An Emotional Stewartville Wedding: The Story of Tabitha & Austin in Photos
Tabitha has a radiant smile like few I’ve ever seen: the kind of smile that lights up an entire room. She works as a registered nurse.
Austin is the quietly smart type, always ready with a well-timed joke. He works as a Kwik Trip Dispatch Supervisor. They are high school sweethearts.
They contacted me when looking for their wedding photographer in Stewartville, MN. I first met the couple over a video call, then later shot their engagement session in the historic area of Rochester (at the Plummer House and Downtown). From the very start, I knew they would give me amazing wedding photos.
For their wedding day, they chose what is today the Vindauga Event Center, a beautiful building in the Stewartville Golf Course. This article focuses on the couple. If you want to learn more about the Venue, check our guide.
Table of Contents
Preparation at a Big House in Rochester, MN
Since the venue didn’t provide a dedicated getting-ready space at the time of their wedding, the couple rented an Airbnb house in Rochester, MN.
This choice was very convenient for photos and also allowed their family and friends to stay for the weekend. If you don’t have a nice place to get ready, or if the venue’s option doesn’t fit your needs, I always recommend booking a nice hotel suite (that costs $1500-3500), or getting a big Airbnb house!
Wedding Attire Details Pictures
For me, the day always starts with detailed photos. I like to find a spot to display the dress, and I create compositions with the rings, perfume, and invitations.
While detailed shots of the bride and groom’s attire aren’t a must for every couple, they’re a nice touch. If you have the time, they help remind you of those special clothes and objects that made your day so memorable.
The groom Preparation
The groom got ready in the basement. His brother and his father were there to help him. We used a big basement windows to get some natural light.
I played with the reflection in the clock.
Exchange of letters and gift between bride and groom
When the bride and groom are getting ready, I always suggest they exchange a letter with each other. It’s not the vows, but rather a more private and intimate message.
It often brings me to an emotional moment, which I have to admit, I get a little choked up over.
The Fun Candid Shots during the Preparation
If you’ve checked out my portfolio, you know that one aspect of wedding photography I love is the photojournalist style. I enjoy capturing authentic, candid shots – those stolen moments. I love surprising people when they least expect it. That’s exactly what we’ve got here.
The brother of the bride coming in with his hair unstyled, the father ironing, a friend brushing his teeth, kids playing, and the most hilarious part – the guys laying on the ground trying to unwind with some relaxation techniques!
First look of the groom with his parents
Those photos are some of the best photos of the day. They really show the empowering love between parents and their kids.
The first look with the parents was an intensely emotional moment; everyone cried, the mother and the son !!
Quick Individual Picture of the Bride
When possible, I always encourage having a few individual images of each the bride and the groom. Here we used the stairs for 2 photos.
First Look of the Bride and Wedding Party
The bride also did a first look with the groomsmen and bridesmaids. If you know you’re going to cry, make sure to schedule enough time to touch up your makeup afterward.
First look of the Bride with Parents
And more tears we have. It’s simple, efficient, and gives you and your parents a special moment.
More Documentary Pictures, More fun and Tears
When it comes to weddings, I never know what to expect, so I’m always prepared to capture the good times, the bad, and everything in between. Here, one groomsmen got his makeup done to cover up a bruise, the guys use a trick for their pocket square, and a friend burst into tears when he saw the groom.
Bride and Groom First Look
For their first look, I chose a shaded spot across the street, under a tree.
The groom was nervous, the bride was excited, and the moment was absolutely beautiful.
Wedding Party at Vindauga Event Center
We then headed to the venue for group photos.
Since the reception room was already set up for the ceremony, we used the exterior of the building for the group shots.
It was an extremely sunny day, so I had to use my flash at full power to balance out the bright sunlight.
We took photos of each groomsman and bridesmaid separately, as well as the whole group near the oak tree and fountains.
Ceremony in the event space, with a lot of tears!
