WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY ARCHIVES

Sacred Thread Ceremony Photographer | Mohan Family

Upanayanam Photographer MN

Archana and her family hired me to capture photos of their son’s Upanayanam (Sacred Thread ceremony) at the Hindu Temple of Minnesota in Maple Grove. The day arrived and I was raring to go – I always love seeing the beauty and splendor of Hindu and Indian ceremonies! We started outdoors capturing photos of the family members that had assembled for the big day. Then afterward it was on to the big event inside the temple.

Hindu Temple Upanayanam Ceremony

The ceremony took place on the stage in the Temple under their beautifully designed mandap. There were flowers and brightly colored drapes everywhere. And seeing everyone’s beautiful saris and Indian dress was so much fun! My finger barely had time to rest as I captured the entire ceremony as well as the family and friends that had gathered to watch. And little Advaith was such a champ – he seemed to be having a great time, full of smiles and laughs as he kept up with the ceremonial events happening around him. A beautiful banana leaf lunch was served after the ceremony for family and friends to spend time together and celebrate the big day. The entire family stayed for the fun well into the evening.

Thank You!

Thank you, Mohan family, for working with me for Advaith’s Sacred Thread Ceremony. I had so much fun working with you at the big event, and I am thrilled that you love your photos!

If you’d like to work together for your child’s Sacred Thread Ceremony, give me a call or send me an email soon!

BONUS: Be sure to take a look at other Indian + Hindu events I have photographed including Vishana + Brian’s beautiful Vishnu Mandir wedding, Madina + Omkar’s backyard Hindu wedding and spectacular St Paul Hotel wedding reception, and Rachel + Nishant’s Hindu Temple of Minnesota wedding too.

Chinese Tea Ceremony Wedding Photos | Weiman + Spencer

By Joanna Carina

Como Chinese Tea Ceremony Wedding Photos

Weiman + Spencer were living out-of-state while planning their wedding day Chinese Tea Ceremony. I was so happy they chose me for their wedding photography. Their wedding event was held in St Paul’s Como Conservatory Sunken Garden. (I even love the Conservatory so much, I got married there myself!) They planned their event based on a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony, and I was so excited!

Como Conservatory Wedding Photography

The day began with some photos of the two of them together around the grounds of Como Park. We then photographed them with their families prior to the ceremony. Once that was finished, we were able to head into the Sunken Garden for the big event.

Their wedding was officiated by one of their good friends. They incorporated the Tea Ceremony elements, honoring and thanking their families in the process. When all was finished, they had a few more minutes for Conservatory photos before heading off to their celebratory dinner, and then heading back to Washington to begin their new lives together.

Thank You!

Weiman + Spencer, thank you so much for working with me for your beautiful wedding photography! I had so much fun on your big day, and I wish you a lifetime of happiness!

If you are considering a Chinese Tea Ceremony or Como Conservatory wedding, contact me soon!

BONUS: Be sure to take a look at another Chinese Tea Ceremony I photographed, as well as a few other Como Conservatory weddings I photographed, including rainy day Como Conservatory wedding photos, summertime Sunken Garden wedding photos, an evening Como Conservatory wedding, a Covered Porch wedding, an early autumn Conservatory wedding, another summer Conservatory wedding, another autumn Sunken Garden wedding, another summer Conservatory wedding, and a North Garden elopement.

Hyland Hills Chalet Wedding Reception Photos | Nazanin + Jack

By Joanna Carina

Hyland Hills Chalet Reception

Nazanin + Jack were busy grad students living out-of-state. I was delighted to be chosen to capture their Minnesota wedding celebration. After the events of their first day’s celebration, they held a second, larger celebration the next day so they could include more family and friends who could not attend the first day.

