Weddings: Happily Ever After

Wedding dreams are realized by three couples at the Van Dusen Mansion in Minneapolis. Draw inspiration for your own special day.

Feature Producer and Creative Director: Julie Lyford, Fabulous Functions
Feature Editor: Andy Lien
Feature Assistant: Shane Lueck

Check out more photos of the wedding couples in the galleries at the end of the article.

Andrew Vetrone and Michael Fischer

Photo by James Ramsay
Andrew and Michael are wearing Jos A.Bank Clothiers
Hats: Goorin Bros.
Florals: Alice-Lynn Olson Floral Design
Lighting: Ever After Sound
Creative Stylist: Edward Summers

Photo by James Ramsay
Andrew and Michael are wearing JoS A. Bank Clothiers
Lighting: Ever After Sound
Jewelry: Provided by the couple
Custom Chair Covers: Après Party and Tent Rental

Fairy Tale Invitation designed and created
by PaperThick Ink
Photo by Tiny Moments Photography
Florals: Alice-Lynne Olson Floral Design

Photos by James Ramsay
Andrew and Michael are wearing Jos A. Bank Clothiers
Hats: Goorin Bros.
Florals: Alice-Lynn Olson Floral Design
Table Settings and Décor: Après Party and Tent Rental
Lighting: Ever After Sound
Creative Stylist: Edward Summers
Jewelry: Provided by the couple

 

Erin Anderson and Stephanie Johnson

Photo by Donae Cotton Photography
Erin is wearing Casablanca Bridal,
Stephanie is wearing 2Be Bride
Headpieces: Goorin Bros.
Jewelry: Laurie Kottke Fine Jewelers
Hair & Makeup: Onsite Muse Hair & Makeup Artists
Florals: Uy-Lennon Flower & Design

Photo by Donae Cotton Photography
Stephanie is wearing 2Be Bride,
Erin is wearing Casablanca Bridal
Headpieces: Goorin Bros.
Jewelry: Laurie Kottke Fine Jewelers
Hair & Makeup: Onsite Muse Hair & Makeup Artists

Silhouette Invitation designed and created by PaperThick Ink
Photo by Tiny Moments Photography
Florals: Alice-Lynne Olson Floral Design

Photos by Donae Cotton Photography
Stephanie is wearing 2Be Bride,
Erin is wearing Casablanca Bridal
Headpieces: Goorin Bros.
Jewelry: Laurie Kottke Fine Jewelers
Hair & Makeup: Onsite Muse Hair & Makeup Artists

Brittany Lepowsky and Amy Menier

Photos by HM Photography
Brittany is wearing a Dere Kiang wedding dress from Pearls & Lace Bridal, Amy is wearing a double-breasted cream military jacket and vintage tuxedo pant from Guthrie Costume Rental.
Florals: Uy-Lennon Flower & Design
Hair & Makeup: Sarah Elizabeth Artistry
Jewelry: Laurie Kottke Fine Jewelers
Lighting: Ever After Sound
Creative Stylist: Edward Summers

Photo by HM Photography
Hair & Makeup: Sarah Elizabeth Artistry
Jewelry: Laurie Kottke Fine Jewelers
Lighting: Ever After Sound

Bring on the Bling Invitation designed and created by aPaperThick Ink
Photo by Tiny Moments Photography

Photo by HM Photography
Florals: Uy-Lennon Flower & Design
Hair & Makeup: Sarah Elizabeth Artistry
Jewelry: Laurie Kottke Fine Jewelers
Lighting: Ever After Sound

 

Andrew Vetrone and Michael Fischer
Photos by James Ramsay Photography

 

Erin Anderson and Stephanie Johnson
Photos by Donae Cotton Photography

 

Brittany Lepowsky and Amy Menier
Photos by HM Photography unless otherwise credited.

 

Wedding Resources
by Shane Lueck

Fabulous Functions

Created by Julie Schanke Lyford, Fabulous Functions provides a full range of event and wedding planning services meant to ease your mind as you go through the planning process. The Fabulous Functions team believes that an event coordinator is a gift to yourself, family, and friends as it enables everyone to enjoy the day without having to handle stresses. “The only certainty for an event is that there will be things that go wrong” the planners chime, priding themselves on handling issues without couples knowing until after the big day. For her GLBTQ clients, Lyford goes the extra mile by talking with vendors ahead of time to make sure they are GLBTQ friendly. Her mission is to make sure a couple will feel comfortable going into business with a vendor. Regardless of sexual orientation, Fabulous Functions works to ensure your event is breathtaking and meticulously organized down to the very last detail.
1726 Maryland Avenue East, St. Paul
651.307.0368
www.fabulousfunctions.com

 

Mintáhoe Catering & Events

Dedicated to delivering the highest level of quality to its clients since 1993, Mintáhoe has become one of the largest privately owned catering and event companies in Minnesota. With years of experience comes the wisdom that every event and client is unique. Equipped with that knowledge, Mintáhoe understands the importance in trustworthy consultants and event staff and focuses on offering an array of catering options and venue spaces.
2117 West River Road, Minneapolis
612.253.0255
www.mintahoe.com

 

