Ben + Laurel | Minneapolis Wedding Photography
It's no secret, I love being a destination wedding photographer. And, what many people don't realize, is destination weddings don't need to be out of the country, or in an exotic place. Honestly, destination weddings can be in your own backyard, or simply out of my own, ha! When Ben and Laurel asked me to shoot their wedding at the Millennium Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota, I was thrilled to head up north and capture their moments for them! From surprise video homages to Laurel from her favorite band, to rocking the night away in Millennium Hotel's gorgeous glass ballroom, Ben + Laurel's wedding was one to remember.
Ben + Laurel's wedding was a fantastic one, and full of memorable moments that began even before the wedding. Laurel's brother, Nate, flew all the way home from Vietnam for the first time in five years to attend the wedding, and it was the first time he and Ben had met in person! And while it was wonderful to have Nate with them, Ben + Laurel made sure to take some time during the reception to FaceTime with other loved ones unable to attend the wedding. It was so wonderful to see them so connected to the people they loved the most, and even more fantastic to see how loved they are by so many.
Beyond that, the Twin Cities is a place near and dear to my heart, because of attending college in St. Paul, which is actually where I met Laurel! Another amazing thing about the Twin Cities is its' music scene, and one of Laurel's favorite bands, Hanson, has played at one of the premier places many legends have played, including Prince, which is First Avenue. When we did pre-wedding photos together, we made sure to incorporate First Ave into those images, so coming back for their wedding, one of Laurel's friends gave one of the best gifts possible -- better than running by First Ave for photos -- she actually connected with Zac Hanson, and surprised Laurel with a personal video message from him for her wedding day!
From start to finish, Ben + Laurel had a stunning wedding day, surrounded by those they loved, and even by those who were unable to attend the wedding physically! It was a joy to see them start their journey together, and an honor to be able to document it for them. Ben + Laurel, thanks for entrusting your day with me. I hope the images are ones you'll cherish for a lifetime.
