Cannon River Winery Wedding | Ashleigh and Lara | Cannon Falls, MN

The Cannon River Winery and Vineyard was the perfect backdrop for this intimate and joyous union between Ashleigh and Lara.

This laid-back winery wedding was one of my favorite weddings that I have captured to date.

Ashleigh and Lara were married in the secluded hillsides of Cannon Falls, Minnesota. Actually, it is the tallest point in Goodhue county, which if you know anything about central Minnesota, isn’t exactly “tall.” The Cannon River Winery and Vineyard was the perfect backdrop for this intimate and joyous union.

The weather was absolutely perfect. The sky was overcast…not a raindrop in sight. There was a light breeze whispering through the trees. There was a smell of fresh-cut grass. And we were surrounded by every type of grapevine you could think of.

I never thought I needed saving
I was right where I should be
Good God, I know it’s dangerous
But it’s you that I need
I’m in love this time

Ashleigh and Lara’s wedding was one that was full of laughs, emotions, tears, hugs, and just pure love. While yes, every wedding is full of all of these things, this wedding, in particular, the air was heavy with these feelings. Everywhere I looked I saw their family and friends embracing one another and sharing favorite moments of their relationships with the couple.

After their ceremony, Ashleigh and Lara joined their guests for a wine pour with specifically-chosen wines crafted by the Cannon River Winery. While the wine was flowing, Ashleigh’s mom gave a heartfelt speech about the first time she met Lara and how throughout the years they have been together, how they complement each other perfectly. Allowing each other to be their complete selves. Evening each other out and allowing each of them to lean on each other.

Later, we were able to hear a few more speeches from Lara’s dad and their wedding party. Each speech reminisced about their childhood, college years, and their friendships through the years. But every single speech had one thing in common: ease. The way each one of them spoke about the couple left the entire place with tears in their eyes and their hearts swelling.

Ashleigh and Lara’s winery wedding was ultimately an act of pride, empowerment, and love.

Thank you Ashleigh and Lara for choosing me to capture your love story. It was my absolute honor.

Congratulations you two.