WEDDING
Inspiration at THE GETAWAY
SARAH HEATH PHOTOGRAPHY
The greatest lake – a great piece of our heritage. Soak up Duluth’s history while watching ships navigate the harbor. IT’S TIME TO RELAX
STYLE TRENDS
[o] Zach&Grace
DRESS DESIGNERS
TOP: Ines Di Santo
BOTTOM: Julie Vino
RIGHT: Halfpenny London
BY: THE WEDDING GUYS
Twice a year, designers, bridal salons, and influencers from around the world gather for the most anticipated wedding event of the season to preview the latest collections from the best ateliers in the world. Each April and October, New York Fashion Week becomes the epicenter of all things bridal fashion and sets the tone in trends for the coming year. Engaged couples and wedding enthusiasts eagerly await as couture designers like Galia Lahav, Monique Lhuillier, and Ines Di Santo show off their newest creations. These fashion houses bring their A-game and flaunt the most exquisite dresses through fabulous high-energy runway shows and private showings. Designers have thrown all the rules out of the window by blurring the line between bridal and street style more than ever. Brides want to feel like an elevated version of themselves as they transform into a vision on their wedding day.
Last year, we saw an influx of over-the-top fashion with statement sleeves, corset bodices, and cutouts. These trends are amplified this year with even more glitz and glam. Pinterest and TikTok have allowed brides globally to have couture bridal fashion at their fingertips, and nothing is off-limits. Designers are shifting away from their signature looks and showcasing an array of radiant options for every bride. Discerning couples are more prepared than ever to surprise guests with these personalized and astonishing fashion choices. For current trends, expect a range of ideas from sophisticated mock necklines to feminine floral embellishments and a rainbow of fabric colors that go far beyond the conventional white gown.
Bridal fashion has frequently taken cues from the royals, and this first trend is no different. Mock necks are making a comeback as several designers work their individual magic on this regal neckline. The neckline is like a turtleneck but is often looser fitting and sits slightly lower than a high-neck dress. For a modest look, this silhouette can be paired with layers of tulle and applique or take on a contemporary feel with illusion lace for a collar-like effect.
This style is fashion-forward and beautiful for a formal soirée with an A-line skirt and hand-sewn beading. A mock neck is so charming in an Audrey Hepburn-inspired midi gown perfect for a courthouse wedding. If you are looking to dazzle, consider a sequin floor-length fitted gown with detachable gloves sure to catch the eye for a bold look. Mock necks are timelessly romantic.
Another hot design this year is straight out of our garden wedding dreams. Floral-adorned frocks have been rising in popularity and this whimsical look is having a movement. The internet exploded after Sophia Bush’s wedding photos were released in the summer of 2022. We couldn’t take our eyes off her custom botanical Monique Lhuillier gown, and neither could the bridal community. Suddenly, everyone was craving more blooms in fashion.
Flowers are enchanting in many forms and extend beyond classic embellishments. Think alluring prints and dimensional multicolored layers of floral. This trend makes its way down the aisle with airy chiffon textures and printed spring wildflowers. A luscious ball gown becomes a vision with a corset bodice and a rainbow of dyed 3D flowers. While there are plenty of ways to incorporate this trend, you can also opt for understated floral hints by accessorizing with tulle opera gloves.
As the latest collections were introduced by bridal designers from around the world, we couldn’t help but notice pops of blush, pastel blue, onyx, and even shimmering gold. This is perfect for the creative bride that wants to embrace the unconventional and go beyond a classic white gown. Colored bridal gowns have always been incorporated into collections but go above and beyond this year seamlessly blending evening wear with bridal.
One of the most exciting things about this trend is that these colors come in all forms. For a spring celebration, consider a billowing blue ball gown with oversized white flowers printed throughout the skirt. For a full dramatic effect, a sultry black bodysuit and overskirt will have everyone’s jaws on the floor. Go for a flirty pretty-in-pink A-line with layers of mauve and blush for a sense of playfulness at an outdoor ceremony.
These ideas are just a few of the endless ways that you can create a bridal ensemble. Regardless of the trends, we suggest letting your individual style and personality shine through. Infuse elements that speak to you and you’re sure to feel and look extraordinary.
For more inspiration, visit TheWeddingGuys.com
WEDDING TIMELINE
12+ MONTHS 8-10 MONTHS 6-8 MONTHS 4-6 MONTHS 3 MONTHS 2 MONTHS
□ Create a budget and establish your priorities – where do you want to splurge/save?
□ Create an inspiration board and identify your style and color palette
□ Start planning a guest list – you’ll need that head count!
□ Choose a wedding date (keep a few options in mind and check with family and closest friends and your venue)
□ Select your ceremony and reception sites
□ Optional: Have an engagement party
□ Feeling overwhelmed? Consider hiring a wedding planner.
□ Ask friends and relatives to be in your wedding party
□ Select and order your wedding gown (if applicable)
□ Research your vendors: officiant, caterer, entertainment, photographer, videographer, florist, stationer (invitations, place cards, etc.), rental companies (chairs, tables, tent – if needed). Get details and contracts in writing!
□ Arrange accommodations and transportation for out-of-town guests, if needed
□ Make final selections and book your preferred vendors
□ Have engagement photos taken
□ Register for gifts
□ Select and order attendant dresses (if applicable)
□ Send save-the-date announcements
□ Research and book honeymoon (don’t forget to renew your passport!)
