Wedding Photography at Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Mazeppa and its amazing Stained Glass
If you think that small religious ceremonies seem boring to photograph, this article might change your mind.
Some weddings involve grand festivities, while others focus on intimate moments shared with loved ones. This wedding ceremony was the intimate first part of their celebrations: a beautiful exchange of vows that took place at Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Mazeppa the day before the larger wedding celebration.
Let me first introduce the couple and say a few words about their church.
Table of Contents
A Great Couple
I met Briana in winter at the Forager Brewery and Cafe. She is a nurse, while her fiancé is a doctor in Dermatology. She explained her vision of marriage and her perfect wedding-to-be. A few weeks later, we decided to photograph their engagement session.
I initially wanted to go to Willow Creek Reservoir Park, a place I had recently fallen in love with, but they wanted pictures with snow.
For snowy pictures, Oxbow Park was the best choice. We captured some amazing photos there!
The Open-Minded Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Mazeppa
I am French, and in France, most Catholic churches (and priests) are open-minded. They welcome wedding photographers, respecting the couple’s desire to preserve memories of those spiritual and emotional moments.
Conversely, Protestant churches (and pastors) there were often more conservative, and photographers were frequently not welcome, sometimes even forbidden.
So, when I first arrived in Minnesota and started photographing weddings at churches, I was surprised to discover that the situation was often the reverse (except perhaps for Lutheran churches). While there are historical reasons for this, that is not the subject of this article.
Therefore, I wanted to highlight this priest’s open-mindedness and thank him again for allowing me the freedom to photograph as I saw fit.
Moreover, he is one of the most humorous priests I have met. This ability to connect with his community is an essential quality. He demonstrates that serious, sacred matters can be shared with humor and simplicity.
Emotional Moments
In wedding photography, there are some must-have moments that I love to capture.
For instance, the wedding party walking down the aisle.
- Notice the groom’s nervousness while his mother is smiling, yet with tears in her eyes.
- Conversely, observe the bride’s huge smile while her father appears stressed.
- The ceremony is about the couple and their family members.
- The bride’s laughter and tears show how intense the moment is for her.
- Observe her father clasping his hands.
- Her mother sharing a knowing glance with her sister.
- Other parents shed tears.
Of course, I also captured all the other key moments: the communion, the blessings, the prayers, and the first kiss.
Kids Being Silly
One of the joys of photographing wedding ceremonies is capturing the spontaneous, unscripted moments, especially those involving children. Children bring a genuine energy that makes for some of the most authentic and hilarious images.
Indeed, children are typically very natural in front of the camera at this age. This often changes during their teenage years, high school, and their first portraits.
Their natural spirit added a joyful light to the ceremony, whether it was playful fidgeting in the pews, making silly faces, or balancing on the kneelers as if they were a jungle gym.
But if there is something I like even more, it is capturing images of their parents attempting to manage them—scolding them or trying to hold them.
You can almost see the exasperation in the parents’ eyes.
The Creative Photo: A Silhouette in Front of the Stained-Glass Windows
As the ceremony concluded, I had the opportunity to stage a silhouette shot of the newlywed couple in front of the stained-glass windows.
This is not just a creative photo; it also encapsulates the sacred and artistic elements of the moment.
The contrast between their dark outlines and the vibrant glass behind them made for a dramatic and timeless composition, symbolizing their union in a spiritually meaningful and visually stunning way.
Why Did the Couple Have Their Ceremony a Day Before the Big Day?
For some couples, holding the official ceremony on a day separate from the main wedding celebration is the perfect choice.
Some couples want small, intimate celebrations in their own church (or their parents’ church). Briana and John invited all their friends to a party at the Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery.
For other couples, logistics play a key role. Having your ceremony the day before allows ample time for the couple’s portraits to be taken then, rather than on the busier reception day.
Should You Have Your Ceremony the Day Before if You Have a Micro Wedding?
No, it is usually not necessary if you are having a micro-event. A micro-wedding also offers flexibility in wedding planning. For instance, this couple decided on an early afternoon ceremony at Quarry Hill. They took photos in the park and then proceeded to their downtown reception around sunset.
Conclusion
By separating the ceremony from the main wedding day, the couple allowed themselves the space to fully embrace each moment, whether it was the solemnity of their vows, the playfulness of the children, or the artistry of a well-planned portrait.
Their love was the day’s centerpiece, and the images reflect that beautifully.
If you want to learn more about their wedding celebration at the Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery in Spring Valley, read about it here.
Today, Briana and John have since moved from Minnesota, leaving Med City and Mayo Clinic to settle in what many consider an amazing place: Colorado, with its numerous national parks.
If you are planning your wedding, whether it’s small and intimate or a large, fancy affair, and are looking for a good photographer to capture all the authentic moments, I would be honored to be considered! Send me an email today; I typically respond quickly.
