Theodore Wirth Park Engagement Photos in Minneapolis MN

In the last article, I turned my camera toward the Twin Cities rooftops , touting the advantage of hosting your ceremony or your engagement session in such an alternative location.

Today I will introduce you to Liz and Alex and their photo session at Theodore Wirth Park. We will see what the advantages of such a big park are, and also introduce the wedding venue that they chose for their big day!

A Kind and Genial Couple

I first met Liz and Alex in a bar in Lyndale in the northwest of the metro area. They were referred to me by one of my colleague wedding photographers who was already booked. For our first meeting, Liz and Alex chose a gastro-bar they knew and enjoyed. They were very sensitive about the quality of the food and the photos. I understood the reason when I finally asked them what their job was. They both work in a restaurant as chefs. That’s probably why they have developed a high taste for quality and luxury services.

Of course we ended up speaking about food and quality. I created a burst of laughter when I told them that, despite the fact that I was French and studied art for 7 years at university, I didn’t consider myself super picky about food. I think that anybody can experience pleasure eating unhealthy junk food! And I believe it’s the same for photography.

City Park offering a variety of landscapes

Located in the Golden Valley neighborhood, this park, despite its size, is not a regional park, but the largest park of the Minneapolis Park system. It’s a 780-acre park, offering forest, oak trees, pines, meadows, golf course, trails and hills. It features a large lake (Wirth Lake), several ponds and Bassett Creek.

If you wonder who Mr. Wirth was and why all the venues bear his name, well, you might be surprised to learn that he was “just” the superintendent of the parks.

Hills

Hills are valuable and appreciated in photography. Indeed, they allow photographers different angles and thus create a sensation of depth in pictures. Having your pictures framed in a landscape with rocks and pines that reminds us of Duluth, or the great Wisconsin hills is a must. Indeed, if the nearby Mississippi River can sometimes be bordered by bluffs, the local vegetation is less spectacular, especially during winter.

Liz and Alex Theodore Wirth Park engagement session

It was a winter session, a few days after a snowstorm. Liz and Alex brought a bottle of champagne and a blanket. They wanted to taste the French wine, but when Alex tried to open the bottle, the wine sprayed all around which brought laughter.

That incident immediately relaxed the atmosphere and created good vibes.

After that we roamed near the lake, while some people were doing cross-country skiing. We played with the pine trees, climbed on the table and ran on the dock.

Finally, we came back to our starting point and played a bit with smoke bombs (only natural products that don’t impact nature).

The chalet

To cover their ceremony day in the Twin Cities, Liz and Alex looked for a professional wedding photographer who would put them at ease in front of his camera, and who would be able to take pictures in low light environments. Because, yes, despite the fact that it has an elegant Swiss style frontage, it’s a very dark venue. Indeed, even in June, in the middle of the day under strong sun, the main room will be dark!

Nevertheless, this venue is pretty gorgeous. It’s Switzerland chalet style, with exposed wood beams, a large fireplace that has soul! It should not be confused with the Pavilion which also welcomes weddings, but whose architecture is more recent and less charming.

A complementary park for Historical venues

If you are not seduced by the Swiss style chalet, you can also decide on a manor, a mansion, or even a basement venue in the metro area. All historical buildings need a complementary touch of nature for their pictures.

Conclusion: 8 Good reasons to choose this park

So if I should give you good reasons to choose this park for your engagement session.

1. The hilly landscape gives a sensation of rolling countryside. It’s great for pictures.
2. This park has several lakes and ponds to compose with.
3. This park has pine forest.
4. This park has century-old buildings that you can use.
5. You can take advantage of the two 18-hole golf courses.
6. With 780 acres, this park offers you a bunch of quiet areas to reveal your personalities. Indeed, famous parks, such as the Lyndale Rose Garden might be crowded during the blooming season.
7. It’s open all year long.
8. It’s free (contrary to other parks such as Minnesota Landscape Arboretum).

It’s a great location if you want something different from the Stone Arch Bridge. As everywhere in the 10,000 lakes state, it turns pretty amazing during the fall.