□ Finalize guest list, compile current addresses
□ Schedule tasting with caterer and finalize menu
□ Order invitations
□ Order wedding rings
□ Order guest favors
□ Attend prewedding counseling, if required
□ Book a rehearsal dinner location
□ Book rehearsal dinner vendors – entertainment, caterer, groom’s cake
□ Select and order/ rent wedding party's attire
□ Order wedding cake
□ Hire your wedding day transportation
□ Attend your bridal shower (host will determine actual date)
□ Mail your invitations
□ Write your vows
□ Choose ceremony readings and music
□ Begin wedding attire fittings and alterations
□ Touch base with all vendors to confirm dates, details and deposits. If they have special requirements for setup, send these to your venue.
□ Purchase gifts for parents, attendants and each other
□ Purchase guest book, toasting flutes, cake servers, unity candle and any other accessories
□ Book hair and makeup artists and schedule a trial run
□ Apply for marriage license
□ Have final wedding attire fitting
□ Confirm attendants have their attire and alterations are complete
□ Create your ceremony program
□ Send rehearsal dinner invitations
□ Review RSVP list; call any guests who have not responded
□ Send photographer and videographer your must-have shots
□ Send your song list to your DJ or band leader. Include all special dances, schedule of speeches and your song requests/donot-play list.
□ Get your hair cut and colored
□ Attend bachelor/ bachelorette parties
□ Give reception venue/caterer final guest count
□ Plan reception seating chart
□ Print place cards and table number cards
□ Create a vendor list with contact information. Give copies to your ceremony and reception site managers, as well as your person of honor or personal attendant.
□ Male celebrant(s) gets his hair cut
□ Have bridal gown (if applicable) pressed or steamed, if necessary
□ Pick up groom and attendants' attire, if applicable
□ Determine wedding party positions and order of processional and recessional
□ Give place cards, table cards, menus, favors and any other items for table settings to the catering manager
□ Reconfirm arrival times and final details with all vendors – give a copy of the details to your person of honor
□ Write checks for any balances due
□ Enjoy a mani/pedi
□ Rehearse ceremony. Include wedding party, readers, immediate family and officiant.
□ Bring ceremony accessories to the site: unity candle, aisle runner, yarmulkes
□ Bring reception accessories to the site: décor, place cards, table number cards, guest book, cake server, favors
□ Attend and enjoy the rehearsal dinner!
□ Get your beauty sleep
□ Give gifts to parents, wedding party and each other
□ Give wedding bands to person of honor to hold during ceremony
□ Give person of honor the officiant’s fee envelope to be given after ceremony
□ Relax and enjoy!
Let'sSocialGet
PHOTOGRAPHERS (TOP TO BOTTOM)
Kendra Lauck Photography @kendralauck
Jennifer Maren Photography @jennifermarenphotography
Alexandra Robyn Photo + Design @alexandrarobynphoto
Anna Marum Photography @annamarumphotography
Our goal at Lake Bride Magazine is to showcase the beauty and talent in the bridal industry. We want to share the best inspiration, fashion, weddings and planning advice.
Follow along for exclusive contests, trends, behind-the-scenes and more:
@lakebridemagazine
Submit a wedding, engagement or styled shoot to potentially be featured:
lakebridemagazine.com
INSPIRATION SHOOT BY LAKE BRIDE MAGAZINE
The Getaway was styled to inspire the joy and excitement that couples feel on their wedding day. This glorious styled shoot was bought to life with an incredible team of creatives at the picturesque location, The GetAway, in Brainerd Lakes Area (B.L.A.).
The models were styled to perfection with an eye-catching suit, stunning wedding gowns, beautifully designed jewelry, with hair and makeup that was natural and whimsical.
Bringing vision to life
Whatever your big ideas are, from the smallest inspiration to the most grandiose of dreams, choose a location and vendors who will help you see it through. Get creative, honor your details and let the professionals lead you.
Tip! Repurpose your altar arrangement from the ceremony for the bar, lounge, and head table! This will ultimately cut down on costs and waste.
Idyllic Gathering Space
Whether it’s a bachelor/bachelorette party, a family reunion, a corporate gathering, a breathtaking outdoor wedding or simply a private weekend away, guests are sure to be equally impressed and entertained with this stunning rental. An ideal venue for any gathering; unmatched scenery, flawless property features and one-of-a-kind experiences make for unforgettable memories.
BRIDAL GOWN SHOP Emily Kaye Bridal Boutique | DÉCOR AND STYLING Party Time Rental Inc. | VENUE The GetAway/ Book the B.L.A. | FOOD AND BEVERAGE MN Traders Co
PHOTOGRAPHER Sarah Heath Photography | FLORAL Petals and Beans - Handcrafted Floral | HAIR AND MAKE-UP The Glamour Ranch
Sarah Heath Photography
Modern, romantic, authentic, and luxurious. Located in Brainerd, and open for travel for destination weddings, elopements, and couples adventure shoots. Oh and don’t forget boudoir!
@sarahheathphoto
612-834-6901
The Glamour Ranch
Petals and Beans - Handcrafted Floral
From one-of-a kind bridal bouquets, coordinating wedding party blooms, ceremony and receptions flower designs. We offer a full design service including delivery, set up, take down, vase rental, and some décor rentals. Whatever your vision, we will help bring it to life.
petalsbeans@brainerd.net | 218-961-7385
At The Glamour Ranch, we are all about creating memorable luxury beauty experiences for your special day, while also enhancing your natural beauty. Our intimate team of professionally trained artisans are passionate about creating elegant, timeless, true to you transformations that will compliment your bridal vision and also enhance what makes you uniquely you! We offer both makeup + hair artistry, are based in the Central Minnesota Market, and are always up for an adventure. We would love the opportunity to make your day perfect, and pamper you and your bridal crew! Reach out via the contact form on our website today to learn about all that we offer! Can’t wait to help you tie the knot!
