Cecilia and Justin’s wedding day at Holy Family Catholic Church in St. Louis Park, Minnesota was filled with love, joy, and a devotion to the Catholic faith. Being a Catholic wedding photographer is very special to me because I am blessed with the opportunity to practice my faith while celebrating holy matrimony with my amazing clients. I love being able to receive communion, participate in the liturgy, and capture the ceremony in a way that feels respectful and discreet, but also highlights the little moments and details that show the beauty of the faith.

 

A wedding ceremony unfolds inside a beautiful gothic church with ornate architecture and soft natural lighting.
Wedding at Holy Family Catholic Church
Wedding party portraits in front of Holy Family Catholic Church in St. Louis Park, MN
A wedding bouquet of white and blue flowers held between a black tuxedo and white wedding gown on a paved road.

 

Getting ready at Holy Family



Cecilia and Justin’s wedding day started like any other day. I started by capturing some gorgeous detail photos in the natural light from a window I found sunlight pouring through. It just so happened to be in the stairwell to the choir loft, but when I find a spot with stunning lighting, I rarely question how inconvenient the location might be. Cecilia included special details like her rosary, Justin’s Benedictine cuff links, and their song sheet for the mass to incorporate her love of music and her participation in the church choir. Not to mention, her STUNNING cathedral length veil with gorgeous detailing that was sure to impress. 


After capturing some details, I captured some fun getting ready moments with the bridesmaids. It was then that I realized we were in for a treat with this crew because they were filled with a love for life and a contagious joy. I found myself laughing along with them all day long as I fully embraced my duty of capturing every little moment.



 

Elegant vintage-style metal cufflinks displayed on textured paper with a dark leather background and wooden box.
Wedding day accessories including white bridal shoes, photos, papers and jewelry displayed on a light surface.
Black and white photograph shows intricate lace details of a wedding veil against a dark background.
A white wedding dress hangs in the stone archway entrance of Church of the Holy Family.
Flowing tulle wedding dress with lace bodice shown from waist down against light colored backdrop.
People stand in line wearing formal dresses in white and light blue colors during a wedding preparation.
A bride in a white lace wedding dress sits while getting ready, with someone in a blue bridesmaid dress nearby.
Black and white detail shot showing hands fitting a white ballet flat or bridal shoe on carpet.
Black and white photo showing hands holding elegant bridal bouquets with roses against white wedding dresses.
A bride wearing a lace wedding gown and glasses applies makeup while looking in a mirror.

 

A Joyful & Prayerful Mass


The mass was beautiful and filled with such a prayerful, reverent group of guests. The church had a stunning stained glass window behind the altar that served as a magnificent backdrop for the ceremony. The couple brought flowers to Mary at a gorgeous shrine and unlike most churches, this shrine was of the entire holy family instead of just Mary, which fit the name of the church perfectly. Before I knew it, the first kiss happened and an altar server rushed to open the gates for the couple to process out of the church. One of my favorite parts of a wedding day is the recessional and the moments after because it’s always filled with the utmost excitement and enthusiasm from both the guests and the couple after they officially become husband and wife. 


 

A bride and her escort pause at the entrance of a traditional wooden church with empty pews in view.
Three men in formal attire stand at the altar during an emotional moment in a church with ornate wooden panel walls.
An emotional moment during a wedding ceremony inside a traditional brick church with gothic architectural details.
A romantic wedding ceremony takes place in an ornate church with wooden pews and a vaulted ceiling glowing with light.
Holy Family Catholic Wedding
Emotional wedding ceremony moment in brick church as couple stands at altar with bridal bouquet.
People standing in a church pew during a service, with someone wearing a coral pink blouse and another in turquoise.
Couple seated on wooden pews inside historic brick church with wedding attire and floral bouquet.
Wedding guests are seated in wooden church pews during an elegant ceremony service.
A bride in a white dress stands near ornate wooden church pews with carved decorative details and stained glass windows.
Bride and groom celebrate their first dance together in a rustic brick-walled venue with warm lighting and elegance.
Catholic religious ceremony taking place at the altar of a traditional brick church sanctuary.
A traditional Catholic wedding ceremony takes place at an altar with a crucifix, candles and floral decorations in a church.
Traditional Catholic wedding ceremony blessing being performed at an ornate church altar with brick walls.
A wedding couple shares an intimate moment at the altar of a Catholic church with a large crucifix and candles in the background.
A wedding ceremony takes place in a traditional church with ornate architecture and religious symbols.
A traditional wedding ceremony takes place inside an ornate church with stained glass windows and wooden pews.
Black and white photo showing an emotional moment between two people embracing at a wedding ceremony.
Joyful bride celebrating with bridesmaids in a getting-ready room with natural window light.
Black and white wedding photo capturing a candid moment during the ceremony with guests looking on.

 

We took some gorgeous portraits both inside and outside the church and were blessed to have a cloudy sky for the outdoor portraits with it being 3pm on a very hot Friday in June. A cloudy sky always makes me excited because it opens up the options for photo location since squinting due to the sun is less of a concern. 

