Daily Destination – Scandia, MN with Studio 306
Wednesday August 18th, 2010
Today’s couple could write a novel about their wedding. It’s rich in history, spirituality and love! Studio 306 photographer Marc Andrew was there to capture the entire story.
Maria & Rob
Maria and Rob blindly passed each other every day in the hallways of their high school. Since they were one year apart, Maria didn’t speak much with Rob. They both went on to attend the University of Chicago, and formed a casual friendship. Five years later, Rob found Maria’s email address in the alumni directory, and they began speaking with each other frequently. After a few months, they decided to spend New Years Eve together in New York City. That holiday weekend sparked their romance, and the couple began a long distance relationship.
The ceremony was held at the Gammelgarden Museum in Scandia, MN, a place that was particularly special to the bride. In the 1860s, Maria’s Swedish ancestors settled in the town of Scandia, and were some of the original members of the Elim Lutheran Church, whose first wooden structure still stands on the museum grounds. Inside the museum, there is a variety of objects that were once on Maria’s grandparents’ farm. To reflect the significance of the venue, the wedding invitations were designed to be a historical surveyor’s map of New Scandia Township from 1912.
The couple’s pastor from Chicago presided over the ceremony. Maria wore a strapless gown by Marisa, with makeup by Michelle Sachs, and carried flowers created by Sadie’s Floral. Rob wore an English morning coat tuxedo by Heimie’s Haberdashery. “The religious aspect of the ceremony was important to us, because it added a spiritual aspect to our relationship and a sense of divine blessing and presence,” Maria explained.
Both Maria and Rob are avid readers, so it’s no surprise their reception was held at the James J. Hill Library in St. Paul, MN. Guests could find their seats with mock library cards that served as a seating chart. At each table were yellow, green and peach floral centerpieces, along with books from the couple’s personal collections. The meal began with catering by Deco, and ended with desserts by Muddy Paws Cheesecake and Izzy’s Ice Cream.
Congratulations, Maria & Rob! For more of Marc’s great work, visit his blog.