TheGlamourRanch@gmail.com | 320-428-4656
Party Time Rental Inc.
From wedding canopies to tables and chairs for rent, Party Time Rental takes pride in being your total rental resource for all special events in and around the Brainerd Lakes area. We can provide tables and chairs, bounce houses, canopies and endless other party equipment to make your wedding, reunion, birthday party, corporate event or any gathering a truly fun and memorable celebration.
rent@partytimerentalmn.com 218-829-6300
MN Traders Co
We believe in the power of coming together – whether it’s over a perfectly crafted latte, a shared bottle of wine, an intimate event or a brainstorming session in our openair co-working spaces. We are focused on local, curated, intentional experiences and high quality offerings in food/beverage and beyond. We are immersed in our local community and are honored by the support of those far and near.
info@mntradersco.com | mntradersco.com | 218-568-1071
Full service vacation rentals in the Brainerd Lakes Area + beyond. Exceptional properties. Curated experiences. Lifelong memories.
david@bookthebla.com | 218-760-9176
Located in Nisswa, Minnesota, Emily Kaye Bridal Boutique helps you find your perfect look for your wedding day. From bridal gown shopping, to tuxedo rental and alterations inhouse it will be your one-stop shop to feel beautiful on your big day.
*Dress is by designer Rachel Rose info.emilykayebridal@gmail.com 218-330-7687
Emily Kaye Bridal Boutique
How to: Make your wedding unique to you
Where did you two first meet?
tip: consider getting married here
Where was your first date?
tip: host your rehearsal dinner at the same restaurant
What did you eat during your first date?
tip: re-create this meal for your wedding menu
You’re at the grocery store and on a whim you decide to get your fiancé/fiancée a surprise treat – what would the treat be?
tip: assemble a welcome box for your out-of-town guests and include this treat inside
What is your favorite cocktail? What is your fiancé's/fiancée's favorite cocktail?
tip: make these your signature craft cocktails for social hour
What is your favorite late-night snack?
tip: have it brought in for a late-night snack at your reception
What is your favorite thing to do together?
tip: consider basing your engagement photo shoot around this activity
What is your favorite band?
tip: choose one of their songs as your first dance! Think outside the box – not all first dances have to be “traditional.”
What is your favorite food?
tip: build your wedding menu around this
Do you have a favorite hot sauce or condiment that you put on everything?
tip: put a bottle at each table for your guests to enjoy
What is one of your favorite vacation memories?
tip: incorporate a taste of that into your reception
Did you and your fiancé/fiancée write love letters to each other?
tip: pull from those letters and write your own vows or have excerpts included in your programs
Do you and your fiancé/fiancée have a catchphrase or funny thing you say to each other all the time?
tip: include it on custom cocktail napkins that you can use during cocktail hour and at your cake table
Do you and your fiancé/fiancée travel together?
tip: instead of using numbers, think about naming the tables after places you’ve traveled to together or that have special meaning to you
What are your favorite sweet treats?
tip: eat dessert first! It’s your wedding – you can do what you want!
Do you and your fiancé/fiancée have a pet?
tip: include your furry friend in your big day, at least in some photos!
Who is a friend or family member who has had a big impact on your relationship? tip: ask them to officiate your wedding
Adventure Elopements
Why Planning a Two-Day Elopement Is So Awesome
By NARROWLEAF PHOTOGRAPHY
Elopements are intimate, intentional and freakin’ EPIC!
They are absolutely NOT about running away from family and eloping in a shameful or selfish way. Quite the opposite, actually.
Often elopements have guests too! They are just smaller, more intimate celebrations that bring a wedding day back to simply you and your partner celebrating a commitment to each other in a way that 100% reflects YOUR relationship. It is a celebration of two people, versus two people hosting a ballroom full of guests.
We love when couples plan an epic two-day elopement experience, and we’re here to tell you why you should too!
You can fully immerse yourself in the experience. When you choose to plan a two-day elopement, you have a much better chance of fully experiencing the place you are eloping in. If you have a long list of things you want to do and places you want to see on your wedding day, traveling from place to place takes time, whether you are on foot or in a vehicle. Not to mention that if you want really epic photographic images to go with your truly badass day, you are going to want to plan all your “important stuff” (i.e., ceremony, portraits of the couple, favorite activities) for either sunrise or sunset, to take advantage of the best light. While I can easily photograph at any time of the day and produce high-quality images, there really is no comparison to good-quality lighting — it sets the mood of an image. If it’s a super-clear sunrise with huge rays backlighting you, the images will feel warm, romantic and bright. So having two days to plan around can make doing all the things in the best lighting much more plausible without having to literally get up before the sun rises and end your coverage after the sun sets.
You get to have a totally chill experience, with ample time to slow down, soak it all in and truly enjoy your day.
Plus do all the cool stuff you wanna do! Trust me, you are going to want to give yourselves time to process and feel every moment instead of cramming all the things into one huge itinerary — I mean, a major benefit of eloping is that you don’t have to stress or follow a specific timeline, right? Breaking it all up over two days is the perfect solution.
You have an easy badweather backup plan.
Anyone who plans an outdoor event knows one of the biggest questions is “What will we do if it rains or storms and we can’t safely be outdoors?” If the original plan was holding the ceremony on day one and the climbing adventure on day two, and there is a safety warning for day one, we can flipflop them and do the ceremony on day two, with day one being the adventure, and then switch gears to either indoor climbing instead or something completely different, like a stormy sightseeing adventure.
