Zoe Prinds-Flash 9/29/17 Zoe Prinds-Flash 9/29/17

Rachel & Erik

The Olm/Wiggan family are some of the only people I've ever met who are absolutely unafraid to slow down and feel Big. Anyone who is in their presence knows exactly what I'm talking about. You've never met a sweeter, more sincere, more hardworking family.

This wedding was incredibly emotional for me. It marked two summers since Rachel's older sister Leah's wedding-- one that forever changed my photography career and life. It meant a reunion of sorts, as I am the official Olm family photographer and get to bear witness to almost all large gatherings of Olm's, Wiggans, Macaulay's, Meyer's, and now Jahn's. it also meant getting to watch sweet Rachel look at Erik and see her husband. After years and years of together-ness, now a new kind.

Rachel and Erik and their families are easy to photograph because they love so bigly (I'm taking that word back, okay?) They not only invite people in but encourage them to make physical contact in the spirit of forming connections. When Rachel and Erik and I were talking about what kind of imagery they wanted for their wedding, they kept saying to me, "Just do your thing. We trust you." But what I wanted to say back was, no, do YOUR thing. Your thing is the magic explosive magnetic thing and without it, I have nothing.

Here are my favorite images from their two day weekend celebration that I was lucky to witness, participate in, and make art from. I love you guys.

Zoe Prinds-Flash 9/22/17 Zoe Prinds-Flash 9/22/17

Kayla & James

I've known Kayla most of my life. We grew up in the same neighborhood in SE Minneapolis and we went to all of the same schools up until college. She and her husband (!) James just recently moved back to that same old neighborhood and threw a lovely wedding near to where we went to elementary school. It was heartwarming to watch friends and family from all parts of Kayla and James's life return to a space that held a lot of beginnings, to cheer on the start on a new one.

The day started off with a lovely service at the family church. While Kayla and James were saying their "I Do's" friends were gathering at the back of the church with signs, horns, drums, and streamers. What followed was a second-line style parade from the ceremony to their reception hall. We followed a path very familiar to those who grew up in Marcy Holmes: along St. Anthony Main's cobblestone path and through a secret thoroughfare behind the Aster Cafe. Folks holding signs that read "one ring to rule them all" and "this is kind of a big deal!" skipped along behind Kayla and James, as others played Kazoo's while the groom himself sported a harmonica.

These two have fun. There is an element of play and genuine tap-your-feet, clap-your-hands joy that emanates out from them and draws people in. So, it was quite fitting that towards the end of dinner, Kayla and James stood up, grabbed a guitar, and performed Randy Newman's classic Toy Story tune, "You've Got a Friend in Me." Faced with a standing ovation, Kayla looked over at James and beamed.

Thank you Kayla for including me in a special way. And thank you James for making one of my oldest friends truly happy.

Vendors:
Venue: Minneapolis Event Center
Catering: Brasa, La La Homeade Ice cream
Dress: Lillian West of TLC bridal boutique
Flowers: Stephanie Hagen, Paula Johnson
Rings: Nick Lundeen Jewelry

update: a photo from this wedding was recently published in the Washington Post along with a lovely write-up about how the two fell in love. Click through to read Kayla and James' story!