Emily had a clear vision for her wedding day: a small, intimate ceremony in the backyard of an Airbnb in Minnesota. She wanted a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere surrounded only by close friends and family. They would share the joy of a perfect moment with the people who mattered most at a simple reception. Without the pressure of flawless details, the day promised to be authentically beautiful, just like Sam and Emily’s love story.

Speaking of Sam and Emily’s Love Story…

Sam and Emily met on Hinge and hit it off immediately. Their conversations flowed effortlessly, with quick and easy banter that made them feel like they’d known each other for years. They spent five hours talking on their first date and have been inseparable ever since. Six months into their relationship, Sam proposed at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, and Emily’s enthusiastic “yes” was the easiest decision she ever made.

An Intimate Airbnb Wedding in Minnesota

The day of the wedding was bustling with activity as Emily and Sam’s DIY vision came to life. Emily was busy finishing the flower arrangements and getting ready, while Sam and his groomsmen ensured everything was set up perfectly. Despite the nervousness of not seeing or talking to Sam all day, Emily had complete faith in him and the team. Her bridesmaids and mom kept her calm and focused, ensuring everything stayed on track. After the first look, the stress melted away, and everyone felt at ease. The ceremony was perfect, and Sam and Emily felt incredibly fortunate to share the moment with the support of their friends and family.

Head this way for more information on my Minnesota wedding packages and beyond!

Vendors

Venue | The River Lodge

Florals for DIY | Flower Moxie

HMUA | Captivating Beauty

Catering | Log Home Wood Fire Pizza

Cakes | Nothing Bundt Cakes

Dress | Bridal Aisle Boutique

Tux | Men’s Wearhouse

Rentals | Party Time

Logan and Brynn radiated sweetness and love, making them an absolute joy to be around. Brynn’s heart of gold paired perfectly with Logan’s gentlemanly nature, creating a truly perfect duo. The afternoon at Madden’s Resort on Gull Lake was a memorable experience. The fresh air under the Pavilion, the lively chatter, and infectious laughter created a vibrant atmosphere. However, what stood out the most were the killer dance moves on the dance floor. The light wands, shades, and streamers added an extra layer of fun and excitement. I couldn’t resist joining in on the dancing, and I’m glad I did. Capturing those candid moments of pure joy and uninhibited fun is always a highlight for me.

A Golf Course Love Story

Logan and Brynn’s love story began at The Pines Golf Course at Grandview Lodge, where Logan was the golf professional. Brynn was hired as a beverage cart girl, and Logan quickly took notice of her charm. Soon after, Logan transitioned to Cragun’s Legacy Courses as the Head Golf Pro. Brynn didn’t need much convincing to follow him. She found him quite cute, after all.

Without hesitation, Brynn followed Logan to Cragun’s. Their working relationship blossomed into a romantic one, and soon they were inseparable.

“From meeting Madisen to having her shoot our engagement and wedding photos, we were so impressed with her communication, passion, and clear love for her job- which she will tell you “doesn’t feel like work at all.” She was very easy to work with and helped take the guesswork out of the picture-taking process throughout our wedding day! She captured what was important to us and was very personable, which made the nerves of the day and the potential intimidation of being in front of the camera melt away. From the big to small details, she captured every bit, and we are so grateful to have memories we can frame, share, and love forever.”

Celebrating Love at Madden’s Resort on Gull Lake: Brynn and Logan’s Vintage-Inspired Wedding

I had the pleasure of meeting Brynn while photographing another wedding on the Gull Lake cruise boat. She was a joy to connect with, and when she reached out to share her engagement news, I was thrilled beyond measure. We clicked instantly, and I knew capturing their story would be amazing.

Their reception was filled with thoughtful details that reflected their love for vintage, timeless, and classic things. Every detail held significance, from the vintage phone voicemail “guestbook” to the classic car Logan’s uncle restored for their day. Brynn’s Nana gifted them antique champagne flutes for their first toast, and her mom curated almost all the items in the detail photos. Brynn and Logan were incredibly grateful to their families and friends for contributing to their special day. Their wedding was a beautiful reminder that celebrations surrounded by your favorite people are the most meaningful.