Their wedding reception was held at Hyland Hills Chalet in Bloomington MN. The evening started with a cocktail hour to mingle and welcome guests. Then came a highlight of their event, the Persian Sofreh table, celebrating Nazanin’s family traditions, and filled with symbolic items representing blessings for their new life together. Afterward, speeches and toasts were given, as well as congratulatory cakes celebrating Jack’s grandmother’s birthday and mother’s birthday, as well as Jack’s father’s retirement. So many fun events to celebrate in one day!

Afterward, guests enjoyed an amazing dinner and dessert, as well as music and dancing, yard games and cocktails as guests celebrated the night away. Nazanin, Jack and I had a few minutes to sneak off through the Hyland grounds to capture a few last-minute photos of the two of them together before the night was up. The next morning they were off to move to Colorodo for their new home. What a whirlwind celebration!

Thank You!

Nazanin + Jack, thank you so much for working with me for your wedding celebration! I had so much fun working with you and your families. I wish you a lifetime of happiness!

If you are considering a Hyland Hills Chalet wedding, contact me soon!

BONUS: Be sure to check Nazanin + Jack’s MN History Center + Como Conservatory wedding celebration. Also, take a look at another Three Rivers Parks District wedding I photographed too!

VENDORS
Venue: Hyland Hills Chalet, Three Rivers Parks District
Catering: D’amico
Rentals: Apres
Band: Bluewater Kings

Como Wedding + MN History Center Reception Photos | Nazanin + Jack

By Joanna Carina

Como Park Conservatory Wedding

Nazanin + Jack were busy grad school students living out of state. I was so delighted to be chosen to work with them for their two-day Minnesota wedding celebration in the spring, and worked closely with their families to plan for their event.

The first day began with Nazanin’s preparations in the L’Etoile Room at the Saint Paul Hotel while Jack was mingling with guests for the pre-ceremony cocktail hour at the Minnesota History Center nearby. Once everyone was ready, we all headed over to the Como Park Conservatory’s for their wedding ceremony in the Sunken Garden.

Nazanin + Jack’s ceremony was so beautiful! A string quartet serenaded them before they spoke their vows, and everyone was absolutely ecstatic for the two of them. They had their receiving line in the Palm Dome afterward, and then everyone headed back to the MN History Center for their dinner and celebration.

Minnesota History Center Reception

Once Nazanin + Jack arrived at the History Center, they had an amazing dinner followed by toasts and speeches, a few fun photos, and then their cake cutting. Afterward, guests enjoyed the dessert bar while dancing and sipping cocktails. The party really ramped up once the Persian dancing began, and everyone flooded the dance floor having a ball.

Thank You!

Nazanin + Jack, thank you so much for working with me for your wedding celebration! I had so much fun working with you and your families. Be sure to watch for the second day blog of their celebration, coming soon!

If you are considering a Como Conservatory wedding or MN History Center wedding, contact me!

BONUS: Take a look at another MN History Center wedding I photographed too!

VENDORS
Wedding Prep Venue: Saint Paul Hotel
Wedding Venue: Como Park Conservatory
Reception Venue: MN History Center
Catering: D’amico
HMUA: Warpaint
Rentals: Apres
Ceremony Music: Birchwood String Quartet
Videography: Harvest Film Co
Transportation: Renee’s Limousines
DJ: Generation NOW DJs

Aster Cafe Wedding Photos | Ilse + Eugene

By Joanna Carina

Aster Cafe Wedding Photos

Ilse + Eugene held their wedding day at the Aster Cafe in Minneapolis. They started their preparation in the Redford Room upstairs above the Aster. Then once they were ready, they had their first look and couple photos outside at the riverfront in Father Hennepin Bluff Park. The fall colors were gorgeous, and the weather was perfect for their big day! We wandered around the St Anthony Main area taking photos, and they had so much fun together.

After we spent time photographing the two of them together, we headed back to the Aster to capture photos of them with their families right by the waterfront. Then, once we were finished, it was on to the big event!

Their ceremony was held inside the tent on the Aster Cafe patio. Everything went perfectly! Once their ceremony was done, we headed indoors for their wedding reception inside the Aster’s River Room.

