Lydia & Joe’s Wedding at St. Paul College Club

Getting Ready at the Stunning St. Paul College Club

The St. Paul College Club is absolutely STUNNING—a true dream wedding venue! As soon as I arrived at the venue, I was in awe. Coming from Green Bay, WI, Minnesota is a little further than my usual wedding locations, but this one was so worth it. The lush gardens and historic charm of the St. Paul College Club set the stage for a truly breathtaking day.

Despite the hot weather, nothing was going to put a damper on Lydia and Joe’s wedding. I headed up to the bridal suite, where Lydia and her bridesmaids were in high spirits, singing along to some of their favorite songs. The excitement was contagious! I started capturing Lydia’s gorgeous wedding details, one of my favorite parts of any wedding day.

Once hair and makeup were finished, Lydia slipped into her dress with the help of her mother—a beautiful and emotional moment that had me tearing up behind my camera.

Meanwhile, across the hall, Joe and his groomsmen were getting ready. They were enjoying some downtime and a delicious sub spread before the big moment. Joe’s mom helped him with his boutonniere, sharing a special moment together before he said “I do.”

The First Looks

First looks are always some of the most emotional moments of the day, and Lydia and Joe’s were no exception.

Lydia started with a first look with her dad, and it was such a sweet and heartfelt moment.

Then came Joe’s turn. Standing with his back turned, waiting for his bride-to-be to tap him on the shoulder, you could feel his anticipation. The moment he turned around and saw Lydia? Tears. Everywhere. These two were so ready to get married!

Portraits & Bridal Party

After the first looks, we captured some gorgeous couple’s portraits before bringing out the entire bridal party. The front of the building made for a stunning backdrop, and despite the heat, everything—from the lighting to the energy—was perfect. We took breaks to stay cool, but every shot was worth it.



We wrapped up portraits with family photos in the same spot where Lydia and Joe would soon exchange vows.

The Ceremony

The ceremony took place in the backyard of the venue, creating an intimate and heartfelt atmosphere. Lydia and Joe exchanged personalized vows that left everyone in tears. One of the most touching moments was a family prayer with both sets of in-laws, symbolizing the blending of two families into one.

The Reception: A Beautiful Celebration

The reception space was light, airy, and elegantly decorated with all kinds of white flowers—simple and classy. At each table, guests found a letter-writing station, where they could write notes to the couple to be opened on future anniversaries. Such a thoughtful and unique touch!



Dinner was followed by heartfelt speeches from family and friends. Lydia’s brother, Jacob, had the whole room in stitches with his hilarious and heartfelt toast.

A Sunset Walk and Portraits

One of my favorite moments at any wedding is sneaking the bride and groom away from the reception for 15–30 minutes of sunset portraits. The golden light is always so dreamy. With Lydia and Joe, we took a short walk around the venue’s neighborhood, exploring picturesque backdrops. When I spotted the stunning architecture of Saint Thomas More Catholic Church, I knew it was the perfect destination. The setting, bathed in the warm evening glow, made for the most breathtaking portraits.

Party time!

Then came the first dance—a magical and romantic moment. As the dance floor opened up, one of my favorite highlights was watching Lydia and my sister, Hannah, dance to Cotton-Eyed Joe, just like they used to in their Irish dance classes. It was even more impressive this time considering my sister was very pregnant at the time! The DJ was amazing and had everyone on the dance floor all night.

The Sparkler Exit

To end the night, Lydia and Joe had a sparkler exit, walking through a tunnel of their loved ones cheering them on as they embarked on their next adventure together.