What a gorgeous day with Sara and Joe and their downtown St. Paul, MN wedding day. I met both Sara and Joe in college at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona, MN. The funny part is, these two didn’t really know each other when we were in school but a few years after graduation reconnected through a mutual friend and quickly fell for each other. I’m surprised they didn’t know each other at school (that’s hard to do at a small school! but I’m not surprised that they fell in love – the two sweetest people and their kindness and love was so present the entire day.

The ceremony was at one of my all-time favorite churches, the beautiful Church of the Assumption Catholic Church, the oldest existing church in Saint Paul! The ceremony and mass were so personal and thoughtful, the priest was a lifelong family friend with such a thoughtful homily, their family was a part of the mass including Joe’s brother who sang a special song after Communion, and there were many tears shed throughout for (and by) the happy couple.

On the way to the reception, we stopped at another favorite of mine, Irvine Park – a small neighborhood park off of West 7th. A hidden gem with an ornate fountain and historic homes. We couldn’t have asked for better weather or the perfect falling of leaves on this October day. Then we headed just a few minutes away and just across the Mississippi River, overlooking the city skyline, Harriet Island Pavilion. ANOTHER favorite of mine, but I’m a bit biased because that was the reception venue for my own wedding 4 years ago. It brought back so many memories getting to celebrate a fall wedding in that building!

From getting ready with the ladies to a dance floor full of Saint Mary’s alumni, what a perfect day and what an honor to be a part of it!!