You don’t have to compromise on adventure. Say you want to have some family and friends support you while you say your vows to each other. Maybe you need something easily accessible for your grandparents, but you also really want to hike somewhere secluded with a 360-degree view of mountains. Oh, and you really want to kayak in your wedding clothes on an alpine lake. This is all absolutely possible! You can do day one with your family in a beautiful setting that’s accessible to everyone. Then day two is all about the two of you on your first big adventure as a married couple! There’s no need to give up the adventure when you have two days.
You get to choose your adventure.
What if you are having no guests? What do you do then? Now the true adventure planning begins. You could do a full two-day glacier trek/climbing adventure with a guide, camping out on the ice. Or a two-day backpacking adventure somewhere deep in the wilderness to a spot that feels completely yours. Or even day one is your wedding celebration and day two is your honeymoon adventure! The possibilities are truly endless.
Inspiration for planning your next elopement adventure
Montana
Alaska Utah
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Colorado
Check out these activities to level up your wedding day experience!
Hiking
Backpacking
Kayaking
Canoeing
Paddle boarding
Pack rafting
Whitewater rafting
Climbing
Ice climbing
Glacier trekking
Snowshoeing
Skiing
Snowboarding
Hot-air ballooning
Heli hike + tour
Jeep, ATV, UTV tour
Biking
Camping
Bonfire
Hot springs
Sightseeing
Cliff jumping
Swimming
Fishing
Train
Chair lift
Boat excursion
Hammock hang
Stargazing
Horseback riding
Picnicking
Guided tour
When you’re planning engagement photos, deciding what kind of images you want can feel overwhelming. I encourage you to find a photographer who is genuine about wanting to capture you. The real you, not just the posed version.
Meet my clients Connor and Sydney. I’ve known Sydney for a long time, and she exudes fun. She’s always up for an adventure, goes along with crazy ideas and laughs the whole time she does it.
Every three months, I offer a limited number of adventure sessions, and Sydney and Connor got this one. They chose it because they felt it exhibited part of their relationship and who they are. I love capturing the kinds of images that make you stop and stare, that make you want to go do the thing you’re seeing in the picture. I especially love shooting in and around water. There’s something so whimsical, fun and timeless about it.
XO, Anna Marum Photography
A shared Love of Nature
One of our favorite parts of our wedding day was the five minutes our photographer left us alone in the middle of the woods to enjoy a moment with each other in nature. This is because exploring nature together has been the heartbeat of our relationship from the beginning. Robb and I met less than a month before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We spent the first year of our relationship checking out state parks in Minnesota and bonding over our shared love of nature — mostly because we love that kind of thing, but partially because there was nothing else we could do!
Our first date was a winter hike at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, so it only felt right that Robb proposed on a crisp fall day at another state park — Savanna Portage. This is what inspired our table assignment paintings. Each painting/table was based on a state park we had explored together during our relationship. It was important to us that our closest family and friends could
enjoy those personal touches on our wedding day. We wanted to provide our guests with a unique wedding favor, so Robb compiled a list of our all-time favorite hikes, along with short descriptions. I can’t wait to hear what our family and friends think of these beautiful places we have recommended!
Our dog, Diggity, has happily joined us on all of our outdoor adventures, so it only felt right that she would be our flower girl. She was on her best behavior during our ceremony and even joined us during our grand entrance into our reception! She was also featured on top of the charming coconut wedding cake my mom lovingly baked from scratch. Robb’s favorite toys as a child were Playmobils, so my mom and I surprised him with doppelganger cake toppers! I painted some distinctive details on the figurines so that they mirrored us on our big day.
My engagement and wedding ring is a gold band cast from a dainty twig. To me, it symbolizes the simplicity and inherent beauty of
story
the love
VENUE the
nature — which was the foundation of our love for each other. Robb and I chose to have our reception at Camp Fire Minnesota, a place where he had many fond memories as a child. This sweet camp is tucked into the woods on a beautiful lake, and it embodies the vibe we dreamed of — warm and welcoming. Our loved ones walked the winding paths and enjoyed exploring the woods around the main lodge in the afternoon sunlight. Tall stone fireplaces, cheerful hanging lights and cozy little cabins surrounded our guests on the gorgeous autumn evening.
Our hand-painted invitations and wedding program: I have always loved watercolor painting, so when Robb and I visited our venue for the first time, the adorable little camper cabins sparked an idea! I thought it would be fun to paint one
on our wedding invitations so that our guests could get a feel for the rustic and earthy atmosphere they would experience on our wedding day. It took several attempts, but the final product is something I am really proud of and enjoyed creating. I want other brides to follow their creative compass and put their own spin on wedding day details, whether it be their signage, invitations, program or favors. Your guests will appreciate the personal touches and your wedding will be one to remember!
The process of painting and handwriting our wedding program was one of my favorite aspects of planning our wedding. I chose to paint a picture of our fuzzy four-legged flower girl, Diggity, on the bottom of the program. It was so much fun making it exactly how I had envisioned it!
PHOTOGRAPHY Devin Hill (Super Cooper Media) | VENUE Camp Fire Minnesota
CAMPER PHOTO BOOTH
Northerly
Photo Booth | DRESS Flutter Bridal Co.
