The talented team at Waterford Crystal reached out to us and we were immediately smitten with their products. Looking through their gorgeous line of crystal we found ourselves “oohing” and “ahhing” over the beauty of each and every single piece they have to offer. As a bride, it is hard to know what exactly you should register for when you are getting married. You start with household items, throw in a few towels and call it good… right? Wrong, crystal should find a place on your list. We promise you won’t be disappointed to receive these gorgeous pieces, they belong in your home. This isn’t your mothers crystal – not in the least. 

As I carefully unwrapped this gorgeous Monique Lhuillier vase, I found myself wishing I were a bride again so that I could add a few more pieces of delicate crystal to my registry. Waterford Crystal designs, manufactures and markets an extensive range of crystal stemware, barware and giftware for distribution throughout the world. In recent years, Waterford has built upon its reputation as a leading source of prestigious tabletop and gift products. When this little gem arrived on my doorstep, I fell in love and wanted (no, needed) the entire Monique Lhuillier collection. 

Our readers already know we are over the moon for Monique’s dresses but Waterford extends her romantic line into the world of crystal. The Monique Lhuillier Waterford collection unites two iconic brands in a synergistic symphony of excellence – combining Waterford’s quality, craftsmanship and luxury cachet for the home and table, with Monique Lhuillier’s feminine, modern designs. The result is a collection offering glamorous and exciting ways to decorate your table, accessorize your home and bring sophisticated style to your celebrations.

Monique Lhuillier Waterford embraces the elegant aesthetic for which Monique Lhuillier is famous for throughout the fashion world. Every time you dine with this collection you will be reminded of the sentiment and bliss of your perfect day. Our favorite? The Sunday Rose line that is perfectly elegant and whimsically romantic. Seriously brides, get out there and register for some of this. When your cupboards are filled with this crystal, you will be so thankful you did. 

Sponsored post by: Waterford Crystal 

Anna’s dad put Elijah to the test.  He had to make sure that the man in his daughter’s life was going to be a great man to be in her life forever.  Any guy that has gone through this test, knows that it is not an easy test… and some might even tell you that it is the hardest test any man will have to take in his life.  Anna’s dad was proud to say that Elijah passed with flying colors, lucky him. From a beautiful color story of grey’s and yellow’s to the fun the scenery in their images. The beautiful photographs from Mad Chicken Studio share a glimpse into their story, their love, and their gorgeous Minnesota wedding day. 

Photographs: Mad Chicken Studio // Getting Ready location: Hyatt Regency, Minneapolis // Ceremony location: Father Hennepin Park Bandstand // Reception location: St. Anthony Main Event Center // Paper Designs: do it yourself from bride, mom, and sister // Florist: Molly’s Flower Studio // Veil: do it yourself, made from mother of the bride’s veil // Cake: godmother of the bride // Entertainment: Instant Request // Dress: Watters from Rush’s Bridal // Make up: Juut Salon and Spa // Hair: Juut Salon and Spa

Amy and Wayne truly love with each other.  They were filled with so much life and excitement for their wedding, we see the proof in every beautiful photo from Brian Bossany Photography.  Their wedding at Chester Bowl in Duluth was simply gorgeous. With beautiful Minnesota backdrops from Lake Superior to the good Northwoods, these two smiled their way through on amazing wedding day story. We adore the men’s casual but handsome attire and the gorgeous fall inspired florals that Amy held. Overlooking the city lights at Spirit Mountain, the couple danced the night away. What a perfectly beautiful Midwest wedding… 





















Wedding Ceremony: Chester Bowl  // Reception:  Spirit Mountain // Wedding Dress: Designed by Brides Sister // Photographer: Brian Bossany Photography 

from their outfit choices to their adorable winter-firepit-pancakes, emily steffen photography‘s time with the adorable duo of james and katie proved to be amazing.  they chose a cozy winter theme complete with fire pit pancakes and hot cocoa. the best part? his whole thing was totally them and their real life interests. full of personality, full of style, with attention to detail, outside and cooking together….100% them! emily kept imagining a scene with katie and james old and grey (and still gorgeous) showing their grandkids and kids the book of these winter photos…..showing off their stylish and amazing time as they began their new journey as mr and mrs together…maybe even with a hot cup of cocoa in hand! 

