Every love story deserves a beautiful setting for their special day, and for our New York-based couple — Carly, a Minnesota local, and Todd, originally from Connecticut — The Minikahda Club in Minneapolis offered just that. From their First Look on the Club’s balcony, overlooking Lake Minikahda and the downtown cityscape, to their sweet and brief, three-minute ceremony, Carly and Todd’s classic summer wedding at Minikahda Club was colorful, modern, and tastefully minimalist. Despite facing unexpected weather changes and last-minute adjustments, the day was beautiful and ended with the most epic dance party.
The Night Before
A Waterfront Welcome Party at Macanda | Wayzata, MN
On the night before their big day, Carly and Todd hosted a welcome party at Macanda in Wayzata, Minnesota. With a backdrop of the stunning Lake Minnetonka and beautiful contemporary decor, the stage was set for the upcoming wedding celebration. The bride, Carly, was the picture of elegance in a strapless white dress, while the groom, Todd, looked suave in his tan trousers and stylish green jacket. The night was filled with delicious food, drinks, and an atmosphere buzzing with excitement for the happy couple. It was the perfect kickoff to a truly unforgettable wedding weekend.
Getting Ready Moments
Carly and the Girls & a Tender Father-Daughter First Look
A bride’s wedding dress is a tangible reflection of her personality and Carly’s was spot on – timeless and elegant with floral details for that subtle wow factor without being over the top. Sourced from L’Fay Bridal boutique in New York City, Carly paired the modern Caroline Castigliano dress with classic Stuart Weitzman heels and understated jewelry. Her intimate bridal party by her side the entire morning adding to the buzz and wedding day excitement. Following her transformation, Carly’s dad entered the room for a heartwarming and emotional first look.
Todd and the Guys
Meanwhile, Todd opted for a classic navy suit from Boglioli, accented with a light blue tie. His groomsmen mirrored his attire in a slightly deeper shade of navy, for a cohesive and fresh summer wedding look.
The First Look & Portraits
Carly and Todd at Minikahda Club
Per request of the bride, Carly, and Todd opted for a First Look on the Club balcony overlooking Lake Minikahda and downtown Minneapolis (an amazing choice!) And their contagious, love-filled smiles say it all. Having intimate time together before the ceremony helped them ease their nerves and take in the present moment, just the two of them.
Kind words from the couple:
“Katherine is the best. She is incredibly organized, detail-oriented, and friendly. Katherine was so helpful throughout our planning process – she was communicative and quick to respond to any & every question I had with tons of helpful information. I had no doubt that not only would Katherine take amazing photos but I wouldn’t have to worry about any detail not being captured or something feeling unorganized. She totally delivered. We’re obsessed with the photos from our wedding weekend – Katherine captured us perfectly & the photos really feel organic and like “us”. Not to mention there are so many photos, we keep looking back and finding new favorites or little memories captured that we forgot happened! Neither me nor my husband love having our photos taken and Katherine made the entire process fun, easy, and very efficient (which was especially key given how hot it was on our wedding day). Our family and friends continue to rave about Katherine as well. She is so talented and professional but also personable. It was so fun working with Katherine – I will recommend her to any couple looking for a wedding photographer!!” |
The Wedding Party
Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses and Navy Groomsmen Attire
The wedding party, made up of three bridesmaids and six groomsmen, posed an interesting puzzle for group photos. We tackled this with creative finesse, using dynamic movement shots and ingeniously utilizing the ‘girls’ and ‘boys’ restroom signs near the Clubhouse for a playful photo opportunity!
The Indoor Ceremony
A Change of Plans, Overlooking Lake Minikahda
Despite disheartening forecasts leading up to the wedding, the threatening weather made a complete U-turn, gracing us with a clear day and a gorgeous sunset. However, the unexpected weather conditions forced the team to make a last-minute venue change for setup, moving everything indoors. But we took it in stride! We had to swap the original ceremony backdrop – the open green with views of Lake Minikahda – for an indoor upstairs room.
Despite the venue change, the room’s panoramic windows bathed the room in natural light creating a cozy and intimate ambiance. Backlighting can pose quite a challenge in photography, but we embraced it and skillfully utilized the room’s warm atmosphere to capture big ‘I Do’.
In line with their desire to evade the limelight, the ceremony was sweet, brief, and heartfelt, presided over by the groom’s brother and lasting no more than three minutes. Simple, yet magical!
Cocktail Hour
An Indoor/Outdoor Affair
Once the ceremony concluded, we were graced with clear skies, exposing a sun-lit patio and the beautifully-kept grounds of the club. There were a number of unique details to take note such as an audible guest book, floral seating chart, cocktail matches personalized with their names and the date of their wedding, and a constant flow of drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres.
The Reception
Dinner in the Ballroom
The initial plan of dining under the Sperry tent was adjusted, as dinner was relocated into the ballroom that offered a picturesque view of the lake on one side. Unintentionally, the ballroom’s bold chevron curtains actually complemented the overall wedding decor! The ingenuity of the design team was on full display as they suspended the woven lanterns – initially intended for the tent – from the ceiling, creating an inviting ambiance to the dinner setting.
The couple’s grand entrance led to a fun surprise when Todd effortlessly whisked Carly off her feet during their first dance. Surrounded by loved ones the evening moved seamlessly into a string of heartfelt speeches, a delicious dinner and drinks, followed by an electrifying dance party interspersed with a chic outfit change.
Loving this wedding at Minikahda Club? Check out this Whimsical Floral Wedding at Troutbeck!
| VENDORS |
|---|
| Planner: Mother of the Bride Weddings, Nicolle Sellers || Venue: The Minikahda Club || Wedding Dress: Caroline Castigliano from L’Fay Bridal in NYC || Todd’s suit: Boglioli || Carly shoes: Stuart Weitzman || Makeup: Primped || Hair: Karey Drydal – Roots Hair Salon || Florals: Sadie’s Floral || Northstar – Elan Artists || Cake: Yum! Kitchen & Bakery || Rentals: Apres Event Decor || Tent Rental: Haven & Gather || Napkins & Woven Chargers: Rudy’s (farm tables) || Invitations: Letter Perfect – Ruby Chakrabarti || Custom Matches: GB Design House |