Aster Cafe Wedding Reception

Their Aster Cafe River Room reception was filled with amazing music by an awesome R&B band, along with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The initial party was followed up with a fabulous dinner catered by the Aster Cafe, then toasts and speeches. Afterward, they had their first dance and father-daughter dance, and then danced and partied the night away! Everyone had a blast!

Thank You!

Ilse + Eugene, thank you so much for working with me for your wedding photography! I had so much fun on your big day. I wish you a lifetime of happiness!

If you are considering an Aster Cafe wedding, contact me soon!

BONUS: Take a look at another Aster Cafe wedding I photographed too!

Landscape Arboretum Wedding Photography | Libby + Abe

By Joanna Carina

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Wedding Photos

Libby + Abe were planning to get married at the MN Landscape Arboretum, and I was so excited to be back at one of my favorite venues. They planned a small ceremony at the Prairie Garden pergola for immediate family, and then a larger reception at the Snyder Auditorium.

After they were ready, we spent some time capturing their portraits around the Arboretum grounds. Then we headed out to the big event on Three Mile Drive. A little drizzle graced their event, but nothing we couldn’t handle! Once their ceremony was over, we captured a few more photos of the two of them alone, and then headed to the Snyder Auditorium for the big party!

Snyder Auditorium Wedding Reception

Their reception started with a cocktail hour, then dinner, desserts, and finally a wild dance party capped off the night. The dance floor was packed, and everyone had a blast and they partied well into the night!

Thank You!

Libby + Abe, thank you so much for working with me for your wedding photography! I had so much fun on your big day. I wish you a lifetime of happiness!

If you are considering a MN Landscape Arboretum wedding, contact me soon!

BONUS: Take a look at some other MN Landscape Arboretum weddings I photographed too, including an autumn Arboretum wedding, a summer Landscape Arboretum reception, another autumn Landscape Arboretum wedding, another summer Landscape Arboretum wedding, an indoor Landscape Arboretum wedding, and a winter Arboretum wedding.

VENDORS
Venue: MN Landscape Arboretum
Wedding Dress: Budget Bridal Outlet
Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie
Hair/Makeup: Hair by Katrina
Groom’s Attire: Indochino
Wedding Coordinator: Rosewood Events and Weddings, Alexis Johnson
Wedding Rings: Clean Origin + Shane Co
Officiant: Jes Bakken-Busch
Catering: MN Landscape Arboretum
Desserts: Crumbl
DJ: DJ Gregory Ellis, Neckwerk Entertainment

Como Conservatory Wedding Photography | Tara + Matt

By Joanna Carina

Como Sunken Garden Wedding Photos

Tara + Matt’s wedding day started out a bit drizzly. Luckily, it didn’t last long. Once they held their first look in the Sunken Garden, the rain was over so we could make it outside for pre-ceremony photos of them and their families and wedding party. Everything was so beautiful!

Their wedding ceremony was held in St Paul’s Como Conservatory Sunken Garden. (I love the Conservatory so much, I got married there myself!) By the time their ceremony was over, we were able to capture some photos of the two of them in the Sunken Garden alone during sunset – it was absolutely incredible! I don’t think I’ve ever seen the lighting as perfect as it was that night.

Ordway Garden Reception Photography

Following their sunset photos, we headed over to the Ordway Garden for their reception. They had so much fun! They had a cocktail hour followed by a buffet dinner, and then they all danced away into the night. There was non-stop laughter and everyone had a ball dancing away into the night!

Thank You!

Tara + Matt, thank you so much for working with me for your beautiful wedding photography! I had so much fun on your big day, and I wish you a lifetime of happiness!

If you are considering a Como Conservatory wedding, contact me soon!

