Gretchen and Dave are adventurous at heart and share a deep love for Minnesota’s great outdoors. So it was only fitting that they chose to celebrate their intimate wedding surrounded by nature at Bear Head Lake State Park, near the Boundary Waters. They rented a cozy cabin for their families, creating the perfect setting for a relaxed and heartfelt celebration in the north woods.
The bride wore a loose, flowy gown that moved gracefully with the breeze and carried a unique floral ring accented with hanging greens instead of a traditional bouquet. The groom wore brown pants, a dark green vest, and a matching newsboy-style hat—earthy tones that blended effortlessly with the landscape. Their children looked perfectly coordinated in navy blue: the boy in pants and a button-up shirt with a black vest, and the girls in navy dresses topped with floral crowns.
Gretchen and Dave did an amazing job including Gretchen’s son and Dave’s daughters in the wedding, making sure each of them understood that the promises made that day weren’t just to each other, but to all three children as well. One of the most touching moments of the ceremony was when the family participated together in a Celtic hand fasting, symbolizing their bond as a new blended family. The moment was so heartfelt that even the kids got emotional, creating a truly memorable and meaningful part of the celebration.
It was an enchanting day, bathed in golden sunshine as their families came together in such a meaningful way. This wedding was especially close to my heart because Gretchen once worked as one of my administrative assistants at the studio. Being invited to photograph her and Dave’s wedding was such an honor, and it’s been incredible to witness their relationship from the very beginning and see how much joy they bring each other.