Ellie + Nick | NP Event Space Wedding

ELLIE + NICK

Brainerd, Minnesota | Venue (Ceremony and Reception) – The NP Event Space

Ellie and Nick had a wedding straight out of my real life dreams - for real - pretty sure this is exactly what is in my head while I sleep.  (:  The fall created for a natural backdrop to accent the lovely tones of blush, greens, mauve and peach mixed with traditional fall colors.  And the flow of Ellie's BHLDN dress and adorable Minnetonka Moccasins?  SWOON.  I could go on and on from the graphics to Nintendo set up in the lounge to Ellie's crazy cool tatoo to Bloom Designs floral to the extensive selection of unique pieces from Farmhouse Foundry to the loving, constant gazes from Nick to Ellie - so many magical wedding moments.Vendor Team:Venue – The NP Event Space | Photography – Aimee Jobe Photography | Planning – Bre is Fun | Floral and Design – Bloom Designs | Lounge Furniture, Tables, Chairs, Moonbeam Arch, Mantle – Farmhouse Foundry | Wedding Cake – Glam Doll Donuts | Catering – Prairie BayWant to see more? Enjoy the slideshow of highlights below!

Shannon + Shawn | Quarterdeck Wedding Photography

SHANNON + SHAWN

Brainerd, Minnesota | Venue (Ceremony and Reception) – Quarterdeck Resort

Shannon and Shawn's gorgeous Quarterdeck Resort wedding was planned perfectly by Kate, owner of Bloom Designs.  A backdrop set with the perfect mix of water, woods and lake and boat details - it was a stunning wedding day surrounded by their closest family and friends (even if it was swelteringly out!).  The colors Shannon chose for Kate to incorporate through the floral were so bright and happy - the perfect accent to the nautical background of the Boathouse reception and outside ceremony lake backdrop.  And how cool is the wood boat that they took a glorious ride on after they said I do while all their wedding guests watched?  Congratulations Shannon and Shawn on a beautiful marriage!Vendor Team:Venue – Quarterdeck Resort| Photography – Aimee Jobe Photography | Planning, Floral and Design – Bloom Designs | Bar, Linens, Vineyard Chairs, Glassware Rentals – Farmhouse Foundry | Catering – Prairie BayWant to see more?  Enjoy the slideshow of highlights below!

Katie + Joe | Luminary Fern Brainerd Wedding

KATIE + JOE

Brainerd, Minnesota | Venue (Ceremony and Reception) - Luminary Fern

Katie and Joe planned their wedding from the East Coast (her first tour was via facetime!) and finally seeing it all come together was incredible.  With the help of Katie's mom (thanks Laura!) and Kate with Bloom Designs - the creation of the overall wedding look was a true mix of personality and personal taste and it all came together perfectly.  The end product was something off the pages of a sweet wedding magazine with the gorgeous floral by Bloom Designs and the decor found and handpicked across multiple states by Katie, her mom and her family.  There is something about the flower colors mixed with the fall tones of our property and Katie and Joe's sweet smiles that keep me coming back to their images again and again.  Enjoy!Vendor Team:Venue - Luminary Fern | Photography - Aimee Jobe Photography [photographed by Associates Garrett and Jen] | Floral and Design - Bloom Designs | Furniture, Tables, Chairs, Flatware Rental - Farmhouse Foundry | Glassware, Plates, Decor - Bride | Catering - Black Woods CateringWant to see more?  Enjoy the slideshow of highlights below!

Cassy + Ryan | Brainerd Engagement Photography

CASSY + RYAN

Brainerd, Minnesota | 2019 Venue (Ceremony and Reception) – Luminary Fern

Due to the weather it took us a few reschedules for Cassy and Ryan's engagement session, but boy oh boy did we get a beautiful fall day when it finally worked out! We used my studio at Northern Pacific Center as our base camp (which I typically do on portrait days) and spent time utilizing the unique backgrounds and surround area. I loved photographing these two - they are super sweet and so excited for their wedding in Luminary Fern in fall 2019!

Jessica + Anthony | Brainerd Wedding at Luminary Fern

Jessica and Anthony's September wedding at Luminary Fern was simply stunning and truly elegant - a perfect match to their sweet personalities. The day ran smoothly with Kate of Bloom Designs at the helm for planning, design and decor - I am still so in love with the dahlias and deep tones set against the white walls for a perfect fall palette! We had set extra time aside for portraits and I absolutely love the variety with both indoor and outdoor backgrounds. Jessica was so gorgeous in her Katie May gown and her and Anthony's connection truly shined all day. Enjoy!