photos: emily steffen photography

incorporating their love for musicals and theatre, val and nick celebrated their marriage at the chanhassen dinner theatre in minnesota. Amanda Nichole Photography was there to document their day and the fun touches they added. instead of table numbers, each table was labeled with one of their favorite productions, cracker jacks were the favors, and fun punches of color left their show one gorgeous performance. such a fun way to incorporate your love in such a special space. 

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY A NORTHWOODS WEDDING! 

we are totally stunned… we have been running A Northwoods Wedding for over a year. in the hustle and bustle of life we totally missed our one year birthday. it has been a year filled with beautiful weddings, cute engagement sessions, stories about love and budding friendships. in lieu of one year of lovely midwest features, we are sharing five fun facts you might not know about us, jenna + brittney, the faces of A Northwoods Wedding. 

1.) our friendship began over a twitter conversation about coffee. yes, seriously. i don’t know who found who or how we got connected but after a little twitter talk we became friends and quickly got to work to fill the void of a Midwest blog that celebrates gorgeous weddings. we realized that there was really a gap in the wedding blog industry and that the midwest was seldom represented, we wanted to change that. 

2.) we started the blog before we even met in person. through skype dates, phone calls, and a million emails we designed our brand, talked about our vision, built a blog, and loved every moment. neither of us felt it was risky because of the immediate connection we made with one another. to say this is a labor of love would be a big understatement. months after getting A Northwoods Wedding off the ground, we finally were united, face to face. it felt like we had known each other for years. we are so blessed to have found such a perfect match in friendship!  

3.) we believe in love. real, true, shoot for the stars, weak in the knees love. so when we go through submissions we don’t just focus on crazy detailed affairs or expensive fetes, we look at the story behind the couples. we love the emotion of the day, the relationships being celebrated, and the love that is the true reason they are becoming one. if love is the main focus, then we are bound to like it. that is what makes the midwest, the midwest. we are suckers for great love stories, so send us yours! 

4.) we are all about the minnesota nice. both of us were born and raised in minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes. brit still lives in st. paul and works for the wedding shoppe, an amazing bridal salon! she helps plan events and bridal shows and is a go to gal for their press. jenna now loves in a tiny town outside of madison, wisconsin and is a midwest wedding photographer, she travels all over taking photos and telling love stories. we blame the minnesota nice gene on uniting us and helping us create amazing relationships with hundreds of midwest vendors over the last year. 

5.) we love god’s northwoods. there is something so unique about the midwest. be it the huge pines or the gorgeous lakes, from the changing seasons to the unique northern traditions we love it. our midwest brides are unlike any other, they are creative, savvy, gorgeous, and unique. they base their weddings on family and friends and believe in celebrating their relationships with those who love them the most. we love the simple life of the northwoods and still go crazy over the pretty things that come from the midwest. 

 photos: gunnar cook photography

HAPPY BIRTHDAY A NORTHWOODS WEDDING!

thank you for all of your support and love over the past year!  cheers to many more years of midwest love.

xo 

J+B

stepping outside of the norm can be the most perfect way to celebrate your happiest day..enter Allie and James. these two loves said, “I do,” in front of their closest family and friends in the most fun and unique wedding Britta the Photographer had seen (not to mention one of the loveliest we’ve seen, too!) They got ready together, had their bridal parties standing on opposite sides during the ceremony, played rock-paper-scissors during their ceremony to see who would read their vows first, and last but most definitely not least, a bear and a chicken showed up to the reception. yup, a bear and a chicken. see Britta’s incredible photos below for proof. enjoy their eclectic wedding and take note of all the ways they made their day their own. we love it.

photography: Britta the Photographer // ceremony: Davy Park // reception: Usher’s House Restaurant // hotel: Hotel Donaldson