PaperThick Ink

When considering stationery, every vendor is the same, right? Wrong. What sets PaperThick Ink apart? Canvas. My Choi and her team did it first! Inclusive of every sexual orientation, every new project is a chance to channel their energy into making the most forward, stylish stationery statement for you. “Join us as we work with you to think outside the box and create an original design for all your important events.”
106 Water Street, Harriet Island, St. Paul
651.321.3358
www.paperthickink.com 

 

James Ramsay Photography

Arriving early and staying late, James Ramsay Photography helps couples tell their wedding story, documenting all the unique details. Offering a free engagement session with every wedding package not only allows Ramsay to get to know you, but is also great practice for your big day. His services are even offered on location anywhere in the world. Destination wedding, anyone?
300 Broadway Street, Studio #07, St. Paul
651.338.0352
www.jamesramsayphotography.com

 

Donae Cotton Photography

The South Africa-born Donae Cotton describes her services as “sassy photography with a whimsical twist.” With a passion for weddings, Cotton whole-heartedly adores being able to tell your wedding story through pictures. Staying friends with her brides, Cotton loves watching their lives change right before her eyes through maternity sessions, newborn sessions, kid’s birthdays and more. Adventurous in her art, it’s not unusual to see Cotton on her belly in order to achieve a great photo.
3290 Saint Croix Trail South, Afton
651.829.1688
www.donaecottonphotography.com

 

Tiny Moments Photography

Stefany Janish has been taking pictures for the larger part of her life, receiving her first Canon as a senior in high school. Now, Janish’s goal is to capture moments that you will remember for years to come. This is reflected in her style being determined by the subjects she’s shooting, so you’re sure to get a true sense of your “tiny moment” and not what the photographer thinks you should see.
100 West Franklin Avenue, Suite 200, Minneapolis
651.785.5339
www.tinymomentsphoto.com

 

HM Photography LLC

After the ceremony, after the cake, after the boquet toss, what’s left of your big day? Memories. That’s why Heidi believes photography is the most important investment you could make and you should feel at ease with your photographer. As such, Heidi will get involved in your story, getting to know you as a couple, and listen to how you want to relive these memories in years to come.
2225 130th Avenue Northwest, Coon Rapids
763.742.9813
www.hmphotographymn.com

 

Alice-Lynne Olson, Floral Artist

As one of the first non-retail floral design studios in Minneapolis in the early 90s, Alice-Lynne has proven her entrepreneurial prowess and her goal to create a professional atmosphere for clients has paid off. She has become one of the most well-known independent floral designers in the area, winning numerous awards. Equipped with what she deems a quirky design aesthetic, professionalism, and an appreciation for the care and handling of flowers have made her a self-professed “flower geek.”
612.816.5516
www.alicelynne.com

 

Laurie Kottke Fine Jewelers

Equipped with a goal to showcase elegant, exciting, and unique jewelry for every man and woman, Laurie Kottke has even turned those who don’t consider themselves jewelry lovers into die-hard fans. Quick to point out that just because it’s expensive doesn’t mean it’s beautiful, Kottke notes that she will deal in beautiful at all price ranges. At Laurie Kottke Fine Jewelers, they believe in the motto “If you can dream it, we want to make it your reality.”
3204 W Lake Street, Minneapolis
612.825.9898

Van Dusen Mansion

Old-world glamour awaits at the Van Dusen Mansion. Located within the modern metropolis, the mansion is done in a Richardson Romanesque style complete with spires and turrets of the French Renaissance. Harolded as “a stone mason’s masterpiece,” the mansion is made entirely of hand-carved pink Sioux Quartzite. The extravagant interior is complete with Persian rugs, stained glass windows and lustrous chandeliers.
1900 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis
612.871.2702
www.thevandusenmansion.com

 

Uy-Lennon Flower & Design

Whether they be in a garden, growing wild, or professionally grown, flowers are the passion and inspiration for Terri Uy-Lennon. A love for all things floral began over 30 years ago when Terri, as a child, was drawn to anything in bloom – an interest which eventually translated to gardening and learning about the botanical wonders of the world around her. Her career in flowers began seven years ago after doing flowers for her own wedding.
612.245.7889
www.uylennon.com

 

Onsite Muse

With a motto of “Inspired by you,” it’s no wonder that the team behind Onsite Muse hope to wipe out the dread of deciding on hair and makeup for the big day. These girls are firm believers in the importance of your love story, your personality, your ideas and dreams and hopes for the future, all of which combine and inform the stylists just who you are and what you need to enhance your inner beauty.
1224 Quincy Street Northeast, Studio 225, Minneapolis
612.399.6873
www.onsitemuse.com

Sarah Elizabeth Artistry

“Feel famous. Be legendary. Radiate Presence.” Everything that statement means, you will experience at Sarah Elizabeth Artistry. Her website lauds her as a self-described wielder of makeup brushes and a carrier of more lip glosses than any one person should legally be allowed, Sarah Elizabeth’s humorous personality captures you from the moment you even begin considering her skills for your big day.
4600 106th Avenue North, MinneapolisZ
763.587.5113
www.sarahelizabethartistry.com