HAIR Joy Beauty Company
MAKEUP Bree Weller (Pre’mo Salon, St. Paul) & Miranda Jo Simmons
FLORIST A Gift to Gab
COUPLE Maria & Robb Papas
PIPER BEN &
Ben and Piper are the modern love story. They meet on Hinge in 2019 and through a series of intense family events on both sides ended up quarantining together. The more time they spent together, the more in love they fell. It was a whirlwind of adventure and chaos from the jump — graduate school for Ben, launched two businesses as a team and continue to expand them, moved across the country to start making wine in Oregon. Through all the trials and tribulations that come with big life changes, they grew more and more in love, finding balance and strength through their relationship. They saw that adversity only made them more committed and more in love.
What was the moment you knew you loved him/her?
Piper: I fell in love with him over and over. But the day I knew he was the one was on our first bike ride a few months into us hanging out. We ended up riding farther and longer than I had ever ridden because we were enjoying each other’s company. The time flew by!
Ben: It was literally the first time I saw her at a bar in Park City, Utah. I will remember every detail of that night for the rest of my life.
How did you know he/she was the one for you?
Piper: When he decided to fully quarantine away from his friends and family at the beginning of the pandemic to be with my family when my family was going through some health issues. He was willing to do whatever it took to be there for me and support me.
Ben: I knew right away, but it was solidified when she cared for me after I broke my leg in a gnarly mountain-biking accident early in our relationship. She dropped everything to care for me!
What is your best marriage advice that you’ve learned or received so far?
Piper: “Always celebrate each other and never forget the feeling on the day of your wedding.”
Ben: “Say I love you every day!”
Please describe any special traditions incorporated into the wedding.
Piper arrived at the wedding in a 1925 Goodhew Hawkins 33-foot laker wooden boat that was built on the shores of, and lived in the Walgreen family camp on, Lake Winnipesaukee. When it joined the Underbrink family, it was renamed Genevieve after my late grandmother. It was a tribute to Grandma Pauline for the bride to ride in her namesake boat with her father to the wedding. And the dock was the aisle!
Please describe any other special touches, details or decor of interest?
The reception/dinner was held in the family boathouse surrounded by antique restored boats from various decades. The band that played was originally founded by Piper’s mother in 1984 in Minneapolis and she sang the bride and groom’s first dance song, as well as the song for the father/daughter dance.
What was your favorite wedding day memory?
Piper: I think the best part for me was twofold: 1. The vows and, honestly, the entire ceremony. The boat ride, the dress, seeing my husband and hearing the vows all finished with a horn band playing songs from the hilltop by the lake. It was surreal to have my favorite people in my favorite place! Also, having my mother sing my father/daughter dance song was a memory I will cherish forever.
Ben: For me it was seeing Piper come up on the boat and hearing everyone cheer for her.
What did you learn from planning your wedding?
Piper: That everyone will have fun no matter what. I also learned after the wedding that taking special care with the seating chart really makes a difference. People were so thankful for sitting next to new people that they had things in common with. It was so fun to see new friendships grow!
Ben: That you can really pack a lot into a short weekend; we are capable of more than we thought.
What is your best advice for other brides and grooms who are planning their weddings?
Get a killer wedding planner. It is worth everything to have someone who is the point person. They are the best for organizing and communicating with all the vendors, as well as managing people on the day. This is critical so that the bride and groom can enjoy and focus on each other. Kendra Johnson was instrumental in creating the best experience and transforming a garage into a wedding fairytale land. Plus, they are experts in not only management but also the ins and outs of things you tend to forget. For example, tipping (how much, when, etc.), flow of the event, timing and the small tasks (gifting, outfit changes, etc.). They also know everyone in their area. If you choose to get married somewhere you don’t live, they can meet with all the vendors and make sure they understand the assignment and have access to the venue.
BRIDAL GOWN DESIGNER Dana Harel | BRIDAL GOWN SHOP LOHO Bride
DÉCOR AND STYLING
PHOTOGRAPHER Sarah Heath Photography
Love woods in the
the love
story
Victor is truly my perfect complement because he’s very grounded — very practical and caring, whereas I’m totally a head-in-the-clouds-dreamer sort of person. I lift him up and he keeps my feet on the ground. Even our “how we met” story rings true to our personalities.
I had just quit my engineering job and moved up to Birchwood Wilderness Camp, which my family had owned since 1968, to figure out my next move in life. Summer camp was in session, and I was just about to go to bed one night, when I noticed a giant wolf spider on the wall of my cabin. Now, I’m not the sort of person to kill a spider, but I also was a little nervous about ushering the furry creature outside.
What’s a girl to do? I marched down to the staff lounge to see if anyone would help me. And what do you know, Victor Pilon jumped to his feet and came back to my cabin with that grounded and confident energy I love so much! He grabbed a stick and asked if I had a book or piece of paper he could use. I said, “What the heck are you gonna do with a stick and paper? Don’t you need a jar?”
He taught me that wolf spiders freeze up if you can tip them on their back. He used the stick to flip the spider on the paper and, wouldn’t you know it, that spider was frozen on his back! No chance of an escape into my laundry basket. All Victor had to do was escort him outside and set him on his feet.
With a smile, I thanked him for his bravery and educational spider lesson as he tripped down my stairs, then walked back up them to apologize for falling down my stairs. What a cutie. We fell head over heels for each other that fall in the Boundary Waters.
