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A Perfect Match | Brooke & Aaron

Van Dusen Mansion Wedding

There were so many wonderful and unique things about Brooke & Aaron’s wedding, it’s hard to know where to start. There was little magical moment after magical moment all day. It started right away in the morning when the forecast – supposed to be rainy – turned out to be the sunniest, most perfect summer day. Weather aside, the wedding itself was stunning. The newly remodeled Van Busen Mansion was one of the most gorgeous mansions I have ever shot in before. It shined during the day and continued at night with a courtyard strung carefully with hanging lights. It was truly a vision, and so was Brooke. Everyone thought so, but the interaction between her and her father was really special. The first look that these two shared was one of the most emotional and memorable I have witnessed between a father and a daughter (see pictures below for proof). It was obvious how much he loved and cherished her – so you know he wouldn’t give her away to just anyone. It must have been clear, to him especially, that Aaron is not only good for Brooke, but perfect for her.

We noticed this, too. Brooke and Aaron are just such a perfect fit for each other. Their relationship has such ease about it – it’s hard to describe. Throughout the entire day they were both so relaxed, calm, and unworried by small details. They were more concerned about their guests having a good time than whether or not their day went “perfect.” However, you could tell there was a special peace they found in each other whenever they were able to steal a second alone. When we were taking couple pictures, it was like the cameras weren’t even there. Brooke and Aaron were just happy to together, and nothing else really mattered. Their love is natural and beautiful.

Brooke and Aaron’s amazing ability to love each other well is special, and it seems like they may have learned it from their parents. We couldn’t help but notice that both sets were happily married and obviously still in love. Which is rare. It was beautiful to see so many different relationships at different stages in life, all still going strong. These awesome families did an outstanding job raising their children and setting a good example for marriage, it makes sense that the two ended up together. I have no doubt that Brooke and Aaron will do the same in their future. I could go on forever, but ultimately, it was a beautiful day of celebrating true love and families being joined together. I only foresee one conflict in their future – will their children be Vikings or Packers fans? 🙂 Congrats again Brooke and Aaron! Keep spreading your infectious love.

White bridal details against velvet and leather armchair
Closeup of wedding rings against gold backdrop
Brooke wearing a robe embroidered with her new last name
Bridesmaid posing next to wedding dress
Groom playing pool in the Van Dusen Mansion
Groom Aaron fixing his tie in the mirror
Bridesmaid buttoning up wedding dress
Bride Brooke looking out the window
Brooke's first look with her father
Father of the bride crying during first look
Bride and her father embracing
Brooke sneaking up behind Aaron
First look between bride and groom
Aaron and Brooke posing among trees
Brooke twirling her lace wedding dress
Bridesmaids posing in blue dresses
Bride and bridesmaids smiling
Groomsmen in grey suits
Groomsmen laughing together
Wedding party cheering
Bride and groom posing with their families
Mothers of the bride and groom lighting unity candle
Aaron and his mother walking down the aisle
Aaron walking family down the aisle
Wide angle of church
First kiss between Brooke and Aaron
Bride and groom cheering while leaving church
Brooke and Aaron popping champagne on party bus
Champagne toast closeup
Wedding party toasting on party bus
Wedding party on bus
Stone arch bridge dip
Couples posing at Van Dusen
Cake cutting
Gold reception details at Van Dusen Mansion
Groomsman carrying bridesmaid for grand entrance
Bridesmaid posing in front of reception
Brooke and Aaron's grand entrance
Maid of honor toast
Father of the bride speech
Brooke crying into napkin during her father's speech
Best man giving a speech
First dance at Van Dusen ballroom
Brooke and her father dancing together
Aaron and his mother dancing together
Wedding guests dancing and laughing
Dancing guests
Wedding guest raising the roof on dance floor
Brooke and Aaron dancing together
Dancing wedding guests
Brooke throwing her bouquet over her shoulder
Bridesmaid with bouquet
Aaron pulling garter off of bride
Groom throwing garter over shoulder
Brooke and Aaron kissing in Van Dusen courtroom

