Red Barn Farm Wedding Photography | Thea & Devon | Minneapolis Wedding Photographer

The rain did not get Thea and Devon's moods down. Although the rain was there to stay up until sunset they both said their I do's  through the floating balloons that lined their ceremony and the jokes that Devon's best friend (and Officiant) shared through the entire ceremony that had everyone laughing. The Sweetest thing that I witnessed on their wedding day was that through the ceremony and the reception Thea signed the words for her dad. It was a beautiful gift that a daughter could give to her father and include him on such a big moment of the day. The reception had a rustic feel with Red Barn Farm's famous fire stone pizza's. Thea wore a blue modern crown with a textured dress, it may have been over the top for anyone else, but it really didn't feel that way on Thea. It was really a perfect fit that showed of such a beautiful bride. I shot this beautiful rainy barn wedding with Dawn Siva Photography.

Minnesota History Center Wedding Photography | Holly & Steve | Minneapolis Wedding Photographer

On a beautiful windy September day, Holly and Steve decided to get married at the Minnesota History Center in downtown St. Paul! They are one of the most fun and easygoing couples I have had the joy to serve. We started their day at Kellogg Mall Park for their first look. Steve was quick to show off his bright green shoelaces, excitingly telling us that he has a shoe lace guy in Canada. (Yeah he has connections, message me if you need any assortment of colored shoelaces and I will see what I can do!) Holly was dolled up in a simple sweetheart dress and white flowers in her hair. It was a perfect representation of her spirit, simply elegant and sweet. All morning Holly and Steve were bubbling with energy for their wedding day! It was finally here; it is a cool feeling seeing everything you have been planning actually happen!

They surrounded themselves with loved ones from all stages of life from all over the country. (Their guestbook was a map of the US with hearts over where they had lived! It was so fitting for their two adventure buddies.) As Holly walked down the aisle with her mother and father, she smiled around excited to see so many people come together for them.  As they said their vows Steve had Holly laughing and crying along with everyone else attending! 

Steve's father has a tradition of singing with a group at wedding reception. The halls of the History Center echoed with the beautiful, funny song and laughter because the lyrics were pretty great!

The maid of honors speech was filled with advice of kids some simple and some surprisingly mature for their age.
The whole day was beautiful, but nothing was more beautiful than the love shared between Holly and Steve. I hope their life together only grows in love and they never loose the laughter in between them.
They finished the night storming the dance floor, partying with their friends with the Minnesota State Capital glowing bright in the large picture window.

The best part of an amazing wedding day?? - Holly and Steve couldn't stop laughing and smiling with each other. It was simply the best. <3

When To Change Your Last Name | For the MW Bride

A bride who was SOOO excited to take on her new last name had to shell out additional money to re-book her ticket because it was purchased under her maiden name.  (You can read the full story here ) CRAZY RIGHT!? This national story had me thinking, when should you change your last name?  My story was a little bit different. From Molly Waits to Molly Sanchez, I almost had a little bit of anxiety thinking about a new Molly Sanchez. I know it probably sounds a little silly, but I loved my maiden name. So it took me almost a year and a half to get my last name changed; I don't think it is necessary to wait THAT long, but here are some things to consider before you start the process to change your last name.

Do your research first! I found a couple of websites that I could send almost all my information to and they would fill out everything I needed and I was in the clear. After almost paying to hand over this obligation to someone else, I came to realize that I would still have to submit everything in person at the DMV. At that point I figured I could still do everything, so I just sucked it up and did it. For all my Minnesota Brides you can look here : https://www.dmv.org/mn-minnesota/changing-your-name.php for the DMV instructions on changing your name.

Plan on changing your name when you have time to take off work. If your DMV is the one downtown st. Paul, it literally takes hours of waiting to get through. It wasn't until the day we got back from shooting a wedding in NY that we took the rest of the day and spent at the DMV. The DMV work hours make it impossible to go at a more convenient hour. Grab a good book, (I would say coffee too,but they don't allow food or drinks) take the day off and go get that name changed!  

If you are honeymooning it out of country within a week after the wedding, wait to change you name until after the honeymoon. (Real Life story at the top as example for this) The fees that go into changing your name on your passport and then trying to get the new one in time for the trip is just not worth the additional stress. 

There is no other rush to change you last name right away other than pure excitement, which is 100% understandable! With your wedding adventure behind you, wait for everything to settle down  that is the best time to get your name changed.