Scott + Katie // Chicago

Katie and Scott were married in Chicago at The Peninsula Hotel. I couldn’t have been more honored to tell their story. They are both individually impressive people and together make the perfect team. Amidst all the details, people, and events I’d constantly catch them simply looking at each other - wide-eyed, smiling, and totally in love. Katie’s smile was infectious and could light up the city, and Scott in his dark blue tux couldn’t have been more dapper as he tore up the dance floor. Their family and friends were an absolute blast to capture and get to know as well. The weekend included an architectural boat tour, a grooms dinner at the Boarding house, and a million incredible moments filled with love and laughter. The wedding was black tie and with a backdrop like the Peninsula everything and everyone couldn’t have been more stunning. I have so many favorite moments from our time together but they’re better seen than written about:) Reva Nathan and her incredible team planned and coordinated a perfect day. It was a pleasure to shoot along side Collin Pierson at the grooms dinner and Emilia Jane on the wedding day. Keheo Designs outdid themselves with the flowers and the band from Arlen Music Productions was outstanding and kept the dance floor packed late into the night. Katie and Scott thank you for having me. This is a weekend I’ll remember forever! To see the music used in this film please click here

Tanner // Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare

To the nurses, doctors, and staff of Gillette, you are my new heroes. To the families and patients who work to recover, persevere through adversaity, and yet are some of the most uplifting people I've ever met, you give me hope for the world. I was intruded to Gillette through Joe and Maddie Mauer. Joe (#7!) plays for the Minnesota Twins and Maddie was an OR nurse at Gillette. I was lucky enough to film their wedding a few years back, and absolutely honored when they asked me to tell Tanner's story for a Gillette fundraiser at Target Field. Joe and Maddie, as well as their families, have been so incredibly generous and supportive of Gillette and after creating this film and seeing Gillette up-close I know why. I didn't know this level of care was possible, let alone in our own back yard in the Twin Cities. Children with some of the most complex medical conditions from all over the world come to Gillette. Hopefully through Tanner's story you'll get a glimpse of what I saw, and if you're looking for an organization to support it's hard to think of a more worthy one than Gillette! 

Patricia + Junaid // Nicollet Island

Patricia and Junaid are the perfect match. Sure, they’re both doctors, have similar personalities, like they same music, and so on… but most importantly they are best friends! After spending any amount of time around them it’s hard to miss their love. Their smiles, eyes, and laughter say it all. They are remarkable and accomplished individuals, but now that they’re officially teamed up, look out :) Their compassion, caring, and expertise will make this world a better place. One of the best parts of their wedding weekend was seeing two cultures and families come together! The traditional Pakistani celebration was held at the Commons hotel, and the wedding was at Nicollet Island. The mehndi, stealing of the shoes, dancing and jewelry were amazing and perfectly juxtaposed the following day with a traditional wedding…. well, as traditional as you can get with the Groom on drums! A huge thank you to the friends and family who made both celebrations possible! It was also an honor to shoot alongside my incredibly talented friend Laura Ivanova. Finally, one more highlight from our time together, as a pediatrician Patrica couldn’t end her thank you at the reception without one important piece of advice… (see film) Thank you again and congratulations Patricia and Junaid! To purchase the music used in this film please click here

Steven + Stella // Interlachen Country Club

Steven + Stella // Interlachen Country Club from John Hoel on Vimeo.

Capturing two people join their lives together is always an honor, but to see that done in addition to joining cultures and families was extra special. Stella and Steven had a wedding weekend filled with love, laughter, and overflowing happiness. Their family and friends couldn’t have been more excited and ready to celebrate these two amazing people every step of the way. Special thanks to Lindsay from Lindsay Piram Creative for coordinating and planning a beautiful and perfect weekend. The transformation of Interlachen Country Club was absolutely stunning! It was an honor to shoot alongside Sally from La Vie Photography, and thank you also to The Westin Edina Galleria, Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, Vera Wang, and L'Atelier Couture Bridal Boutique! From the tea ceremony to the reception this was a weekend I’ll remember forever. Congratulations Stella and Steven! To purchase the music used in this film please click here

Chad + Laura // The Grand Adventure

Chad and Laura are one of those couples that instantly make sense - you see them together and you can’t imagine a more perfect fit. As the mother of the groom mentioned in her toast, “There is something magical between them,” and trust me it’s hard to miss. With every impromptu dance, kiss, or glance their love was always on display. Their wedding weekend was filled with tears of joy and laughter, dancing, poetry, and lots of love. From the rehearsal dinner at Dove Hill in St. Paul, to the wedding at White Bear Yatch Club, everything couldn’t have been more perfect. Special thanks to Rita and her team from Premier Panning Services for a perfectly appointed and flawless celebration. It was an honor to have the Mayor of Minneapolis, and close friend of the family, Betsy Hodges perform the ceremony. This is a weekend I’ll remember forever and am so honored to have captured. Congratulations Laura and Chad! In the words of Mayor Hodges, “Marriage is the grand adventure of a lifetime. Welcome.” To purchase the music used in this film please click here

