LGBTQ Wedding Como Conservatory | Steve + Manuel

Saint Paul Gay Wedding Photography

Tucked inside the lush, historic Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul, MN, the Sunken Garden offered a breathtaking backdrop for this intimate LGBTQ+ wedding ceremony. Surrounded by vibrant seasonal blooms, Steve + Manuel exchanged heartfelt vows beneath the soaring glass dome, with the sweet sounds of a violin quartet setting a serene, romantic tone.

The Como Conservatory is one of Minnesota’s most beloved gay-friendly wedding venues, and the Sunken Garden provides an elegant, nature-filled escape that’s ideal for a small, meaningful celebration. Steve + Manuel’s wedding embraced simplicity, love, and authenticity—proof that unforgettable moments don’t need a large guest list to be deeply powerful.

Sunken Garden Wedding Photographer

Every detail, from the Steve + Manuel’s attire to their hand-written vows shared during the ceremony, reflected their unique love story. As natural light flooded the greenhouse, it highlighted the joy in their eyes and the stunning array of florals surrounding them.

Thank You!

Steve + Manuel, thank you so much for working with me for your wedding photography! I had so much fun working with you both, and I’m so happy for you as you begin your new lives together.

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

VENDORS
Venue: Como Park Conservatory Sunken Garden

Sunken Garden Como Park Wedding Photos | Sam + James

By Joanna Carina

Sunken Garden Wedding Photographer

I worked with James + Sam to capture their beautiful wedding day at the Como Park Conservatory Sunken Garden in St Paul MN. (We had worked together last year for their engagement photography too, so be sure to check out their engagement photos too!)

Sunken Garden Como Park

James + Sam’s wedding was so gorgeous (as is the case with every wedding at the Conservatory!) We began their big day by capturing their first look photos at their house in W St Paul. After the fun, we headed over to Como Park for some couple photos before the big event.

They spoke their vows as the sun was lowering and dusk was setting in. After hugs and family photos, we finished their event with more couple photos in the beautiful Sunken Garden. Once we were finished, they headed off to their reception dinner with family and friends.

Thank You!

James + Sam, thank you so much for working with me for your wedding photography! I had so much fun working with you both, and I’m so happy for you as you begin your new lives together.

If you are considering a Como Park Sunken Garden wedding, contact me soon!

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: Take a look at other Como Conservatory weddings I photographed too, including Como Japanese Garden wedding photography, Sunken Garden wedding photographs, a North Garden wedding, a Sunken Garden wedding, a Covered Porch reception, another Covered Porch reception, another Sunken Garden wedding, another Sunken Garden wedding, a summertime Sunken Garden wedding, another Sunken Garden wedding, an evening Sunken Garden wedding, a morning Sunken Garden wedding, another Sunken Garden wedding, a winter Como Sunken Garden wedding, and another North Garden wedding too!

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

Como Conservatory Sunken Garden Proposal Photos | Kevin + Jeanna

By Joanna Carina

Como Park Conservatory Proposal Photographer

I received a call one afternoon from Kevin. He and his girlfriend Jeanna, who currently lived in North Dakota, were planning to travel to Minnesota to attend a friend’s wedding. While on their trip, Kevin planned to propose to Jeanna. Kevin searched around online and discovered the Como Conservatory Sunken Garden as a venue for his proposal. I was so excited to work with them!

The two of them were planning to make a vacation of their time in the Twin Cities. Kevin planned to bring Jeanna to the Conservatory before they headed out to dinner in St Paul on a weekday evening. I was there early and when they arrived, I hid in the Palm Dome so neither would see me. Kevin walked Jeanna to the end of the Sunken Garden and proposed at the top of the landing. They were so happy! We had plenty of time afterward for more photos of them inside the Sunken Garden, and then headed outdoors for some photos along the grounds of Como Park before they headed off to their celebratory dinner.

Thank You!

Kevin + Jeanna, thank you so much for working with me for your beautiful Como Conservatory proposal! I had so much fun working with you, and I wish you the best in your new life together!

If you would love to capture your own Como Conservatory proposal photography, contact me soon!

BONUS: Be sure to check out some other proposals I photographed at Como Park too, including an autumn Como Conservatory proposal, a spring Como proposal, a winter Como Park proposal, another spring Como Park proposal, and an autumn Conservatory proposal.

Como Conservatory Wedding Photography | Brenda + Adam

By Joanna Carina

Como Park Sunken Garden Wedding Photography

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

We started their day with preparation at the Celeste Hotel in downtown St Paul. Once Brenda was ready, we headed over to Como Park for the big event!

Brenda + Adam’s wedding ceremony was so beautiful, surrounded by the gorgeous green space of the Sunken Garden. After their ceremony, we spent some time taking group photos as well as photos of the two of them alone both inside and outside the Como Conservatory.

Como Ordway Garden Wedding Reception

Brenda + Adam’s wedding reception started with cocktail hour, then toasts and dinner. Once their dinner was finished, they cut their cake and then it was off to dancing, and even a rousing version of the shoe game! They had a blast and danced away into the night.

Thank You!

Brenda + Adam, thank you so much for working with me for your beautiful 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: 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
Wedding Venue: Como Conservatory Sunken Garden
Wedding Reception: Como Conservatory Ordway Garden
Wedding Dress: Budget Bridal Outlet
Wedding Rings: Brilliant Earth / MSP Jewelers
Florist: Roger Beck Florist
Officiant: Terion Cooper
Catering: Lancer Catering
Cake: Buttercream

Como Park Conservatory Wedding Photography | Ashley + Tom

By Joanna Carina

Como Park Sunken Garden Wedding Photography

Ashley + Tom chose to work with me for their beautiful wedding day 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!)

