Colin and Ellen were married today!

Ellen and Colin are such a fabulous couple.  They love the outdoors and the more adventure the better…so it really wasn’t surprising that they were excited when the snow started falling.  The bride wished for snow on her wedding day, and snow she got! 

Ellen was simply stunning in her blue and white wedding gown.  Her mother made the dress, basing the design off of an Oscar de le Renta pattern and incorporating detailed lace and luxurious fabrics.  The bridesmaids also had hand-made dresses in varying shades of blues and neutrals.  They carried bouquets of thistle, delphinium, greens and Ellen’s favorite…ferns.  The guys looked dashing in suits from Heimies Haberdashery with bow ties that matched their bridesmaid’s dress.  The boutonnieres had a personal touch with a couple coffee beans lining the stems to give a nod to how Ellen and Colin met…at a Dunn Brothers. 

We started off with a sweet first sight and pictures at Silverwood Park.  The couple’s well worn canoe was at the reception site to hold wedding gifts, so we utilized said canoe in some portraits.  The wedding party was prepared for winter weather, wearing boots, long johns and furs, and they were troopers as we ran around in the snow taking pictures.  We visited the Walker to get some indoor shots, and as we went out to the cars, an impromptu snow ball fight started. 

Guests braved the icy roads and snow to arrive at Immanuel Lutheran just in time for the ceremony.  Ellen walked down the aisle to dramatic organ music and incorporated lovely music throughout the ceremony.  Sweet words were read and blessings were given and Colin and Ellen could not stop smiling at each other.  In the car afterwards, they kept looking at each other and saying, “we’re married!”  “hey!  you’re my wife!”…and the happiness kept us going, even when a groomsman’s car got stuck on a hill and we trudged through the snow to get a few last shots before the sun disappeared. 

At the reception, Colin’s Norwegian heritage was celebrated fully.  Evergreens, ferns, birch and moss adorned tables washed in candlelight.  Skol! was cheered after each speech and was sung to get the couple to kiss (I believe Colin was even referred to as a Viking warrior at one point).  After a dinner served by Mintahoe, Kransekake was served for the guests and they were treated to an amazing coffee bar with custom lattes by Dogwood Coffee (an extra bonus, the reception hall smelled fabulous all night!).  Two of Colin’s groomsmen spent months brewing beer and had cases of many varieties for guests to enjoy.  Cigars came out later in the evening and were smoked by the outdoor fire as the snow tapered off, and the dance floor was hoping thanks to Lance from Humans Win!, DJ extraordinaire.  Lance did a great job mixing the wide range of tunes these music lovers wanted at their dance.  Playing in the snow continued as well, with the groomsmen pushing the bride and groom down a hill in the canoe!  What a fun group =)

Ellen and Colin, it was truly an honor being a part of your day.  Here are some of our favorite images, enjoy!