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Shamus and I love camping and being outdoors so we knew we wanted a summer or fall wedding and for as much of it to take place outside as possible. We wanted a wedding that was not too formal but was full of meaning. We knew we wanted a wedding that was a great party with a lot of good food and drinks.
I grew up on Lake Minnetonka in a suburb on Minneapolis. I have always loved sharing a summer day with friends and family on the lake – so it was an easy decision to decide to have the wedding on Lake Minnetonka. Finding a place to have it on the lake proved a little more difficult. We found the ceremony site easily – a public park on the lake called Noerenberg Gardens. For the reception, I really wanted something that was individual to us, a place that doesn’t have a wedding booked every weekend. We considered private homes, farms, an arboretum before it hit me - my parents have a private home on the lake. It doesn’t have a sprawling yard or a stone staircase or elaborate gardens, but the space would fit our estimated guest count perfectly and it would be so intimate and comfortable.
The inspiration for the design came from a mix of resources. Primarily, from the beautiful sunsets I grew up watching from the dock of our home. The save the date was a postcard photo of a sunset taken from said dock. The bridesmaid dresses were chosen to represent the colors seen in a sunset and the rest of the event was designed around the colors of sunset, though softened.
Photography: Jennifer Cress / Venue: Bride's Family Home Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota / Caterer: Chowgirls / Rentals: Ultimate Rentals / Florist: Sadie's Fine Florals / Wedding Dress: Amy Kuschel style: Laurel / Shoes: BP Nordstrom / Veil: Etsy seller Marisol Aparicio / Bridesmaids: J Crew / Cake: Woullet's Bakery / Musicians: Mandragora Tango and Bruce Henry Band