Kenzie Amick 4/21/17 Kenzie Amick 4/21/17

Sarah & Jeffrey

Like us, Sarah Baumann Rogers, the editor of Minnesota Bride, lives and breathes weddings every day, so obviously there isn't a bride out there more equipped to plan her special day.

"As the editor of a bridal magazine, I’ve spent countless hours thinking about all things wedding. But now that I was wearing the glass slippers around town instead of just trying them on at the store, it felt a little different—entirely more special and important." - MN Bride, Sarah Baumann Rogers

Working with Sarah and Jeffrey to create their dream wedding was an absolutely amazing experience. We loved bouncing off ideas and ensuring that every detail was perfect. When we couldn't find the perfect lace runners to adorn the farm tables, we met at SR Harris and had them custom made.

Check out below for gorgeous images from Sarah and Jeffrey's special day!

Vendor Credits :

Kenzie Amick 12/28/16 Kenzie Amick 12/28/16

Favorite Photos of 2016

So many beautiful weddings {and couples} this year and what better way to capture them than through photography. {Yes, yes... we love videography too!} Looking back on the year we pulled our favorite images to share with you. So, we invite you to grab a glass of bubbly {like stunning Maddie below} and reflect on your favorite moments of 2016! Happy New Year!

Melissa Hesse, Rivets & Roses Photography

Kenzie Amick 9/11/14 Kenzie Amick 9/11/14

Guthrie Theater // Andrew & Brendan

Andrew and Brendan met twelve years ago at Northeast’s Boom. Although the attraction was mutual, Brendan was forced to become Andrew’s “personal stalker” in order to move things forward. And so began the chase… Brendan finally secured his first date with Andrew-dinner at Barbette and after-dinner drinks and story-telling on Andrew’s deck. The couple began to date sporadically; however, Andrew soon realized Brendan was “the one” as he stood closely by throughout Andrew’s father’s fatal illness. The guys spent time on opposite ends of the state but eventually said, “enough is enough” and settled in the Twin Cities. They exchanged rings two years later and dedicated their lives to one another as partners.

Andrew and Brendan learned that they had a shared desire for a family, and they were soon blessed with two beautiful daughters, Isabella and Harper. Graced by the good news brought by Minnesota’s equal-marriage law, Andrew involved their beloved daughters and sought out to plan the perfect proposal for Brendan. The girls and Andrew created signs that read, “Daddy, will you marry Dad?” and held them up while the three bounced on their home trampoline. Brendan obviously said yes, and so began the planning of the perfect celebration of their 12 years together.

Real Weddings: Andrew + Brendan via Style-Architects Weddings

It was important to Andrew and Brendan that their wedding involve their daughters and that it honor their lives to this point, rather than being a celebration of a new life together. Never fans of New Year’s Eve, they set out to create a reason to celebrate each New Year’s by having their wedding on New Year’s Eve. We went for drama and a great venue that allowed us to play up the New Year’s touches they desired. The Guthrie was the perfect choice!

The Pohlad Lobby’s dramatic views provided the perfect backdrop for the candlelight ceremony. Vellum-wrapped candles honored deceased family members, including groom Andrew’s father, were placed along the back wall and were flanked by gorgeous orchid arrangements. The girls escorted their dads down the aisle, one by one, and joining in the sand ceremony honoring their family of four.

Andrew’s father loved blue lights at Christmas, so we brought in blue-lit Christmas trees in his memory to grace the cocktail hour. We carried through the outdoor lush look with furry linens and faux-fur throws so guests could enjoy the stunning views from the Endless Bridge.

Guests were amazed as they entered the Dowling Studio for dinner and dancing. Vibrant blue and black linens, black paillette linens, and blinged out candlesticks {the guys love bling and so do their girls!} were used to pop the tables against the black box of the Studio. Square crocodile chargers and bow tie napkin folds provided masculine touches. Cityscape gobos and white flocked florals continued the outdoor look but with the feel of a nightclub. A stunning cake created by Gateaux, outlining the history of their family, provided the wow factor and the story of their lives that they wanted to share with new and old friends alike.

We followed an East coast style of service to keep the energy high for New Year’s and projected the countdown to midnight on the TV screen as well as the back wall in the final 30 minutes. The Travelling Photobooth captured the insanity and New Year’s necklaces, noisemakers, tiaras and, of course, a champagne toast helped transition the celebration to the midnight countdown.

It was an honor to work with this amazing family and we are so thankful to the following amazing vendors who chose to celebrate their New Year’s with us!

