Patrick and Jeff's elegant, joyful wedding at Aria Minneapolis
Patrick and Jeff’s wedding day went by in a swirl of happy things - laughing friends, loving family, calm relaxed moments and high-energy joy, amazing food, all in a stunning setting.
I’ve been psyched about their wedding day ever since they asked me to be their photographer. I actually went to college with Patrick and we’ve been buddies for years - so it made it extra meaningful that I was able to document this day for him and Jeff. If you’d like to reminisce with me, I photographed their engagement session this past summer, and the happy and relaxed vibes from those pictures had me even more excited about their wedding day.
The setting
Jeff and Patrick chose Aria for their venue - the space is historic and funky and elegant and cool, and they loved the architecture and energy in the space. Their amazing florist, Ginger Root, created lush bouquets and centerpieces with all the best autumn vibes, and also constructed a beautiful backdrop for their ceremony, with greenery so intricately woven into the brick that it looked like it had been there forever.
Their first look & couple portraits
These two spent the morning together with their shared group of friends, and had already seen each other’s wedding outfits, but we still decided to do a “first look” - so shortly after I arrived, Patrick and Jeff each separated into different dressing rooms and got into their tuxes, and we set up a little moment for them to see each other for the first time. For them, their “first look” wasn’t about seeing each other dressed up in tuxes - it was the beginning of a chapter of their wedding day, a moment for them to take each other in and be excited and focus on each other.
Wedding party portraits & family photos
Throughout their wedding day, I focused on documenting candids and moments and atmosphere, but my biggest priority was the community that was showing up for Patrick and Jeff. When we were beginning to plan their wedding photography, they talked about their people in the center of how they envisioned the day.
They surrounded themselves with an amazing (and super fun) wedding party of their best friends (all dressed in beautiful jewel tones!) and were psyched to spend some time exploring Aria and taking fun pictures to document their group of friends. And they wanted to spend the evening celebrating and relaxing with all of their guests and have a fun, lovely time together. Even their day-of-coordinator, Erica from Piece of Cake Weddings, had amazing energy - she kept everything flowing effortlessly throughout the day.
Their ceremony at Aria Minneapolis
Jeff’s sister offiated their ceremony, and it was full of personality and story and meaning. Friends shared readings - one of them was an excerpt from the Supreme Court decision announcing marriage equality back in 2015 (which made me cry! The first of many times that day. I’m always a sap at weddings and often have tears on the back of my camera during ceremonies and toasts.)
Reception moments (+ toasts that made me cry!)
At their reception, Patrick and Jeff greeted their guests and thanked everyone for surrounding them and supporting them. They reminded their guests that as a gay and interracial couple, the right to marry has only been available to them recently, and they lifted a glass and toasted to all of the couples and people who came before them and fought for them to be able to be married today. It was a really beautiful, important moment in the midst of a beautiful, celebratory day.
You could really tell that their community loves Patrick and Jeff so much - the toasts that their friends and parents gave during dinner made me cry so many times - it’s just incredibly evident that these two are so beloved.
Patrick and Jeff, it was such an honor to be your photographer. Thank you both for your incredible energy, and your joy and your love. I could not be happier for the two of you!!
Thanks to all of the amazing vendors who created such a beautiful celebration:
Venue: Aria
Day of Coordinator: Piece of Cake MN Weddings
Catering: Brasa
Hair/makeup artists for wedding party: Luminous Beauty
Florist: Ginger Root
Attire: theblacktux.com
Photobooth: Bellagala
Videography: Guy Wagner
Dessert: Coca & Fig, Ben & Jerrys