Cathedral of St. Paul Wedding | Theresa & Connor

I have such a clear memory of receiving Theresa and Connor’s initial inquiry. I was on my lunch break at my old 9-5, catching up on notifications on my phone when an email came in. The bride mentioned she was friends with a recent client of mine and loved the photos she had seen from her wedding. And then I saw it: “We’re getting married in the Cathedral of St. Paul.” I just about shot up out of my seat. The fact that these people wanted me to photograph their wedding in such a beautiful, sacred, and historic space was an honor I couldn’t fully wrap my head around. I had the privilege to sing in the cathedral with my college choir in 2018 and had been dreaming of shooting a wedding there ever since. Stunned, I told my coworkers the news and we had a moment of celebration in the office.

I met with Theresa and Connor a few weeks later and we immediately clicked. They’re down-to-earth, funny, passionate about their faith and their people, and just carried a sense of lightheartedness throughout our whole conversation. The more I learned about their wedding, the more excited I got. A reception with swing dancing and catering from Cossetta’s? It’s like they knew the way to my heart.

Their cathedral ceremony on August 28 is one I’ll never forget. With a full mass, organ music, and light pouring in through giant stained-glass windows, the significance of each tradition was tangible. Practically, this was a challenging space to work in with its low light and the sheer amount of ground to cover, but I was thrilled to take it on, and it made the payoff that much more beautiful. A bride and groom who radiate joy the way the Campbells do will shine no matter where they are, but oh what a fitting place this was for them. The first look took place in the exact spot where Connor proposed to Theresa, and we got to explore the cathedral grounds for family and bridal party photos. That gave me my favorite shots from the whole day: all the guests lined up on the steps, cheering for the bride and groom right after the ceremony.

At the reception, we ate the best Italian food in the Twin Cities, danced our hearts out, and pretty much laughed all evening. Theresa and Connor and their families did such a great job creating a fun, homey atmosphere that warms my heart even as I think back on it after six months. What a wonderful day this was!