Wedding Photos Outpost Center Chaska, MN

While Heather and Nana were planning their ceremony near the Twin Cities, they discovered the Indian Wedding I covered in Minneapolis. So, when they booked their venue at the Outpost Center in Chaska (Shakopee), they contacted me, and we met in the coffee shop where they met. I loved their story and it matched the kind of clients I love to follow.

That’s why the wedding I will share today is a family and friends’ wedding, where the bride and the groom focused on their guests. I love this kind of wedding that highlights what is really important: the families and communities’ bonds. I already had a lot of fun covering Heather and Nana’s engagement session in the fall at Quarry Hill Rochester.

On the morning of the wedding, I arrived early to scout the photogenic spots. Actually, the forecast predictions were terrible all the week before the wedding and improved only on the evening before the event. Also, it would be cold, but without rain. Indeed, I knew I wouldn’t have much time with the bride and the groom during the afternoon, so I wanted to know the residence beforehand. So, let me first introduce this venue and what makes it unique, and their unique day!

The Outpost Center, Chaska, MN

This venue is located between Waconia and Minneapolis. It offers several assets, spread between the building and the landscape. Let’s go straight to the point: regarding photography concerns, the landscape is obviously the main advantage of this outdoor location. Indeed, behind the new and massive red building, you can find a large variety of landscapes concentrated on several acres, which is unusual in the area!

To conclude on the landscape, I believe that such a concentration of distinct kinds of landscapes is an amazing opportunity for a photographer! The only regret I would have (because I am French and it’s known that we are always complaining) is not having big old trees (such as an oak) that would provide shade in summer and would be a great element to play with.

The Venue and Its Philosophy

While the exterior of the building follows the classic red barn design, the inside of the building looks pretty modern and very clean. It has obviously been recently built to welcome celebrations and religious events. Because yes, this location’s specificity is that it’s a place of faith (so you’d better be OK with the Holy Spirit). Also, while it’s not a Lutheran church, you will find in the main room’s floor (the one for the wedding dinner), written on the ground: “Rooted in integrity, founded on faith in Christ.” Don’t be too surprised to find other religious texts spread among the decorations. That being said, it’s a very open-minded place. They define themselves as a non-denominational Christian Ministry (Luke 4:18, Isaiah 61:1-3). And for instance, alcohol is allowed but must be provided by certified vendors.

The Interior Decoration

The style is a mix of modern, with many windows, functional (many bathrooms), and rustic style, with wood furniture. For instance, the bride’s suite features a nice wood door and a beige linen floor. While the groom’s suite reminds one of a club style with a leather couch. The main room is pretty empty and can gather up to 250 people seated. Nevertheless, if it’s technically possible, over 200 people, space starts to feel tight.

What kind of client is this venue for?

In conclusion of the venue presentation, I would say that it’s a pretty simple, sober, clean, and efficient venue. If you like nature and nice landscapes, you don’t have an unlimited budget, and you want more than an evangelical free church, then this venue is for you. But if you are looking for a luxurious, old, trendy venue to impress your guests, it’s probably not. Even if it’s modern and formal, the interior is decent enough to create nice backgrounds for wedding pictures. The landscape offers an outstanding decor, with hills, ponds, forest, and wildflowers; it’s everything needed for a great outdoor ceremony, and all what a talented photographer could hope to find near Minneapolis and the Cities.

Dog and Horse Friendly

Good to know for couples who have a dog or a horse: they can welcome them for the photos!

An Emotional Ceremony

He is an informatics genius while she works in social services. They both have a huge heart, full of love to share. They both are very friendly and humble people who enjoy family and friends through deep relationships. It may sound simple, but that’s something I really like and respect. The only thing that really matters is your relatives and friends.

The Bride and Groom Getting Ready

It’s surrounded by their best friends and relatives that Heather and Nana got ready. This couple not only has an amazing family but also has a lot of good friends who made the moment relaxed and joyful. There was a lot of laughter and jokes. While everyone should have been devoted to the bride, she was the one taking care of everyone. As a result, you can see how happy the people are to share this privileged moment. There were a lot of kids. It’s great because that always brings fresh and unexpected situations (and candid images). Given it was a cloudy day, the bride’s suite was pretty dark. I turned it into an opportunity to play with my flashes and stage aesthetic images. The bride played the game; the result is the following images. The groom, as often, was taking care of the last organizational details. I like the image of him writing down his vows. Could it be more last minute? (I guess the future reportage I will cover will answer this question.) Another image I like is a groomsmen shot, showing a contrast between a macho guy and his timidity in front of the camera.

