It was a typical 2017 era Instagram photo. A young love makes her first appearance in his feed. She sits cross-legged on a grassy patch, sunglassed and smirking at the camera. The background is polka-dotted with people and umbrellas, all in other states of FYF Fest enjoyment, and the caption reads “So happy to be spending time making memories with this qween…thank you for being the best.”

All because of Tina.

Tina was living in Minneapolis when she finally convinced her older sister, Amanda, to join her in the bigger twin of the Cities. The sisters worked together at a diner initially, as that is sometimes what sisters do. Sisters also cover shifts for one another, and they also clean the temperamental ice cream machine so the other can tend to emergencies. Ipso facto, Amanda covers Tina’s bartending shift at Tiny Diner.

But then, as if it is meant to be, a boy walks in, right before closing. He probably thought he was walking in to grab a quick beer, but it turned out to be a form of forever (courtesy of a couple Fulton Standards). This guest, Kyle, hit it off with Amanda, would would become a best friend, girlfriend, and fiancee (even though the first term is still their favorite). There was a road trip in their future, to a music festival outside of LA, where Amanda would sit, sunglasses and smirking at the camera, with other guests and umbrellas polka-dotting the background…

…and five years later, to the date of that post where Kyle first introduced Amanda to his IG feed, they enjoyed their first kiss and added a new title to their list: Husband and wife. The duo leaned hard into who they are for their day; this chef and mixologist/brewer had everything retro and wonderful, from a tea length dress to velvet suit to herbs in the florals to the reception at a local brewery to the Filipino Money Dance to honor Amanda’s heritage). It was perfectly Kyle and Amanda, and it was amazing.

Congratulations again, you two–thank you for letting me celebrate with you!! I cannot wait to celebrate again at The Pines!

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

CEREMONY // Pokegama Dam Pavillion

RECEPTION // Rapids Brewing

FLORALS // North in Bloom 

HAIR AND MAKE UP // True North Salon

DESSERTS // Friends and family

Kayla Lee is a Minnesota-based wedding and elopement photographer. She provides services to elegant, authentic, sentimental couples who not only choose their own adventures, but also live them to the fullest! See more about the KLP Wedding Experience!