Stories & Inspiration

Minneapolis Wedding Planning & Photography Blog

Tips, Guides & Behind-the-Scenes Stories by Emma Ziegler

Planning guides for Minnesota couples and families from Minneapolis wedding photographer Emma Ziegler (see my wedding collections): marriage licenses and officiants, wedding venues city by city with their published rates, what wedding photography costs, and when to book engagement, maternity and family sessions.

Tent Wedding Lighting in Minnesota

Tent Wedding Lighting in Minnesota

A tent is a softbox at noon and a black hole after sunset. Plan four lighting layers, real power, a permit and a lightning plan.

By EmmaNov 11, 20268 min readRead Article

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169 posts

Destination Weddings from Minnesota: Planning Notes

By Emma·9 min read

Destination Weddings from Minnesota: Planning Notes

A destination wedding is mostly paperwork. Here is what Minnesota couples must check on passports, foreign marriage law and camera gear.

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Blended Family Weddings: Photos Everyone Feels Good In

By Emma·7 min read

Blended Family Weddings: Photos Everyone Feels Good In

Give kids a role they choose, plan portrait groupings with step-parents and co-parents in advance, and schedule photos around naps, meals and moods.

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Wedding Exit Ideas When Sparklers Are Not Allowed

By Emma·8 min read

Wedding Exit Ideas When Sparklers Are Not Allowed

Bubbles, petals, ribbon wands or a cheering tunnel: which send-offs actually photograph well when your venue or city bans sparklers.

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Wedding Hair and Makeup Timing That Holds

By Emma·8 min read

Wedding Hair and Makeup Timing That Holds

Count services, not people: about 45 minutes each, 60 to 75 for the couple, divided by your artists, plus buffer, worked backwards from photos.

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Bride in a lace mermaid gown outside the venue entrance

By Emma·7 min read

Day Block Event Center Weddings: Planning Guide

Day Block Event Center is a restored 1883 venue in downtown Minneapolis for up to 250 guests, or about 200 seated, with approved outside caterers.

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Minnesota Wedding Venue Contracts: What to Check

By Emma·9 min read

Minnesota Wedding Venue Contracts: What to Check

The venue contract, not the vendor contract, holds most of your risk: insurance, liquor licensing, exclusive caterers, load-in windows and deposits.

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Where should you start?

The guides couples and families ask about most, by topic.

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Engagement, maternity & family

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Micro weddings

Venues

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Let's Create Something Beautiful

Whether it's a wedding day or creative vision — I'd love to hear your story.