Dakota County Courthouse Wedding Photography | Ellis & Laura | Apple Valley Wedding Photographer

It started off as just two kids who meet in math class at the U of M.

Laura and Ellis got ready at their new home and jam packed it full of their family and friends. The fall day started off with cinnamon rolls, Caribou coffee, and football playing on the TV while people got ready.

Laura got ready in the bathroom overlooking her back yard while Ellis put on his finishing details outside.

They had a first look in their backyard with all their family and friends watching from the deck! They were excited to see each other. It was a contained giddy excitement. We did a couple of portraits before heading over to the courthouse!

The judge was short literally and sweet. She read the vows and made it official- Ellis & Laura were finally married!!

We all wanted to enjoy Minnesota Nature at its best so we went to Lebanon Hills Regional Park for portraits! Although early for fall, we did even get some of the yellow and red color in the leaves!
Although it started to sprinkle just a little bit, the rain held off and we were able to get all the portraits in without rain!

They finished off the night continuing the celebration at Mannys steak house in Minneapolis !

Please enjoy a preview of their wedding day!

Love what you see?! I don’t blame you!! Here are the vendors who made it happen:

Photography: MW PHOTOGRAPHY

Dress: Bliss Bridal

Grooms Suit: Daniel’s Custom Clothing

Ring: Lasker Jewleres & Arthur Jewlers

Florist: Floral Etcetera

The must have foods at the Minnesota State Fair for your first visit

Minnesota State Fair Food Recommendations from a Minnesota Girl Who Loves Food

The Minnesota State Fair is my personal Christmas in August every year! I make sure to go with my hubby, best friend and family if I can get everyone together! When that doesn’t work out I go multiple times! Totally worth it.
After going to the Great Minnesota Get Together annually there are a couple of foods that I dream about until opening day. If you are looking to make your first visits to the Minnesota State Fair these are the foods I think you HAVE to try at least once.

1) Apple POP

Do you love apples? Well I DO! Most Fair Days are hot and can be wall to wall people in the hot sun. To help cool down in the most delicious way possible I suggest heading over to the apple booth at the Agricultural Building and purchasing a frozen apple pop. It is frozen apple cider that is to die for. There has been multiple occasions where I have gotten more than one. It is delicious and has me going back every year! This is also one of the healthiest options at the fair.

2) Corn On The Cob

Hot, Steaming, and mouth watering, this corn on the cob is a MUST. It is roasted and right off the grill into your outstretched hands. They provide salt for a seasoning option and the line is one of the quickest I encounter at the fair. I don’t know if they put crack as a secondary seasoning but let’s just say I wouldn’t be surprised. I will always be making a stop here. It is located right across on the right side of the Grandstands Building.

3) Cheese Curds from the Mouth Trap

Located in the Food Building, it is the most packed at all times but you will not regret all the touching once you put a piece of their deep fried cheese in your mouth. If you are not from the Midwest this will be a new thing for you. This is 100% worth all your money. For a two person group simply getting the little dish will suffice. But if you are a group of 3 or more I would highly suggest splurging for the bucket. There are other locations that offer cheese curds at the fair. I do believe the best ones that Minnesota has to offer are provided at The Mouth Trap.

4) Deep Fried Pickles

At the west end of the Fair Grounds, you will find a booth offering you gigantic pickles on a stick or a handful of deep fried pickles with ranch dip. I have done the leg work for you and have tried deep fried pickles at all the restaurants; nothing has come even CLOSE to these deep fried pickles sent directly from heaven. They are thickly sliced pickles battered to perfection. You might burn your tongue being unable to wait any longer for your second bite. The regular is my favorite, BUT they do come in a sampler seasoned kind as well if you want to play the pickle field.

5) All You Can Drink Milk

Coming from a family of 7 who loves milk, My Family would shamelessly buy ONE cup of milk and then repeatedly go back to fill said cup until everyone was satisfied. After that we would wash the cup out with some water and return multiple times throughout the day. You know, to make sure we got our FULL Dollars worth out of that one cup. After many gallons of milk where consumed, I think they caught on because the last couple of years they raise the price to $2 per cup. But Options include both White Milk and Chocolate Milk.

6) Martha’s Cookies

With Multiple locations, your Minnesota State Fair Experience would not be complete without you having your first Martha’s Cookies. Worked by an army of youths, Martha’s cookies will be served to you HOT and Ready! You can get a small amount in a little white cone (these kind of remind me of a bigger version of the ones you have in a waiting room and you drink the water from) est 7 to 10 cookies. Or You can get a overflowing bucket of chocolatey cookie goodness to easily save for later as a midnight snack.


I hope you LOVE the foods you try and enjoy an AMAZING first time at the Minnesota State Fair!


Please share with my any foods you think I missed out on below that are a must have for any first timers!

Happy Eating!
Molly

Minnehaha Falls Proposal Photography | Liam & Valerie | Minneapolis Engagement Photographer

Liam Proposed to Valerie at Minnehaha Falls Park!

Liam reached out to me on Instagram wanting to propose to the love of his life, Valerie, while they were visiting the Twin Cities!

We played it off my reason for being there as his friend’s birthday wish was everyone to get their own portraits done at Minnehaha Falls! It boasts Minneapolis iconic waterfall right in the city!
When we got there Minnesota had had a little bit of a dry spell so all of us were surprised to find there was no waterfall! But it was a special day for Liam and he was determined it happened on the 4th!

Once I got done with a couple of portraits of the birthday girl, Liam and Valerie were next! They gave me cute little smiles as people do in front of a photographer for the first time, when Liam kissed Valerie’s hand and got down on one knee! (Which was a pretty impressive feat as there wasn’t much ground to do so!) Valerie was surprised and delighted and accepted Liam’s proposal with pure joy. You can see the excitement and joy in the photos! We proceeded to go photos are the bottom of the nonexistent falls and the top part of the park with their whole crew then just some engagement photos for just them.

I loved being part of this surprise for these two and I am so excited for them as they start this next chapter in their love story.

Please enjoy photos of Liam and Valerie’s Surprise Minnehaha Falls Proposal!

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