There is no better way to celebrate the beginning of wedding season than with a romantic Spring wedding at the James J. Hill Center in downtown St. Paul, MN! Sprinkle in a couple as sweet as Luke and Ali, and you have the recipe for a perfect day.
I knew Luke and Ali’s wedding would be filled with joy and laughter back when I did their engagement session at Lake Nakomis in Minneapolis (the same place Luke proposed to Ali!) with their dog last summer. Not only are they some of the nicest people I’ve ever met, but they’re also the funniest! As fate would have it, I even ran into Ali at her bachelorette party a week before the wedding!
The wedding day itself was the epitome of historic St. Paul, especially when the natural elegance of the James J. Hill Center library served as the couple’s backdrop! The venue was so exquisite that decor was kept simple with eucalyptus leaves, which adorned the sides of the chairs for the ceremony and the guest tables during the reception.
Even the smallest details were infused with Luke and Ali’s light-hearted personalities and profound love for one another, from their DIY’d centerpieces to the way they laughed and smiled at each other during portraits.
For Ali’s floral, Appleblossom Flowers delivered beyond expectations with a bouquet filled with pretty pastels and stunning spring hues. Especially noteworthy was Ali’s unique two-piece layered organza skirt paired with a stunning lace top from BHLDN. It all made capturing her portraits a dream!
Below are a few of my favorite moments of the day. Read on to hear all about Luke and Ali’s proposal, how they created their personality-packed centerpieces, and some heartfelt advice from the bride herself.
Luke and Ali, thank you for inviting me to be a part of your gorgeous wedding day. It was truly one for the books!
How They Met + The Proposal: “Luke and I met attending college at Saint Mary’s University. We had been dating for 9 years so when Luke popped the question last April and I was totally in shock. Luke kept insisting on going to Lake Nokomis because it was such a nice day and I was just along for the ride! We got to the lake and found a bench to sit on when Luke turned to look at me and said there was another reason why we were there. He then pulled out the ring! It was incredibly sweet and such a happy time.” – Ali, The Bride
The Centerpieces: “We made our own centerpieces. Our table numbers were on 45’s, and then the 33’s were photoshopped with pictures of us as famous bands through the years. We also spent a long time making origami hearts made out of sheet music. The pay off was great, but the carpal tunnel? Maybe not so much.” – Ali, The Bride
Advice to Future Brides: “Enjoy the process. At times, I find myself feeling a little sad that the planning is over and I’m not even a planner! We just had such a fun time trying to bring all the pieces together while trying to make it our own. As far as marriage goes, be a good partner. Be their best friend, listen and be there for them, love them unconditionally, be their cheerleader, and their rock. Above all, laugh!” – Ali, The Bride
Vendors:
Photographer | Marit Williams Photography
Venue | James J. Hill Center Historic Library
Catering | Surdyks
Catering | Fork & Flair
Floral | Appleblossom Flowers
Wedding Gown | BHLDN
Wedding Shop | The Wedding Shoppe Inc.
Groom & Groomsmen Attire | Men’s Warehouse
