Intimate vow renewal ceremony at Pond View Barn, Pine Island

If you are planning to renew your marriage vows or are simply looking for a small wedding venue for an intimate ceremony near Pine Island (or Rochester, MN), here is a beautiful love story that took place at a beautiful venue.
Let’s dive in!

Jenee and Andy’s 10-year marriage vow renewal

Jenee is a business analyst at the Mayo Clinic, and Andy is a home builder. They live in Mantorville. Everything started with a phone call on a Tuesday for coverage on Friday of the same week.
Three days later, I was covering their intimate celebration.
To celebrate their love, they decided to host an intimate vow renewal ceremony with their closest friends and family members.

There were around 50 people in the barn, which is a small number for a wedding, but already a lot of people for an event in a restaurant. With the option of bringing their own food, it might even be more affordable to rent the barn than go to a restaurant (check our list of affordable venues).

What’s more, hosting it in a charming rustic barn is much more photogenic.

An event entirely hosted at the Pond View Barn

It was a November event at 6 pm, which means it was cold and dark outside. Needless to say, all the pictures you will see here were taken inside the Pond View Barn. As you can see, the main room, entirely in wood, was decorated with string lights and eucalyptus leaves, giving a fairy-tale atmosphere to the moment.
I have already talked deeply about the Pond View Barn (check this article), so I won’t add much about the location here.
A point to mention, though, is that this kind of barn is pretty dark and requires additional lighting using several flashes.

Special bridesmaids

When they got married, Jenee and Andy already had girls, for a total of 6 girls combined. Given that they’re teenagers now, they were pretty young at the time of the wedding and were not bridesmaids back then.
Therefore, the couple decided to include these 6 young women as Jenee’s maids of honor, all wearing blue dresses.
And because they have so much love, they also included their two little Shih Tzu-Poodle mix dogs dressed in funny dog suits!

The first look

When I arrived, the girls were already dressed up and had their hair and makeup done. For that, they used the lower level of the barn, which is nice but not as photogenic as a hotel suite, not to mention that 7 girls getting ready together might be slightly chaotic.

Therefore, we decided that I would start directly with the first look with the groom.
He stood immobile while she came up behind him and touched his shoulder.
It’s beautiful to see that even after 10 years of marriage, there was still stress and excitement, like you see with young teenage lovers. As a wedding photographer, I have seen many couples kissing and learned to distinguish an authentic, passionate kiss when I see one.
More than passion, it’s beautiful to see how much they love each other and would do anything for each other.

Bridal Portrait

After the first look, we took some photos of the bride alone. She was gorgeous, radiant of happiness in her beautiful, minimalistic, modern, and chic yet sexy dress.

Vow Renewal Ceremony

The vow renewal began with a heartfelt procession: first, the groom entered, followed by their daughters, and finally, the bride made her emotional entrance arm-in-arm with her spiritual father.

The officiant shared thoughtful words, recounting the couple’s accomplishments and journey together over the last 10 years. He then posed the meaningful question of whether they still wished to continue this adventure together.
Moved by the moment, tears filled everyone’s eyes as Jenee and Andy exchanged the same rings they wore ten years ago, reaffirming their enduring love and devotion. It was truly a beautiful reminder of their continued commitment.

Family Photos and Group Photos

Family and group portraits are always essential at a celebration like this—capturing joyful reunions, laughter, and special connections. We organized the groups efficiently, ensuring everyone felt included and comfortable, allowing plenty of time afterward for relaxation and celebration.
Afterward, guests enjoyed a warm and intimate reception inside the barn, surrounded by rustic decor, twinkling lights, and lively conversations.

First Dance

After that, it was time for a first dance, with slow music. Then the kids entered the game, and all the family did some silly dancing. It was a real family communion moment with a lot of fun.

Last Creative Image Under the Stars

To end the day on a magical note, I wanted to create something special—an artistic, romantic image of the couple beneath the stars. Luckily, for a winter event, we didn’t have too much snow (contrary to this snow wedding day), the night sky was clear and offered a beautiful backdrop. I guided Jenee and Andy outside to capture a stunning and timeless photo, perfect for framing and cherishing for years to come.

Last Word

Jenee and Andy’s vow renewal was an inspiring celebration of enduring love and family. Who knows—perhaps we’ll see each other again in another ten years for their 20th anniversary!
If you’re planning your own vow renewal or an intimate wedding and need a photographer who captures love in its purest form, I’d be honored to tell your story.

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Reach out today, and let’s make some beautiful memories together!