Gathered Oaks Wedding :: Alexandria, MN

They laugh about it now, but Amber and Jesse met at a house party in college. As soon as Amber saw Jesse, she called dibs on him in front of her friends. The two bonded over a game of pong, got each other’s numbers, and shortly after started dating. Over the course of a few years, the two new they were destined for one another. Jesse had been planning the proposal for months. He decided to take a weekend trip up to the north shore in Duluth, Minnesota with Amber. They did all the typical Duluth things from seeing the lighthouses to exploring the downtown area to doing some beautiful hikes. One evening, around sunset, the two decided to go to the beach to look at the Wisconsin beach lighthouse. It was an incredible night, and the two were completely alone on the beach. It was there that Jesse got down on one knee and asked Amber to be his wife.

Gathered Oaks was the perfect location for Amber and Jesse to host their beautiful summer wedding day. The day was filled with laughter and tears and it was an incredible joy to photograph so many emotional moments. Amber began the morning by getting ready at Ella‘s Salon and then got into her dress purchased at Our Shop Bridal in the beautiful bridal suite at Gathered Oaks. She then did a first look with her dad, and then went out to meet her groom. Friends and family watched from the balcony as Amber and Jesse did their first look, and then read their intimate vows to one another. The wedding party then joined us for photos on the lawn, the women looked stunning in their, Agave Azazie dresses, and the men look stunning in their navy suits from Men’s Wearhouse.

Thunderstorms and rain were forecasted for the day for the entire week, but the clouds parted, and the sun came out at the perfect time for Amber and Jesse’s beautiful ceremony . The two were wed and exchanged rings from Wedding Day Diamonds. As they were pronounced husband and wife, guests cheered as the lake shone brilliantly through the trees. Raaper‘s Catering Company provided an incredible meal while at Al Edwards Entertainment brought the party to life.

We snuck away for some beautiful golden hour photos on the lake, and then Jesse and Amber continued to dance the night away with guests at their reception. Raaper’s brought a food truck in late for night snacks while the sun sunk into the sky creating a beautiful end to a perfect day.

Jesse and Amber, it was so wonderful to spend your day with you, congratulations! Have a fabulous time on your honeymoon in Nashville!

Ceremony and Reception:: Gathered Oaks // Hair and Make-up:: Ella’s Salon // Caterer:: Raaper’s Catering Company // Baker:: Walmart // DJ:: Al Edwards Entertainment // Stationary:: Shutterfly // Wedding Dress:: Our Shop Bridal // Bridesmaid Dresses:: Azazie // Men’s Designer:: Men’s Warehouse // Shoes:: Etsy by Christina Christi // Rings:: Wedding Day Diamonds