Brainerd Family Photography Portrait Session

There is nothing I love more than photographing a previous wedding couple once they have a sweet little family. Anne and Cory were married in a colorful and perfectly intimate sized wedding in my studio in 2015 and now they have an adorable little guy. He gave me quite the run for my money trying to catch a few smiles, but I love how they turned out.  (:

Bella + Mike | NP Event Space

Bella and Mike were so sweet on their wedding day (even with it being like 1000 degrees and almost unbearably humid!).  Early on I declared Bella the best bride award as she had custom made cookies of the Northern Pacific logo [yes, FOR REAL!]!  Their wedding was full of so many thought out details and Bella did an unbelievable job with the decor thoughout The NP Event Space.  My favorite details of the day were with the bride - her gorgeous Vera Wang gown, stunning bouquet by Bloom Designs, cute Kate Spade flats, Mrs. Box, custom cookies and so much more - GAH LOVE!  But most of all it was the sweet and smiling love shared between Bella and Mike that lit up their family and friends all day.  Best wishes you two!  I hope you adore these photos and memories for many years to come!

Staci + Nick | Brainerd Wedding at The NP Event Space and Luminary Fern

Staci and Nick's March wedding was straight out of my dreams.  The classic tones, many of my favorite flowers (you know...peonies, garden roses, dahlias, ranunculus, so many more...), a custom wedding gown by Jude Jowilson from Che Bella and one of the most beaming smiles I have ever seen on one of my brides.  Being that it is March in Minnesota (water, mud, snow, rain...whatever mother nature feels like doing) we used the loft bridal suite, Storehouse and Luminary Fern for most of the portraits.  The bridal party looked stunning with hair by The Fine Line and makeup by Bliss Salon and Boutique.  Kate (the magical Kate!), owner of Bloom Designs, decorated their ceremony in Luminary Fern to the tune of a classic fairytale.  I LOVED the vintage mix and match candlesticks used in the fireplace and on the mantel - so pretty!  After the ceremony guests headed over to The NP Event Space for a delicious dinner by Prairie Bay and dessert buffet by Edible Art Bakery.  Guests danced all night long with music by Electrifying Dynanmics.  All of this was planned and decorated to perfection by Bloom Designs (serioulsy - those flowers...and candles....and linens...and everything gorgeous!).My wedding day favorites - check out that warm sun flare about 3/4 the way down...pretty sure I need more March weddings in my life.  Next fave - the fireplace in Luminary Fern (which was born out of irritation - I didn't like how the wall looked after we drywalled and put up some art so I asked my husband to build me something that looked like a modern fireplace wall) and I am obsessed with how Bloom Designs decorated it.  Head over to the Luminary Fern instagram for more on that story.  ;)  Staci.  Serioulsy - is she not like the prettiest bride you have ever seen?  No doubt.  And last but not least, I love how Storehouse turned out with original blueprints of our campus - the original site of Northern Pacific Railroad - such a cool backdrop for photos!  So many other things I could say, but I think I will let you get to the images...give it a minute to load as there are quite a few photos!  Nick and Staci - thank you so much for choosing me as your photographer and I hope to see you again when you move back to Minnesota! 

Reception Venue – The NP Event Space  //  Ceremony Venue - Luminary Fern //  Dress – Jude Jowilson //  Floral and Design and Planning – Bloom Designs  //  Photographer – Aimee Jobe  //  Dessert – Edible Art Bakery  //  Hair – The Fine Line  //  Makeup – Bliss Salon and Boutique // Invitations – Minted // Second Photographers & Video – Garrett Tetrick and Jen Kalenberg  //  Food – Prairie Bay  //  DJ – Electrifying Dynamics  //  Ceremony Music – Jim Olsen Guitar

Ally + Andrew | Colorful Wedding at The NP Event Space

Ally and Andrew's November wedding was one of my all-time favorites...so vibrant with many personal details and beautiful design!  Everything from Ally's GORGEOUS long-sleeved dress, stunning allover floral, sweet puppies, the ladies getting ready flannels and so much more - they style and details were all so perfect.  Ally and her gals started their morning in the loft bridal suite while the guys enjoyed their time at Roundhouse Brewery.  Their ceremony in Luminary Fern was filled with family, friends and an epic floral installation - so amazing!  After the ceremony guests headed over to NP for an evening filled with fantastic food, music and overall great company.  It was a photographers dream - always so much beautiful natural light enhanced in the evening by the glow of the chandeliers and candles.  The day ran so smoothly with full planning, design and decor by Kate Kuepers of Bloom Designs. [Slideshow with more images at bottom of post as well!] 

