Wedding Date: January 3rd 2026

I've photographed a lot of venues over the years, but the American Swedish Institute might be the closest thing I've found to walking straight into a fairy tale. Built in the early 1900s as the private Turnblad Mansion, the place is basically Minneapolis's only real castle, stone turrets, ornate carved woodwork, the kind of architecture that makes you stop mid-sentence and just stare for a second. Every time I pull up to this venue I get a little giddy, and this day was no exception.

Autumn and Andy's story started years before either of them called it dating, just two people who became friends through a mutual connection and somehow kept ending up in each other's orbit. Andy proposed on a beach in Duluth, Autumn's hometown, which felt fitting once I learned how much the two of them love getting up north to hike and ski together. A winter wedding made perfect sense for a couple who's happiest with snow under their boots.

We started the day with a first look right on the mansion's front stairs, and I'll be honest, that setting alone could carry an entire gallery of photos. From there Autumn and Andy spent time just wandering the building together, popping into different rooms, laughing together, soaking in a space that genuinely feels like nowhere else in the city. Their dog made a guest appearance for a few photos too, and if you've ever tried to get a dog to sit still in formalwear, you know exactly how much chaos and joy that adds to a shoot. Worth every second.

The wedding party joined not long after, and this group brought a warmth that I felt the moment they walked in. Genuinely some of the kindest people I've had the pleasure of photographing, easy laughter, easy love, and great friends.

The ceremony took place indoors with a pine tree tucked in behind them and twilight settling in through the windows, giving the whole room this soft blue glow. Autumn and Andy were beaming the entire time, the kind of happiness that's impossible to perform and even harder not to catch on camera no matter where I pointed the lens. Right after, they slipped away for a quiet champagne toast together, just the two of them, before rejoining everyone at the base of the mansion's grand staircase for toasts as a full group. Architecturally speaking, that staircase might be my favorite spot in the entire building, and it did not disappoint.

From there everyone made their way into the reception hall for dinner, and Autumn and Andy had their first dance in front of the mansion's historic hearth. More toasts followed in the reception hall, along with parent dances that brought a sweet energy to the evening.

At some point Autumn slipped away and came back in a second dress, more relaxed, hair up, clearly ready to actually dance for the rest of the night instead of worrying about a train catching on something. Smart move, and one I always love seeing brides make. We wrapped the night outside in the winter air, the mansion glowing gold behind them under the lights, snow crunching underfoot, architecture doing exactly what architecture like that is built to do. Honestly, it's hard to think of a better way to end a day than that.

Vendors: American Swedish Institute (venue), Christian Lane Bridal (dress designer/shop), Bellagala (Victoria Rodriguez)(DJ/emcee), Quang Restaurant (rehearsal dinner venue)