Tucked away amongst the northern Minnesota pine trees, underneath a half of winter’s snow, there is a little area that is known as Debs, Minnesota. Boasting a population of three (two if one resident is at his lake home), it is the picture-perfect definition of quaint. It was just as picture-perfect for an intimate wedding for Emily and Justin.
The area in which these two said “I do” is not home by birthright, but it is by choice–and having visited, it is an easy choice. Emily’s family has ties to it; her father can call this little corner of the world home. Justin comes to northern Minnesota from all the way east in Pennsylvania, and even though the two have put down roots in Bemidji, they knew they had to start their marriage 34 miles north in this secluded little community on a January Saturday.
It was everything one would expect from a winter wedding. A collection of the closests friends and family came together in the cozy but bright chapel of Debs’s Trinity Lutheran Church, which has served this area for 100 years this year (and is the iconic image of those classic little white churches that have polka-dotted northern Minnesota since the first immigrants from Scandinavia declared this land their new home).
After Pastor Mike declared them husband and wife and the receiving line greet the newly minted Mr. and Mrs., Emily sweetly swooped on her cape, and the two ventured out into the coolness to await their next guests: Two Belgian draft horses that would draw the sleigh that would carry them to their reception at the Debs Community Center. It was at that center where they visited, smiled, laughed, and hugged their guests into the night.
Thank you so much for allowing me to capture these memories for you, Emily + Justin! Best of luck to you and your future!!
VENDORS
C E R E M O N Y // Lutheran Trinity Church – Debs, MN
R E C E P T I O N // Debs Community Center – Debs, MN
C A T E R I NG // Minnesota Nice Cafe + Catering
C A K E // Judy Grundy
