- Location
- Newport, Minnesota
- Season
- Late summer
- Setting
- Riverside, outdoors
- Highlights
- First look & golden hour
Chris and Jasmine’s wedding was everything a late-summer Minnesota day should be: warm air off the river, long golden light and a guest list full of people who had known them forever.
Newport sits on the Mississippi just south-east of St. Paul — close enough to the Cities that guests could drive in for the afternoon, far enough out that the evening felt like a proper escape. The couple wanted a day that felt relaxed rather than staged, so we kept the timeline loose and the portraits short.
Getting ready
The morning started slowly. Jasmine got ready with her sisters and closest friends, coffee going cold on the windowsill while everyone found the right playlist. Across town Chris and his groomsmen were mostly arguing about how to tie a bow tie. We split our time between the two, catching the small things — a mother fastening a necklace, a best man practising his speech under his breath.
A first look by the water
They chose to see each other before the ceremony, down by the water where the trees opened up. Chris kept his back turned for what felt like a very long minute. When he finally turned around he didn’t say anything at all — which said everything. A first look like this also bought them time: family photos were finished before guests arrived, and they walked straight from the ceremony into cocktail hour.
The vows were short, personal and funny, and half the room was crying by the end of them.
Ceremony & celebration
The ceremony took place outdoors, chairs lined up on the lawn with the river behind. Afterwards the guests showered the couple in petals and the party moved under the lights. Toasts were loud, the dance floor filled quickly and the sun put on a show just before nine — so we borrowed the couple for ten minutes of quiet golden-hour portraits by the water.
Planning a wedding near Newport, MN?
A few things we learned that are worth passing on:
- Chase the river light. In August the sun sets around 8:15pm. Schedule portraits for 45 minutes before that and you’ll get the soft, warm glow seen here.
- Think about a first look. It lets you finish family photos early and actually enjoy your cocktail hour.
- Have a weather plan. Minnesota summer storms roll in fast. A tent or indoor back-up keeps the day calm if the sky changes its mind.
- Mind the bugs. Riverside evenings are beautiful, and so are the mosquitoes. A basket of bug spray is a guest favour everyone uses.
Thank you, Chris and Jasmine, for letting us be part of it. If you are planning a wedding in Newport, St. Paul or anywhere in the Twin Cities, we would love to hear about it — check your date here.
