Lake Vermilion Wedding with a Dockside Ceremony and Boat Parade

Every once in a while, a wedding comes along that is so unique, so full of joy and personality, that I find myself grinning the entire day. That was exactly the case when my friend Kelly asked if I’d photograph her wedding on Lake Vermilion in northern Minnesota.

Kelly is one of those people who feels like a friend from the moment you meet her — we had gotten to know each other well over the years through mutual friends, and I’d photographed her and her fiancé Jason a couple of years earlier. So when she reached out about their wedding, I already knew it was going to be an amazing time. Then she told me the plan — they were getting married on a dock, surrounded by guests in boats floating on the lake — and I was beyond excited.

A few weeks before the big day, I took a little road trip up to Jason’s parents’ house, where the ceremony would take place. We spent the day cruising around the lake on their Malibu boat, soaking in the sunshine and scouting the perfect photo spots. That day got me even more hyped for what was to come.

When the wedding day arrived, the weather was pure perfection — sunshine, a light breeze, and those classic Minnesota summer vibes. I met up with the girls in the cozy guest cabin as they got ready, and we had so much fun capturing all the pre-ceremony moments. Since Kelly and Jason didn’t want to see each other before the ceremony, we had to get creative photographing her dress outside without risking a sneak peek — mission accomplished.

Finally, it was time. Jason stood on the dock, his closest family nearby, as boats gathered all around — filled with friends and loved ones floating in the middle of the lake, waiting for Kelly to arrive. The look on Jason’s face as she walked down the stairs toward the dock was priceless.

One of their good friends officiated the ceremony, and the whole thing was heartfelt, joyful, and honestly one of the most unique weddings I’ve ever had the honor to photograph. Of course, in true wedding adventure fashion, I had a moment of unexpected excitement: mid-ceremony, I felt something on my foot and looked down to see a snake slithering across my sandals. In my head, full panic. In real life, I somehow managed not to scream or fall into the lake. It turned out to be just a little garden snake (Minnesota luck), and now it’s a story we’ll all laugh about for years.

After the ceremony, guests headed off to a lakeside bar, and I joined Kelly and Jason for a boat ride to capture some just-married portraits out on the water and around the island where Jason’s parents live. It was peaceful, beautiful, and a perfect little breather before the party.

From there, we joined everyone at the bar across the lake for drinks, laughs, and some relaxed hangout time before hopping on the boat again to return to our cars and head to Kelly’s dad’s house for the reception. They had transformed a giant pole barn into an epic party space, complete with lights, décor, and a live band. Even more friends joined the celebration, and they danced late into the night.

It was one of those weddings that didn’t just look amazing — it felt amazing. Every moment was full of love, laughter, and the kind of memories that stick with you long after the last song.

Kelly and Jason, thank you for letting me be part of such an incredible day. Wishing you all the happiness in the world — and maybe a few less snakes!