Now, three years later, we’re married and we own Birchwood Wilderness Camp with my father, Dan. Victor and I live there year-round in our tiny cabin. He still removes the wolf spiders for me.
details the
From very early on in our relationship, Victor and I had planned on running off to the woods to get married, just us two and the necessary people to perform the ceremony. Place is very important to me and I couldn’t imagine any place where I’d want to have a ceremony, beyond an elopement situation. That’s how I felt up until we built the yoga deck here at Birchwood. We knew from the moment we started building that it would be a very special place, and shortly after we finished construction it snapped into focus — this was THE place! And so we started making plans for a very small ceremony in our favorite boreal forest where we met, on the structure we had built together, beside the river we both knew was home. And that’s how the rest of the wedding planning went — we just allowed it to fall into place in its own time. No force, just finesse.
The dress I ordered, never having tried it on or seeing it in person, but knowing that it was the one. The menu was a creation by my beautiful and talented friend Jaclyn on a hike with our dogs. The decor was lovingly gathered in thrift shops by my mother-in-law, Pam. Our beautiful photographer, Emily Theisen, had elected herself as soon as Victor and I got engaged. Invitations were
crafted in the form of one-on-one conversations. Both my wedding band and Victor’s were made using the gold and diamonds from the bands my father gave my mother many years ago. She passed away in 2013 and was deeply missed on this particular day that we used to dream about together when I was a girl. This was my way to honor her not just on that day but every day after. And then when the day came, our favorite people gathered in the remote wilderness to help us prepare the space with the most loving intentions, support us as we exchanged vows, and celebrate with us into the night and through brunch the next morning.
Our officiant, Sebastian (we know him by his camp nickname, Nemo), is a really special friend who has known us since the beginning. Sebastian has been traveling from Colombia to be a counselor at Birchwood for many summers. He has known us individually and together, but most importantly he shares our love for Birchwood, making him perfect for the job. He even threw our camp nicknames, Stryde and Penny, into his speech once or twice. Now that Nemo is ordained, he insists we change his nickname to “Padre Nemo.”
PHOTOGRAPHY Emily Theisen of Lite Creatives | CINEMATOGRAPHY Colin Gregory of Sinclair Collective | VENUE Birchwood Wilderness Camp
BRIDAL GOWN SHOP Bridal Accents Couture | BRIDAL GOWN DESIGNER Justin Alexander
BRIDAL ACCESSORIES Veil by Noon on the Moon, Pearl bracelet by Coach, Shoes by Blundstone | RINGS Britta Kauppila
FOOD Poplar Haus — Custom menu by head chef Jaclyn Rae Von | CAKE/DESSERT Jaclyn Rae Von | BRUNCH Gunflint Lodge
DECOR Pam Pilon, mother of the groom | ACCOMMODATIONS Birchwood Wilderness Camp, Voyageur Canoe Outfitters, Gunflint Lodge
something old, something new something borrowed, something
blue
Personally, one of the most special details of the day was one that wasn’t on my radar at all. It was the 10 minutes right before the ceremony as my girlfriends helped me button up my dress and clasp my bracelet. They asked me if I had something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. As if rehearsed, I pulled the old white handkerchief dotted with blue embroidery out of the pocket in my gown — something old and something blue, check and check! The bracelet that Elle had just clasped around my wrist was my something new, check … oh no, I had forgotten something borrowed. As if on cue, Heather handed me her necklace. I held it in my hand, running my finger over the letters spelling out her daughter’s name, Piper, in bold letters. She said to put it in my other pocket and use it as my something borrowed. I’m sure she doesn’t realize how sentimental I found that to be, but it felt like 15 years of friendship had wrapped itself in one moment, supporting me on a very big day.
vows the
I take you as you are, loving who you are.
I promise from this day forward to be grateful for our love and our life;
To be generous with my time, my energy and my affection;
To be patient with you and with myself;
To fill our life with adventure and our home with laughter;
To inspire you to grow as an individual;
To love you completely.
These things I pledge to you.
memories the
The memory I’ll hold onto forever is a feeling as much as it is a visual memory. It’s the feeling of being surrounded by people I love, both those there in person and those in spirit, in the place I love most, hand in hand with Victor as he vowed to always bring adventure into our lives and laughter into our home. I have never been so overwhelmed and humbled by the quality of love engulfing our lives together.
honeymoon the
Victor and I went on a two-week Italian honeymoon with a little time spent in Paris as well. We visited Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, Portofino, Genoa and Milan. Of all the places we visited, it comes as no surprise that we most loved the rugged little villages of Cinque Terre. These quiet seaside towns swept us off our feet with their pistachio gelato, renowned white wine, delicious seafood pasta and breathtaking views of the Ligurian Sea. We spent our evenings slow-dancing in the moonlight on our seaside balcony, mornings sipping cappuccinos in the town square, and days soaking in the sun and sea. ♡
TAMMY AARON & a love story
Tammy: “Aaron and I met in math class at North Dakota State University our freshman year in 2008. We started dating shortly after New Year’s in 2009. We cheered for the Bison at football games, ran a couple of half marathons together and helped each other navigate undergrad. Just prior to our senior year of college, we went our separate ways when I moved to Minneapolis for an internship and Aaron stayed in Fargo, pursuing pharmacy school.
“About three years laters, we met up again in spring 2014 after I finished physician assistant school and moved back to Minnesota. When we got back together, I knew he was the one. We spent two years in a long-distance relationship between Duluth and Stillwater prior to moving across the country to Portland, Maine, in 2016. Our love grew over cooking at ‘Aaron’s Place’ (the nickname of our unofficial in-home underground restaurant), hiking in the Appalachian Mountains and sailing in Casco Bay of Maine. It was fitting for our wedding to be set on a hiking trail on the shore of Lake Superior when we spent so much time chasing sunsets on the beaches in Maine.”