 Love is simple and hard all at the same time. Life happens and builds mountains but we believe that if you strip it down to it’s simplest form, even the hardest days can be made easier. Maggie and Matt took these principles and applied them to their very handmade and very lovely wedding. Captured by Natural Intuition Photography, their wedding load was lifted by the love of their closest family and friends who helped them  and made their day one focused on love. Maggie was barefoot most of the day in the backyard of her parents home and she and Matt spent the entire day soaking up the beauty around them.  Organic flower arrangements, vintage mis-matched dinnerware, mason jars, and handmade bow ties filled the air, not to mention the crazy love that these two have. Cheers to Matt and Maggie and may there be many more weddings modeled after yours.

Photography: Natural Intuition Photography // Wedding Flowers: B’s Blooms // Catering: Green Fountain Inn // Bridesmaid Dresses: Etsy

we’ll always remain true to one thing on every post we write, a wedding is just a wedding; the marriage is truly what that special day is all about. when Abbey Moore Photography sent over this wedding submission, along with the love she wrote about the day, we couldn’t help but know, without a doubt, that this couple feels the exact same way that we do. they planned their day around the love that will carry them through forever and with every ounce of romance that you could possibly pack into one day, they said “I do” for as long as they both shall live. We’re going to let Abbey tell you more about this incredible couple and their perfect day below..

I have absolutely no idea how I could possibly convey just how wonderful this day was. Jyl and Matt are two of the most kind and genuine people I have ever met. I actually felt like I was a part of their family for their wedding day (which, in a way, I sort of am … long story) as they completely trusted me with every single aspect. There is nothing better than having your clients give you full artistic ability and let you BE yourself. Even after meeting them for the first time I immediately felt as though I was hanging out with friends I had known since I was a child. Their love is inspiring and boy, their wedding was the most beautiful, personal thing I had ever seen. There I was, behind my lens in the back of the ceremony, bawling my eyes out as Matt serenaded Jyl to “Fools Rush In” with the rest of his acapella friends. Their vows were beautiful, unique and had everyone feeling a rush of warmth. There was no maid of honor, or best man … each person involved in the wedding was able to give a tiny token to the married couple representing some sort of “advice” or blessing that they explained to the rest of the audience. Their officiant, Liz, gave the perfect testimony describing their love … one that made you truly understand how special marriage is, and how special the two standing in front of us are. Oh, and did I mention that this wedding was at Beber Campground’s in Mukwonago? And that hours before the ceremony we were all hanging out and doing a little beer, cheese and wine tasting? And after that Matt went on a high ropes course about 40 feet into the air? And then, after the reception, everyone slept in cabins? Does it get more fun than that?! I don’t think so.

Caterer:  Good Harvest Market // Event Planner:  Gathering Guide // Favors and Gifts:  Artful Beginnings // Floral Designer:  Stems Cut Flowers // Invitation Designer:  ForeverFiances // Dress Store:  Emerald City Gowns // Other:  Goorin Brothers Hats, B’nai B’rith Beber Camp, Discount Liqour // DJ:  Midwest Sound // Heirlooms and extras:  Scot Clans, Fancy Prints // Equipment Rentals:  Lakes Area Rental // Jewelry:  Jewelry by Johan // Tuxedo and Mens Attire:  Men’s Warehouse , Cyberoptix TieLab, Express // Bridesmaid Dresses:  David’s Bridal // Event Venue:  Perlman Retreat Center // Etsy Designer:  Foryoo, Heirloom Albums

this is a big tradition down in the southern area of the states and we’re starting to love it up here, too! bridal sessions are such a fun way to relive your wedding day glam by donning your favorite dress again and feel like the bell of the ball. Tim Larsen Photography shot this one at Crow Wing State Park in northern Minnesota and the setting is the perfect contrast against her elegant bridal gown, not to mention that the imagery is stunning.

so , that leaves us wondering..would you ever consider doing a bridal session? tell us! 

photography: Tim Larsen Photography