Recommended Vendors
Midwest Vendor Guide
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming. It can be easy to get caught up in it all when it comes to picking what fits with your wedding day vision, especially when it comes to vendors. To help you out, I've gathered a list of some of my favorite vendors when it comes to midwestern weddings. Please note, with the exception of Airbnb, I don't receive any sort of benefit or kickback from referring vendors, although I do appreciate when couples mention I've sent them.
Remember, weddings are a collaboration, be sure that a vendor fits with your ideas and visions before adding them to your day!
Music
Hostly - Real Musicians and DJ's for hire. Their DJ's do actual live mixing, and bring their own flair to the dance floor.
Generation Now - This team of DJs do all the music for MN sporting events, the amount of effort they put into their performance is insane.
Events by MV - 10 years of experience, 1000s of weddings. Adrian does live mixing, and goes above and beyond for each event.
Anthony Dubose - Great Emcee, can party. Over a decade of experience.
Elan Artists' Northstar - High energy live band, they can be booked through Elan Artists, which is a national brand.
Florists
Rison Design - Has done unique floral work for some of my shoots, including floral wreaths, headbands, and even a flowers for a horse.
Dress
a&bé bridal shop - Boutique located in multiple states, including MN, CO, FL & TX.
Laudae - A friend of mine, Gaby, is the designer for these dresses. She is incredibly passionate about her work.
Truvelle - Some of the best dresses I've had the honor to photograph have come from this company.
Beauty by Design - Based in MN, for those looking for ethically and sustainably made dresses
Menswear
Heimie's Haberdashery - Custom fittings for suits, and plenty of unique options. A barbershop and shoe shine are also part of the historic building.
Makeup
Derick Cich - Duluth, MN based.
Videography
Acowsay Cinema - Studio mates, and an incredible team, their work speaks for itself.
Velare - Tim is a master of storytelling, and has traveled the world to shoot.
Catering
Chowgirls Killer Catering - Name says it all, and they're right down the street from my studio.
Common Roots Catering - Eco-friendly and willing to cater to almost any diet type.
Food Trucks of all sorts are also a good option to consider.
Bartending
Liquidmotion - Considered the standard for event bartending in MN.
Design/Calligraphy
Lo and Marie Studio - Stationery, Watercolor, and Calligraphy all done in a tasteful style.
Rental
Rentivist - Run by my friend Alyson, who also runs Julian James Place, an amazing venue tucked away in the woods of MN.
Lodging
Airbnb - Best for weddings with smaller wedding parties. Getting ready at a private home or Airbnb adds uniqueness to getting ready photos.
Officiants
While almost anyone can become an officiant for a wedding, I would highly recommend getting someone who's licensed. Letting someone whose experienced handle the paperwork, filing, and ceremony will help you focus on the more on the day itself.
In the event that you have a friend or family member officiate your wedding, be sure that they have all the proper documents ready and fully read over before the ceremony.
Wedding Planners (Day of Coordinators)
As part of all my packages I do offer help with pre-production, offering insight on elements like lighting, locations, and coordination. I'm aware that scheduling your photography timeline will often set the pace for your wedding day, and ultimately affect the photos themselves.
That said, I know too many awesome and kind wedding planners to list. They are helpful with day of coordination, making sure every element/vendor moves along stress free.
Some of my favorites to work with include Gretchen Culver of Rocket Science Weddings and Events, Laine Rasmussen of Laine Palm Designs, Jessica Wonders, and Gabi G. of Joyful Day Weddings.
Venues
Most couples booking me already have a venue booked/in mind when reaching out. If you're looking for a site to do a rehearsal or pre/post ceremony festivities, I would recommend considering either a restaurant you love, or a private space such as your backyard, or a friend's space. The uniqueness and intimacy help turn a good event into a great event.