How To Choose Your Engagement Session Location | Minneapolis Wedding Photographer | MW Photography

Choosing a location for your engagement Session!

How to choose your engagement session photography location is one of the questions I get asked the most. I totally get it! You want your engagement photography to look AMAZING! I want to help, but instead of giving you 20 locations that you know nothing about here are a couple of things I want YOU to consider that will help you narrow down your search for the perfect engagement session location that is authentically you! Engagement Photography can be SO MUCH MORE than just standing and smiling directly at the camera. It can be a date night that shows who you are as a couple and how you like to have fun! This is possible and here are a couple of things to consider to help bring your engagement photos to life!

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Choose an aesthetic you love. City, woodsy, forest, waterfalls, small town, favorite ice cream place. If you are not outdoorsy choose a favorite location in your city. If you are an introvert choose a simple, intimate session in your home. If you love the Minnesota State Fair go grab some cotton candy and cheese curds! Choose something that is you. It will make you more comfortable and enjoy your session that much more just being true to yourself!

The question to ask yourself: What is my style?

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Choose a location that means something to you. First place you kissed. place you first met. Place where he popped the question. I tell this to all my brides! How much more meaningful will your photos be shooting at a location you already have in the history of your relationship! It is a beautiful reminder of the love that already bloomed there. It can be your favorite walking trail, your favorite restaurant, or just your back yard around the fire pit. This is something where you can dig deep and remember your favorite moments in your relationship together and relive by having your engagement photos taken there.

The question to ask yourself: Is there already an existing place that is special to my relationship?

Choose an activity you love. Choosing to do activity that you both love will narrow down locations in a big way. Do you love canoeing and want to have that in your photos? Awesome! Choose somewhere that has water. Love having your dog unleashed with you on your evening walks? Choose an outdoor off leach dog park! Do you love sampling local beers in your area, choose your favorite brewery to cuddle up together and try some new flavors with your photographer!

The question to ask yourself: What do I (we) love to do as a couple?

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Choose a location based off your passion. Check and write a list of things are are really passionate about and how you can incorporate those things in your engagement session. Are you passionate about art? Look into the local art museum. Are you passionate about music and dancing?

The question to ask yourself: What am I most passionate about and how are ways I can incorporate that into my photos?

Choose a new adventure. This is where you can choose an adventure you have always wanted to do in the back of your mind. It is taking the idea of a date night and really making it your own.

The question to ask yourself: What is something I wanted to do with my fiancé for a long time that might be a fun date night for our engagement session.

Choose your dream location. Has travel always been on your heart or one of your favorite things. Don’t let the limits of your small town or city hold you back. Travel to you dream engagement session location will reflect something uniquely you and just another chance to love on your fiancé and have your photographer tag along to capture your unique dream!

The question to ask yourself: Do I want to have a dream vacation with the love of my life and have gorgeous photos of our trip?!

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Stone Arch Bridge Engagement Photography | Alyssa & Derek | Minneapolis Engagement Photographer

Alyssa and Derek’s Engagement Session in Downtown Minneapolis!

I meet up with these two adorable people to capture their engagement photos in and around the Stone Arch Bridge which is iconic to the Minneapolis area! The Lord provided a stunning sunset with those nice warm breeze for our evening walking around St. Anthony Main.

Here is some great things I learned about Alyssa and Derek: They meet swing dancing with a mutual friend at Famous Dave’s. Alyssa’s friend didn’t want to go alone so she coaxed her to come with her. And that is where it all started. They hit it off despite Derek dropping her that night.

Now they have a pooch names Daisy the Pug, together who knows she is a queen rocking in her new stroller. Now she is strolling the good life. Keep scrolling through their photos Daisy is in there!

This is a little of their engagement story they shared with me. Alyssa had always wanted to do a carriage ride. Derek decided that it would be the perfect activity for his proposal. As for when, he knew that Alyssa loves Christmas time of year so he decided to do it in the winter of 2021. They had dinner at Nicolette island Inn beforehand. Although it was very cold they both bundled up and enjoyed a carriage ride around saint Anthony Main and across the Stone Arch Bridge. Derek popped the question and enjoyed a joyous yes from Alyssa.

For our engagement session we enjoyed the same route as we talked about them watching Stranger things (they are currently wrapping up season 3) and whether or not the new Dumbledore movie was good or not.

Please enjoy their engagement photos and celebrating Alyssa and Derek as they get married later this year!

Interlachen Country Club Wedding Photography | Emily & Phil | Edina Wedding Photographer

Emily & Phil are MARRIED! With their wedding ceremony at Brookdale Covenant Church and Reception at Interlachen Country Club!!

Emily and Philip’s wedding day was so amazing in so many ways. This couple’s love is real and beautiful, but all day they made sure Jesus Christ’s love shined brighter. In the song choice, the church location, in the speeches - all pointed right back to the God they loved. It was powerful and really cool to be a part of such joy and confidence in Christ.
Both come from bigger families, which made their wedding party choices easy as the spots filled up quickly. They had 12 flower girls and it looked like you walked into a little group of cherubs right from heaven’s doors.

Both the bride and the groom were laid back most of the day and really made it a point to try and love on everyone that came to celebrate their marriage.

We got a lovely June day (not too hot / not too cold). The ceremony was held at Brookdale Covenant Church because it was important to the couple to get married in a church. It has a stunning towering stain glass cross at the front of the sanctuary. The guests were invited to sing a hymn with the couple before the service. The vows were said and I truly believe God was glorified with their union.

Interlachen Wedding Photography

The reception was held at Edina’s Interlachen Country Club. The ball room was decked out with stunning flower arrangements from Studio C Florals. But the head table’s flower arrangement was the real show stopper. It was held up by a piece the groom himself made.

After dinner and speeches, we snuck out for some really quick sunset portraits in the front of Interlachen. This couple lit up the dance floor in the best way afterwards.

I am thankful I was able to be a part of this amazing day. Please enjoy photos from Emily & Phil’s Wedding Day.

CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF EMILY & PHIL?!?! I DON”T BLAME YOU!! Here is their St Paul Engagement Session! Enjoy!

LOVE what you are seeing?! Here are the Vendors who made it happen!!

Wedding Photography: MW Photography

Venue/Catering: Interlachen Golf Club

Florist: Studio C