Shelby and Kevin have known each other for almost ten years, but I’ve known Shelby since she was born. On Friday afternoon, I watched my little sisters eyes swell up with tears of happiness as she stepped into our small country church. This was the first time she was seeing it since we completely transformed it the night before.

Eucalyptus and muted fall colors set the tone for this two-day event. The weekend started early on Friday afternoon with hair and makeup at Shelby and Kevin’s home nestled at the top of the White Earth Valley. When Shelby got engaged, I told her I would love to photograph her wedding or be a bridesmaid, but I could do both. Secretly I was hoping she would choose me to photograph her wedding! I also got the honor of doing her makeup which was pretty fun too!

Shelby’s wedding ring was our Grandma Dean’s, and the handkerchief around her flowers was our Grandma Vera Bergstrom’s. I also got to use the vintage ring pouch that belonged to Grandma Vera for bridal detail photos.

Seven bridesmaids and five flower girls filled up the house pretty quickly but watching their reactions to seeing Shelby in her dress for the first time was completely worth it! We loaded up the car and headed down to roller-coaster road south of Trinity Lutheran Church in Tioga, North Dakota for the first look. The overcast day made for some pretty perfect lighting and amazing images.

We finished up bridal party photos and headed north to the church so everyone could freshen up while we waited for guests to arrive. I got busy photographing the church, which had been transformed thanks to my mom’s creative directive the night before. Fresh eucalyptus garlands hung from the ceiling wooden signs lined the aisle. On the third row pew, a red rose and our grandpa Bergstrom’s belt reserved the seat where my grandparents sat every Sunday morning. Dragonfly Floral supplied the flowers and eucalyptus, which made the old church smell heavenly.

Our grandpa Dean lead a prayer and reading during the service. Following the small intimate ceremony, family and friends were invited back to Shelby and Kevin’s house for a meal provided by Kevin’s mom Joann; steak and walleye on the Treger grill! Most people cleared out pretty early since we were all meeting back up to do it all again on Saturday.

Saturday morning the rain was heavy as Kevin, and his groomsmen shot clay pigeons on the back deck while Shelby and the bridesmaids got all gussied up inside once again. After doing Shelby’s makeup, I headed into the Tioga Community Center to photograph the magic A Bit of Heaven was creating inside.

Eleanor and her team did a fantastic job of transforming this gym into an elegant reception space. At the center of the room sat the head table. Kevin built the wooden arch that the eucalyptus garlands hung from over three farmhouse tables. Long community-style tables flanked the sides of the head table on either side, ensuring all guests had a great view of the bridal party. Kevin also built the cake table. The cake table was filled with beautiful, and delicious cakes from Pour Some Sugar bakery out of Ray, North Dakota. Our cousin Katie Bearce made the bride and grooms cake.

Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour before DJ Art Martinez announced the grand entrance! Bones Barbecue out of Minot, ND supplied the mouth-watering brisket, pulled pork and smoked chicken. While guests finished up with dinner, I stole Shelby and Kevin, and we headed up to the Tioga, Dam for some sun-drenched sunset photos. The rain had finally stopped, and the sun came out as Shelby changed into her second dress for this set of photos. Kevin’s tailcoat tux looked pretty sharp next to Shelby’s simplistic off the shoulder gown.

We made it back in time for speeches and a round of happy birthday for Kevin’s brother Matt. We then rolled right into the first dances. Watching Shelby and Kevin on the dance floor against the backdrop of eucalyptus and all their friends and family was beautiful. I had a few people ask me later that night if I would rather have been a bridesmaid, instead so I could relax and enjoy the day a little bit more. My answer was always no. By getting to photograph my sister’s wedding, I got a first-row seat to watching my sister become a wife.

Kevin, you’re a lucky man, welcome to the family, officially!

Be sure to check out the sunset photos at the very end!- My favorite!

Vendors

Ceremony Location: Trinity Lutheran Church Tioga, ND

Florals supplied by: Dragonfly Floral and Gifts Tioga, ND, Creative directive by Jodeen Bergstrom

Men’s Formal Wear: Marry Me Bridal Minot, ND

Wedding Dress: Marry Me Bridal, Minot, ND

Reception Location: Tioga Community Center, Tioga, ND

Reception Decor: A Bit of Heaven Weddings Minot, ND

Catering: Bones BBQ Smokehouse and Grill Minot, ND

Cake: Pour Some Sugar Ray, ND

Photographer: Chelsy Weisz Photography Tioga, ND

DJ: D-Jaden associate DJ: Art Martinez