Minneapolis Wedding Photographer Archives

Arneson Acres Park Wedding Photography | Kristen + Sam

Arneson Acres Park Wedding Photography

“Whoa! I feel like I’m in Europe!” Those were the first words that left my mouth when Kristen + Sam and I met at Arneson Acres Park in Edina for their final wedding photography walk-through meeting. It was a gorgeous spring day, the sun was warm and bright in the cloudless sky, the temperature was perfect, and every tree and blade of grass was bright green. The cherry trees were bright pink, the flowers were beginning to bloom and the fountain was sprinkling away. We meandered through the park, and I was astonished that I had never heard of this beautiful location before. It was the most perfect location, and I was so excited to work on their Arneson Acres Park wedding photos!

Minneapolis Wedding Photography

Kristen + Sam held their wedding preparation at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott hotel. Afterward, we drove down to Arneson Acres well before the ceremony time so we could have their first look and wedding portrait photography at the park. Amazing. Gorgeous. Astounding. These are words I think of when I think of that garden. And Kristen + Sam were so happy and at-ease around each other. Most of my couples seem somewhat nervous during their wedding day, but not these two. All they could do was hold each other, kiss and laugh. They were so adorable! And completely relaxed and at-home in each others’ arms.

Their wedding went off without a hitch. We had been nervously watching the weather, feeling a sprinkle here or there. Luckily, the sky held out, and it wasn’t until on our way back to the Marriott that we got a bit of a shower. Just in time to be sheltered by the beautiful ballroom so everyone could enjoy cocktails, dinner and toasts, and then dance the night away.

Thank You!

Thank you so much, Kristen + Sam, for including me as your wedding photographer. I loved capturing your Arneson Acres wedding photos. I wish you every happiness in your new lives together!

If you need photography for your Arneson Acres Park wedding day, contact me soon to find out how we could work together!

Take a look at the highlight video showing more images from their day here:

VENDORS
Wedding Venue: Arneson Acres
Reception Venue: Minneapolis Airport Marriott
Bride/Bridesmaids’ Dresses: The Wedding Shoppe
Bride’s Shoes: Macy’s
Hair/Makeup: Blush Beauty Room
Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Macy’s
Florist: Bride
Rentals: Crown Rental
Cupcakes: Denny’s 5th Ave Bakery
DJ: Midwest Sound
Stationery: Bride

Aria Minneapolis Wedding Photography | Safiyyah + Rory

By Joanna Carina

Aria Minneapolis Wedding Photography

“You are my beloved, and you are my friend.” Tears welled up across the room as Safiyyah + Rory exchanged vows on a beautiful spring day during their Aria Minneapolis wedding photos. And I was so honored to be present to photograph their amazing day down to the very last detail.

I first got to meet Safiyyah + Rory over hot chocolate on a cold February night in Minneapolis. They are two of the sweetest, most down-to-earth people you will ever meet. I could spend hours talking with them and wonder where the time went! We had a blast during their engagement session last summer. Eden Prairie’s Round Lake Park is a beautiful hidden gem filled with fields, woods, flowers, a lake and plenty of picturesque spots.

Aria Mpls Wedding Photos

Working together on one of the biggest days of their lives was the icing on the cake. Aria is truly amazing. Safiyyah + Rory were very excited to spend plenty of time making sure to capture gorgeous portraits throughout the magnificent art and architecture of the building. From the old spiral staircase, to the elegant upstairs lounges. From the hidden alcoves, to the front lobby filled with spectacular crystal chandeliers. Every facet of Aria is a photographer’s dream. And the two of them were happy to spend as much time as possible creating amazing imagery to commemorate their big day!

Thank You!

Safiyyah + Rory, I am so incredibly happy for you both as you join your lives together. Thank you so much for hiring me as your wedding photographer. I’m so lucky to have gotten to know you and spend time with you on your gorgeous Aria Minneapolis wedding photos. So excited to keep in touch and see you guys again in the future!

Planning an Aria Mpls wedding? Contact me soon to discuss how we could work together!

