January 26, 2019
Iliana + Michael
Church of St. Patrick in Inver Grove Heights
On January 12, Iliana and Michael were married at the Church of St. Patrick in Inver Grove Heights, an important date because Iliana’s grandparents were married on the same day, decades earlier. Iliana had always dreamed of a winter wedding, which is also a dream for every photographer! Though we didn’t have the fluffy white snowflakes and fresh snow on the ground that every winter bride hopes for, the Minnesota weather was unusually mild for January making our outdoor portraits more bearable.
Iliana and Michael’s story began when they were very young and met in school. But when they ran into each other years later at Walmart, they followed the meeting with an epic first official date at Chuck E. Cheese, then Perkins, and finally saw Frozen together. Michael sealed the deal when he proposed at Star Lake while on a family vacation, on the dock with a sunset stretching over the lake, of course. So perfect!
I loved learning about some of the traditional Mexican wedding customs during this wedding. The couple had 4 sets of Padrinos, or godfathers, who sponsored different aspects of the wedding and offered special gifts and blessings during the ceremony. I especially loved the Lazo, rosary beads looped around Iliana and Michael to symbolize the love binding them together and the shared responsibility of marriage.
Iliana’s favorite color is pink, so it makes sense that she chose blush pink and ivory as her wedding colors. I love that Iliana had each of her bridesmaids choose their own dresses. The bride’s gorgeous dress from David’s Bridal fit her so perfectly and had the most stunning lace details, and the accessories! Iliana was a princess in her diamond tiara and necklace.
Iliana and her friends and family spent hours making these lovely table decorations. They transformed this church hall into a truly festive space. The taco bar was a sure way to satisfy a crowd and the cake could not have been more delicious–I speak from experience!
The couple’s first dance as husband and wife was beautiful, but I thought Iliana’s dance with her father and then her mother was especially touching and meaningful.
The happy couple is headed to Kauai, Hawaii for their honeymoon. That makes this Minnesotan very, very jealous! Michael and Iliana, thank you for inviting me to spend your wedding weekend with you, and I wish you all God’s blessings on your marriage!
These amazing vendors were also part of the big day:
Church and Reception: Church of St. Patrick, Inver Grove Heights
Portraits: Old City Hall Park, Vadnais Heights
Videographer: Chris Laskowski, Bliss Wedding Video
Caterer: Roberto Sixtega
Hair and Make-up: Salon Ultimo, Woodbury
Bridal Gown, Veil, Shoes, Jewelry: David’s Bridal
Cake/sweets baker: Don Panchos Bakery
Officiant: Father Brian Fier
Florist: A Precious Petal Florist
Lighting and DJ: Adam Mascote at Midwest Sound