Camping at St. Croix State Park | Minnesota State Park Photography | Personal

Marcus and I joined my family for our newly establish Waits Camping trip! This is our second year packing up the truck camping with my family so it is officially an annual thing now! That is just how my family works.

That all being said, it was a time to unplug and just be present with my family. It is SO freeing to just have your phone out of juice not feeling the addictive urge to check it every second. All the photos you see on this blog were taken by my family members.

We did a two night camping stay at Minnesota's St. Croix State Park! It is only about an hour and forty minutes outside of the twin cities close to Hinckley. We made our way with all the weekly rush to you fantasy cabin people up north. This camping trip was the first time we took our dog Dunder with us! Spoiler but he did amazing!

The moment we stepped out of the truck I think I got bit by all the mosquitoes. So the entire weekend was all bug spray all the time.

My family is a very laid back family for the most part so we enjoyed the weather exploring that trails in the park. My Sister Jenny brought her Great Dane, Backup so Dunder would have someone to walk with! The woods around the campsite was so green and plush! The State Park Campsite also had events for everyone to join in on. My brother and dad won at Bird Bingo. Our second night there they had a painting demonstration where we all got to paint a bear in the woods! Jiwon (our honorary sister who was also able to join us on her FIRST camping trip ever) and I went a little off the grid and did night bears instead. All our art work was so beautiful but my Mom's was the favorite by far.

She just has a talent for anything she tries naturally.

That night we got some pizza locally, because it is not a complete camping trip with the Waits clan unless there is one night where we have a bonfire pizza! Over all the bonfires and laughs my nephew Ben and my dog Dunder's bond grew. Ben was bringing everything to Dunder for show and tell which any attention the dog just loves. It was a really cute love story to see unfold right before our eyes. Did you know Ben can say Dunder's name clear as a bell but Marcus and I are still Mar and Ma. How does that work?

Our last morning there all of us got to try archery for the first time for most of us! Not to toot my own horn but I got in the middle area and kicked Marcus's butt! I am really glad we got to try it!

We packed up and Marcus and I headed to the Fire Tower in the Park. It was SO tall. The fire tower is well above the tree line and can see both MN and WI. Both our legs were burning by the time we got back down from that height.

The last leg of our version of camping, we stopped at Tobies off 94. Now, if you don't know what Tobie's is it is a restaurant and the food is ok. BUT they are better known for their bakery which is AMAZING! If you ever drive by you need to Stop your car and get yourself one of their Caramel Rolls or donuts! It was Marcus's first time and he LOVED it!

Looking forward to next years Waits Annual Camping Trip!

Where To Start Rescheduling Your Wedding Due to Corona Virus | Minneapolis Wedding Photography | MW Photography

Making the hard choices

To brides struggling with the decision of postponing your dream wedding due to Corona Virus,

First off I want to say I am so sorry you have to go through this. You have planned months and maybe even years for this day. Your desire to make it perfect drove every decision from the white dress to every place setting. This sucks and there is no way around it. Just know your wedding community is feeling it too; your vendors want to help as much as they can.

If you are the bride who has decided to postpone your wedding day due to the Covid-19, these are a couple of the beginning steps to help regarding your vendors.

1st reach out to your venue.  Ask your venue what days they have open to reschedule. In all honesty, you may need to be open to booking a week day. A lot of brides book from August to Oct; open weekends at your venue might be low due to the popularity of your venue. A small bright side to this is many venues offer weekday discounts! Normally changing your date would have financial charges, but this is not a normal circumstance! Ask your venue if you can transfer your deposit to a new day with no additional charge. Be courageous; ask ALL the questions.

When you have the new date established, it is time to see if your other vendors are available. Prioritize this by your vendors you know you can't do your day without. Prepare your heart that they might not all be available. If that is the case, ask them for recommendations for who could take their place in your wedding day. Don’t attack that business for not having your new day available . Trust me when I say your wedding vendors are doing the best they can to make you happy.

Most of your vendors will have a non refundable deposit clause in their contract, due to the extreme nature of the change, I do not think you would be out of place asking for a full refund. Prepare to be rejected by this request but you will not know if you do not ask. Be as kind as possible. Everyone is feeling the strain on this and from an insiders opinion people are willing to work with you more when you approach this type of situation with kindness and grace.

To the brides who are heart broken because your day has special meaning- my honest suggestion is to elope in your state. I know how special a day can be. Save your new date for celebration of your marriage when it is safe for everyone to be there. Contact your photographer, officiant, and Florist immediately for this request. It will be a very intimate wedding day experience that will allow you to keep your special day. Make sure your current vendors would still be open to doing this with you. Most will, some won’t as they are trying to protect their families from the virus. Again, I say be kind and ask for any recommendations they may have if you decided to go this route.

Check your locate government website to see what is open and what is allowed during this uncertain time.

Here is a Link to Minnesota’s Health Department Website: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html

I truly hope this was helpful. Know I am praying for you during this time.
Warmly,
-Molly

I Am Now Offering Heirloom Wedding Albums For My MW Wedding Couples! | MW Photography | Minneapolis Wedding Photographer

WOW!

For a long time I wanted to give something after the wedding that all my couples could hold in their hands and enjoy in their chair by the window with a cup of hot coffee and relive their wedding day over and over.

I am a FIRM believer that all my couples should have prints of their weddings/engagement in a world that is so digital. I wanted to be able to provide a service to make that happen for each and everyone of you!

I now officially offer heirloom wedding albums for all my wedding couples! YAY!! If this is something you are thinking about for your lives please feel free to reach out and inquire about it for your wedding package!