Take a look at the highlight slideshow to see more images of their wedding day here:

VENDORS
Venue: Aria Minneapolis
Event Planning: Blush & Whim Wedding Planning + Event Design
Wedding Dress: Brides of France
Hair/Makeup: Julie Swenson Beauty
Florals: Ashley Fox Designs
Rentals: On Solid Ground Vintage Rentals
Catering: Chowgirls Killer Catering
S’Mores Bar: Campfire Desserts
DJ: PM Enterprises
Lighting: Phos Events

Garden Wedding Styled Photoshoot | Mary + Lisa

By Joanna Carina

Garden Wedding Styled Photoshoot

Mary + Lisa were originally married in Canada in 2006. It was a time when laws would not allow them to be married in the United States. Their best option was to cross the nearest border. They visited a Justice of the Peace and then had a few snapshots taken together before a small celebration, and that was that.

Fast-forward eight years to 2014 when a group of Minneapolis wedding professionals decided to put together a styled wedding photoshoot. We had access to an amazing English formal garden located in Stockholm WI. The garden had been lovingly built from the ground up over the past 25 years by owners Tim and Bruce, who created their perfect European getaway in small-town Wisconsin. They loved spending weekends here after a short drive from their home in Minneapolis. Their spectacular garden and original 1700’s farmhouse had garnered some attention in the past from national magazines as well as the town’s locals. They even occasionally rent it out for wedding celebrations. So naturally we were enamored with the property and thought it would be perfect for our photoshoot!

MN Wedding Styled Photoshoot

Mary + Lisa were so excited to work with us for our formal garden wedding styled photoshoot. They said they felt they were given a chance to have the wedding they never had. It was as if they were married all over again! I was so honored to be the wedding photographer for their photoshoot. Congratulations again, and thank you for working with us Mary + Lisa! We are so happy for you and your adorable family.

VENDORS
Models: Mary + Lisa
Event Planner, Rentals: Belle Noelle Events & Design
Makeup: Creative Beaute Agency
Hair: Sarah Drews
Florals: Foxglove Market & Studio
Desserts: Ganache Desserts and Confections
Dresses: J Crew
Headpieces: Ruby 3
Invitations: Olive Juice Stationery
Wedding Rings: Commers Custom Jewelers

Want to see more of my styled wedding photoshoots? Take a look at others here:
Paper Wedding Dress Styled Photoshoot
James J Hill Center Wedding Styled Photoshoot
Landmark Center Wedding Styled Photoshoot
St Paul Garden Wedding Styled Photoshoot

Columbia Manor Wedding Photography | Stacy + Alex

By Joanna Carina

Columbia Manor Wedding Photography

We met in a dark, South Minneapolis wine bar on a bitter, snowy January evening. Stacy, Alex and I spent a long time chatting and laughing up a storm. Naturally I was ecstatic when they called shortly afterward and told me they wanted to hire me as their wedding photographer. I was so excited to work with them on their Columbia Manor wedding day!

Minneapolis Wedding Photography

From Alex’s easy-going joke-cracking down to their relaxed and open planning, we all had so much fun. Their wedding was on a perfect fall day at Columbia Manor in Minneapolis. They were so easy and fun – other than Stacy’s uncooperative sash, of course!

Stacy and Alex, thank you so much for including me as your wedding photographer in your Columbia Manor wedding photos. I am so honored to have been a part of one of the biggest days of your lives, and I wish you every happiness on your journey together!

If you are planning a Columbia Manor Wedding, contact me soon to discuss how we could work together!

Take a look at their engagement session held at the Lyndale Park Peace Garden too!

BONUS: Be sure to check out some other golf club weddings I have photographed around the Twin Cities, including a Troy Burne Golf Club wedding, Mendakota Country Club wedding, a Bearpath Golf Club wedding, an Olympic Hills Golf Club wedding, and a TPC Twin Cities wedding!

VENDORS
Venue: Columbia Manor
Wedding Dress: Watters, Bridal Accents Couture
Bridal Shoes: Kate Spade
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Nordstroms
Hair/Makeup: Onsite Muse and Nasseem Rafiei
Groom/Groomsmen’s Attire: Brooks Brothers
Florist: Red Fox Floral
Catering: Three Sons Catering
Cake: Three Sons Catering
Music: Instant Request
Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas

Day Block Event Center Wedding Phot Photography os | Anna + Brandon

By Joanna Carina

Day Block Event Center Wedding Photography

The first time I met Anna + Brandon….it wasn’t Anna + Brandon. I met Anna along with her mom, Connie. We enjoyed hot chocolates on a cold January day at the Wilde Roast Cafe. We shared quite a few laughs and stories about our mutual friends! Anna was in town visiting for the week from Seattle, where she and Brandon lived for the past few years. Anna had grown up in Minneapolis, and they were moving back soon, so the two of them were planning for Day Block Event Center wedding photos.