Read more like this: Stone Hill Farm Wedding

Vendors

MUA | Soft Glow Makeup

Hair | Meraki Hair

Gown | Emily Kaye Bridal

Sweets | Knotty Pine Bakery

Sweetheart Cake | Miss A’s Confections

Venue | Maddens Resort

Tux | Nisswa Tuxedo

Florals | I’m Flowery Lady

Wedding Planner | Reagan Ashley Weddings & Events

Video | Tim Thornburg

In Brainerd, Minnesota, Lizzy and Connor had an industrial romantic wedding at the Northern Pacific Center. Lizzy is seriously one of the sweetest people you’ll meet. She and her sisters were full of smiles and laughter in the bridal suite while Connor and the guys were doing the same. It was an overcast day, with soft snowflakes falling, so we kept cozy inside most of the day.

Connor and Elizabeth met in the high school band room. Yep, they’re your classic high-school sweethearts—she played the flute, and he played the saxophone. Now, Connor is the Branding Manager and Co-Founder of Eufouric Brands, a family business. In his downtime, he indulges in his passion for racing at BIR with his new Camaro ZL1. Elizabeth, on the other hand, is a Lead RN at an ENT clinic and generously volunteers as a Nisswa Firefighter/First Responder, giving back to her community.

An Industrial Romantic Wedding Ceremony in Minnesota

They began their day preparing in the bridal suite, Le Leir, and the groom’s suite, Lincoln Lounge. The intimate ceremony was in the stunning 2 South space, where they opted for their first look while walking down the aisle! To determine who would read their vows first, they even decided with a playful game of rock-paper-scissors, a reflection of their daily decision-making as a couple. Their sand and stone unity ceremony involved all their closest family and friends. Tom, the Father of the Groom, officiated the ceremony, making it more personal. Lizzy also shared a special first look with her mother and honored her late father by placing his tie on his chair.

Their celebration continued at Luminary, where a family-style table awaited their guests for a cozy dinner together. The long table arrangement was beautiful and intimate. Cocktail hour followed, with more friends arriving to join in the celebration and dance the night away. Seeing everyone’s happy faces as they congratulated the newlyweds was heartwarming.

“We chose Madi because she is a phenomenal photographer and very personable! Photos on our wedding day felt natural and unhurried. Madi listened to our wishes and wants for photos. She is someone who is dependable and has an eye for capturing the best images/moments. We love our images from our day and have recommended her to friends and family!”

VENDORS

Photography | Madisen Watson Photography

Venue | The Northern Pacific Center

Florals | Bloom Designs

Catering | 3 Cheers Catering

Gown | Raffine Bridal

Grooms Ring | Birgit’s Jewelers

Brides Ring | EL Menk Jeweler

Bridal Spray Tan | Captivating Beauty

Lydia and Judah’s wedding at Stone Hill Farm was a standout event, marked by the genuine joy and love shared by all who surrounded them. The late fall day was beautifully relaxed, and even the evening sun made a perfect appearance.

Lydiah and Judah first met in 2021 through the church, where Judah’s father had been urging Lydia to meet his son since August. When Judah finally appeared one day, his father made the introduction. Despite this, they didn’t start talking intentionally until October 2022. They continued to be part of each other’s lives by volunteering at the same youth group but didn’t become friends until July 2022. Lydia initially declined Judah’s invitation to go out, feeling they were in different life stages. Looking back, she believes it was the best choice, and they made their relationship official in December of 2022.

A Midwest Wedding Day at Stone Hill Farm

Lydia has been a client of mine for the past couple of years, and she specifically chose me for her wedding because she appreciated the peace and optimism I bring. Her favorite part of the day was the ceremony, which felt surreal as she walked down the aisle with her dad, seeing all the support for her and Judah’s marriage. Just before her entrance, she watched as rose petals were scattered down the aisle in honor of her 3-year-old niece, who had passed away in 2023 and would have been their flower girl. In that moment, she experienced a flood of emotions, reflecting on how God had led her to this point—walking down the aisle to marry the love of her life.

Their exceptional style was evident in every detail, from their stylish kicks to their comfortable and perfectly coordinated exit attire!

“If you are thinking of booking your wedding or any other pictures of any kind with Madisen, you will not regret it! She is full of so much life and creativity and makes me feel so at ease every single time I work with her. My husband and I also did our engagement photos with her, and the experience turned into a core memory we will never forget and talk about all of the time! 10/10!”

VENDORS

Photographer | Madisen Watson Photography

Venue | Stone Hill Farm

HMUA | Captivating Beauty

Gown | Wedding Shoppe Inc.

Suit | Knights Chamber Clothiers

Shoes | Nike

Caterer | Precision Catering “They were amazing to work with and had some of the best food I’ve ever had at a wedding!” – Lydia