Justin and Carrie | St Ann and Joachim Cathedral | Fargo Wedding Photography

May 18, 2012 – my first wedding of the season! It’s always really exciting and a bit nerve wracking to shoot a wedding after the winter slow season. Thankfully I’ve been shooting so many engagement sessions around Fargo the last few weeks that I was ready and excited!

This wedding was a bit unusual in the fact that the groom had already seen the dress, so the bride put it in the main waiting room. I hung it on the mirror for some shots and noticed the groom reflecting in the mirror. I really liked the photo below on the left where you can see him getting his cuff links on behind the dress. I also liked being able to include the clock, those sorts of details are fun later when you forget those things!

I was also excited to try out my newest lens – a 105mm 2.8 macro. Getting a shot of the brides lashes and showing off her makeup was so easy with this lens!

The day of the wedding was actually really hot and windy (95 degrees is hot for May in North Dakota!), so we chose to stay inside for all the photos. Thankfully Justin and Carrie had chosen a gorgeous church for their wedding, St. Ann and Joachim’s cathedral in South Fargo. Gorgeous marble for the bridal portraits!

The photo below on the left was one that my assistant (AKA: my mom!) took! I just love the reflection of the bride on the marble column.

Like I said: St. Ann and Joachim’s Cathedral is gorgeous, add in a bride and groom and it’s just too much!

I always like to try to find a plain white wall too. Just to really focus in on the bride and groom!

I also love it when my assistant catches these candid moments. I was working with the groom and asked him to look over my shoulder at the bride behind me. Thankfully I’ve got a great 2nd shooter who knows to focus on what I can’t.  This is why you hire a team people!  ; )

Then it was time to add in the bridesmaids. Blond, brunette, blond, brunette, blond. Kind of fun how that worked out.

Again, catching those moments when people let down their guard. I like the genuine smiles and the motion of the bridesmaid swiping her bangs aside. It makes it more real.

Groomsmen – looking cool.

After the formal photos were done I hung out in the waiting room as guests started to arrive. It’s always great to watch for moments to happen, like the photo below, where the two sisters stood around their mom. Candid family photo!!

The ceremony was beautiful, of course!

Again testing out my new lens with the rings. I used the stain glass window as a background for them. Pretty sweet huh!

The reception at the Ramada Plaza in Fargo included this gorgeous cake! I love my off camera flashes that can really do this piece of art justice, lighting it for drama and beauty!  It’s too pretty to eat!