Alison + Emmanuel | Cozy Classic Wedding

Alison and Emmanuel, a couple from Maple Grove, MN, hit it off on a dating app and in February of 2021, they made the decision to spend the rest of their lives together. The couple was in the process of purchasing a new-build home when Emmanuel, a Software Engineer and business owner, decided it was time to pop the question to Alison, a nurse. That morning, the couple was on their way home from church when Emmanuel suggested they meet friends and family for brunch. 

They picked up their friends and attempted to find a restaurant to dine at. Little did Alison know, Emmanuel was stalling and planning a surprise proposal. With “no restaurant availability”, they eventually got Cane’s to go. “After we sat in the Cane’s line forever he suggested we go show our friends the progress on our house,” explains Alison. “I was getting so frustrated with him because I had an exam to study for before our Valentine’s Day date-night plans. I was definitely mean-mugging him from the passenger seat.” When they arrived at their new home, they were greeted by family and friends when Emmanuel asked Alison to marry him. 

On June 26, 2021, the couple invited 50 guests for a ceremony — with 50 more to join at the reception — at The Hewing Hotel in Downtown Minneapolis for a cozy and classic wedding. The bride describes the day as “warm, classy, and intimate” and, along with her wedding planner, Jenna Culley Events, designed a party that was memorable and timeless. 

The couple chose to do a first look prior to the ceremony which the bride says was her favorite moment of the day spending “a couple of minutes with just each other after a busy morning and before the rest of the events began.”

Alison wore a beautifully-embellished sheath gown with a plunging neckline and chapel train that fit the classic wedding vibe. Though, this dress was not her first choice. Unfortunately, the gown that she initially ordered came just 30 days before the wedding and arrived with an incorrect design. Fortunately, Brides of France came through, “Thanks to my mom and my wedding planner, the crisis was averted as I miraculously ended up finding a new dress immediately, like the next day, and was even able to keep my initial alterations appointment,” she explains.

Bridesmaids chose to wear mismatched gowns from BHLDN in a range of textures and tones from deep orange to blush and mauve. The groomsmen rocked matching custom suits from MartinPatrick3 with black ties while the groom wore a white tie. 

During the reception, guests enjoyed crafted food from the hotel’s on-site restaurant, Tullibee. Following hors d’oeuvres, family and friends chose between steak, chicken, salmon, or a vegetarian option followed by dessert the bride describes as an “amazing chocolate cake creation.” 

Following the couple’s classic wedding, Alison and Emmanuel jetted off to the Riviera Maya in Mexico. “Being able to relax and celebrate together was the best. We had an incredible room and spent a lot of time just taking in the view,” the bride describes of their getaway.

If you are currently planning a wedding, Alison’s advice is to keep the planning fun and exciting and to get an amazing wedding planner. “We got engaged in February 2021 and the wedding was in June 2021, so we made it happen fast”, during this time Alison was also in nursing school. “Our wedding planner, Jenna Culley, made it all a dream come true and kept it as stress-free as possible. I couldn’t imagine planning a wedding for a year+ and having big decisions to make over that entire time. So my advice is don’t draw out the planning and reduce the decision fatigue.”

Vendors Cont.  — Bridesmaid Dresses: BHLDN |  Rentals: Linen Effects | Catering: Tullibee Restaurant at Hewing Hotel | Rings: Knox Jewelers

All images by Tasha Herrgott with Vick Photography