March in the Midwest is unpredictable, but Andrea and Garrett’s wedding day at The Pines in Davenport, ND, proved that love — and laughter — can warm even the coldest day. I met Andrea and Garrett at a wedding for one of their friends back in 2024 and I could tell they were such fun loving people. So when Andrea reached out to ask if I would consider traveling to North Dakota from Minnesota to capture their wedding in March of 2025, I immediately said yes. Springtime in the Midwest is unpredictable. Outdoor ceremonies and portraits can be nearly impossible, and this day was no exception.
 
 
The Pines Black Event Space
Andrea and Garrett selected The Pines in Davenport, ND as their wedding venue, specifically The Pines Black since the venue has two spaces to choose from. When I say that this venue was designed to impress, I mean it. The space gives a very modern, elegant feel while still holding a rustic, country-style outdoor space that would be typical of a barn venue. The interior of the venue is all white and the lighting was perfectly designed with photography in mind. Normally, with indoor venues it can be hit or miss, but I was pleased to see I rarely needed to use flash when inside the space. Because of this, we were able to take most of our portraits indoors for family and wedding party. This was a huge relief because it was a cloudy 40 degrees with about 20-30 mph wind gusts to account for.
 
 
Outdoor Portraits on a Brisk Day in March
For most of the couple moments we elected to brave the cold in favor of having more space, privacy, and showcasing the gorgeous outside of the black barn. During the first touch and private vows, Andrea’s veil came to life and developed an agenda of its own, flying all around as she desperately tried to keep it under control. This brought about many laughs and gave me some of the most unique photos of a first touch I’ve ever taken. We had a gorgeous ceremony filled with heavenly music and the sweetest stolen glances between Andrea and Garrett.
 
 
Indoor Reception in a Modern Barn
After the ceremony, we took some couple portraits outdoors and definitely incorporated lots of movement to keep the couple warm. The reception officially started with hilarious bridal party entrances, including a groomsman and bridesmaid switching outfits and another pair chugging milk out of a jug. The speeches were heartwarming and emotional and it was so apparent how much these two are loved by everyone who knows them. When the dancing started, a cowgirl hat was brought out which added all the more to the vibe of the night. They even played a few line dancing songs that I love and I gleefully sprinted to the floor to partake in the Church Clap dance. Line dancing is a guaranteed way to get me on the dance floor at weddings.
 
 
Andrea and Garrett’s day was full of laughter, love, and unforgettable moments. I feel honored to have captured their story, and if you’re planning a wedding in the Midwest — whether it’s indoors, outdoors, or somewhere in between — I would love to help tell your story in a way that’s fun, heartfelt, and uniquely yours.
Vendors:
Venue: The Pines Event Center - Davenport, ND
Photographer: Framing Fairytales
Catering: Chef’s Table