Melissa Oholendt | Minnesota Wedding & Lifestyle Photography

Paul Bunyon & Babe.

What a party. It’s been 5 days since your wedding and I can’t get over how much fun the entire day was. I overheard (ok, eavesdropped in on) a conversation Ben was having about how every single vendor involved in your wedding was a friend or family member and how much meaning that held to have friends & family who loved you surround you from start to finish on one of your biggest days to date. It hit me how special and unique that is and how much of an honor it was to be a part of that.

Catie, I remember the week before you left for England to meet the Blackford clan we had our girl’s lunch and you confessed to us how nervous you were and I think, at that moment, we all knew that this was going to be something much bigger than it currently was. And then I met Ben and saw how perfectly you complimented each other and how hard you laughed with each other and it was as if you were telling the world, outwardly, that this was it. And then to be able to be the one behind the camera documenting your silliness and sweetness with each other? There really is no greater honor. (Other than maybe naming a child after me. So…you know…)

I am so immensely happy for the two of you; you both hold such a special place in my heart and I’m honored to call you friends. Cheers to happiness, marriage and LOTS AND LOTS of happy hour goodness. Love you both. xo

Getting Ready Location: The Grand Hotel
Ceremony & Reception Location: Fine Line Music Cafe
Bride’s Dress: BCBG
Bridesmaid’s Dress: J.Crew
Hair: Juut Salonspa
Groom’s Suit: Calvin Klein
Invites & Programs designed by the amazing Whitney Murphy.

Many thanks to my rockstar second shooter, Monika Rae Photography!

Mountains and bobsleds and ski-jumping, oh my.

The minute I got in my car after our initial meeting, I called my husband spent 15 minutes gushing about this amazing couple I had just met with and concluded with the statement, “if they don’t book with me, I will actually cry.” I admit, it was a strong statement after spending just 2 hours with them but there is just something special about Lauren & Matt. Whether it’s Lauren’s ability to make a first introduction feel like you may have just met your new best friend or Matt’s kindness, humor and his insanely wonderful wine knowledge or the way that the two of them exude this joie de vivre for life and deep love for everyone they care about but mostly their gentle, sweet, fun love for each other; honestly, it may be impossible to pinpoint it but all I know is that their zest for life and love is contagious and impossible to resist.

Can’t wait for September. xo

Dear Matt Oholendt,

You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Hands down, end of story.

On the Monday after our 6th anniversary, I am sitting here with my coffee, in this beautiful home we’ve created together and I can’t stop thinking about how amazing life is right now. Even though it looks nothing like what we thought it would look like, this life, this beautiful marriage of ours means everything. On our wedding day, I thought I would never be more in love with you than I was in that moment but the honest truth is that I love you more every single day. This morning when you tapped Gunnar’s nose and told him to “be a good dog and take care of mom”, I knew that was the moment I would love you more today. Please don’t ever let me forget how blessed we are to have that.

I love you to the moon and back. xo
M

If it weren’t already official, then this makes it real. I LOVE what I get to do everyday. I adore that I get to meet fun, sweet and hilarious couples over wine on week nights and that I get to know their stories and their love over the months leading up to their wedding day. I am crazy about the fact that I am allowed to be a part of a couple’s wedding day and to be a witness to the tears, the flurry of action, the hugs and most of all, the intimate moments that most don’t get to see. I am absolutely smitten that on days like last Saturday, I woke up positively giddy to see Megan & Eric and even at the end of the day, through the heat, humidity, sweat, tears and bottles of water, I waved goodbye to them and blew an air kiss their way, even more so head-over-heels in love with them.

Megan & Eric. You have no idea how much your presence in my life has made it sunnier, more lovely and about a million times more music-filled. You, your friends, your family, your entire day rocked my world and I didn’t want it to stop (and believe me, had that last song been N’Sync? I would have dropped my bag and joined you on the dance floor). I can’t wait to hear about your adventures in moving to Arizona because Mesa doesn’t stand a chance. ALL of my love. xoxo

Ceremony Location: University Lutheran Church of Hope
Reception Location: Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Bride’s & Bridesmaid’s Dresses: The Wedding Shoppe
Hair: Juut Salonspa
Make-up: Smart & Chic Bride
Grooms & Groomsman Suits: Savvi Formalwear
Florals: Sadie’s Couture Floral
Cake & Cupcakes: Buttercream

Much love to my wonderful second shooter, Wing from Canary Grey Photography!