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I always feel an extra desire to applaud couples who realize that a giant wedding to-do is not really their speed.  There is something so powerful in focusing all your energy on  an intimate yet highly sophisticated wedding, much the way that Kristin Redmond & Hans Loven have done at the Sunken Garden at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory.  Not feeling the need to bring the masses, our sweet couple instead focused on finer details like stunning location, unique blooms, couture wedding gown & iconic reception space.  Influenced by the desire to use symbology, much the way a wedding is the beginning of a new life, our couple opted to say their ‘I do’s’ with the raise of the sun, starting a new day.  While this wedding might not have a big supporting cast, the beauty & essence of love is in no short supply!

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Novella of the Bride…

Hans and I met on Match.com.  For our first date, we unfortunately both went to different Starbucks located within a couple blocks of each other.  I, thinking he had stood me up, called him and asked whether he was planning to come.  He quickly told me that he’d also been waiting.  A bystander having overheard me pointed to the other Starbucks and we quickly realized that we were both at the “wrong” Starbucks. Once we came together, the remaining 9 hours went in a flash.   Nearly immediately we began seeing each other everyday! Now, we having been together for 5 years.

We felt that a morning wedding, in a garden, was much more appropriate and in line with the idea of our new beginning. Thus, we had our wedding at 9:15am in the morning on September 17.  It’s hard to beat the beauty of the como conservatory.  It was particularly wonderful at that time.  We have never seen it look so beautiful before or since. Hans and I often visited the conservatory especially during the cold MN winters.  We also decided to have a small wedding with only our closest friends and family.  While this did mean that some people were unable to attend and a few ruffled feathers to deal with, neither of us would change having 40 people there to celebrate. It was very intimate and we were able to spend time with each one of our guests. We also had an art deco influence with my wedding band, invitations, the reception venue, and a few other details. To add some flair and laughs, we decided to buy funky bow ties as party favors, which led to a number of amusing photos including our group panorama with all our guests.

Hans and I really teamed up on the wedding.  We made all the decisions together except of course…my dress.  My good friend Juliana went on most of the trips with me and my friend Veronica flew in to go shopping as well.  In the end my pursuit for a dress was not successful in person.  I had found a dress online early in my research, but couldn’t locate it in any stores in the surrounding states.  After no success in stores, I took the plunge and ordered my dress based on my measurements.   It was a bit nerve racking but it arrived, I love it, and it only required minor tailoring.

Couple’s Favorite Moments: “This is a difficult question to answer. I counted 5 favorite moments when considering this question. I’ll share one moment; immediately after the ceremony when we had walked out of the sunken garden Hans grabbed my hand, dipped, and kissed me…we were both ecstatic.   Hans shared that his favorite moment  – the feeling the instant the ceremony concluded.”

Vendor Love

Ceremony Venue: Sunken Garden at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory  | Reception Venue: W.A. Frost  | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals – Couture Collection  | Shoes: Bettye Muller | Hair & Makeup Stylist: Julie Swenson at Smart and Chic Bride  | Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss  | Invitation Designer: GoGoSnap | Music: Baroque Trio  | Florist: Pazzobello Flowers  | Caterer: W.A. Frost  | Baker: The Cake Diva  | Photographer: Erin Johnson Photography