Ceremony Venue — Nazareth Chapel — St. Paul, MN
Reception Venue — Van Dusen Mansion — Minneapolis, MN
Officiant — Father Steve Prokop — St. Paul, MN
Hair Stylist — Nivala & Co. (Alex Kraus) — Rosemount, MN
Caterer — Mintahoe Catering & Events — Minneapolis, MN
Cake Designer — The Cakery by Farmington Bakery— Farmington, MN
Florist — Stems & Vines — Prior Lake, MN
Dress shop/Designer — Posh Bridal — Minneapolis, MN
Tuxedos — Men’s Warehouse — Minneapolis, MN
Limo/Party bus Company — Renee’s Limo Valet: Limos, Coaches, & Trolleys — Minneapolis, MN
DJ — Sam Johnson (Bellagala) — Minneapolis, MN
Ceremony Music — Sharon Planer (Pianist for Parties) — Minneapolis, MN

There were so many wonderful and unique things about Brooke & Aaron’s wedding, it’s hard to know where to start. There was little magical moment after magical moment all day. It started right away in the morning when the forecast – supposed to be rainy – turned out to be the sunniest, most perfect summer...

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A Wedding at the Semple Mansion

MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion

Jayme and Mike were high school sweethearts.  In fact, even at the age of 15, they both knew they had always been, and would always be, “that person” for each other.  Isn’t that a true love story?  When they got married this year in Minneapolis, their wedding was like the ending of a fairytale.  To Jayme, the ceremony itself was the most special part of the day.  It made her love story official.  And since her own brother was officiating, it was personal. Familial.

“It was amazing to see all the people we love in the room to witness it and share it with us,” she says.

The ceremony was beautiful.  I had the privilege of photographing Jayme and Mike’s wedding at the luxurious Semple Mansion in Minneapolis.  Quite an excellent venue for wedding photography;  it’s historic, and has a degree of sophistication, ornateness, elegance… it’s almost royal.  (That must be why it’s won awards in Minnesota Bride Magazine every single year since it opened for weddings in 2007!)

We shot Jayme and Mike’s bride and groom portraits near Lake Harriet at the Lyndale Park Gardens’ beautiful Japanese-style Peace Garden.  The newlyweds wandered under willow trees and across the zig-zagging Peace Garden Bridge, which is constructed out of wood, Minnesota granite, copper, and two stones from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan that were given to our city as a symbol of peace with regards to the bombing of those two cities during WWII.  Japanese tradition believes that evil spirits walk only in straight lines, so the zigzag bridge prevents them from following people into the garden.

In the evening, the couple enjoyed a wedding reception in the Semple Mansion’s Grand Palladian Ballroom, where Jayme’s sister and Maid of Honor revealed all of the hilarious traits that qualified Mike as a bona fide rock star, which was important considering Jayme’s intense love of rock music.  This was indeed a match made in heaven.

After dinner, Jayme, Mike and their wedding guests had fun posing in our Antibooth photo station!  The Antibooth is a wedding photography add-on available to all of our clients.  It features hundreds of props, a professional backdrop (when needed – the Semple Mansion had a great space that didn’t require a backdrop), a real live professional photographer, and the ability to fit 10+ people in each photo, making it far superior to a traditional photo booth.  Pictures are professionally edited and printed on the spot, and your guests get to take home as many of these archive quality 4×6″ prints as they desire.  Plus, clients get all of the digital copies included on their wedding disk.  It’s been a popular add-on for the past couple years… scroll to the bottom of this post to see why!

MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion
MN Wedding at the Semple Mansion

Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Semple Mansion – Minneapolis
Hair & Makeup: Renae & Lori at The Hair District: Uptown – Minneapolis
Cake designer: Buttercream – Minneapolis
Caterer: Brie Catering – St. Paul
Florist: Christine’s Floral Touch – Minneapolis
Wedding Dress: Posh Bridal – Wayzata
Limo: Total Transportation – Vadnais Heights

Jayme and Mike were high school sweethearts.  In fact, even at the age of 15, they both knew they had always been, and would always be, “that person” for each other.  Isn’t that a true love story?  When they got married this year in Minneapolis, their wedding was like the ending of a fairytale.  To...

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CONTACT


2409 Lyndale Ave S,
Suite 202
Minneapolis MN, 55405

 

612.242.8655
[email protected]

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@brovadoweddings

FOLLOW OUR ADVENTURES

@brovadoweddings

CONTACT


2409 Lyndale Ave S,
Suite 202
Minneapolis MN, 55405

 

612.242.8655
[email protected]