Pete Driessen Visual Artist | Brainerd, MN Public Art

Every once in a while magic gets piled on magic.  I like to refer to Northern Pacific Center as Disney World - the happiest place on earth.  There are elements when you are here that can always make your mind and heart happy...like the site has a soul of it's own.And then sometimes someone else not only sees the magic, but spends their own time listening, learning, observing and creating and the result is nothing short of real magic.  When Preston, Ethan and I attended Pete's opening of Trestle Support Systems we were blown away.  Walking through Blacksmith Main for the Trestle Display pretty much constantly cued "this is so awesome!" from Preston and I twenty thousand times.  We spend quite a bit of time in this building and it was transformed with Pete's art.  After viewing the Trestle we continued to the Boiler Shop to view the Railroad Workers and we continued to be in love - overall an incredible experience!After arriving back home Ethan quickly went to his blocks and created both a trestle and railroad workers and proceeded to ask with a very timid voice if he created art like Pete and if it was as good as Pete's to be seen by other people.  It was quite a moment and one that I hope Ethan continues throughout his lifetime.My only regret is that I didn't get a picture of Pete with his art - maybe next time it is displayed will bring that oppurtunity.  ;)Side note - don't judge our stained, painted and worn clothes...it is a real side effect of our love for this place.  :) 

Emily + Patric | Brainerd Wedding at The NP Event Space

Emily and Patric's fall wedding was out of a [very fun] fairytale.  The day before the wedding delivered an unexpected dusting of snow that added a little extra touch of beauty and magic.  The snow, fun couple and loving family combined with impeccable planning, design and floral by Kate with Bloom Designs made for a perfectly smooth and gorgeous wedding day.   I LOVED the pale blue mixed with deep reds in the decor...and the color palette was perfectly complimented in my studio turned bridal suite...so pretty!  And that warmth and glow of NP in the cold season?  I could stare at that light all day (and night) long.  ;)  

Brainerd Studio Photographer Maternity Session

Jessie and Josh are two of my favorite humans.  I photographed their snowy engagement session and then one of my favorite lifetime weddings (yes - this amazeballs one - LINK) at NP.  When they asked me to document a stepping stone in their journey to being parents with them and their surrogate Annie (Josh's wonderful sister), I was SO EXCITED...especially after Jessie sent me her detail inspiration board!!  Although their path hasn't been an easy and direct one, I know that it is the one that must be meant to be.  I can't wait to meet little baby Turan next May!

Elise + Brett | Brainerd Engagement Photography

As I look out the window at the light coating of snow, I can't help but remember the warmth and beauty of Elise and Brett's fall engagement session.  The colors, the trees, the sun - the setting was all so perfect at Brett's grandpa's property just outside of Brainerd.  And I might be a little bit in love with Elise's ring and amazing style (that polka dot sweater - my fave!), but most of all - their sweet engagement story remembered with mugs from Java Moose and Grand Marais.

Melanie and Jamin | Grand View Lodge Wedding Photographer

Melanie and Jamin's Grand View Lodge wedding was perfectly classic and beautiful in every way.  The weather couldn't have been better for their outdoor ceremony and their lovely day with family and friends.  The warm tones, greenery and up north touches went hand in hand with the amazing floral and decor by Bloom Designs...so much pretty!  And how much do you love Melanie's bouquet?!?  Gah!  That beauty flowed over to Gull Lake Center perfectly decorated by Bloom Designs (as usual), and also complete with probably the most beautiful cake backdrop I have ever seen.  Side note - pretty sure I want all of my couples to do a first look with parents from now on - all the heart eyes with the love shown from Jamin's mom and Melanie's dad - LOVE.  And if you want to view the images via slideshow - scroll to bottom and click play.  (: