This Minnesota wedding has the exact equation for summer wedding perfection down. The started with a wedding over the Fourth of July Weekend, at a gorgeous, green lodge on a great big lake. The girls donned gowns by Jenny Yoo & Monique Lhuillier, and the couple added equal or less than a million fabulous DIY projects with help from every family member they could gather. Multiplying the fabulously were a bunch of mouth-watering cupcakes from Cocoa & Fig, and to finish it all with a bang, they hired to oh-so-talented Amy Majors Photography to capture every summer lovin’ minute. Perfection. Click here for the full image gallery!
For adventurous people, our families were happily surprised when we decided to get married in Nisswa, Minnesota. When we originally started thinking about where to host a wedding for family and friends that would be flying in from across the world, the only thing I knew was that I just really wanted it to be somewhere green. After telling Trent this, he instantly knew the perfect place. Grandview Lodge, in Nisswa Minnesota, is a place Trent and his family spent summers during his childhood. Seeing it, it’s hard to argue that there is any place greener.
The site, along with the weekend we planned to have our wedding, 4th of July weekend, were our true inspiration. We wanted the whole weekend to feel like our memories of 4th of July: sun, bright blue skies, green grass and trees, lakes, beaches, fireworks, s’mores, family and friends. We wanted to make this weekend a fun and relaxing vacation for all of our guests, where they could really enjoy the site to the fullest.
As for our wedding day itself, we chose subtle colors that reflected the nature and beauty of the sight: burlap and blue. We decided to have a ceremony and dinner in a green open field, and then dancing and dessert (with a bonfire for s’mores) by the beach. While we came up with a loose vision, our family and friends’ talents made the wedding details come to life. Trent’s sister, Kelly, designed all of our stationary: the invitations, menu cards, programs, and thank you cards. Trent’s mom and twin sister assembled the stationary, and did so much for us in finding the perfect details and putting them together in a beautiful way. Trent’s dad helped with the assembly line of invites as well, and is the man responsible for making Grandview Lodge as green as it is, because his company works with Grandview on their landscaping. My mom and her best friend designed and assembled all of our flower arrangements and bouquets along with the help of many aunts and cousins. My mom and I made the name cards together. My dad made our chocolate boxed gifts for the guests–he shipped the chocolate from Egypt and assembled more than 150 boxes. He also made our wedding arch, decorating it with flowers and vines. My cousins were in charge of site decorating on the day of the wedding. Trent’s uncle used logs from near his cabin to create our table numbers, Trent’s aunt donated her collection of vintage canning jars. My friend Paul and his dad, artists that specialize in book binding, made our guestbook. My brother created a piece of art that sat on our guestbook table, and also was the officiant of our ceremony. All of the moving pieces were brought together by Trent’s incredibly talented and organized cousin, Niki, who we could not have survived without.
Our wedding surpassed our every expectation. It was one of those perfect midwest summer days, sunny, but not humid, with a clear blue sky. We were surrounded by sunkissed family and friends who’s genuine happiness and energy radiated throughout the night of dancing and celebration. Our family and friends were embedded in every little detail of the wedding, and the day was a true reflection of who we are and the people we love.
Photography: Amy Majors Photography / Dessert: Grand View Lodge and Cocoa & Fig / Tent & Rentals: Partytime Rental / Site: Grandview Lodge / Bridesmaid dresses: Jenny Yoo Collection / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Tuxedo: The Foursome / Rings: Kristin Hanson / Hair: Courtney Martins, Aveda / Makeup: Grandview Lodge Glacial Waters Spa / Groomsmen Cufflinks: Sherry Truitt Studios / Bridesmaids Clutches: (23rd/1st) / Pianist: Mark Mraz