Their day arrived with a bit of morning rain. It luckily halted right around the time we arrived at Como Park after their preparation at a nearby hotel. We started out with photos of Ashley + Tom’s first look, followed by portraits with family and wedding party. Then their gorgeous ceremony was held inside the Sunken Garden. Their son Rhyatt was so adorable and really hammed it up during their big event!

Como Ordway Garden Wedding Reception

After their ceremony, we captured a few photos of them inside the Sunken Garden before heading off to the Ordway Garden for their reception. They started with a cocktail hour, followed by dinner and toasts. Once their dinner was finished, they cut their (homemade) chocolate cake and then it was off to dancing, and even a rousing version of the shoe game! They had a blast and danced away into the night.

Thank You!

Ashley + Tom, thank you so much for working with me for your beautiful 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!

Be sure to check out Ashley + Tom’s slideshow too!

VENDORS
Wedding Venue: Como Conservatory Sunken Garden
Reception Venue: Como Conservatory Ordway Garden
Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal
Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal
Wedding Rings: Elmquist Jewelers
Officiant: Terrell Ennis
Catering: Lancer Catering
Cake: Lancer Catering
DJ: Terrell Ennis

Como Conservatory Engagement Proposal Photography | Sami + Cody

By Joanna Carina

Como Park Engagement Proposal

Samantha contacted me one day looking for engagement and proposal photos for her and her love, Cody. They were planning for a Como Conservatory engagement proposal and Como Park proposal portraits. I was so excited – it’s one of my favorite venues!

Como Conservatory Engagement Portraits

The day came for their engagement proposal, and it was a bit chilly and rainy. They arrived and we started with a few portraits. Then, when the two of them arrived at the stairway landing, Cody got down on one knee and proposed! Sami was so excited, and had tears of joy! We spent a bit more time around the Conservatory to capture more photos of the two of them. Then the skies cleared up, and we walked down past the Frog Pond and gardens to capture a few more portraits of them together and their happiness. We only had about another half an hour before they were finished and rushed off to announce their engagement to family and friends!

Thank You!

Sami + Cody, thank you so much for working with me for your engagement photography! I had so much fun working with you for your engagement photos. I am also so excited to see your beautiful new engagement photo album in person!

If you are considering Como Conservatory proposal photos, contact me soon!

BONUS: Be sure to check out some other proposals I photographed at Como Park too, including an autumn Como Conservatory proposal, a spring Como proposal, a summer Como Park proposal, a winter Como Park proposal, and an autumn Conservatory proposal.

Como Conservatory Proposal Photography | Jack + Racine

By Joanna Carina

Como Park Surprise Proposal

Jack sent me a note one early spring day about wanting photos taken of his surprise engagement proposal to his girlfriend Racine in April at the Como Conservatory. It was tough keeping things secret from Racine, but we did the best we could with secret emails and phone calls.

Como Conservatory Engagement Portraits

The day came for their engagement proposal, and Racine was none-the-wiser. Jack and Racine were on their way to a special engagement dinner, and Jack mentioned he had booked a photographer for a few photos at the Como Conservatory on their way to dinner. They arrived during a short spring shower. We started with a few portraits, then they headed over to the main landing in the Conservatory, when Jack got down on one knee and proposed. Racine was in tears of joy as she nodded emphatically “YES!” to his proposal. They were so sweet together! We spent a bit more time around the Conservatory for photos, then walked down past the Frog Pond and gardens to capture a few more as the sun was making an appearance. We only had about half an hour before they rushed off for dinner and announcing their engagement to friends and family!

Thank You!

Jack + Racine, thank you so much for working with me for your engagement photography! I had so much fun working with you for your surprise proposal / engagement photos!

If you are considering Como Conservatory proposal photos, contact me soon!

BONUS: Be sure to check out some other proposals I photographed at Como Park too, including an autumn Como Conservatory proposal, a summer Como Park proposal, a winter Como Park proposal, a spring Como Park proposal, and an autumn Conservatory proposal.

Como Park Conservatory Engagement Photography | Katie + Jared

By Joanna Carina

Como Park Engagement Session

Jared + Katie were excited to have an engagement photo session the summer before their big day in 2021. They wanted photos to treasure as well as photos for their Save-the-Date cards. We talked over options, and they loved the idea of Como Park and Conservatory for its gorgeous green space as well as being the site of one of their first dates. I will admit I am biased toward Como Park, as I got married there myself! 🙂

Como Conservatory Engagement Portraits

The day came for their engagement session, and lucky for us, the closure of the Conservatory (due to the pandemic) meant that we had most of the park to ourselves. We spent lots of time around the Conservatory, Frog Pond, pergola, gardens, benches and green space all around. We even had time to visit Como Park’s new Lily Pond feature with its bridges, flowers, pergola, pond and fountains. It is such a beautiful park. We worked together for about 1-1/2 hours and had an awesome time!

Thank You!

Katie + Jared, thank you so much for working with me as your engagement photographer! I had so much fun working with you for your beautiful engagement photos. And I am so excited for your big day next year!

If you are considering Conservatory engagement photos, contact me soon!

BONUS: Be sure to take a look at some other engagement sessions I photographed at Como Park, including a spring engagement session, a winter engagement session, another spring engagement session, another winter engagement session, another spring engagement session, a summer engagement session, an anniversary portrait session, and even a Como Town Amusement Park engagement session!