Alyssa and Jason Candid Moment Alyssa and Jason Candid Moment

Alyssa and Jason’s Wedding at The Hideaway at Xanadu Island in Battle Lake, Ottertail County, Minnesota, was one I won't soon forget. This weekend was a wedding I had been looking forward to for years. Seriously. We did the photography, and I was the Officiant at the bride's parents 25th Anniversary commitment ceremony that was a full on wedding that they had not had when they first were married. 

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Alyssa and Jason’s love story began in high school when mutual friends thought they would like each other - guess they were right! When did Jason pop the question? It was on a trip to ValleyFair Amusement Park and involved some Cinnabon. Somehow this feels like the right choice for this fun couple. 

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Alyssa and Jason are a fun-loving, adventurous couple that is clearly in love, and that made photographing them so much fun! I love it when there is abundant laughter, joy, teasing, and especially appreciate down-to-earth brides with big hearts for the people they love. 

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The day started in the cabins and the big house on the island where breakfast was served. We did a quick runthrough of the ceremony which was filled with laughter and a few tears for those that were missing. There were some glitches on Friday that prevented a rehearsal, and down the road those glitches will make wonderful stories to tell. As the day moved on, hair and make-up was done in the big house. The men busied themselves setting up the benches and arbor so everyone attending could have a beautiful view of the lake. After they created that space, they headed over to the reception area, and put up tents like seasoned circus big top roustabouts.  

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The ceremony overlooked the lake and the couples rustic and personal touches were beautiful reflections of their lives. They read their own vows and had a unity ceremony with sand. The weather was perfect in the mid-70s with low humidity and cool breezes coming across the lake. After the ceremony we took family and wedding party photos and then it was time for portraits of the bride and groom. From there we headed to the dinner where the wedding party had some wonderful entrances and the dance floor was jumping all night. A beautiful day nestled in a beautiful weekend. 

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Alyssa and Jason, no one deserves this perfect day more than the two of you. I am so happy to have been included at the beginning of your next big adventure. Thank you a million times over for being so incredible. I hope your lives get better each and every day. Your joy is contagious, and I loved being surrounded by it on your wedding day. May you both live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live. 

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VENDOR CREDITS

VENUE: The Hideaway at Xanadu Island 

CATERER: Hy-Vee Brooklyn Park and Zorbaz 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Kathleen Riley Photography 

OFFICIANT: Kathleen Riley 

DJ: Pro Sound and Light 

CAKE ARTIST: Cake Walk by Wendy Frensko

MAKE-UP and HAIR ARTIST: Sarah-Jean Adolphus of I Decorate Faces

NAILS: Envy Nails in Fergus Falls