Last year I was contacted by Charelette about taking her wedding photos for her June wedding the following year.  She had read a blog post of mine from a previous wedding I shot and let me know how much the words I had written resonated with her in regards to her own wedding planning.  I’m a firm believer that every bride should invest in wedding photography, no matter their budget.   For their small and intimate wedding, Charelette wasn’t looking to break the bank on a full-day wedding photographer, but just wanted someone to capture the important moments from their day.

Although I don’t advertise it, I do shoot small events on the rare occasion I get a request for one.  While I love, love shooting weddings, it’s not something I want to do on a full-time basis, so I choose to assist and second shoot for other wedding photographers in the Minneapolis area.  Weddings make for a pretty long and exhausting day, so when I have a 4-year-old that still likes to get up bright and early, or if I have an early morning shoot with another client, photographing a wedding for just a few hours fits the bill perfectly for me.

Charelette and I had been in contact over the course of the year before her wedding and we finally got the chance to meet the week before her wedding for coffee along side her fiance, Curtis.  Both Charelette and Curtis are transplants from Atlanta, GA and are truly some of the sweetest people I have ever met.  They both sparkle with southern charm and their love for each other radiates.  I left our coffee meeting truly excited about shooting their wedding the following weekend.

The week of their wedding the weather wasn’t exactly cooperating.  It had literally rained every single day.  Then that Saturday, the skies opened up and the sun was shining.  Other than being a little warm, it was a perfect day for a wedding.

Upon arriving at the Living Word Christian Center in Brooklyn Park, I was in awe of the facility.  It was breathtaking.  THE perfect place for a wedding and wedding photos.  Their small ceremony with just their closest family and friends filled the room with love, peace and joy.  Following the ceremony we took some beautiful shots of the bride and groom inside the church and then headed outside to finish their portraits.

After a short drive to the Hilton Garden Inn in Maple Grove, we wrapped up their day with a little cake cutting and their first dance as husband and wife. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed meeting this couple and sharing this day with them.  I have no doubt they will have a long and happy marriage.  Congratulations, again, and thank you for letting me be a part of your day. 🙂

Ceremony: Living Word Christian Center, Brooklyn Park, MN

Reception: Hilton Garden Inn, Maple Grove, MN