Destination Archives - Duluth, MN Wedding Photography

Eric and Deanna’s Duluth Wedding

October 14, 2015City: Destination, City: Duluth, MN Venue: Fitger's Inn and Brewery, Lake Superior, Rose Garden

Deanna and Eric were in graduate school when they first met. Both were pursuing degrees in the Human Resource Development field and were in some of the same classes. During a semester final, they took notice of each other as they handed in their tests at the same time. A casual conversation in the hallway afterward led to a whole lot more when the two began dating soon after the New Year in 2011.

In 2013 these lovebirds took a trip to California. Deanna was so happy to be in the sand with the water crashing at her legs on Pebble Beach that Eric suddenly knew he wanted to marry that girl. Fast- forward to 2014, when on a short trip back to the same spot, Eric got to fulfill his vision of a proposal on the beach. Deanna said “Yes!” and they celebrated their new engagement over lunch with good friends.

The proposal happened near the Pacific Ocean, and their big day was held along the shores of Lake Superior. The Fitger’s courtyard was perfect for some romantic photos, and the intimate ceremony was laid-back and relaxed among the flowers of the Rose Garden, near Duluth’s Leif Erikson Park and iconic Lake Walk. Eric and Deanna were happy to just enjoy their parents’ company and have this beautiful event be only about their love for each other. I am honored to have been able to capture this special day for them.

Congratulations Eric and Deanna! Have fun in Maui!

Wedding at the Rose Garden and Fitgers in Duluth MN.

A perfect start to the big day with beautiful views of the Aerial Lift Bridge and Park Point at the historic Fitger’s building.

The gorgeous details and the bride’s thoughtful gift for the groom.

Deanna got ready in style at the Fitger’s Inn.

Final details before the ceremony.

Surprise Eric!

This first look is priceless.

The sun shone bright on the intimate ceremony at the Rose Garden’s gazebo.

The beautiful couple and beautiful view of the Aerial Lift Bridge.

Romantic selfie moments at Leif Erikson Park.

Epic shots on the beach at Park Point.

Hotel – Fitger’s Inn
Ceremony – The Rose Garden
Dinner – Blackwoods Grill and Bar
Photo Location – Park Point Beach
Make-Up Artist – Derick Cich

Dan and Macy’s Destination Wedding

June 23, 2014City: Destination, City: Jamaica Venue: Secrets Wild Orchid Resort

Bride and groom jumping into a pool while dressed in wedding attire on their wedding day.

Eight years and three kids after Dan and Macy first got married it was finally time to have the wedding they had always wanted. The two reaffirmed their commitment to each other against the stunning backdrop of Montego Bay in Jamaica. Their intimate ceremony was the perfect celebration of all the blessings that have been bestowed upon their life and a chance to pause for a brief moment to consider the significance of their relationship

Here’s to Dan and Macy, their three munchkins, and the next eight years.

Cape Town, South Africa – Janett and Ruben

January 12, 2014City: Destination Venue: Cape Town South Africa

Destination Wedding Photographer - Bryan Jonathan Weddings in Cape Town, South Africa

Janett and Ruben are dear friends with big hearts. We recently sailed around the Atlantic together exploring far flung destinations and exotic places. While in Cape Town we set aside our last morning at the V&A Waterfront for photos. Clouds obscured Table Mountain and rain forced us indoors more than once but this special couple made the best of it as I have seen them do countless times throughout our travels. Their love is deeply evident by the way they look at each other when no one else seems to be watching, or the way they smile at each other and whisper in each other’s ear. They are the couple that everyone wants to be friends with and it’s a pleasure to call them my friends.

Destination Wedding Vail Colorado: Matt and Carey

October 8, 2012City: Destination Venue: Saddle Ridge at Beaver Creek, Vail CO, Vail Mountain Wedding Deck

Eleven years, to the day, after Matt and Carey first kissed as college students they exchanged vows and shared their first kiss as husband and wife. While dating, Matt and Carey created many special memories hiking the Rockies. They thought the summit of Vail Mountain would be the perfect location for their destination wedding. Guests arrived via gondola from Lionshead Village and were treated to stunning views of the Colorado Rockies and golden aspens in peak fall foliage. The ceremony, officiated by their friend Karen, was short and sweet with a healthy dose of humor. Karen unexpectedly produced Carey’s little red shorts that first caught Matt’s eye eleven years ago. Matt and Carey may never have shared that fateful first kiss without the help of those little red shorts.

After the wedding the bridal party returned to Lionshead for a quick photo session and then on to Saddle Ridge at Beaver Creek. Saddle Ridge was the perfect venue to conclude the celebration with it’s rustic decor and mountain views surrounding the dance floor.

Ceremony – Vail Mountain Wedding Deck Reception – SaddleRidge at Beaver Creek Accommodations – The Charter at Beaver Creek Dress – Casablanca, Dena Marie Cake – Mountain Cupcakes Transportation – All Mountain Transportation Entertainment – A Great Time DJs, Inc. Hair and Make-Up – Allegria Spa at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek

A Rocky Mountain Park Adventure: Mike and Christina

October 1, 2012City: Destination Venue: Boulder CO, Rocky Mountain National Park

Our good friends Mike and Christina hosted my wife and I for a few nights while in Boulder. Our last day included a three hour tour in Estes Park, so with camera in hand we loaded up the SUV. We had no real agenda other than enjoying a quiet afternoon in the mountains. Shortly after entering Rock Mountain National Park we found an innocent looking one way dirt road winding up the mountain. The 11 mile road had several treacherous switchbacks and vertical cliffs but was well traveled and reasonably easy to navigate. We stopped every few miles to enjoy the aspens, snap a few photos, and marvel at the alpine meadows. We hiked a bit at 12,000 feet until our lungs and the bitter mountain wind urged us to descend. Mike carefully consulted an iPhone GPS map and I confidently concurred with the chosen direction. There were two paved roads that joined our dirt road at the summit so we had a 50/50 chance of getting it right. The decent to the valley floor at sunset was nothing short of breath taking and even the elk greeted us with bugles at the bottom. Little did we know that our oxygen starved brains betrayed our “excellent” map reading abilities and led us down the wrong side of the mountain, 140 some miles from our intended destination. We stopped at the nearest hodunk local bar for dinner and when we asked the spitfire waitress the best way back to Boulder she exclaimed “Oh, you’re from Minnesota? You had best just stay the night!” In the end we concluded that the populated highway, thru Winter Park, was safer than going back up and over the mountain at night. Our 11 mile, “three hour tour”, into Rocky Mountain Nation Park suddenly required 3 hours just to get back home. We were quite tired upon arriving back in Boulder but were in good spirits and already laughing at our silly mistake. Ten hours of mountain driving might seem like forever, but with good company and a camera it was all worthwhile.