Tammy and Aaron had always wanted a small outdoor wedding, so the restrictions set in place due to COVID-19 weren’t really issues to them at all.
PHOTOGRAPHY Kellie Rae Studio | CINEMATOGRAPHY Jasper Meddock Productions | VENUE The Mayhew Inn | FLOWERS Afloral | BRIDAL GOWN SHOP BHLDN
BRIDAL GOWN DESIGNER Jenny by Jenny Yoo | BRIDE’S EARRINGS JR Designs LLC | GROOM’S ATTIRE Suitsupply | RINGS Continental Diamond FOOD James and Christy Marshall of Double D’s Catering | LIQUOR Cold River vodka (wild blueberry vodka from Portland, Maine); wine (Total Wine); local MN beer
RENTALS Trailer from McDowall Company, St. Cloud, MN | INVITATIONS Botanical Paperworks | BAND/DJ Bump, local Grand Marais musician | ACCOMMODATIONS The Mayhew Inn
Tammy: “Lake Superior and the beauty of northern Minnesota is always so enchanting and beautiful. We have traveled there to ski and camp many times, and we scoped out a part of Lake Superior on the Superior Hiking Trail that was perfect for our ceremony and family time on the beach.
“Part of my vows included just some of the reasons I love, and will continue to love, Aaron:
You bring me joy and put a smile on my face when I wake up in the morning.
You make me laugh with your witty jokes. You almost never say no to my many, many ideas. You aren’t afraid to set out on an adventure with me. You support me on my never-ending, always-changing journey to achieve my goals.
You sit with me and listen when I’m having a bad day. You show me kindness, compassion and respect. I am home when I’m with you.
“I truly am at home when I’m with Aaron, and the comfort he brings me is calming.”
When planning their wedding at a relatively remote location, they knew they were going to have to think outside the box to get it done. Luckily for them, that’s something Tammy and Aaron have been doing for their entire relationship.
Aaron: “One of the things that make our relationship and wedding so special for me is Tammy’s relentless pursuit
of doing things our way. I included a line in my vows that said, ‘We have never been a fan of manufactured happiness, or manufactured love, and we get to do things our way, sampling little intricacies of life along the way.’ The concept here is that we don’t need other people to tell us how to feel or how we’re supposed to express our love together. We don’t need a Disney fairy tale, rom-com, Instagram version of love. We do things on our own terms.”
Tammy: “There were many elements of our day that we did ourselves, or had family contribute. We had homemade beer and cider, family musicians, trivia, homemade açaí bowls, repurposed windows for signs, handmade benches and arbor. We had dried flower arrangements that I created and that now decorate our home.”
Keeping things simple allowed them to focus on spending time with the people who mattered most to them, in a place that held special meaning to them.
Aaron: “We have our own way of trying things that fit for us, and that is why so many details of our wedding were DIY. Obviously, we had to accommodate our unique setting that forced us to think outside the box. But it was also an opportunity to focus on what was really important to our day. Sometimes it is easy to be lost in meaningless details that ultimately can be a source of stress. We eliminated much of those ‘that’s just what you do’ tasks, thereby removing stress, mistakes and frustrations. For me, this is one resounding feature of our relationship, our wedding, and something that makes our day so special.” ♡
WHITNEY HEIDI & a love story
Heidi: “I grew up in a small town in westcentral Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities for college. I had been accepted as a walk-on on the Gopher softball team, and after a few years of playing, I had the pleasure of meeting Whitney when she joined our team before my senior year. We met late summer of 2009 when I was hanging at my teammate’s apartment. We were waiting for the arrival of the ‘new transfer’ who would be living with them for the year. I will never forget the first day we met; I knew there was something special about her, even before we met, because her name on the ‘new players’ list always stuck out to me. It was definitely a sign.”
Whitney: “We immediately clicked — on and off the field — and I found myself always wanting to be around her. The more time we spent together, the more I started to realize my feelings were more than just friends. By the end of that first semester, I knew I wanted to date her. She was kind, compassionate, funny and athletic, and shared similar interests as me — and I could tell
that our values and morals aligned, which was important to me. We spent a lot of time together that semester — and I vividly remember her driving me to the airport to go home to California for Christmas break. I was hoping she’d FINALLY make a move and just kiss me already … she didn’t. I told her she was a chicken — she told me I could have made the first move. But we went on to spend all Christmas break talking to each other, and by the end of the next semester, we were officially dating. Heidi hates this, but I practically forced her to properly ask me out. She was so cute and actually planned a date for us and ‘officially’ asked me out on May 16, 2010.
“I’d like to say the rest is history, but life changes when you get out of college. After I finished graduate school in May 2011, I accepted a job with PepsiCo and had to move to Southern California. By this time, I was already in love with her, so it was excruciating to move across the country and be apart. We tried long distance for 10 months and it really took a toll on me. I knew I couldn’t leave California at that time if I wanted to continue building my career, but it was also creating a lot of tension in our relationship. I knew something had to change. I didn’t want
to make Heidi choose between me and her life in Minnesota, so as much as I didn’t want to, I told her we should break up.”
Heidi: “This is the moment I knew I absolutely loved her and I was going to do whatever it took to keep us going. I quit my job, got another job set up in California, packed my tiny car and drove 30 hours across the country to be with her and save what we had created. She was my person and I could not let distance destroy what we had.”
