Julia and Bryan’s relaxed & long-awaited outdoor wedding reception

Having worked with Julia and Bryan for several years now, I have witnessed how intentional and creative they are as individuals and as a couple. Julia and Bryan are both artists and musicians, and they care deeply about their communities. They began planning their wedding years ago and scheduled it for June of 2020, but they decided to postpone when the pandemic began. A year later, they had a small wedding ceremony with their immediate friends and family members at this cozy, intimate home in South Minneapolis. And last summer, they finally were able to gather all their people together for a vow renewal ceremony and outdoor wedding reception at a park. It was a long time coming, and such a lovely celebration. 

When planning this long awaited celebration, Julia and Bryan had a shared vision for the day to reflect their core values of simplicity and being in community. They wanted the day to feel relaxed, so they could embrace the joy of being married and surrounded by their people. They also wanted to include themes and rituals from their ceremony day to help these two pivotal days as a couple feel connected. 

The reception day began as Julia and Bryan gathered with their families under a park pavilion. There were kiddos running and playing in the grass, and it was so sweet to watch Julia and Bryan just stroll in together to greet their families, happy and at ease. We took several family portraits before transitioning to the vow renewal ceremony. 

For their original wedding ceremony, Julia and Bryan created these incredible zines for each guest that included stories and art about their relationship. For the vow renewal ceremony, they reprinted the zines and invited guests to read some of the stories together. It was such a sweet moment of memory sharing about Julia and Bryan’s journey.

After the ceremony, they moved into a casual cocktail hour. Julia and Bryan savored this time to just mingle and chat with their friends and family at an easy-going pace before transitioning to dinner.

During the meal, several of Julia and Bryan’s close friends offered super sweet and heartfelt toasts. In these portraits, you can see Julia and Bryan just soaking up each word, feeling so grateful to be celebrating their marriage in community! 

After dinner Julia and Bryan stepped away with me for some couple portraits. They look so at peace in these portraits, each of them glowing in the soft light of the setting sun. 

Then, the dancing began! Julia and Bryan each changed into a more casual outfit to dance in, not wanting anything to hold them back on the dance floor. One of my favorite portraits from the day shows Julia barefoot, walking beside Bryan as they move sound equipment to the make-shift dance floor beneath the pavilion. I love the ease and story in this image - it beautifully captures the DIY vibe of their day and the sense of feeling so at home with one another and with their community. 

They danced into the night, and I remember this lovely moment as I walked away from their reception - I looked back at the park pavilion and could see the happiest dance party, with Julia and Bryan right in the middle of it all. 

Julia and Bryan, it's been such an honor to work with you the last couple years. You've had quite the wedding journey!! And honestly, the intentionality and care you've brought to all the tricky pandemic-wedding decisions showed the values you two center in your lives: your love, your people, and a sense of perspective for what's most important. I'm so delighted to have been able to capture your wedding journey over these years and I'm SO happy that you were able to have this incredible celebration. Thank you both for everything <3