Twin Cities Photography | Sarah McGee Photography» Iowa Wedding Photography

Protected: Mark + Dave

Minneapolis Photographer Sarah McGee — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 05:31:55 +0000

Kelly & Matt’s Autumn Iowa Wedding

Minneapolis Photographer Sarah McGee — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 02:24:56 +0000

Kelly and Matt were married on a gorgeous October day at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Davenport, Iowa, in an intimate, family-only ceremony. [See the slide show from her sister's wedding from one year earlier here.] They cerebrated later that evening with all of their friends at the Black Watch Room at Pebble Creek golf course in Le Claire, Iowa. Here are more than a few of my favorite images from the day!

** I’ll note that right before the ceremony started my main camera (a Nikon d700) unexpectedly died and just wouldn’t turn on, no matter what I did. I pulled my back-up camera out of my bag and kept shooting. One of the most important things a professional can do is have multiples of all of their equipment. This couple would have no images of their ceremony if I hadn’t been prepared!

Katie & Brian | Late Fall Wedding at the Figge

Minneapolis Photographer Sarah McGee — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:48:37 +0000

Ti & Nathan | A Perfect Backyard Wedding

Minneapolis Photographer Sarah McGee — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 03:00:09 +0000

Ti & Nathan were married this August in Bettendorf, Iowa, at the bride’s grandmother’s home. It was one of those perfect summer days and a truly beautiful location.

A simple white wedding cake, decorated with green orchids and white roses.

The sun started to set at the perfect time.

There were white flowers everywhere ~ even floating arrangements in the swimming pool.

Ti & Nathan | Bettendorf Backyard Wedding

Minneapolis Photographer Sarah McGee — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:46:31 +0000

I’m so behind in blogging! So here are two photos from this wonderful wedding in the Quad Cities, with a whole post to follow later.

Anne & Derick | An Iowa Winter Wedding

Minneapolis Photographer Sarah McGee — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 05:50:02 +0000

Anne & Derick were married last Saturday after a fresh snow fall at the Trinity Cathedral in Davenport, Iowa. It was picture perfect!

The ladies getting ready:

The bride and groom make their final adjustments:

It was a packed house in the beautiful cathedral:

We took formal photographs in the chapel and on the altar after the ceremony. We took a few more in the parlor at the Outing Club.

For two people not into cake, the bride and groom were great sports about the cake cutting!

The rings:

A first dance and a father-daughter dance to start a long night of a very busy dance floor!

Congratulations Derick & Anne! It was an honor to be part of your wedding. And a very big thank you to Quad City photographer Tiffanie Weaver for shooting with me!

Hannah & Eric: An Autumn Wedding on a Farm

Minneapolis Photographer Sarah McGee — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:18:54 +0000

{Warning: Very long, image-heavy post ahead!}

Hannah & Eric were married yesterday in the Church of the Land at the Living History Farms in Des Moines, Iowa. This was a “destination wedding” for me, but not for the couple. I cannot imagine a more perfect day or a more perfect setting for an autumn wedding. Check out that blue sky and the rustic chapel.

There were beautiful autumn decorations everywhere, including these sunflower wreaths on the doors.

And gorgeous bouquets in shades of orange with turquoise accents.

Here’s Hannah’s dress:

And Hannah getting into her dress, with the help of her bridesmaids:

Eric was nervous and so excited to see his bride:

I love this picture, mostly because you can see Eric’s sister Rose peeking through the window:

Eric & Hannah walked through the Living History Farm’s replica town from the year 1875. There were so many great places to take photos, and many people wishing them well along the way.

Then we rounded up the bridal party for some casual and fun group portraits outside.

The sun was bright and lower in the sky, so I used it to our advantage in lots of the pictures. Isn’t it so pretty?

We also did all of the family formal portraits inside the beautiful chapel, including ones with the cute ringbearer and flowergirl.

Moments before the ceremony started. You can see some of the guests mingling at the front of the church, while Eric and Hannah hide out back.

The wedding rings and part of the program:

Here’s the flowergirl dropping silk leaves instead of petals:

Hannah and her dad walking down the aisle. You can see the shimmer in her eyes at the full resolution.

Lots of beautiful singing:

A packed house:

The exchange of rings:

A dramatic exit, with rose petals flying!

The reception was held at the nearby Des Moines Golf and Country Club. We took advantage of the golden hour and the beautiful fall foliage for a few more group pictures:

Then it was on to the reception! There were so many little details at the reception, including a tower of delicious cupcakes in all sorts of flavors, instead of a wedding cake:

And still a beautiful cake for the traditional cake cutting:

The newlyweds first dance:

And lots more fun dancing.

I’ll post a few more photos over the next week or so on my Facebook page, so if you’re not a fan, become one to get my updates!

Hannah & Eric: Congratulations on your marriage! Enjoy your Hawaiian Honeymoon!

