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Wednesday
Jul062011

Candace + Jonathan

I was so honored to capture Candace and Jonathan’s wedding day in Des Moines. They are such a cool couple and I really wanted to make sure their personalities and the spirit of the day came through in their wedding video. From the many humorous moments to the heartfelt, everything was perfect and shined through. Tears were shed, butts were grabbed, karate was practiced, and the dance floor was torn up like I’ve never seen it before. It was a blast. Congrats Candace and Jonathan!

Thursday
Jun162011

Molly + Kushal

The best way to describe Kushal and Molly's wedding weekend is fun. Beautiful venues, ceremonies, and events filled with family and friends who were ready to celebrate the love of the happy couple and to have a good time. Their wedding day was intentionally centered around significant locations in their lives. From the Lake Harriet Pavilion where they were engaged, to the basketball courts at Pershing Park where Kushal and his friends grew up shooting hoops, each moment was intentional and again, fun. There was also the beautiful Catholic wedding at Incarnation Church in Minneapolis and some of the best wedding party dancing I've ever seen at the Hilton in Bloomington. Spoiler Alert! As if this wasn't enough there was an amazing Indian ceremony the night before. It was was at the FIVE event center and was so cool. Seriously, knives, coconuts, etc. I decided to use that footage at the end of the wedding video for a Bollywood dance conclusion. This wedding weekend was a blast and I really think that comes through in their video. Congrats Molly and Kushal!

Tuesday
Jun072011

Bobby + Mycah

This was a very special wedding. Bobby is a good friend and has worked with me the past few years on weddings and other projects so it was surreal to see him on the other side of the lens. However, what really made this wedding special is the love that Bobby and Mycah have for each other. They are high school sweethearts and have been together for 7 years. Their relationship is inspiring and it couldn't be more clear that they are a perfect match. We were at Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina which, combined with the weather, made a perfect day. I am so excited for Bobby and Mycah. I love you guys and wish you the best. You're married!

Friday
Jun032011

Nathan + Johna 

Any wedding that involves a polka band at the reception and wild turkeys wandering around the ceremony site is a day I want to be a part of. As a filmmaker I love capturing uniqueness, real emotion, and just good ole fun - and Nathan and Johna's weddings was abounding with all. From the Richardson Nature Center to the Embassy suites the all Bloomington day was carefully thought through and beautifully detailed. But more than that from their first meeting, to their vows, to the toasts and special musical surprise every moment was filled with significance and love. Then there was the Brass Barn Polka Band! It was truly an honor to capture and be a part of this day. Best wishes Nathan and Johna!
Sunday
May152011

Katie + Mark


The wedding season has begun and it couldn’t have started with a more beautiful day and couple. Katie and Mark are fellow runners so I knew working with them was going to be a blast from the beginning. We started the day with the ladies getting their hair and makeup done while drinking mimosas and watching “The Father of the Bride”. The fellas enjoyed a nice Irish breakfast at Coopers, and we then all met at St Stephen’s in Edina. Before the ceremony Katie and Mark had one of the most picturesque first meetings of all time. Mark’s dad helped perform the ceremony which added a very personal touch. The reception was at at Interlachen Country Club and I was blown away by how beautiful and detailed the room was. The food and live music were also perfect! The entire day was filled with beauty, love, and laughter and I am extremely honored to have been able to capture it. Special thanks to Amy Rubins and her team at Fête Perfection for planning an amazing day, as well as Rick at a good flow, and Andrew from Vick Photography for being great professionals to work with.

Thursday
May122011

Timmy's Story

One of the cool things about doing only a handful of weddings each year is really getting to know the couple, and many times forming a friendship that goes beyond the wedding day. The Morneaus were no exception. Justin and Krista hold a casino night fundraiser for Juvenile Arthritis each year and I've been honored to help them, and the team at the Arthritis Foundation, create the videos for these amazing events. I am continually impressed by this organization and what they are able to do for kids and families dealing with arthritis. This year we traveled to Irondale High School to film a very cool young athlete living juvenile arthritis, Timmy. Here is his story. 

Thursday
Feb102011

Grady + Nancy

Grady and Nancy are also close friends of ours and I was actually with Grady as he prepared to ask Nancy's parents for their blessing. Of course I had to film that, and what better way to kick off the video!

Weddings are always a beautiful, joyful, and an emotional event. Grady and Nancy's wedding was all of the above with an emphasis on emotional. I was able to capture the rehearsal dinner, as well as the wedding, and both days were filled with laughter and tears. One of the coolest things I've ever filmed was at the rehearsal dinner, when friends and family members, one after another, affirmed Grady and Nancy and showered them with love and words of encouragement. This went on for over an hour. Some of the highlights are in the video but fair warning, they'll get ya. 

Nancy kicked off the wedding day with some Yoga and Grady with a meal at the Good Day Cafe. After everyone got ready we headed over to The Metropolitan Ballroom. This was the perfect venue for both the ceremony and reception. One of the reasons Grady and Nancy are such a perfect match is their ability to go deep with each other but at the same time not take life too seriously. Their 'first look' totally captures that. After seeing each other for the first time, and sharing some touching words, tears, and kisses, Grady points out that Nancy tastes like pretzels and everyone breaks out in laughter. It was perfect.

So much more could be said but I'll let the video tell the rest. Grady and Nancy, it's an honor to be your friend and to have been able to capture your day. Love you guys! Special shout out to The Glad Rags who played the reception. They were amazing!

Saturday
Jan222011

The Knot Best of Weddings 2011!

Humbled and honored as I received the news that John Hoel Weddings / Vibrant Film won The Knot's best of weddings for 2011. It's hard to express what a true honor it is to get a front row seat to the most important day of my couples lives - and capture it in a way that gives the wedding a life for the rest of the marriage through film. Humbled because this award was only possible because of the amazing couples I get to work with each year. I know this sounds cliché but each couple, and their family and friends, have been so welcoming, fun to work with, creative, and beautiful and they've played a huge role in helping me create some of the most touching and coolest wedding videos around (ok, I'm biased but they are.) Thank you!

Thursday
Jan202011

Ben + Chrissy

The word that comes to mind when I think of Ben and Chrissy's wedding day is fairytale. Everything from the bride and groom to the venues was absolutely beautiful and magical. Their day was also filled with love and laughter. The best man introduced himself as a mentor of Ben, Chrissy's dad had some great lines, but the best was the maid of honor who produced a photo of Ben and Chrissy from the night they first met. Neither of them knew this existed. It was priceless.

It was an honor to be apart of such an amazing day. Congrats Ben and Chrissy!

Special thanks to 
Olivia Wagner Photography, White Confetti Wedding Planning, St Paul Hotel, Cathedral of St Paul, and the Minnesota History Center.

Sunday
Dec262010

Ali + Ryan (engaged!)

 

Ali and Ryan got engaged Christmas morning! Ali is my wife's sister - and technically my sister too. They are both amazing people. Ryan is a stud hockey player who can pull off a deep-v t-shirt like no one else and Ali is a math wiz and her compassion for animals is one of my favorite things about her.

Ryan had given me the heads up this was going down so we could capture it.He pulled the trigger a little early of our camera location but I was able to move it in time for the big question. I was also snapping pictures. Congrats you guys. Ryan welcome to the family!