Pine River Wedding: Heather and Jake | Pine Peaks Event Center | Minnesota Wedding Photographer

There was something particularly special about this Pine River wedding. It was the first of our official wedding season after the vicious year that was 2020. It meant more to us than many can understand. Our business had survived the madness of that year. It was something we were unsure would happen. So although it was incredibly hot that day, we were more than happy to be there.

Heather and Jake had their Pine River wedding on one of the hottest June days on record. The story of how they found us is an interesting one. They were not supposed to be our first wedding of the season. However, they had unfortunately lost their original photographer. One of our other brides recommended us. We did a late night Zoom with them to help them out and were booked immediately. It seemed a fit the moment we saw them, as Jake was wearing a Cannibal Corpse shirt. We started talking heavy metal and it all fell into place.

In case you’re reading this years beyond 2021, June in Minnesota was hitting record highs. We are still sitting in extreme heat. This wedding was very hot. I drank twelve bottles of water that day. So it certainly made things interesting. They were married at Pine Peaks Event Center, a gorgeous venue. The ceremony site sits in front of very tall trees and is so beautiful. The couple also got to stay in a lodge on the property, providing for a super relaxed atmosphere.

Overall, it was a super fun day and a great way to start the season.

Highlights of the day

First wedding usage of a 1.4 prime lens, for all the photo geeks out there
Heather and Jake’s dogs were there. They were in the ceremony too.
We left the wedding playing “South of Heaven“, which we have never done
First wedding in a year that allowed for an unmasked dance floor. It was so nice out in the evening that no one was on it. Everyone was outside hanging out, playing games and drinking

Thank you to the following vendors for making this day so amazing!

Venue: Pine Peaks Event Center
Photography: RKH Images
Catering: Maucieri’s Italian Bistro
Accommodations: Pine Peaks Lodge and Suites
Dress: Azazie
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Azazie
Shoes: Sketchers
Suits: Savvi Formalwear
Rings: Amazon
Florist: Sola Wood and Ling’s Moments
Desert: Nothing Bundt Cakes

Sunny outdoor wedding ceremony setup at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Indoor wedding reception setup at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota.

Wedding and bridesmaids dresses hanging up at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota.

Bride and groom share first look at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Bride and groom smile with their dogs at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Bride and groom smile at their wedding at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Bride and groom kiss with pine trees at their wedding at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Bride and groom walk between pine trees at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Bride and groom kiss in road at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Wedding party in red dresses and blue suits pose with Bigfoot at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota.

Wedding party in red dresses and blue suits pose with Bigfoot at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Wedding party in red dresses strike silly poses at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Wedding party in blue suits strike silly poses at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota.

Bride plays with her dog at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Groom walks dogs down the aisle at wedding ceremony at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Bride walks down the aisle with sister at wedding ceremony at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Bride and groom smile at wedding ceremony at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Bride and groom read vows at wedding ceremony at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Bride and groom pet dog at wedding ceremony at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Bride and groom kiss at wedding ceremony at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Bride and groom walk dogs at wedding ceremony at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota.

Bride and groom laugh during wedding speeches at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota.

Bride and groom cut cake at wedding reception at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Bride and groom eat cake at wedding reception at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Bride and groom dip and kiss during sunset at wedding at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota. Groom lifts bride in field during sunset at wedding at Pine Peaks Event Center in Pine River, Minnesota.