The Refuge Golf Club Wedding:: Oak Grove, MN

Josh and Marina’s late May wedding was a beautiful celebration of family, faith, and timeless style. Set on a perfect Memorial Day weekend with 75-degree sunshine and a brief lucky rain shower, their day was filled with thoughtful details and meaningful moments from beginning to end.

A Love Rooted in Family & Faith

Marina grew up in a large, close-knit family, and it was important to her that her wedding day reflect her deep love for tradition and togetherness. Josh and Marina share a strong foundation built on faith, and their ceremony at First Baptist Church of St. Francis was a beautiful representation of that shared devotion.

Getting Ready at Marina’s Childhood Home

The morning began at Marina’s childhood home, surrounded by her sisters and parents. The energy in the house was filled with laughter, anticipation, and love. With a large family, these quiet moments before the big day were especially meaningful to Marina.

Amber Ripka styled the bride’s hair to perfection, giving her the classic, elegant look she had envisioned. Marina chose to do her own makeup—a testament to her natural beauty and graceful style. When it came time to step into her custom-made wedding gown, it was her mother who helped her into the dress—an emotional moment that Marina will always cherish.

Her gown, handcrafted by Nancy Lindquist, was the perfect reflection of Marina’s classic style. To complement the look, she wore baby blue heels imported from Sézane in France, and blue accents were woven throughout the day—from the soft hues in her Petals to Pines Floral bouquet by Georgia Edgington, to the touches in the stationery, designed through Vistaprint.

Marina’s look was rich with heirloom details. Her earrings, passed down from her maternal grandmother, had been worn by every bride on that side of the family. Her pearl necklace belonged to her paternal grandmother and had been worn by each of her sisters on their wedding days. Her bouquet even held tiny cameos as a tribute to her grandparents—a heartfelt nod to generations of love.

Josh & the Groomsmen at The Refuge

While the women got ready, Josh and his groomsmen enjoyed a relaxed morning at The Refuge Golf Club, where they shared laughs and prepared for the big day. The atmosphere was lighthearted and full of anticipation.

A First Look Beneath the Trees

Josh and Marina shared their first look under a peaceful grove of trees, a quiet and emotional moment that allowed them to take in the significance of the day. This was followed by wedding party photos and family portraits—complete with seven grandchildren under the age of four, bringing an extra dose of joy and energy to the day.

Wedding Party & Family Photos: Full of Laughter and Love

After their sweet first look, Josh and Marina were joined by their wedding party and families for photos. The energy was joyful and relaxed, with siblings joking around, lifelong friends cheering them on, and seven grandbabies under the age of four stealing the show. It was beautifully chaotic in the best way—just the kind of moments that reflect what matters most. With every photo, you could feel how deeply loved Josh and Marina are, and how much support surrounds them as they begin their life together.

A Meaningful Ceremony at First Baptist Church of St. Francis

Their ceremony took place inside their home church, First Baptist Church of St. Francis. The couple lit a unity candle and were prayed over by their parents—an emotional and powerful moment that honored the spiritual foundation of their relationship.

A Riverside Escape at Rum River North County Park

Following the ceremony, Josh and Marina took a private moment together at Rum River North County Park, a serene stretch of parkland along the river. It was a beautiful chance to soak in their first quiet moments as husband and wife.

Reception at The Refuge Golf Club

The celebration continued at The Refuge Golf Club, where guests enjoyed dinner catered by the venue and a night of dancing. The reception space featured romantic floral arrangements by Petals to Pines Floral, and music was provided by Jessica Shaw of Bellagala, who kept the dance floor lively throughout the night. Their cake, beautifully done by Hy-Vee of Brooklyn Park, was both delicious and picture-perfect.

Golden Hour: Absolutely Delicious

As the sun dipped low and cast its golden light over the golf course, we snuck out for a few final portraits. Golden hour was absolutely delicious—warm, glowy, and romantic in all the right ways. Josh and Marina embraced, laughed, and soaked up the last light of their wedding day with ease. It was the perfect pause before the sparkler exit, and a magical way to close out a day so full of heart. This quiet, glimmering time together gave them space to just be present—and those photos turned out to be some of the dreamiest of the whole day.

At the end of the night Marina changed into a simple white dress for the grand finale—a sparkler send-off that closed the evening with joy, light, and celebration.

Congratulations, Josh & Marina

Josh and Marina’s wedding day was a true honor to capture—from the legacy-filled heirlooms to the joyful energy of their big family and the sacred vows they shared. I’m wishing them all the happiness in the world as they begin their life together—and a beautiful honeymoon in Bayfield to kick it all off!

Vendor Team That Made the Day Happen// Venue & Catering: The Refuge Golf Club // Ceremony Site: First Baptist Church of St. Francis // Hair: Amber Ripka – Be Lovely by Amber Ann// Make-Up: Done by the bride // Florals: Georgia Edgington – Petals to Pines Floral of 101 Market // Cake: Hy-Vee of Brooklyn Park // DJ/Band: Jessica Shaw – Bellagala // Stationery: Vistaprint // Wedding Dress: Custom-made by Nancy Lindquist // Bridesmaid Dresses: Baltic Born // Shoes: Sézane (France) // Rings: Thurber Jewelers, Elk River, MN // Earrings & Necklace: Family Heirlooms

If you’re planning a wedding filled with heartfelt details and timeless elegance like Josh and Marina’s, I’d love to help tell your story through photography. Get in touch to learn more about wedding coverage and availability!