Outdoor winter wedding in Minnesota

Question:

Dear Rev. Coleman,

My fiance and I are big cross-country skiiers and love the Minnesota winters, and we would love to have our wedding outdoors in the winter. Have you ever performed a wedding ceremony outdoors in the winter? Is it at all possible? Any ideas?

Winter Bride

Answer:

Dear WB,

I have to admit, I've never performed an outdoor wedding ceremony in a Minnesota winter before. The closest is probably a mid-October wedding on the outdoor grounds of Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis, MN (they had outdoor heaters set up, and it was in the mid-60s)...or, last weekend, I performed a February wedding ceremony in the Pavilion's outdoor tent (but that was heated up to 72 degrees). I'd say it all depends on your guests...are these fun, outdoor-type athletes, or are there 90-year old grandparents among the guests? One tip...it feels 10 degrees warmer in the daytime that at night (that's the "feels-like" temp, in addition to the actual temperature), and then it feels 10 degrees warmer than that in the sunshine, as opposed to when it's cloudy. So a lot depends on the actual day, as well!

I was chatting with Minneapolis wedding photographer John Perry and mentioned your e-mail -and he said he's set to shoot a wedding on the North Shore of Lake Superior this weekend - a mid-February wedding ceremony! So, I guess it is possible...I would think that the bride would be the one who has to be the most flexible, as most everyone else can wear silk long underwear!

I hope this helps!

Warmly,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman
Weddings (both summer and winter) with Rev. Coleman

p.s. To readers - By the way, I just have to give a shout-out to John...his work is amazing.  He has a wonderful way of capturing intimate moments...waiting patiently for the shot, anticipating as much as possible...plus, he as a calm, warm manner that puts people at their ease, so they are comfortable (and eventually, actually having fun while getting their wedding photos taken...he's a rare jewel.

It's really important to find a wedding photographer you feel comfortable with, and John Perry is amazing in that respect (plus, I love his aesthetics!)