Anitra+Justin Wedding, part 2 – Minneapolis, MN Wedding Photography

Anitra+Justin wedding, continued … (see Part 1 here)

So where was I? Oh yes, Anitra+Justin, freshly hitched, and happily full from a delicious lunch reception at Palomino’s in downtown Minneapolis:

They then embarked with Kelli and me on a walking tour around the downtown area, and we found wayyy too many wonderful photo opportunities. It was quite the superstar photo session, traversing several blocks of downtown, some colorful alleyways, a skywalk …

… and finally ending at the Graves 601 hotel!

BUT that isn’t even the best part: Then we joined them for a roller derby! In one of the sweetest moves I’ve ever seen from a couple, they chose to watch the championship bout of the North Star Roller Girls at the Minneapolis Convention Center with several of their closest friends. It can’t get much better than this.

A roller derby must be experienced to be truly loved … and I, a roller derby virgin, have been hooked for life. For the uninitiated, you can read all about the sport of roller derby here. It’s a rough-and-tumble contact sport with helmets, elbow pads, knee pads, and mouth guards. Not to mention plenty of fishnets, colored hair, and punk vibe. Needless to say, it’s absolutely the best place to wind down your wedding.

I had called the North Star Roller Girls ahead of time to make sure we wouldn’t be causing trouble by bringing our cameras. A couple of the players replied (it’s 100% female skater owned and operated, they say), and I got to chat with and email some of the most awesome, friendly and fun people ever! Thank you to Tin Lizzy and Fanny Maim for being so gracious and inviting, no matter how kick-ass you are on the rink!

Tin Lizzy:

But most of all, thank you Anitra+Justin for such a wonderful, warm, and creative wedding! May your future be bright.

– Russell

Anitra+Justin Wedding, part 1 – Minneapolis, MN Wedding Photography

Oh, do I have a LOT of good stuff to show from Anitra + Justin’s wedding! So much so that this is going to become two blog posts. Kelli and I had so much fun among new friends and the extra kind people of Minneapolis, Minnesota, that we were sad to leave! I mean come on, they went to a roller derby on their wedding day. What could be better than a wedding that ends with a roller derby?

But I should begin at the beginning: They both started their day at 5:30am …

One of my favorites with Anitra and her dad:

At Justin’s family’s home, Kelli caught their very curious dog, Junebug …

These high-school sweethearts got hitched bright and early in the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at the Como Zoo in St. Paul, before it opened to the public for the day. They wanted to see each other before the ceremony, so they had a private moment in the central Palm Dome:

What a beautiful location! They had a decidedly small ceremony, with about 20 guests and hundreds of eye-popping flowers in attendance.

Justin and the guys had a Reservoir Dogs moment outside the grounds …

Afterward, they had a cozy lunch reception at the Palomino restaurant in downtown Minneapolis (food = mmm, dessert = wow).

But I’m saving the best for last.  See Part 2 … tomorrow!