How to Prepare For My Minnesota Winter Engagement | Minnesota Engagement Photographer

Tips to Keep Warm for Your Minnesota Winter Engagement Photography Session!

Minnesota in winter is Magical. I am not the first person to think so! I LOVE snow and the whole season is one of my all-time favorites. If you are from the Midwest/ Minnesota, you KNOW it can be SO COLD.

I have some tips for you to make your Minnesota Winter Engagement Session more enjoyable overall!

1) Bring Hand and Feet Warmers - This is the biggest blessing I try to remember ever winter engagement session or wedding. They are so cheap there is no reason not to have an extra one or two packed in your purse for your photos.

2) Dress in Layers - I feel like the biggest advantage Minnesotans have against the harsher winters is knowing how to dress so you are comfortable. This should not be left behind when you are planning your engagement session in the winter months. Many couples have two outfits for their engagement photos. Use a cute winter aesthetic to add in a nice winter hat and gloves to make the time together more enjoyable.

3) Bring on that Coffee - Any hot drinks will feel like a godsend when you are bracing for those cold days. Don’t be afraid to bring a thermos of your favorite hot beverage to warm your soul between photos.

4) Plan a small warming break if possible - Depending on if you are at a local park or in the city, try taking a small break in a local coffee shop or jump in your car to warm your fingers up. There is nothing wrong with taking a small warmup break so you can feel your face again.

5) Bring a cozy blanket to cuddle up in - I love this there is something to cute about cuddling up with your fiance for your photos! This could be just an extra prop to be able to add to the variety of your photos while still keeping you warm!

Bonus!: Really lean into your engagement session being in winter by choose a really fun winter activity like Ice Skating, Skiing, Snow Shoeing, or enjoying a small bonfire together! They photos will be SOOO worth it!

Dakota County Courthouse Wedding Photography | Ellis & Laura | Apple Valley Wedding Photographer

It started off as just two kids who meet in math class at the U of M.

Laura and Ellis got ready at their new home and jam packed it full of their family and friends. The fall day started off with cinnamon rolls, Caribou coffee, and football playing on the TV while people got ready.

Laura got ready in the bathroom overlooking her back yard while Ellis put on his finishing details outside.

They had a first look in their backyard with all their family and friends watching from the deck! They were excited to see each other. It was a contained giddy excitement. We did a couple of portraits before heading over to the courthouse!

The judge was short literally and sweet. She read the vows and made it official- Ellis & Laura were finally married!!

We all wanted to enjoy Minnesota Nature at its best so we went to Lebanon Hills Regional Park for portraits! Although early for fall, we did even get some of the yellow and red color in the leaves!
Although it started to sprinkle just a little bit, the rain held off and we were able to get all the portraits in without rain!

They finished off the night continuing the celebration at Mannys steak house in Minneapolis !

Please enjoy a preview of their wedding day!

Love what you see?! I don’t blame you!! Here are the vendors who made it happen:

Photography: MW PHOTOGRAPHY

Dress: Bliss Bridal

Grooms Suit: Daniel’s Custom Clothing

Ring: Lasker Jewleres & Arthur Jewlers

Florist: Floral Etcetera

The must have foods at the Minnesota State Fair for your first visit

Minnesota State Fair Food Recommendations from a Minnesota Girl Who Loves Food

The Minnesota State Fair is my personal Christmas in August every year! I make sure to go with my hubby, best friend and family if I can get everyone together! When that doesn’t work out I go multiple times! Totally worth it.
After going to the Great Minnesota Get Together annually there are a couple of foods that I dream about until opening day. If you are looking to make your first visits to the Minnesota State Fair these are the foods I think you HAVE to try at least once.

1) Apple POP

Do you love apples? Well I DO! Most Fair Days are hot and can be wall to wall people in the hot sun. To help cool down in the most delicious way possible I suggest heading over to the apple booth at the Agricultural Building and purchasing a frozen apple pop. It is frozen apple cider that is to die for. There has been multiple occasions where I have gotten more than one. It is delicious and has me going back every year! This is also one of the healthiest options at the fair.

2) Corn On The Cob

Hot, Steaming, and mouth watering, this corn on the cob is a MUST. It is roasted and right off the grill into your outstretched hands. They provide salt for a seasoning option and the line is one of the quickest I encounter at the fair. I don’t know if they put crack as a secondary seasoning but let’s just say I wouldn’t be surprised. I will always be making a stop here. It is located right across on the right side of the Grandstands Building.

3) Cheese Curds from the Mouth Trap

Located in the Food Building, it is the most packed at all times but you will not regret all the touching once you put a piece of their deep fried cheese in your mouth. If you are not from the Midwest this will be a new thing for you. This is 100% worth all your money. For a two person group simply getting the little dish will suffice. But if you are a group of 3 or more I would highly suggest splurging for the bucket. There are other locations that offer cheese curds at the fair. I do believe the best ones that Minnesota has to offer are provided at The Mouth Trap.

4) Deep Fried Pickles

At the west end of the Fair Grounds, you will find a booth offering you gigantic pickles on a stick or a handful of deep fried pickles with ranch dip. I have done the leg work for you and have tried deep fried pickles at all the restaurants; nothing has come even CLOSE to these deep fried pickles sent directly from heaven. They are thickly sliced pickles battered to perfection. You might burn your tongue being unable to wait any longer for your second bite. The regular is my favorite, BUT they do come in a sampler seasoned kind as well if you want to play the pickle field.

5) All You Can Drink Milk

Coming from a family of 7 who loves milk, My Family would shamelessly buy ONE cup of milk and then repeatedly go back to fill said cup until everyone was satisfied. After that we would wash the cup out with some water and return multiple times throughout the day. You know, to make sure we got our FULL Dollars worth out of that one cup. After many gallons of milk where consumed, I think they caught on because the last couple of years they raise the price to $2 per cup. But Options include both White Milk and Chocolate Milk.

6) Martha’s Cookies

With Multiple locations, your Minnesota State Fair Experience would not be complete without you having your first Martha’s Cookies. Worked by an army of youths, Martha’s cookies will be served to you HOT and Ready! You can get a small amount in a little white cone (these kind of remind me of a bigger version of the ones you have in a waiting room and you drink the water from) est 7 to 10 cookies. Or You can get a overflowing bucket of chocolatey cookie goodness to easily save for later as a midnight snack.


I hope you LOVE the foods you try and enjoy an AMAZING first time at the Minnesota State Fair!


Please share with my any foods you think I missed out on below that are a must have for any first timers!

Happy Eating!
Molly