[ Katie + Mark ] Wedding Destination: St. Paul, Minnesota
Posted on August 20, 2008
Well. If you are planning a wedding in the St. Paul, Minnesota marketplace, I really believe you do not need to look any further than the Estetica Salon & Spa for the destination to begin your magnificent day. As a wedding photography I can honestly say I have been to my fare share of salon and spas, both good and bad. And, by all means, Estetica was beyond good, it was great. Katie picked very wisely and I thank her for doing so because it helps so much with photography to have space and natural light. Awesome.
To view Katie and Mark’s wedding highlight slideshow, please click here.
Following Estetica, we headed over to St. Mark’s Church in St. Paul, just a touch north of St. Thomas. If there is one thing I love about weddings, it is a traditional cathedral, and boy was St. Mark’s a beauty. When I walked in with my equipment prior to Mark and Katie showing up, I was by myself, in the dark, alone in the cathedral. Talk about humbling.
So the final preparation begins. Katie in her wing to the east, and Mark and his men were in the wing to the west. I’m pretty sure as a wedding photography I have the only perspective that day that is allowed to see both sides of the wedding in real time. Talk about an interesting position, an honor to say the least.
Mark arrives. As you can see Mark’s wedding party had no problem getting lose for the event. Not too much stress happening here. Always good to see prior to the wedding event.
A quiet moment prior to the wedding beginning!
Katie makes her grand entrance, and believe me, it was grand!
As I mentioned before, I love cathedrals, but they do pose lighting issues as you cannot use flash photography. The pictures above showcase images taken at 1600 ISO at f2.8 with a 1/4 second exposure. I was very happy to have my image stabilized lens and monopod on hand to capture the wedding images. Awesome equipment!
A good look at the size and scope of the interior of the cathedral, as I mentioned before, beautiful!
The grand exit, in fashion as well. The white Hummer was awaiting the newly weds and we speed off into interstate traffic around Minneapolis and St. Paul in sleek style and elegant sophistication.
If you haven’t yet viewed Katie and Mark’s wedding highlight slideshow, please click here right now!
Then we made an appearance at W.A. Frost. The place was packed prior to us getting there, it was even better occupied when we took our positions. If you haven’t been to W.A. Frost, you need to reserve a table sooner than later. Once again a restaurant and bar with nothing but class. I would have like to sit down for a steak and ale, but it seemed I had a few other responsibilities at the time. Here we see a fun candid shot of the ladies, love those cell phone cameras!
The gentlemen. Serious business.
Off to Oak Marsh we then sped, and what you do not see here is the thunder storm that blew through in between W.A. Frost and Oak Marsh Golf Course. It was raining so hard I really couldn’t see where to turn. My handy Garmin GPS was very helpful when the skies released their fury. I made it to reception on time, and actually a bit early.
As you can see, it took about 90 minutes for the storm to pass, and then we were once again blessed with God’s perfect sweet light. So very sweet, there was still a mist of humidity in the air which added to the color of the light. As a photographer, you couldn’t ask for anything more.
The wedding party being real.
The ladies having a bit too much fun? Never.
Then we danced, all night long. Even my feet hurt. The live band was perfect. If you want my opinion when planning a wedding, please go live band. It makes a world of difference. As you can see in the pictures above and below, the wedding party and guests let go, they had fun, and the night and entire wedding day was an amazing success.
Katie and Mark, I thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wedding day. It was an honor and a privilege.
Best Regards — Aaron W. Hautala, RedHouseWeddings
Now, you absolutely need to view Katie and Mark’s wedding highlight slideshow, click here.
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