Kathy and Austin's Wedding at the Long Lake Lodge in Brandon Minnesota by Phodot Photographers Mark and Stacy Milburn

As our weather starts to turn cooler this fall we love reflecting back on the warm and beautiful Minnesota days we encountered this past summer.  For us we agree that Austin and Kathy's outdoor August 16th wedding day at the Long Lake Lodge in Brandon Minnesota was the warmest wedding day we had this past summer. 

The Lodge provided space for the bride and groom to get ready in comfort, separately.  They also have rooms for the couple, the wedding party and guests to stay the night.  Kathy and her bridesmaids choose to get ready in the air conditioned farm house at the Lodge.

As Kathy's grandmother wrapped Kathy's wrist with her pearl bracelet she shared the story of how she hand picked the pearls with her groom overseas years ago.

The farmhouse at the Lodge was filled with beautiful summer light all day long and it provided the rustic charm that Austin and Kathy wanted as a backdrop to their wedding. 

Mark and I loved the old buildings, the lake and the natural background that the Long Lake Lodge provided.  We had so many options for photos.  

Austin and Kathy choose to include late summer flowers in their bouquets, boutonnieres and decor.  Their choices were heat hearty and lasted through-out the day.  The best way to have floral that lasts the entire day is to choose plants and flowers that are in season when and where you are getting married.

In line with tradition, Austin and Kathy choose to see each other for the first time during the ceremony.  We captured many photos before the ceremony but we worked together to make sure that their paths did not cross until the ceremony.  Hard work paid off as we got to capture Austin full of emotion at the altar waiting as Kathy and her Dad walked slowly down the aisle.

Often we hear the bride described as a DIY personality but for this wedding the groom Austin provided himself quite the carpenter.  He built the entrance to the ceremony.

Austin and Kathy choose to do the wine mixing ceremony to symbolize their wedding union.

 

Kathy & Austin purchased a guest signature wedding book full of images from their engagement photography session with us at Spicer Castle.  Austin proposed to Kathy at the Castle. 

Instead of traditional wedding cake Austin and Kathy went with a cheesecake bar.  Guests had their choice of dessert toppings.

Austin and Kathy choose to gift engraved flasks to both their bridesmaids and groomsmen.  Girls in pink, guys in black.

No party is complete without a little Red Solo Cup.

Austin also hand crafted an anniversary box in which they sealed two bottles of their favorite wine.

Austin got the party started as he danced his way to Kathy for the garter removal.

Guests kept their lips moist with Kathy and Austin's signature chap-sticks.

We finished the night with a couple shot just outside the reception hall.  If you would like more information with regards to Phodot wedding photography please visit http://www.phodot.com/about-the-photographers

Phodot Wedding Photography at The Little Log House Pioneer Village in Hastings Minnesota

August 8th, 2014 was a beautiful, sunny, Minnesota summer day for Dale and Kerry's wedding at The Little Log House Pioneer Village in Hastings.  Mark and I enjoyed spending the day with Kerry, the bride and Dale, the groom, while capturing their wedding day for them. 

Mark had a blast photographing Dale, the groom and his groomsmen all over the village.

The Little Log House Pioneer Village was full of vintage charm and it offered so many wedding photography options.  Kerry had me begin photographing her day after her hair and make-up was complete but before she put on her dress.  Above, I photographed Kerry's wedding dress hanging just outside the Dress Shoppe in the village.

Kerry surrounded herself with friends as she got dressed.  The Little Log House Pioneer Village offers separate spaces for the bride and groom to get ready.  I loved the light from the stain-glass windows as it fell on Kerry as she got ready.   

Kerry and Dale choose to see each other before the ceremony.  We choose the garden as the location for the reveal keeping Dale in the shade and cool as he waited for Kerry to arrive.  After the reveal we photographed the wedding party and family formal photos all before the ceremony. 

Kerry and Dale full of smiles as they spend their first moments together on their wedding day.

Kerry and Dale choose to perform a sand ceremony to represent their union.  I love the signature glass cube they had made for the ceremony. 

Kerry was all smiles as she walked arm in arm with her dad down the aisle.

Guests were happy to fan themselves to keep cool during the outdoor wedding ceremony with the programs.  

After the ceremony as guests made their way to the reception hall onsite at the village we ran around the grounds with the wedding party photographing them at various spots.  Below we captured the wedding party under the Drive-in sign.

 

As photographers we just had to make use of the railway car and the telephone booth at the village.

 

Kerry and Dale's purple and grey heart shaped card box carried the couples wedding colors. 

The cake and cupcakes also echoed the wedding colors.  The custom cake topper with names and wedding date set the couple's cake apart and provided a focal point.

 

Dale and Kerry's photogenic friends helped the couple celebrate their wedding all night long.

All eyes were on Kerry and Dale as they danced their first dance.  They crowd only increased as the father-daughter and the mother-son dances took place.  There is no better backdrop for the dance photos then the smiles of friends and family as they watch you dance the night away.

 A night photo in the neon is a must at the Little Log House Pioneer Village for every couple that ties the knot at the village.