When I first met Marie + Mathias, they told me the story of their dream wedding, one that included getting ready together on their homestead.
What a dream it was to see this become a reality for these lovebirds. When I arrived at their home on October 8th I heard music and laughter coming from the house. It was a 65 degree fall day, in Central Minnesota it's what we call a top 10 weather day. I am greeted by a few farm cats, and one curious chicken.
Marie and Mathias are sitting in their dining room surrounded by their bridal party enjoying sandwiches, chips, and a good amount of caffeine. All of which I have learned are essentials for a wedding day prep space. While the ladies finish up hair and makeup I grab detail shots and then I take the groom and his crew out into the yard for photos.
We stand in front of their barn where Mathias tells me they are getting goats soon. As we laugh and literally restle our way through groomsman photos the bride tells me she's ready to put on her dress.
Upstairs she has set up their 'reading room' as the getting ready space. Accompanied by her mom we enter into her reading haven. Finally our sweet couples shares a first look in the side hard near the barn, their sweet pup watching from a distance. And even though they had spent all morning together, you could feel the love and excitement as they saw each other in their bridal attire for the first time. Tears were shed by all three of us. We spent the next hour with their close family and friends talking, taking group photos, and laughing at stories of how the couple met and their years of shenanigans that had already accumulated. Everyone present knew these two were the perfect fit and couldn't wait to head off to the church with them to witness them say "I Do".
Finally the couple hopped in their truck together and we drove over the church. Cars spilled out of the little parking lot and lined the streets. And into a beautiful little catholic church headed these lovebirds, hand in hand, ready to share their love and promise each other forever.
With cheers and clapping the couple exited the church and greeted their guests. We headed off to the local bar to start celebrating and many of their wedding guests joined us. The bar was packed with loving friends and family members taking selfies, hugging and sharing drinks with this sweet couple. This is the part of the day where some couples split off to greet old college roommates or coworkers. But Mathias and Marie were together nearly every moment of their special day, gravity keeping them hand in hand regardless of the guest that came along to chat.
The reception brought more sweet stories, a slideshow of childhood photos that bled into their years together in highschool un until present. God how I missed that trend! It is so touching and fun to see how they had grown and changed side by side. And finally the couple shared their first dance. Like many moments of their day it brought tears to my eyes.
Every once and awhile as a photographer you shoot a wedding and it leaves your heart bursting each time you think of it. Marie and Mathias were a breath of fresh air in what can sometimes be a stressful industry. There was not an ounce of tension between these two on their wedding day. I truly believe that getting ready together on their homestead set them up for an absolutely perfect wedding day.