Mill City Museum Wedding Photos

Anna + Brandon’s wedding day was here in the blink of an eye. Everything was as amazing as they had dreamed! A perfectly beautiful mid-September day at the refurbished, vintage/modern Day Block Event Center in Minneapolis. They held their first look and wedding party photos in the historic area around the Mill City Museum. We spent a little time in Gold Medal Park too for good measure.

Thank You!

Anna + Brandon, I am so honored to have shared the day with you as your wedding photographer. I loved working on your Day Block Event Center wedding photos. Thank you so much, and I wish you a beautiful life together!

Planning a Day Block Event Center or Mill City Museum wedding? Contact me soon to discuss how we could work together!

BONUS: Take a look at a beautiful Mill City Museum wedding that I photographed too!

Check out the highlight video to see more images here:

VENDORS
Venue: Day Block Event Center
Event Planner: Ask for the Moon Event Planning
Wedding Dress: Sophia & Camilla, The Wedding Shoppe
Bridesmaids Dresses: a. ell design
Hair: Kari McMurrough
Makeup: Onsite Muse
Florist: Mickey O’Kane
Catering: Chef Royal
Rentals: Apres Party and Tent Rental
Desserts: Sweet Life Desserts
DJ: James Everest

Cottage Winery and Vineyard Wedding Photography | Katie + Bob

By Joanna Carina

Cottage Winery and Vineyard Wedding Photography

When Katie + Bob mentioned that they wanted Cottage Winery and Vineyard wedding photos, I wasn’t totally sure what to expect. Being a wine-lover myself, I had been to many wineries, from Minnesota to Napa Valley and even to the Loire Valley in France. However, I’d never been to a Wisconsin winery before! I was happy to discover it very impressive, with rolling hills, amazing landscaping, even a waterfall. Such a spectacular place! Coupled with a perfectly warm, sunny day and beautiful early fall color, everything was as picturesque as Katie and Bob could have hoped!

We started working together on their Mill City Museum engagement photos, and had so much fun doing a winter engagement session. We started their day at Mill Ruins Park, and quickly froze during the January chill. Luckily, the Mill City Museum was nearby for us to warm up!

Thank You!

Congratulations Katie + Bob, and thank you so much for working with me as your wedding photographer! I loved working on your Cottage Winery and Vineyard wedding photos. I am so happy for you and honored to have been given the opportunity to capture your beautiful day. Best wishes for a life filled with joy and happiness!

Planning a Cottage Winery and Vineyard, or other winery or vineyard, wedding? Contact me soon to learn more about how we could work together!

Take a look at the highlight video for more images here:

VENDORS
Venue: Cottage Winery and Vineyard
Wedding Dress: Jasmine Bridal, Our Shop
Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Bridesmaids Dresses: Bill Levkoff, The Wedding Shoppe
Hair/Makeup: Shaina Rae
Groom/Groomsmen Attire: The Wedding Shoppe
Florist: Tying the Knot Floral Design
Caterer: Mama Maria’s
Dessert: Linda John
Music: Interactive DJ
Invitations: JubeeleeArt (Etsy) + Bride

Barns of Old Glory Wedding Photography | Shane + Mandy

By Joanna Carina

Barns of Old Glory Wedding Photography

I’ve known Shane for many years, being one of my husband’s good friends. When he and his girlfriend Mandy got engaged, I was SO happy for them! And then, of course, when they asked me to be their wedding photographer I was even happier! I was excited to work with them on their Barns of Old Glory wedding photos.

Barn Wedding Photography

Their wedding ceremony took place at the cabin of Shane’s parents outside of Chatfield, MN. The ceremony was held beside a quaint little stream on an amazing summer’s day. We then headed over to the Barns of Old Glory in St Charles, MN. The venue is a lovingly and impeccably restored farm with several barns including a bridal suite “villa”, a large reception barn, petting zoo, hayrides and more! The baby animal in the petting zoo were a particular favorite. There was plenty of fun for all their wedding guests to have an awesome experience!