The ceremony was yet another deeply emotional moment. So if you haven’t felt any tears in your eyes so far, they might come!
A lot of emotion when the groom saw the bride, and between her father and her.
It started with an adorable entrance from the flower girls, but as the speeches began, the tears started flowing:
- The bride and groom cried
- Siblings and parents cried
- Guests cried
- And yes, even the photographer may have had to wipe their lens a few times! Luckily, my camera gear is waterproof!
Finally, they exchanged vows, put on the rings, and sealed it with a kiss.
At the end of the ceremony, Tabitha and Austin did a receiving line. There were again a lot of emotions! So they needed a lot of tissues!
More Family Photos
If we took a few family photos before the ceremony, not all the guests had arrived yet. So right after the ceremony, we went outside the Vindauga Event Center for more photos!
Bride and Groom Photos Session on the Golf Course at the Stewartville Golf
During cocktail hour, the bride and groom slipped away for their portraits.
By late afternoon, the light was softer and slightly overcast, which made for ideal photography conditions. We were lucky that the rain held off.
We took advantage of:
- The ponds
- The fountains
- The majestic oak tree
Individual Portraits of the Bride and of the Groom
The bride and groom had planned enough time, so we were able to shoot a few individuals as well. They both looked so sharp!
Dinner in the Main Reception Room at the Vindauga Event Center
Then it was time for dinner. Guests moved up from the Adamson Tavern on the Greens to the reception room. And the DJ announced the Grand Entrance.
Fun Grand Entrance
Not all grand entrances are that fun. The wedding party added clearly prepared props and came with them:
- Confetti
- Football move
- Outfit switching
Toasts and funny moments
Then came the toasts, which brought more beautiful and heartfelt moments.
I love how the groom was silly and the complicity between the newly married couple.
The toast, in my humble opinion, can be one of the most emotional moments of the day. For that, they need to be prepared.
I especially remember the bride and groom expressing their deep gratitude to their parents. On a day when all the focus is on the newly married couple, taking the time to highlight everything their parents had done for them was, to me, a sign of immense gratitude and love.
That’s one of the reasons I love wedding speeches so much.
Cake Cutting
Cutting the cake is one of those weird wedding traditions that happens at weddings. Tabitha and Austin played the game.
First Dances
After discreetly cutting the cake, the bride and groom surprised everyone with a choreographed first dance.
At the beginning of the dance, the niece of the bride photobombed us, which I thought was hilarious.
This was followed by the father-daughter dance and the mother-son dance, both of which were beautiful and emotional moments involving more tears.
Sunset Silhouette Pictures
When I see the sunset, I try to take the bride and groom away from the dance floor, but who wants to leave when their favorite song is playing? We arrived just after sunset, so we turned it into a silhouette photo session featuring the massive century-old oak tree.
Dancing with Fog Machine Smoke from the DJ
One thing I highly recommend for wedding photos is adding some light fog to the air.
This helps materialize the light beams, creating a real nightclub atmosphere and adding depth to the images. I was glad that this venue allows it, as that’s not always the case at wedding venues.
Last Creative Pictures
Before leaving, I like to take a few creative night portraits with the bride and groom.
For this wedding, we took a stunning nighttime shot with the venue in the background. The bride even borrowed sunglasses from the photo booth props, which added a fun touch.
We also used the big oak tree, placing a flash behind it to create a dramatic and artistic effect.
Conclusion on this Stewartville Wedding Photography Coverage
I absolutely loved shooting this wedding. The bride, groom, and their families were wonderful, and I am so grateful they chose me to document their special day. After the wedding, I was delighted to see how many incredible photos I had captured. (Yes, sometimes I even surprise myself!)
As a photographer, I have a theory: smart people have a certain extra quality that makes their pictures stand out. Tabitha and Austin weren’t just a gorgeous couple, they had that extra spark that shines through in their photos, elevating them beyond just good-looking portraits.
Of course, if you need a wedding photographer in Stewartville who knows this venue well, contact me!
