Roger + Niki / Minnesota Backyard Wedding

June 16, 2016

Andrew and I met Niki and Roger many years ago through mutual friends – we bonded over late night band jams, dance parties + the most intense games of Pictionary I’ve ever seen. We had a hardcore Duluth crew that watched every Vikings game together and our pups were BFFs. (well, basically Jade just put up with Cooper, but we convinced ourselves they were in love.) They are the type of people that you meet and know instantly you want to be friends with – at their core, they are just really good people. As Roger’s music career morphed and grew, these two decided to leave Minnesota and move out to Portland – where we were able to visit them last Spring. I used our visit as a chance to take their engagement photos amidst the crazy beautiful Oregon waterfall landscape and Jade + Cooper were reunited. It was a really special visit for us, and would end up being the last time we saw Jade. I think a piece of our Duluth crew passed away with her and I know how much it would have meant for them to have her at the wedding.

When we met Niki + Roger, we also met their loud, amazing, super fun + crazy group of friends from high school. Being with them all together is like being at a constant party, your belly sore from laughter. This group has been together through so much together and I know it was really important for Roger + Niki that their wedding day reflect those relationships. Unfortunately, a very special person was unable to be in their wedding as planned, because he passed away last year. Cancer stole his life but his memory is still so alive (and fierce just like his red hair) Zach would have been a groomsman, and a very important part of their day, so Roger made a choice not to replace him in the wedding party and instead have his would-be bridesmaid partner walk alone down the aisle. Roger was also gifted one of Zach’s hankies, which he lovingly wore alongside his own all day. They found beautiful ways to remember those in their life that could not physically be with them and I think we all felt their spirits celebrating alongside us.

On top of being two of the gosh darn best humans I know, I am so inspired by Niki + Roger’s commitment to supporting local and making eco-friendly choices. From her conflict-free diamond ring to the local food trucks and beverages, every effort was made to keep their vendors and wedding day decisions as ethical as possible. Please take time to peek at their vendor list (at the very bottom of this post) and check out the amazing people + services that helped make their wedding day so incredible!

I could write on and on and on about this couple, about their kindness and generosity and how they are truly salt-of-the-earth beings who think of everyone else before themselves. Or how beautiful it was that they incorporated family into their day (choosing to be married under the Apple Tree that Roger’s parents were married under 30 years ago and Niki wearing her Grandmother’s beautiful headpiece) But instead I will say this: I love you. I am so happy for you. And I can’t wait to see what your marriage together brings. Wishing you an eternity of happiness, laughter + never ending adventure, xo

Photo by JaneCane Photography / www.janecanephotography.com