Whitney: “For the next four or so years, she took different jobs in Southern California and Chicago to support me in building my career. I was in a rotational program where I had to move based on where the opportunities were for the first four to five years, so we had agreed that once I finished that program, I’d do what I could to move us back to Minnesota so she could pursue her lifelong dream of going to nursing school. Thankfully, in 2015, that happened: I secured a job in Minnesota that allowed me to move us back and support her.
“Throughout the years, Heidi and I have been able to experience so many incredible things together:
We’ve traveled the world together (and can’t wait to continue doing so, hopefully soon!). We’ve purchased our first and second homes together We’ve navigated cross-country moves, new degrees and several job changes. We’ve celebrated big moments — and we’ve been there for each other in times of sorrow. We’ve grown our family by adding our two dogs, Fozzie and Fletcher. We’ve made new friends and experienced the loss of old friends
“But through all of these life events, one thing has remained consistent — and that’s that Heidi and I remain a team. We don’t always agree — we fight just like the next couple — but we love each other deeply and we genuinely want to support each other’s dreams. To this day, seeing Heidi graduate with her nursing degree is one of my happiest moments — because it was a moment where she achieved a dream, and I got to support her in that endeavor and be a part of her journey.”
PHOTOGRAPHY Emily Theisen of Lite Creatives | MINI RECEPTION VENUE Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery FLORIST MinneSola Designs | WHITNEY’S DRESS BHLDN | HEIDI’S SUIT Indochino | RINGS Brilliant Earth | CAKE/DESSERT Dorothy Ann Bakery
HAIR SM Hair & Makeup (Megan) | MAKEUP SM Hair & Makeup (Sarah) | BUS Renee’s Limousines
After nearly 10 years together, Heidi asked Whitney to marry her and their wedding planning commenced.
Whitney: “I’ll never forget our wedding this past year — it was not what we planned, but it ended up being exactly what we needed.”
Heidi: “We originally had planned for a wedding at a local venue in Minnesota, but when the pandemic hit and we realized a lot of our family, including Whitney’s parents, would not be able to travel in, we opted to postpone our full wedding and reception to 2021. Because we had already planned to get married on 10/10/20, we pivoted to plan a small wedding with a few of our close friends and some of our bridal party who were local. 2020 was our 10th year together, so we loved the concept of getting married on 10/10 during our 10th year together!”
They hosted their small wedding in the beautiful scenic backyard of their new home, hand-making their wedding arch and many other décor elements.
Heidi: “It was a beautiful ceremony led by our good friend Justin. The weather was absolutely perfect (I mean, who doesn’t want 70s and sunny with no wind on their wedding day?).
After our ceremony, we had a light lunch and then took our small group to a local winery/ brewery. We had dinner and drinks there, and just hung out outside for the rest of the evening. At the end of the night, we all took the transportation back to our house (rocked out to music the whole way back), and hung out at our house for the rest of the night.
“Considering we finalized the entire day just two weeks before our wedding, we are still amazed with how perfectly it turned out. It was intimate and special — and we were elated to share in the moment at that time. Especially after all the stress of replanning and adjusting, it felt great to just relax and enjoy each other in the company of some of our closest friends.” ♡
SETTING
UP YOUR RECEPTION WITH A
CRAFTED cocktail
BY TATTERSALL DISTILLING
Beer and wine are fine, but if you want to take your reception to the next level, it’s all about the signature craft cocktail. At Tattersall, we’ve developed a wide range of wedding cocktails with flavor and flair your guests won’t forget. And with a little planning, they won’t break the bank. Here are a few tips to get you started.
THE PERFECT PAIR
Choose two drinks, one for you and one for your groom or bride. That way, you can showcase your unique styles and give your guests options.
IT'S ALL IN A NAME
Get creative with the drink names or stick with the originals. Pro tip: either way, make a sign that lists the ingredients so your guests know what to expect.
SHOWCASE THE SEASON
Have at least one option that reflects the temp — think refreshing in summer, warmer in winter. And adding a seasonal ingredient or garnish always goes a long way.
THE FUN PART: TASTE TESTING
Here are two of our go-to wedding drinks that work well together or on their own. They can also be batched ahead of time to make it easier on the bartenders at your reception.
OLD FASHIONED
2 oz. Tattersall Rye
1/4 oz. Tattersall Sour Cherry
1/4 oz. Tattersall Orange Crema
1/4 oz. Simple Syrup (or Maple Syrup)
4 dashes Angostura Bitters
Stir all ingredients with ice until well chilled. Strain into a lowball over fresh ice. Garnish with an expressed orange peel.
FRENCH QUARTER
2 oz. Tattersall Gin
1/2 oz. Tattersall Crème de Fleur
1/2 oz. Lemon Juice - Strained
1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
2 oz. Chilled Sparkling Wine
Shake all ingredients, except sparkling wine, with ice. Strain into a coupe glass. Top with sparkling wine right before it’s served. Garnish with a lemon twist.
CHEERS!
Here’s to making your best day even better with all-natural cocktails you and your guests will love.
Note: To make a larger batch ahead of time, add ¼ oz. of water to the list of ingredients above (to account for dilution from shaking or stirring) and then convert ounces to cups or gallons. Chill the larger batch ahead of time and pour directly over ice.
Palisade Head, MN. Headland on the North Shore of Lake Superior.
North Shore Adventure Park, Silver Bay MN. Zip Lines and Ropes Course for your best adventure yet.
PHOTOGRAPHER Judd Sather | VENUE Grand Superior Lodge | VENUE Larsmont Cottages | ACTIVITY North Shore Adventure Park
LOOKOUT LOCATIONS Black Beach + Palisade Head | HAIR AND MAKE-UP Just Cuz Beauty Boutique