Erik + Courtney // First Born Farms

Erik and Courtney, along with their dog Stella, had one of the most incredible wedding weekends I’ve been lucky enough to capture. Both the rehearsal dinner and wedding took place on Courtney’s family farm in Rochester, Minnesota - First Born Farms. We were surrounded by beauty, meaning, love, and maybe a little bit of heat :) Amidst all the perfectly appointed details, scenic backdrop, one of the best maid of honor toasts of all time, and even a plane flying the wedding hashtag above the reception, what stood out the most by far was the love that this couple shares with each other and their friends and family. The whole weekend felt like an embrace. I have an endless list of highlights from our time together - I mean, the vows alone! - and although I could go on they are much better seen than read. To be apart of Courtney and Erik’s weekend and tell their story is an honor I’ll cherish forever. The weekend was made even better by being able to shoot alongside my good friend Laura Ivanova, and a big thank you to Denae Brennan Weddings & Events for a flawless and stunning celebration! To purchase the music used in this film please click here

John + Lalu // Mill City Museum

To be a part of John and Lalu’s wedding weekend, and to tell their story was an honor I’ll cherish forever. I used slow motion more than I ever have in a wedding film but it couldn’t have been more fitting as the entire weekend was ethereal, dream-like, and just perfect. Their friends and family couldn’t have been more supportive, encouraging, and filled with love as they started this next chapter of their lives - they were also ready to DANCE and celebrate! Lalu was absolutely radiant, John was dapper, the weather was perfect, the toasts were moving and hilarious, and to top it all off I was lucky enough to work with three really good friends! Janelle from White Confetti planned and coordinated a flawless event, Andrew from Vick Photography was an absolute pleasure to shoot alongside, and Dr. Crosby from Christ Presbyterian Church did a wonderful job officiating! Special thanks also to Minikahda Country Club, Aloft Hotel, and The Mill City Museum. There are a million things I want to say to share how incredible John and Lalu’s wedding was - but the best way I know how is to show you. John and Lalu are remarkable individuals and the world is a better place now that they’re together. Great things lie ahead! Congratulations! To purchase the music used in this film please click here

Kate + Joe // 1,130 Days

Kate and Joe had the quintessential Twin Cities wedding with a ceremony at the Basilica in Minneapolis and the reception at A’bulae in St Paul. All of the elements you want in a wedding weekend were there - the weather was perfect, the bride was stunning, and the list goes on - but it was the intangible stuff that stood out to me the most and that made this celebration special. The love of their family and friends was spilling over. Their excitement for Kate and Joe was felt through the entire weekend in so many ways - laughter, joy, tears, and a musical performance of an adapted TV show theme song just to name a few. I have a million highlights from our time together but my absolute favorite has to be seeing two best friends join their lives together. I am so deeply honored to have been able to tell this story and get to know such incredible people. Congratulations to a truly special couple!  Special thanks to Mi Mi Design for an absolutely stunning and flawless weekend. Thank you also to The Minikahda Country Club, The Depot Minneapolis, The Basilica of St Mary, and A’bulae. To purchase the music used in this film please click here

Jack + Hannah // St Louis

When Hannah and I first started talking about her wedding I knew it was going to be a very special weekend. As I got to know Jack, and the amazing MOB Roxanne, I couldn’t wait! Although the festivities started off a little shaky with most of the wedding party getting stuck in an elevator at the rehearsal dinner for 30 minutes (it does make for a great story though:) everything else was absolutely perfect! At the downtown Westin we were in the heart of St Louis right next to Ballpark Village, and with the Cardinals in town it created a very cool energy. I have so many favorite moments from our time together but they’re all in the film and I’ll let them speak for themselves. It seemed as if every moment was filled with either tears of joy or laughter. Per tradition Hannah’s Grandmother made the most delicious wedding cake, the wedding party made sure the laughter never stopped, and their family and friends couldn’t have been more excited as they celebrated Hannah and Jack’s new adventure as husband and wife. I am incredibly honored to have been able to tell this story and document this kind of LOVE. Thank you and congratulations! Special thanks to Events Luxe, and The Westin St Louis! To purchase the music used in this film please click here

We Won!! // Thank you!!

We won! Minnesota Bride Best of 2015! I couldn’t be more grateful for everyone who took the time to vote. Although I work solo this is entirely a team effort and I couldn’t have done it without being surrounded by talented colleagues - to the amazing wedding planners, florists, venues, DJs, photographers, caterers, bands, and the list goes on - thank you for making me look good by giving me beautiful things to film. Finally, my deepest gratitude goes to the couples and families who welcome me in, and allow me to tell their stories. Because of you I get to do what I love everyday and I am eternally grateful! I know I’m just repeating myself but THANK YOU!!! To my very talented fellow finalists, Sky Focus Films, and Snowshoe Productions, congratulations on your nominations and I’m truly honored to have been up for this award alongside you! Thank you also to my wife Emma for your constant support and encouragement - and for being way to good looking to be with me but still sticking around. And to Kaiser and Judy for taking me on walks and giving me some editing breaks to keep the creative juices flowing.