl, and all the details were so perfect, I found myself gasping throughout the day. Like when I opened the bag to her shoes and found the most perfect Bella Belle pair!

They read their letters to each other back-to-back, right before the first look, such an intimate moment, and so special to be next to your soulmate, reading their love letter, right before you got to see them for the first time on the day of your wedding….

This first look had me close to tears! Dave was so emotional as he saw his beautiful bride for the first time! I LOVE this second photo below, where he’s bent over so their faces were at the same level. It’s like he really wanted to SEE her… Then the tears came, and I clicked away…

Whenever I’m alone with you You make me feel like I am home again Whenever I’m alone with you You make me feel like I am whole again

Adele

I’m listening to Adele’s “Lovesong” while writing this blog post, since that’s the song they danced to for the first dance, and it’s so perfect. These two met in May of 2014, and the connection was irrevocable, and instant.

This super timeless and classic wedding called for lots of black and white photos as well…

I will now introduce you to the concept of “Friend Hop.” Basically the chain of friends that come into your life because of someone else. For Molly and Dave, the friend hopping was the best they could ask for, since their “blended” group is as good as it gets! When I arrived at the Blaisdell and started taking detail shots, the maid of honor, and best man, were sitting together in a room, practicing their speeches to each other. Two people who might have never met otherwise, but through 5 years of being in Dave and Molly’s lives, became friends themselves. Apparently “couch” hopping also happened in this friend group, a LOT.

Also notice Molly had a “Bridesguy,” (above photo on the far right) who just happened to be one of my groom’s two years ago! The lovely redhead next to him is his wife, my bride as well! Molly officiated their wedding!!!

I will also mention it was NOT a warm day, by any means, so hats off to this entire wedding party, especially their ladies, for letting me take all their photos outside! All I can say is: “worth it,” but I’m sure they were all cursing at me inside haha!

And one more reason to love the Blaisdell, the many indoor options for photos!!! Just look at that beautiful light in the photos below!

The room arranged for the ceremony…. All those flowers took my breath away!

The most darling flower girls! I will say, 8 out of 10 weddings I shoot the flower girls and ring bearers do NOT make it down the aisle. Just little fun fact for you!

“Wise man say… Only fools rush in..” Molly walked down the aisle to Falling in Love With You, and I thought of the four years she and Dave were together before Dave proposed. I know everybody was waiting for that proposal, because let’s face it, Molly Moon is perfect, BUT, I think he did it at the perfect time for their love story.

I LOVE that Molly’s brother-in-law officiated the wedding (it was his first ever!), and that he had a British accent (not a fake one, that’s just how he talks haha). Poems by Paulo Coelho, and Mark Twain were read, and

they got a standing ovation after their first kiss as husband and wife… Anyone else wanting to get married again after this one?

And the sunset photos with the glowy light in the sky… We didn’t last long, but these were some of my favorite images of the day!

The picture below, on the right, has their signature cocktails, “The Frank,” and “The Ivy,” named after their cats!!! What a tasteful way to bring their fur babies into the wedding!

You know what’s absolutely amazing? Molly did ALL the floral arrangements for the wedding, including her own bouquet, with a little help from her bridesmaids! Talk about talented!!! Boutonnières by one of my favorites, Sadie’s Couture Floral.

You’d never imagine a room this big was inside the Blaisdell! The flowers, the linens, the delicious cheesecake by Muddy Paws Cheesecake. Molly and Dave’s face when they saw the room for the first time… THE BEST! Their coordinator, Laine Palm, was absolutely amazing, and brought Molly’s vision completely to life!

The First Dance I still can’t get off my mind. Molly’s dress spinning like Cinderella’s, Dave’s constant expression of love and happiness…

These photos make me want to dance the night away with this crowd. They were all having SO MUCH FUN! I wish I could be a little fly on the wall when Dave and Molly sit to go through all their wedding images… I bet they’ll smile, laugh, and cry happy tears. Everything was PERFECT.

Cheers!

The wonderful team of vendors that made this day happen:

Venue | @theblaisdellmpls

Photography | @polymendes

Coordination | @lainepalmplanning

Catering | @forkandflairmn

Bar | @4liquidmotion

Hair + Makeup | @primpedmn + @cristinaziemerbeauty

Wedding Dress | @weddingshoppeinc

Bridesmaids Dresses | @bellabridesmaids

Entertainment | @instantrequestdj

Rentals | @lineneffects

Dessert | @muddypawscheesecake