Full Event Planning +Design: Style-Architects Weddings & Events
Photography: Pixel Posey
Venue: Guthrie Theater
Caterer: Culinaire
Cake: Gateaux, Inc.
Invites + Day-Of Paper: Beau Papier by Gateaux, Inc.
Hair + Make-Up for the Ladies: Nicole Fae
Floral Design: Mani Mela
Linens: Linen Effects
Paillette Linens, Crystal Candlesticks: Mani Mela
Crocodile Chargers: Après Party and Tent Rental
DJ: Primetime DJs
Lighting: Phos Events and the Guthrie
Officiant: Reverend Tomkin Coleman

Kenzie Amick 8/12/14 Kenzie Amick 8/12/14

Aria // Jen & Breandan

After connecting on Match.com over a shared passion for a Michael Lewis book, Jen Kamstra and Breandan Gleason scheduled drinks and spent hours talking and getting to know one another. It didn’t take long for the two to realize their mutual appreciation for wine, food, travel, after-dinner cordials, and most importantly, each other.

Two and a half years later, while vacationing in Mexico, Breandan surprised Jen by coordinating with their resort a private dinner where he popped the question. Jen happily accepted and they called their families to break the good news before cracking open a bottle of wine (that Breandan brought from home) and indulging in a decadent surf and turf dinner.

Breandan inherited his love of wines, particularly Spanish wines, from his late father who sent Breandan on a quest while studying abroad in Spain to find a particular Spanish wine that was not readily available in the U.S. The couple carried their passion for fine wine through their wedding by serving hand-selected and sourced Spanish wines, as a unique and personalized tribute to Breandan’s father.

But Breandan’s father wasn’t the only individual whose spirit was honored at their wedding day. Jen and Breandan had “with great expectations” written on their cake and engraved in their rings, just as Breandan’s Grandpa Gleason has inscribed on his wife’s ring.

Kenzie Amick 7/8/14 Kenzie Amick 7/8/14

Calhoun Beach Club // Taryn & Charlie

After making the very cold move up north to Minneapolis from her hometown of Key West, Florida, Taryn Twyman met the love of her life, Charlie Broderson.

As guests entered into the ceremony room, they basked among a mixture of black + white chiavari chairs and a beautiful ceremony backdrop draped in orchids and a custom graphic aisle runner printed with Taryn’s favorite EE Cumming’s poem. Taryn was a vision in her stunning gown and cascading orchid bracelet bouquet as she floated down the stairway.

The reception space was decorated to the nines with custom, contemporary graphic black, white and grey linens with hints of chartreuse. Graphic patterns from the linens were carried throughout the bride’s cake and all of the printed materials.

The room was softened by beautifully neutral floral arrangements comprised of lush, spilling orchids. Taryn stayed true to her Key West roots by having a crab cake starter course, as well as seashells topping the groom’s cake. To throw in a Minnesota specialty, guests also enjoyed a gourmet s’mores bar.

Guests spent the rest of the night laughing, dancing and posing with mustaches in the photo booth, sending good wishes their way as Taryn and Charlie embark on their new life together as Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Broderson.

Kenzie Amick 5/1/14 Kenzie Amick 5/1/14

The Great Hall // Nandini & Unmil

A glimpse into Nandini + Unmil's traditional Indian wedding.

Nandini & Unmil were married last fall in an elaborate, Eastern Indian wedding at the Great Hall in St. Paul. Being married to an Indian man myself, I always dreamed of a large Indian wedding, but had the typical Minnesota wedding instead. {Obviously I wasn’t a planner then!} It was so fun to live vicariously through Nandini!

The 420-guest event was a beautiful mix of her northern Indian and and his southern Indian roots. The baraat {groom’s processional on a horse} from Mears Park was such a joyous celebration of his family and friends.

We placed their stage and mantap toward the center of the room and circled the gold chiavaris around them to allow for better viewing for all. Since the couple move about the stage, there really wasn’t a bad seat in the house!

Their traditional ceremony under the mantap was gorgeous {and yes we had to get special permission for the open flame!}

Once the ceremony was over, guests moved upstairs for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while we flipped the room. Forty-two tables flipped within the hour – not bad!

Guests were treated to a family style meal of northern and southern Indian specialties. Sounds easy enough but this was no easy task! The nationally recognized chefs were flown in from New Jersey, so much coordination between the local catering kitchen and the wait staff was required.

Indians are known for their desserts so the pistachio crusted cake, cupcakes in flavors of rosewater and mango, and traditional sweets were a huge hit.