 

A couple walks down the aisle of a stunning historic church with stained glass windows and gothic arches.
A couple shares an intimate moment in a stone church with stained glass windows and wooden pews.
A sequence of wedding photos showing the bridal party walking through a stone arched hallway at a church.
Wedding party in formal attire walks together outside stone church with arched doorway in background.
A bridal party wearing dusty blue bridesmaid dresses and formal attire poses in an archway of a stone building.
A joyful bridal party in light blue bridesmaid dresses helps adjust the bride's flowing veil outside a stone church.
Group in pale blue bridesmaid dresses and white wedding gown pose with white floral bouquets in front of stone church archway.
Five smiling groomsmen in black suits and white shirts pose together in front of a stone church archway.
Close-up of hands showing off a sparkling diamond engagement ring against delicate white lace fabric.
A black and white photo of groomsmen walking and laughing together outside a church entrance.
A romantic wedding couple shares kisses in front of a stone church archway with white floral bouquet.
A couple shares a joyful moment as the bride's veil flows gracefully against the stone archway backdrop.
A wedding couple shares a joyful moment together outside a grand stone church with arched Gothic architecture.
Intimate wedding portrait captures tender moments between newlyweds in a misty outdoor setting.
A romantic wedding couple spinning and dancing outside a stone church building.
Close-up of elegant wedding rings and flower bouquet with white roses.
A couple dances and twirls outside a stone church building during their wedding celebration.
Close-up view of a couple sharing an intimate moment in formal wedding attire.
A loving embrace between newlyweds in front of a stone church on their wedding day.
Close-up black and white photo of a crisp white dress shirt cuff with elegant cufflink detail.
Bridesmaids in light blue dresses help arrange the bride's white gown in an outdoor setting.

 


Shoreview Community Center Wedding Reception


After portraits, we headed to the Shoreview Community Center for the reception. We kicked off the event with dinner and then went into speeches. We laughed, we cried, and then it was time to move into cake cutting and first dances. Cecilia and Justin shared a song for the mother son and father daughter dance. Something special that they did was part way through the dance, they had their in-laws cut in and Cecilia danced with Justin’s dad while Justin danced with Cecilia’s mom. I thought this was such a special way to include all of the parents in the day. We had some fun dancing to great music by Northern Lights DJ for a bit before we headed out to take some gorgeous sunset photos. I was pleasantly surprised by the cute pond with a fountain behind the community center. It made for a stunning backdrop for some of the golden hour photos! The lighting all day was absolute perfection with clouds during portraits earlier in the day and then the clouds clearing up just in time for a glowy golden hour. 

 

Wedding guests celebrate at a reception as a couple participate in a fun cake feeding moment on the dance floor.
Shoreview Community Center Reception
Wedding guests seated at reception table during an indoor celebration event.
People gathered in a conference room for a formal event under overhead lighting.
A bride and groom mingle with wedding reception guests in a banquet room with large windows at sunset.
A couple shares their first dance at a wedding reception while guests watch from their tables in a banquet hall.
A joyful candid moment at a wedding reception shows guests sharing laughter while holding a baby in formal attire.
People engage in lively conversation while seated at tables during what appears to be a social event or gathering.
Guests seated at elegant wedding reception tables with white floral centerpieces and formal place settings.
A speaker addresses the newlyweds and guests during a wedding reception dinner in a banquet hall.
Shoreview Community Center Wedding
Wedding reception table scene with blue uplighting and formal dinner service during evening celebration at indoor venue.
A newlywed couple cuts into their simple white wedding cake during their reception celebration.
A wedding couple shares a heartfelt moment while cutting their cake at their reception.
Newlyweds share a joyful moment while cutting their white wedding cake at their reception.
A white wedding cake with black layers is cut into slices on a table with delicate floral decorations.
A couple dances together during their wedding celebration in a dimly lit reception hall.
A couple shares their first dance at their wedding reception in a dimly lit ballroom with white decor.
Wedding reception guests dance and celebrate in an elegant ballroom with overhead lighting fixtures.
Couples dancing together at an indoor wedding reception with tables and decor visible in the background.
Couple dancing together during their first dance at their wedding reception in an elegantly lit ballroom.
Guests dancing and mingling at an indoor wedding reception venue with warm lighting and table settings.
Couples dancing together at a wedding reception in a dimly lit venue.
Wedding guests dancing and celebrating on a dance floor in a dimly lit reception hall.
A row of candlelit dining tables set for an evening event with hanging pendant lights and floral centerpieces.
People dancing and enjoying themselves on a dimly lit dance floor at a wedding celebration.
A person leaps high while dancing on a parquet floor at an indoor celebration with others watching.
Dancers move together with one lifting the other during a formal dance event in a dimly lit venue.
Guests seated at round dining tables during an indoor event with low ambient lighting and table settings.
A romantic couple in wedding attire share a passionate kiss while standing in an outdoor garden setting at sunset.
A romantic wedding photo taken at sunset showing a couple in formal attire dancing on a lush green lawn.
Golden hour photos at the Shoreview Community Center
Shoreview Community Center Event Rental
A dramatic dip pose during a sunset wedding dance, with a fountain and golden light creating a romantic backdrop.
A couple in wedding attire share a playful moment among trees in a natural outdoor setting.
Couple shares a joyful moment during their sunset wedding photoshoot by a serene waterfront.

 

From the reverent moments of their Holy Family Catholic Church ceremony to the laughter-filled reception at Shoreview Community Center, Cecilia and Justin’s wedding was a testament to love, faith, and family. It was an honor to capture their day — and if you’re planning a Catholic wedding in Minnesota, I’d be delighted to document your story with the same care and joy.



Vendors: 


Church: Holy Family Catholic Church

Reception Venue: Shoreview Community Center

Photography: Framing Fairytales 

Hair: Gracelynn Hair

Dress: Budget Bridal Outlet

Catering: Big Ten Catering

DJ: Northern Lights DJ


 

A wedding couple stands together outdoors while holding a white and light blue floral bouquet.