Sam and Rachel’s Outdoor Summer Purple Wedding

July 25, 2020

I photographed Sam and Rachel’s engagement session last November when it was 40 degrees, but you wouldn’t know it because Rachel wore a summer dress and rocked it!! Their summer wedding was the opposite end of the weather with 90 degree humid heat! These two are such great troopers in any season of life because they focus on having fun and being together.

They had two change both their ceremony and reception venues because of COVID, but their new plan was so beautiful and worked out so great you would’ve never known! Their ceremony was outside at Rush Creek Golf Course in Maple Grove, while their reception was a backyard tent set up at Rachel’s parents house. My favorite part of their wedding day was how happy everyone was for them. Despite some COVID complications, they kept the day focused on having fun and being with those they love.

How they met:

Bride: “We met back in college. I was going to meet some old friends from high school. Sam happened to be friends with some of them too. We went to Hong Kong Noodle on the University of Minnesota campus for dinner then went to our friends house for a party. At the party we were playing Mario Kart and he kept winning, I then challenged him to play me against Super Smash Brother Melee at my place next time. I bet him that I could beat him at Super Smash, but stated that whoever lost had to take the other out on a date. ( I definitely won)”

How he proposed:

Bride: “Sam proposed while we were on a walk around Loring Park in Minneapolis. I was busy looking at fish on the old rickety dock while he was behind me proposing. I finally turned around and realized that he was proposing! (I said yes – obviously). He was trying to steer me to the tulip garden during our walk but I had booked it towards the dock (my brother and his girlfriend were hiding right by the dock apparently and he had to take his chance on the dock or we would have run into them. After he proposed, he brought me to Hell’s Kitchen for brunch (because I love Bloody Marys) and surprised me again by having our two families and our closest friends there as well.”

What they love about each other:

Rachel – “I love so much about Sam. He has been my partner for 7 years, we have been through so much and he has held my hand through all of it. I love him for just being him. I really can’t say there isn’t any thing I don’t love about him. He always finds a way to make me smile even through the hardest times. He keeps me laughing throughout our time together. He supports me through all my ridiculous ideas and is always willing to be silly with me.”

Sam – “I Love every dang bit about Rachel. She’s a passionate, loyal and honorable person with the wittiest personality. I can’t believe how many hours we’ve already spent together in our lives. She has made me incredibly happy and whole. Beyond being gorgeous, she has a brilliant mind that I admire and learn from on a day to day basis. Her laugh is complete, essential to everyday mood and life. Loving her is the best thing in the world.”