Thank You!

Thank you so much, Shane + Mandy, for choosing to work with me on your Barns of Old Glory wedding photos. I am ridiculously happy for you guys, and I wish you the happiest life together!

If you’re planning a barn wedding, contact me soon to find out how we could work together!

Take a look at more of my MN farm weddings, MN vineyard weddings, a Hope Glen Farm wedding, and MN barn weddings too!

Olympic Hills Golf Club Wedding Photography | Amanda + Dan

By Joanna Carina

Olympic Hills Golf Club Wedding Photography

Amanda + Dan hired me to create their Olympic Hills Golf Club wedding photos in Eden Prairie MN. The day couldn’t have had more perfect weather. The Golf Club held their outdoor ceremony in front of a small pond near the clubhouse surrounded by amazing gardens, trees and scenery. We were also able to take some time to travel over to the nearby Staring Lake Park to take some of the bridal party photos there too. Such a fun day!

Thank You!

Thank you so much, Amanda + Dan, for working with me as your wedding photographer. I also loved working with you as your engagement photographer. I wish you a long and happy life together!

If you are planning an Olympic Hills Golf Club wedding, contact me soon to discuss how we could work together!

BONUS: Be sure to check out some other golf club weddings I have photographed around the Twin Cities, including a Troy Burne Golf Club wedding, Mendakota Country Club wedding, a Bearpath Golf Club wedding, a Columbia Manor wedding, and a TPC Twin Cities wedding!

Watch their highlight video for more images here:

Garden Wedding Styled Photoshoot | Carina Photographics

By Joanna Carina

Garden Styled Wedding Photoshoot

I’ve been anxious to try my hand at a styled wedding photoshoot for some time, especially one that took place in a stunning garden. It took a whole summer of planning, finding and meeting a lot of people, pinning ideas on Pinterest, and a lot of running around and busywork, but we were finally able to create the styled wedding photoshoot at the end of September. It turned out better than I could have imagined, and I am so thankful to be the wedding photographer for the team of people that worked with me to make this amazing session happen! I had so much fun doing it, and I love the images so much, that I am tentatively starting to think about working on two more photoshoots next summer (including one more in a garden!)

VENDORS
Hair/Makeup: Brooke Valley
Jewelry: Wendy Witherspoon @ Stella & Dot
Rings: Dolce Vita
Milliner: Anna Lee @ Ruby3
Florals: Nicole Chittenden Design Studio
Photo Stylist: Angie Hanson
Invitations: Carina Creative
Venue: Private residence in St Paul, MN

Want to see more of my styled wedding photoshoots? Take a look at others here:
Paper Wedding Dress Styled Photoshoot
James J Hill Center Wedding Styled Photoshoot
Formal Garden Wedding Styled Photoshoot
Landmark Center Wedding Styled Photoshoot

Backyard Wedding Photography Hudson WI | Niki + Robert

By Joanna Carina

Back Yard Wedding Photography

We’ve had nothing but wacky weather this year. Freezing cold winter with piles of snow that went on all the way through April, then more cold throughout May, and it finally seemed to be warming up in June. However it was raining almost every day. We were hopeful that Niki + Rabert’s wedding would be spared any of the chaos, because they had planned a backyard ceremony at Robert’s family home in Hudson, WI. Unfortunately we got a little nip of the rain even then. Ironically, the rain only came as the ceremony was ending, and then stayed throughout their portrait time. Luckily, there were a lot of trees in the yard to shield us. Also luckily I brought lots of umbrellas! And it is true, it is good luck to get rain on your wedding day. More power to you, Niki + Robert!

Minneapolis Wedding Photography

Niki + Robert were married in Niki’s parent’s backyard in front of about 100 of their family and friends. I was lucky enough to be their wedding photographer. They even had their sweet little 8-month old son dressed in an adorable little matching onesie “suit” with argyle leggings and tweed hat. The backyard was a beautiful location for photos, with a lot of trees and even a lovely garden pond.

The sun did finally make its appearance right in the middle of dinner, so we had a chance to sneak in some more portraits before everyone was off to party the night away. Congratulations Niki + Robert!