Bridal Party Photos

Given the bride and the groom didn’t want to see each other before the ritual, we did the split bridal party photos. The bride took pictures with the bridesmaids, while the groom took pictures with the groomsmen. We used the timber shed as a background. I also very much appreciated the first look between the bride and her father, who was very emotional even if he didn’t want to let it show.

They Start Their Lifetime Together Surrounded by a Beautiful Scenery

Guests started to arrive and you could feel the pressure and the excitement. People waited until the last minute to sit on the white chairs set up on the lawn. Some even picked a blanket from the back of their car to cover themselves. Finally, the music started and the procession started, supported by African music. Here I saw the coolest pastor I had ever met. First, she is a woman, and whatever you can say, religion is still mostly a men’s world. So, being a woman is always respectable. But while some women pastors sometimes try to be stricter than the men (trying to find legitimacy in orthodoxy), this one was not.

On the contrary, she was embracing this moment, having fun, dancing to the music! It was clearly the first time I saw a pastor dancing while walking down the aisle! At this moment I knew it would be a special moment! When the bride finally arrived, escorted by her father and her mother, the groom painfully tried not to cry. All the guys, who were joking a lot a few minutes before, also struggled with the emotion.

Blessed Forecast

While men were wearing suits, bridesmaids and the bride were braving the cold temperature. It was actually so cold that the bride’s grandfather (pretty old) stayed inside, behind the windows and close to the restrooms to watch the event. If the bride and groom probably didn’t expect such fresh air, they were actually blessed. Because all the week prior to the event was only rain, and so was the prediction for their big day. It changed at the last minute!

Union

Some lectures took place, and the bride’s maid of honor played live guitar. It was emotional. After that, the bride and groom exchanged their vows, followed by their rings. Then they lit a unity candle. Finally, they shared some local bread (I guess as a symbolic communion). What really made this wedding apart from other ones is that it was at the same time religious, and at the same time was totally anchored in real life. It was all about life, love, families and friends and fun, instead of old biblical texts that sound empty, and protocol that you are afraid not to respect. I refer to all those texts from Isaiah, Matthew, Luke and so many other texts that we always hear during weddings!

Couple Session

For this session we used the amazing backdrop offered by nature. The bride was so brave in the wind, walking into the high grass and the wildflowers. As a result she had those spectacular images. Indeed, in photography, wind helps create dynamic images! If you are getting married in Minneapolis downtown and are looking for a windy area, I would suggest Boom Island.

First Minutes of Their Lifetime Together Braving Minnesota’s Weather

I always appreciate taking pictures during this short period just after the husband and wife tie the knot, because their mood is nothing but pure happiness. That provides the couple with a short complicity capsule before going back to the cocktail hour.

The Wedding Reception

People enjoyed the cocktail hour inside. Some young and intrepid guests played with the wood games. On the side, a carver was cooking a smoked pig. Of course that attracted the attention! It’s not every day that you have a carver at a wedding! The night came quickly and it was time for dinner. The caterer set up a buffet in the entrance facing the restrooms (which could quickly become a crowded place). In addition to the caterer, the relatives also cooked some African specialties. It was delicious. The husband and wife entered the room and the speeches happened.

Then they performed their first dance. During the evening I tried to capture candid shots. It was crowded and I tried not to interfere with other professionals, such as the caterer’s staff, who were running in all directions, or the carver, who was surrounded by all the curious people. Before leaving, I staged some more artistic pictures, using the Timber Shed and the yellow sign.

Conclusion on This Wedding

While it’s maybe not the most photogenic wedding ever, it was a moment of love and a great opportunity for the family to gather. I really appreciate the spirit of those two and their friends. It’s definitely the kind of wedding that makes sense for me to photograph. People care for each other and value photography. By the way, I have been asked a number of times to take portraits, what I always do with pleasure. While I am an artist and a secret agent, I also enjoy capturing portraits that I know will end up hung on the wall and that people will cherish. That gives real satisfaction to this job. There is a bit of me in a lot of homes!

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Discover Other Wedding Venues to Celebrate a Marriage

You don’t want a barn wedding? Check out the hundreds of options offered in the southeast of the state, from the sophisticated mansion, to the classic Victorian house with a lot of charm. For instance, let’s think of the Earl Brown Heritage Center, the Hope Glen Farm in Cottage Grove, the Barns Lost Creek in Beldenville, Wisconsin, the Round Barn Farm in Red Wing, MN, the Bavaria Downs, the Mayowood Stone Barn in Rochester, MN. If you are looking for nature, and not a barn wedding, then check venues in Scandia, Bloomington, Northfield, Glenwood City, Bayport, Waconia, Hillsdale, Beldenville and, of course, Stillwater.

Affordable Options

If you are looking for competitive prices, check these three alternatives.