BONUS: Be sure to take a look at a few other weddings I photographed at Como Park, including rainy day Como Conservatory wedding photos, summertime Sunken Garden wedding photos, an evening Como Conservatory wedding, a Covered Porch wedding, an early autumn Conservatory wedding, another summer Conservatory wedding, another autumn Sunken Garden wedding, another summer Conservatory wedding, and a North Garden elopement.

VENDORS
Venue: Como Conservatory
Hair/Makeup: Uptown Curl
Groom’s Attire: Banana Republic
Florist: Sonja Tosteson
Officiant: Deb Karulf
Catering: Lancer Catering
Cake: Buttercream

Sunken Garden Wedding Photography | Kathleen + Jon

By Joanna Carina

Como Park Sunken Garden Wedding Photography

Kathleen + Jon were getting married at the Sunken Garden in St Paul’s Como Conservatory. (I love it so much, I got married there myself!) Their September day was so gorgeous, with perfect temps and stunningly blue skies.

We started with a first look right as they arrived at Como Park. They were so excited, and it was so fun to see how happy they were together! We followed up with photos with their wedding party as well as their families. After the photos, it was on to the big event.

Their ceremony took place in the Marjorie McNeeley Conservatory just before dusk. Everything was so gorgeous! Once their ceremony was done, the guests left for the reception while we remained behind to get a few photos of them inside the Sunken Garden. Afterward we headed outside to get some beautiful sunset photos before they were off to the Rainforest Room to celebrate the night away.

Thank You!

Kathleen + Jon, thank you so much for working with me for your beautiful wedding photos! I had so much fun on your big day, and I wish you a lifetime of happiness!

If you are considering a Como Conservatory wedding, contact me soon!

BONUS: Be sure to take a look at a few other weddings I photographed at Como Park, including rainy day Como Conservatory wedding photos, summertime Sunken Garden wedding photos, an evening Como Conservatory wedding, a Covered Porch wedding, another summer Conservatory wedding, another autumn Sunken Garden wedding, another summer Conservatory wedding, another autumn Conservatory wedding, and a North Garden elopement.

VENDORS
Venue: Como Conservatory
Wedding Dress: BHLDN
Groom’s Attire: Milbern’s
Florist: Lexington Floral
Officiant: Willa Simmet
Catering: Lancer Catering
Cake: Buttercream

Bell Museum + Can Can Wonderland Wedding Photography | Rachel + Jimbo

By Joanna Carina

Bell Museum Wedding Photography

I was so excited to work with Rachel + Jimbo for their big day. Their plans included both the Bell Museum as well as Can Can Wonderland – two of my favorites! They both loved and were involved in the earth sciences, which made the Bell Museum significant to them. They also loved games, so Can Can Wonderland was another natural fit. So much fun!

They prepared for their big day at a nearby hotel. Once ready, we headed back to the Bell Museum for their first look and couple/group portraits. It was fun running around the Bell Museum for fun photos with the wooly mammoth, polar bear and solar system exhibits! The day was beautiful so we also opted for outdoor portraits with their wedding party and families.

Rachel + Jimbo’s wedding ceremony was in the Bell Museum Planetarium – they had galaxy photos screened overhead while they were taking their vows. It was so gorgeous! Once their ceremony and receiving line were over, we all headed over to Can Can Wonderland for a fun reception evening!

Can Can Wonderland Wedding Reception Photography

At Can Can Wonderland, guests played tons of games and mini-golf while enjoying an amazing dinner. After toasts and speeches, Rachel + Jimbo were excited to play their first rounds of games as a married couple. They enjoyed skeeball as well as the phenomenal artist-designed mini golf. So much fun was had by all!

Thank You!

Rachel + Jimbo, thank you so much for working with me for your wedding photography! I had so much fun on your big day, and I wish you a lifetime of happiness!

If you are considering a Bell Museum and/or Can Can Wonderland wedding, contact me soon!

BONUS: Be sure to check out some other museum weddings I photographed too, including a Mill City Museum wedding and a Minnesota History Center wedding.

