Anoka Engagement Photography | Anna & Alex | Anoka Wedding Photographer

Alex & Anna Engagement in Downtown Anoka

Anna and Alex wanted to have their engagement session in quaint downtown Anoka for it’s cute, small town feel that you don’t get in the Twin Cities. We stayed close to the river that runs through downtown with it’s walking trails lit by picturesque lamp posts that gave off the most romantic lighting. We enjoyed talking about their love story and hopes for their wedding this coming year in 2021.

How They Met!

Anna was the new girl at school her freshman year of high school. She didn't really know anybody except for the soccer team who she ate lunch with. Little did she know at her lunch table sat the man she would one day marry. Anna says he was just a boy with stupid jokes, but that didn’t stop them from becoming friends. Although they went to prom together they remained “just friends” through all of high school. It was until mid-year through freshman year of college that they really gave the chance to start dating each other. Anna described it like all the guys at her college really didn't add up to who Alex was as a person for her. Alex said something of the same. So over the Christmas break they had their first double date at Rice Park in St. Paul with all the twinkle lights. Although it's a small park, they didn't let that stop them from circling it three times just to spend more time together.

How He Proposed!

It was around Anna's birthday and they had gone out to dinner at one of her favorite places, The Cheesecake Factory. After filling on delicious cheesecake, they headed back to Anna's parents house where she was staying for Labor Day break. Anna thought it was really weird that all the lights in the house were off because it was only 9:30. There was a glow in the backyard that she thought might be her dad out smoking a cigar. Alex led her back there and she was surprised to find that the whole back garden (with the help of Anna sisters) was lit up with tea lights waiting for them. That's when it finally clicked with Anna that Alex was going to propose. Alex laid out his heart, got down on one knee, and asked Anna to be his wife. She said yes in the light of hundreds of tea lights! Elvis was playing “I Can't Help Falling in Love with You” in the background.

I am greatly looking forward to their wedding day next July! Please enjoy their engagement session below.

Maidenwood Wedding & Events Photography| Kara & Jacob | Stockholm Wedding Photographer

Kara & Jacob Couple Photography at Wisconsin Wedding Venue Maidenwood!

I shot this couples session along Gina Zeidler Photography! She was gracious enough to let me join her in this fun!
You may not know this BUT I shot Kara and Jacob’s wedding with Gina last summer at the Hutton House! It was SO much fun to be able to see them and their dog Tilly again and catch up. Gina was shooting the Macke Family Photos (the new owners of Maidenwood! I have a whole post on it you can check out this awesome venue here) We played fetch with Tilly for a while before adventuring on the Maidenwood property! They have this amazing lookout that is a little bit of a drive, but it is a view you don’t normally see THIS close to the Twin Cities! Billowing hills behind you, it really shines on its own.


I have really missed shooting in the sun and am so thankful we got some rays of light with this awesome couple. It could not have been anymore perfect.

Want to know more?! I don’t blame you! You can check out my seperate blog post on Maidenwood HERE

Maidenwood Events Wedding Venue | Wisconsin Wedding Venue | Wisconsin Wedding Photographer

Maidenwood Events Wedding Venue - a New Wisconsin Wedding Venue of Your Outdoor Dreams

I don’t normally get to check out new wedding venues, but when I do I take pictures!
This venue has just switched ownership to the cutest family who is excited to really make it shine.

My photographer friend Gina and I drove out to this property to explore the land and the reception area. It is a Stockholm wedding venue sitting on 40 acres of property! Being so big we drove the property on a 4 wheeler and it was awesome. So glad we went when we did because a week after this it snowed!

Here is what I think is special about this venue - THE VIEWS!
One of the ceremony spots is in a grass field with a backdrop of hills and Lake Pepin. The wedding guests have one walk to the field while the bridal party has a separate entry space to make the brides entrance that much more amazing!

The Details

Address: N447 244th St, Stockholm, WI 54769

Travel Time From the Twin Cities: 1 hr 20 mins (ish)

Website: https://maidenwoodevents.com/

Guests Count: 200

Maidenwood is booking 2021 & 2022 weddings NOW!

Or you can check them out on Instagram or Facebook!

The Main Ceremony Space!

Also known as Wedding Circle this is the ceremony space with THE view. Although friendly for ceremonies from all times of day, As you can see the sun sets right behind the hills. This spot is PERFECT for a sunset ceremony.
Although we checked out this venue in the fall, in the summer the tall grass is all green and yellow flowers.
The photo of the long walkway is where the bride will walk up to the circle!

The Reception Space

The main reception space is a white barn close to the house that fits roughly 200 guests. Although not shown here, this inside has tall ceilings and long tables great for a family style reception. The new owner of Maidenwood also has a Wedding DJ business! So you know your first dance will be a top priority as they prepare this space for upcoming weddings! The sides of this reception barn have sprawling open lawn, perfect space for cocktail hours, lawn games, and guests hangout. For colder days they even have a fire pit readily available.

The Photo Lookout

A small drive into the property will bring you to this stunning lookout. More of this session below with Kara & Jacob can be seen HERE!!!! no matter the season this is one view that will not get old. This spot is perfect for Bride and Groom portraits at sunset. The space is small enough I would not recommend more than 3 to 4 people at this location.

The Dream

It was so much fun to hear what the new owners envision for this place! It is brimming with potential. They are looking into adding additional ceremony sites on the property. One being making a ceremony spot among their pine trees. The red barn below is being considered as an indoor ceremony spot for a rainy day option.
They are considering using the house to have the mans lounge and the sun room as the girls getting ready room. They have a space above the garage they call The Nest, they are considering using as a Honeymoon suite!

The venue is perfect for Brides and Groom who love the outdoors. These guys are so excited to start serving you for your wedding day. Guess what! They are booking weddings now. You can set up a time to go see the property for yourself through their website. You can reach out HERE.