On a crisp October morning I woke up early, made a GIANT pot of coffee, and put on dress shoes for the first time in 7 months. It was Elias and Nicole’s wedding day.
Nicole had been planning this day since she was a little girl and despite a global pandemic and other unforeseen challenges, she executed those plans masterfully.
The day was crisp, bright, and beautiful. The venue, Dellwood Barn Weddings, is a picturesque farm nestled in the rolling hills on the outskirts of St. Paul, Minnesota.
I arrived to the sound of the resident horse calling for his breakfast and the sight of glorious dew dropped fields. Inside the house, the ladies were already well underway with hair and makeup preparations, sipping mimosas, and sharing excitement for the day ahead.
COVID-19 postponed or cancelled nearly all of my weddings this year, so to find myself at a venue with traditional wedding festivities planned for the first time since February felt a little strange… ok - it felt VERY strange.
I made sure to take some time with Nicole’s dress to walk around the grounds and soak it all in. I love the anticipation that electrifies the air on a wedding day. Everyone dresses in their best and come with hearts full of love and well-wishes for the couple. As I walked around the farmstead I could feel the excitement pulsing through the air.
Their ceremony was on a hilltop overlooking open fields and the barn.
Their vows were handwritten and had me tearing up behind my camera.
With nearly all of their family and friends present, Nicole and Elias vowed to love one another until death parts them. It was beautiful.
After the ceremony, we took some time for photos before the post-nuptial celebrations began. Lots of laughs were shared amongst the wedding party and an overwhelming sense of happiness and appreciation for everyone simply being together was felt the entire day.
The guests and wedding party danced well into the night with a short break for sparklers at sunset. Driving away from the party that night, bones aching from the exhaustion that only comes from being on your feet for 12+ hours, I was overcome with gratitude for the opportunity to participate in something that felt so normal and happy.
Congratulations Elias and Nicole on your perfect wedding day and all the best wishes on the beautiful marriage that lies ahead of you.
