“Rain’s falling through the old maple trees lining the street. Viktor Frankl, Auschwitz survivor and author of Man’s Search for Meaning, says meaning comes when one does something that “points, and is directed to, something, or someone, other than oneself…by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love.” Maybe that’s how you peel back everything that distracts and cheapens and derails a life– transcend this life by giving yourself for someone else. Experiencing the whole world will not fill your bucket like experiencing giving yourself, and finding meaning that will fill your soul… rains come delivering life, and common grace keeps falling…I wonder if this is the language of rain falling over broken places…the sky pouring out over all of us, raining down. The abundant life doesn’t have a bucket list as much as it has an empty bucket– the givenness of pouring out.”

Alyssa&Ben’s wedding is a dear one to my heart.
Not only was it a dream to shoot– even through winds and endless rain– it was a day that celebrated a dear friend, photography partner and beloved sister. There are hardly words to describe the beauty and peace of their day. Weather could have easily derailed many, but these two were steadfast in their joy, purpose and excitement to enter into life no longer as two.
Of course, their day was full of darling details and The Cottage Farmhouse was the most ideal venue to light their candles and create a cozy haven on a chilly Midwestern Saturday in May. Gorgeous olive branches and greens added the perfect color to a creamy, biscotti color palette,
and Alyssa’s STUNNING dress and romantic lace-up ballerina Coach flats only added to her natural radiance as a bride (the buttons on her dress were from her mother’s wedding dress!).
Alyssa&Ben had their first look under the twinkling lights in the cleared out corn crib,
and then intentionally & emotionally gave their vows, rings, and hearts under the sound of rain covering the barn roof. Guests stayed warm by large propane heaters and thoroughly enjoyed the Minneapolis Coffee Cart all night, until the joy & love on the dance floor began to heat the open reception barn.
(and of course, we stole away in the rain under umbrellas for some quick shots!).

I’m just so overwhelmed by His goodness&grace on such a beautifully remembered day.

“But isn’t this the way of love? Love bears all things? “To bear,” stego in the Greek. It literally means a thatch roof. Love is a roof. Love bears all things like a roof bears the wind and the rain, like a roof that bears the burden of lashing storms, brutal heat. Like a bucket poured right out that could make a roof over your head to absorb storms, that gives itself as a container to carry the burdens of others.
Real love is a roof. Real love makes you into a shelter, real love makes you into a safe place. Real love makes you safe. Stego… come in and be warmed by warmed hearts.”

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Vendors
Photography- Availeth Photography
Venue- The Cottage Farmhouse- Glencoe, MN
Coordinator- Kelsie Freitag (with The Cottage Farmhouse)
Dress- Che Bella
Floral- Martha’s Garden
Caterer- A’BriTin
Rings- Gold Mine Fine Jewelry & Gifts, Inc.