Vanessa + Jeff: Last Night at the Abbey!

Minneapolis Photographer Sarah McGee — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:33:51 +0000

Vanessa and Jeff were married this past Saturday, at the Abbey Hotel in Bettendorf, Iowa. Isn’t this a stunning building?

The Abbey was home to Carmelite Nuns from the turn of the century to 1975. Sometime in the early 1990s it was converted to a hotel and banquet facility. The beautiful chapel was the site for many weddings. Vanessa and Jeff’s wedding will be the last at the Abbey for a while, as the hotel closed its doors the night after their wedding! Vanessa and Jeff certainly had a memorable celebration for the hotel’s last night.

Vanessa had a custom-made wedding gown that was simple and gorgeous. Here the family friend who made the dress is sewing her in for a perfect fit.

Vanessa was clearly excited.

We went out onto the lovely hotel grounds for some individual, couple and group portraits. It was another sunny, gorgeous September day — even warmer than most days in August.

The whole wedding party traipsed around the front of the building for a few group photos.

A wide shot of the ceremony and the beautiful chapel.

A big thank you to Quad-Cities photographer Tiffanie Weaver who was up in the balcony second-shooting for me, and generally helping me stay on track all day long.

Just married! Everyone walked outside from the Chapel and back into the Grand Ballroom for the reception. We took a quick minute to make sure Vanessa and Jeff had a moment to catch their breaths (and for a couple great photos of the two of them alone).

Following cocktail hour and a three-course dinner, the entire bridal party gave short and moving toasts.

The cake was cut, dessert was served, and the dances were quick to begin.

Congratulations, again, Jeff and Vanessa! It was wonderful to finally meet you and be part of your celebration.

Ellie & Brandon Tie the Knot

Minneapolis Photographer Sarah McGee — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 03:21:39 +0000

Usually, I post a sneak peak of wedding photos on this blog within a week of the wedding. The sneak peak is usually a handful of fun shots that catch my eye as I’m transferring the cards to my hard drives and give a brief story of the day. This time, because the bride was my friend on Facebook, I posted the images to the Sarah McGee Photography Page (I can’t get the link to work!) and was able to tag her and some of the wedding party in the images. That way, all of their friends were notified of the photos at once, and the guests can all tag each other.

This wedding was held in Davenport, Iowa (one of the Quad Cities) at the beautiful Outing Club. This venue is special to me, because it is where my parents and sister were both married. I’m excited that I’ve already booked 2009 reception there, too! I know Ellie worried about the weather for her August wedding all spring, concerned it would be typically humid. But, the day was absolutely gorgeous and unseasonably cool. Here are a few extra “sneak peak” images!

I love when I get a copy of the invitation from the couple, so I can take pictures of it too!

The bride’s wedding band is a combination of diamonds (her birth stone) and peridot (his birth stone).

Ellie, waiting for Brandon to arrive to start taking photos.

A stunning (and huge!) cake, decorated with hydrangeas.

A candid moment of the bride while we were taking couple portraits. The wind was blowing her veil all around.

The groom and his groomsmen, waiting while I photographed the ladies.

Flowergirl, bridesmaids, and the bride. I loved how summery their hydrangea bouquets were.

Ellie & Brandon had several different favors — personalized matches for the cigar bar, and drink koozies that were put to use even before the ceremony.

I know I’ve said this before, but I adore outdoor ceremonies, because I can usually move all around and catch unusual angles. I got this shot from the balcony on the opposite side of the guests. I love the look that the bride has in this one.

Look at that grin as they exchange their rings. If any photographers are out there, I have to put in a huge plug for Lightroom 2.0 here. The bride in white was standing in the sun, the groom in black was standing in the shade, and try as I might, I couldn’t expose for both at once. But the new gradient filters in Lightroom really worked to save these images.

And it’s over — time to party!

Here are Ellie’s “unofficial” bridesmaids, on the lawn during the cocktail hour.

And jumping way ahead, because this has gone on too long already, a quick snap from Brandon & Ellie’s first dance. Mazel tov!

First Wedding of the Season!

Minneapolis Photographer Sarah McGee — Tue, 27 May 2008 00:07:36 +0000

Ann & Kanishka were married Memorial Day weekend in her parents’ backyard. The garden was in full bloom, and the weather was amazingly cooperative! Here are some of my favorites from the day.

Ann’s dress:

A couple of the bouquets:

In a different window, Ann’s shoes:

The program and the wedding rings!

Just the top of their gorgeous chocolate wedding cake:

The wedding party:

A couple of Ann & Kanishka right before the ceremony:

The ceremony site:

Ann & her dad walking down the aisle:

The ceremony and the kiss!

The sun came out for cocktail hour:

Then, the reception was held in a giant tent, with its own garden inside:

During the toasts:

Cutting the cake & the first dance:

What a great way to start the season!