VENDORS
Wedding Venue: The Bell Museum
Reception Venue: Can Can Wonderland
Wedding Coordinator: Revel and Flourish / Alexandra Reveland
Hair/Makeup: Luminous Beauty
Wedding Rings: Lilian Ginebra + Manly Bands
Florist: Northern Sola Luv Flowers + Paula Jean’s Gardens
Officiant: Heartstrings Ceremonies / Barbara Lennon
Catering: Can Can Wonderland

Como Sunken Garden + Covered Porch Wedding Photography | Patty + Andrew

By Joanna Carina

Como Park Sunken Garden Wedding Photography

Patty + Andrew worked with me for their beautiful wedding day photography at one of my favorite venues – the Sunken Garden in St Paul’s Como Conservatory. (I love it so much, I got married there myself!)

We started their day with preparation at the Drury Hotel in downtown St Paul. Once they were both ready, we headed over to Como Park. We started with Patty + Andrew’s first look and a few portraits on the Como Park grounds. Once those were finished, we captured their wedding party group photos as well as family photos. Then it was on to the big event!

Patty + Andrew’s wedding ceremony was so beautiful, surrounded by the beautiful floral space of the Sunken Garden. After their ceremony, we spent some time with photos of them inside the Sunken Garden.

Como Covered Porch Wedding Reception

Patty + Andrew’s wedding reception was held in the Covered Porch. They started with cocktail hour, then dinner and toasts. We had a little detour during the toasts when a severe storm hit and the Conservatory staff shuttled us into the basement. We discovered there was a nearby tornado! After the danger passed, they let us back out to finish the party. Everyone had a good laugh over the events, and then had fun dancing away into the night.

Thank You!

Patty + Andrew, thank you so much for working with me for your wedding photography! I had so much fun on your big day. I wish you a lifetime of happiness!

If you are considering a Como Conservatory wedding, contact me soon!

BONUS: Be sure to take a look at a few other weddings I photographed at Como Park, including rainy day Como Conservatory wedding photos, summertime Sunken Garden wedding photos, an evening Como Conservatory wedding, an early autumn Conservatory wedding, another summer Conservatory wedding, another autumn Sunken Garden wedding, another summer Conservatory wedding, another autumn Conservatory wedding, and a North Garden elopement.

BONUS: Take a look at some other weddings I photographed in the Sunken Garden too, including a summer Como Conservatory wedding, an autumn Como Park wedding, another summer Sunken Garden wedding, and even an evening Conservatory wedding.

VENDORS
Venue: Como Conservatory Sunken Garden + Covered Porch
Wedding Dress: The Wedding Shoppe
Hair/Makeup: Nikki Fiesler
Groom’s Attire: Hannies
Wedding Rings: Arthur’s Jewelers
Florist: Richfield Flowers & Events
Catering: Lancer Catering
Cake: Buttercream
DJ: Midwest Sound

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY ARCHIVES

Upanayanam Photographer MN

Hindu Temple Upanayanam Ceremony

Thank You!

Como Chinese Tea Ceremony Wedding Photos

Como Conservatory Wedding Photography

Thank You!

Hyland Hills Chalet Reception

Thank You!

Como Park Conservatory Wedding

Minnesota History Center Reception

Thank You!

Aster Cafe Wedding Photos

Aster Cafe Wedding Reception

Thank You!

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Wedding Photos

Snyder Auditorium Wedding Reception

Thank You!

Como Sunken Garden Wedding Photos

Ordway Garden Reception Photography

Thank You!

Como Park Sunken Garden Wedding Photography

Thank You!

Bell Museum Wedding Photography

Can Can Wonderland Wedding Reception Photography

Thank You!

Como Park Sunken Garden Wedding Photography

Como Covered Porch Wedding Reception

Thank You!

NAVIGATE

CARINA PHOTOGRAPHICS

FAMILY, SENIOR, ENGAGEMENT + WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY