Lindsay + Sam

Thoughtfulness and style…

…that’s what I think about when I reflect on Lindsay and Sam’s wedding.

When I first met Lindsay and Sam, they struck me as a beautiful, caring, and creative couple that I would absolutely love to work with.

That was about two years before their wedding and they were just as wonderful every step of the way as we planned their florals for their Midsummer Night’s Dream wedding last summer. The vision was to make it look like the florals just grew naturally and whimsically on the ceremony arch and in the reception tent. We leaned toward a deconstructed look, perfectly imperfect and we had multiple meetings and lots of emails back and forth where we went over all the details: colors, candles, napkins, arrangements, bouquets, etc etc. I loved every minute and wanted to make their day everything they hoped it would be, while keeping their desired budget in mind.

Even though I knew quite a bit about them and their wedding from the two years we worked together, I wasn’t prepared for how incredible their wedding would be!

Their story began back in high school, when Sam and Lindsay met working at a summer camp in the Minnesota north woods. They quickly became best friends and drove across the state to visit one another while attending separate high schools and colleges. Eight years later, Sam told Lindsay he loved her. The rest is history! Their wedding wanted to pay homage to their camp years by emphasizing a community feel. The couple rented out YMCA Camp Miller for 3 nights over their wedding weekend, where guests were invited to stay and enjoy camp activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, archery, swimming, and zip line. One hundred and sixty of Lindsay and Sam’s two hundred and twenty guests chose to stay on-site at camp! Campers got to know one another over the long weekend at camp activities and by the time the reception hit, everyone was thick as thieves.

Lindsay and Sam chose to be married on the shore of Sturgeon Lake surrounded by their loved ones. They chose a traditional Celtic hand-fasting ceremony, focusing on their love and commitment to one another.

After the ceremony, guests were escorted a short way across camp miller New Orleans Second Line style, led by a brass band made of Lindsay and Sam’s friends.

Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour outside in the camp miller sunshine before heading into the gorgeous sailcloth tent. After dinner, guests danced the night away to the Riverside Hitmen All-Stars! The dance floor was packed. Following dancing, guests chatted merrily around a large campfire before retreating to their cabins for the night. What a celebration!

I don’t know about you, but for much of my engagement, it was hard for me to let myself be celebrated so lavishly and ask guests to take time away from their busy lives for something that may seem a little or very extravagant.

It’s silly to me now though. Life is too short and often times our people love us more than we know. Why not slow down and savor every beautiful thing in our lives, our story, and our community?

I hope this wedding inspires you to do just that. Thank you for taking the time to read and admire this beautiful day. Here are the amazing professionals who contributed to this unforgettable day. Look them up on instagram!

Photography: @michaelagraw

Venue: @ymcacampmiller

Hair: @homepaigebridal

Makeup: @Inbeauty

Floral: @longwayfloral

Rentals: @milestone_event_rental

Catering: @midcoastcateringco

Live band: @riversideal|stars

Dress: @ourshopbridal

Day of coordination: @dos_goats_plans

Videography: @wedoweddingvideography