I’m not going to lie, this “Lafayette Club Wedding” was THE most perfect wedding to kickstart my Summer wedding season! When I first chatted with Callie about their wedding plans, she wanted to do something completely different, but with COVID, and a few other wedding planning decision changes, she and Adam agreed the Lafayette Club would work better. I’m so happy they made that choice because The Lafayette Club is a dream venue and everything was so beautiful.

The day started off at the church Adam grew up going to. The priest knew Adam as a young boy, so it was extra special to hear some of those old stories from years ago. And I was able to turn the dark, church getting ready room background, into a beautiful and soft/neutral background for Callie’s getting ready pictures! I wish I had a photo of what the room actually looked like to show you!

Wedding Ceremony at Saint Victoria Catholic Church

On a very warm, 93 degree Summer day, Adam and Callie tied the knot at the same church Adam grew up attending. The Saint Victoria Catholic Church still has the original chapel, and that’s where the wedding took place. Even without air conditioning, a cool breeze made the whole ceremony very pleasant.

Adam and Callie’s first look was down the aisle, and I have to admit my eyes were full of tears and happiness for them. They had to reschedule their wedding twice, and Callie’s dad passed away from COVID last Fall. Her mom walked her down the aisle, and I learned during her sister’s speech, just how much Adam has stepped up to be the man of the family, not just for Callie, but for her mom and sister as well.

Light and Airy Wedding at the Lafayette Club

We all arrived at the Lafayette in high spirits after the beautiful ceremony, and I challenged myself to embrace some harsh sunlight for some of the portraits. I always try to challenge myself to grow and learn with every session, and every wedding I shoot. By doing that, I stay inspired and fresh for my clients!

This wedding produced some of my favorite images I have every taken, so I’m already working on getting some of them on my website – stay tuned! Being a light and airy photographer in Minneapolis, shooting in bright wedding venues is key to getting the images I want. The Lafayette Club is light, airy, and bright. I can’t wait to shoot there again!

There’s a “recommended” spot for photos, but as always, I just chose my own spots! I actually tried not looking at any other photographer’s galleries of this venue before going so my mind could search for spots without any bias of where I “should” be shooting at.

I also want to bring up Callie’s flowers. She chose calla lilies as they were her dad’s favorites, and memorialized him through her bouquet.

Wedding Reception at the Lafayette Club

I will always recommend that my couples do a “Reception Room Reveal” so they get to see all the beautiful setup before guests take over! The draping, the flowers, the personalized menus… Callie did absolutely amazing! And with the help of her wedding planner, Dawn, everything was perfect!

I love delivering black and white photos to my couples because they are so classic and timeless! I don’t deliver every single picture in color and black and white, as I believe some images are meant to be in color, and some in black and white. Sometimes they can be both. But I hate the idea of just turning every image to black and white.

Sunset Photos at the Lafayette Club

I’m still on a high from shooting this “Lafayette Club Wedding” – I am, just look at these sunset photos!!! I’m so happy they allowed us to walk around the green to get these images!

Although it seemed like everyone was pushing me to shoot with the lake in the background, which I did later, these shots with the Lafayette Club in the background were some of my favorite portraits of the day! I feel like these could all be in a cover of a magazine… Also why I’m obsessed with grooms wearing tuxes, it makes for classic, elegant, and timeless wedding photography.

When I photographed Adam and Callie’s engagement session at Como Park, I knew I would absolutely love shooting their wedding. I can only hope to have a session with them every year for the rest of my life because WOW! They are both so easy going, and so easy to direct. I couldn’t stop clicking! While shooting their sunset portraits, I really tried to deliver different angles of the same iconic Lafayette Club arches and grounds. I’m in love with how these turned out. It’s always my goal to make my clients feel (and look) like a million bucks during photos, and I think we nailed it with these!

The fabulous team of vendors who made this day possible:

Photography: Poly Mendes Photography

Wedding Planner: Dawn with Flutterby Celebrations

Ceremony: Saint Victoria Catholic Church

Reception: Lafayette Club

Wedding Dress: Willowby by Watters at Effie’s Bridal

Bridesmaid Dress: Jenny Yoo at Bella Bridesmaids

Groom and Groomsmen: The Black Tux

Florist: Lakeside floral