Wedding Date: August 30th 2025

Julia and Samuel’s celebration kicked off the evening before the wedding at Surly Brewing. It was the perfect place to gather everyone together and officially start the weekend. Before the festivities got underway, we slipped away for a few portraits around the Mill City area and along the river, taking advantage of the beautiful city backdrop. Back inside Surly, the couple even got to go behind the scenes and pour their own beers straight from the massive metal tanks where the magic happens. The toasts that night were unforgettable, the kind that have everyone laughing so hard they’re wiping tears from their eyes. One of the most meaningful details of the day was the dress Julia chose to wear: her mother’s wedding gown. Her mom even brought along her original wedding album, and the two of them spent a few quiet moments flipping through the pages together, comparing photos and memories. It was incredibly special to witness.

The next morning began at The Minikahda Club, where Julia got ready surrounded by her bridesmaids in matching pajamas and a room full of joy. Julia’s dress reveal to her bridesmaids was just as sweet, filled with gasps, smiles, and hugs. The bridesmaids wore dresses all within the same family of greens, each one slightly different, which gave the group a beautiful, natural look. Bright orange flowers added a bold pop of color throughout the day and tied everything together perfectly.

From the club, everyone made their way to St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral for the ceremony. The moment you step inside that space, you’re surrounded by stunning architecture and centuries of tradition. The ceremony itself was beautiful and deeply meaningful, filled with Orthodox customs that have been passed down for generations. Julia and Samuel wore flower crowns during the crowning portion of the ceremony, and the candle lighting and ceremonial laps around the gospel created such a powerful sense of history and symbolism. Watching them take those steps together as husband and wife was incredibly moving.

After the ceremony, we returned to The Minikahda Club where guests gathered for cocktail hour overlooking the grounds. As the evening unfolded, we stepped out onto the golf course just as the sun began to set. The light turned that perfect golden color photographers dream about, and the skyline of Minneapolis began to glow in the distance. It was one of those quiet, breathtaking moments that feels like a pause in the middle of a joyful whirlwind.

Back inside, the celebration continued in full force. Julia and Samuel entered the reception and went straight into their first dance, and it set the tone for the entire night. It was full of lifts, laughter, and cheers from every corner of the room. The toasts that followed were just as memorable as the ones from the night before. Parents and siblings shared stories that had the whole room laughing again, sometimes so hard people could barely get through the speeches.

Once dinner wrapped up, the dance floor filled immediately. Friends and family poured onto the floor, singing along and celebrating the newlyweds with everything they had. One of the most unique touches of the evening was a vintage phone booth where guests could leave voice messages for Julia and Samuel, little recordings they’ll be able to listen back to for years to come.

And because this group knows how to end a night properly, the evening wrapped up in the most delightful way possible, trading Magic the Gathering cards while enjoying cigars and reliving the best moments of the day.

Before the night was completely over, they snuck out one last time for a late-night stroll across the course with our Team Photographer, Collin. The Minneapolis skyline glowed in the distance, the air was calm, and Julia and Samuel had a quiet moment together after a day filled with so much love and celebration.

Julia and Samuel, thank you for inviting us into such an incredible weekend. From Surly to the cathedral to the dance floor and that final walk under the city lights, your wedding was full of joy, tradition, laughter, and just the right amount of personality. It was truly a celebration we won’t soon forget.

Vendors: The Minikahda Club (venue), St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral (ceremony venue), Surly Brewing (rehearsal dinner venue), Buttercream (cake & desserts), Blue Water Kings (music), Studio C (florals), Continental Diamond (rings & jewelry), Tom’s Fashion (tux & suit designer), John Hoel (videography)