Ahavah Cottage Wedding | Elysian, Minnesota| Laid Back Styled Wedding Inspiration

Ever since COVID, weddings have taken on a more intimate and close knit feel to them. One that I can definitely get behind. Micro weddings, elopements, and laid back backyard-esce is the new norm. To help aide couples in planning the wedding of their dreams, in this fashion, I set out to create an inspirational wedding day to help them envision what this could look like at any venue.

I wanted to get the best of the best wedding vendors from Southern Minnesota and come together to create this breathtaking, down to earth wedding vibe. And man, did they all succeed, and then some.

Ahavah Cottage is a new wedding venue located in the small town of Elysian in Southern Minnesota. Nestled in between towering trees and a bike path is where you can find this newly restored wedding venue. Once a bar and grill, now a gorgeous black and white reception space with the most beautiful outdoor ceremony space and adjoining patio and outdoor reception area.

From the lush grass between out barefoot brides. To the putt putt golf. Overflowing flower arrangements bursting with muted colors. Cake pops. Natural makeup and long flowy hair. To dreamy minimalists stationary.

Photography: Andi Jo Photography

Venue: Ahavah Cottage

Hair and Makeup: The Beauty Painters of MN

Floral Arrangements: Creative Touch in Bloom

Day of Coordinator and Décor: Pine Lane Weddings by Renee

Stationery: Ginger P Designs

Cake: Lush Cakes

below I go into more detail about each vendor and how they made our vision come to life

The Beauty Painters of MN

Alana and Tori were so amazing to work with. I told them that my vision was relaxed, natural, flowy braids, and laid back feel. Just from those words alone, they were able to take the rest into their hands to create this stunning down to earth look.

Because we had two brides, we wanted to make sure that we highlighted both of their unique personalities while still creating one harmonious vision. They able to see each brides dress and have each of them tell them a little bit about who they are, and from that they were able to create a color palette and hairstyle that highlight those and let your true beauty shine.

The Beauty Painters offer on-location Hair and Makeup Services for every bride and wedding party! Whether you’re looking for a soft & natural look or full on glam. They can make your vision come true.

Pine Lane Weddings by Renee

I have been able to work with Renee multiple times now, and every single time I am blown away by her work. She is so kind and caring and had such an eye for detail. No matter what you are envisioning for wedding day, Renee will beyond exceed your expectations.

At Pine Lane Weddings they only take on a limited number of weddings and events each year, giving your wedding the attention it deserves. Renee strives for an exciting, stress-free, and laid back experience both on your wedding day and throughout your planning process!

Let your wedding planning and day be stress free and just trust Renee with anything and everything because she can do seriously do no wrong!!

Ginger P Designs

Your wedding day is one of the most beautiful days of your life – and that day begins with stationery. The design and wording of your stationery sets the tone so your guests know what to expect.  There are endless possibilities, and it can be overwhelming. That’s where Ginger P Design come in! With her years of experience (hundreds of weddings) eye for design (award-winning) and laid back personality, she will work with you to create beautiful stationery – all while making the process enjoyable!

I have yet to see a stationery design from Ginger that isn’t stunning and impeccably done. Everything just goes together so seamlessly. She takes your important information and creates a beautifully eloquent story telling piece that will provide your guests everything they need to know for your big day!

Lush Cakes

Lush Cakes is a bakery specializing in custom wedding cakes and fabulous gourmet treats. Fresh baked with the best ingredients, their cakes deliver a memorable experience from first glance to the last bite.

More and more couples are straying away from the tradition white tiered wedding cake. We are seeing more and more couples choose to go with their favorite desserts or unique treats for their guests. Cake pops, cookies, personal pies, donuts, you name it! Lush Cakes is so amazing that you can literally just tell them to bring something delicious, and they will deliver it. Because you seriously can’t go wrong with anything that Jessica makes.

Creative Touch in Bloom

Where to even start with Julie! Just look at these arrangements. That’s it. They are breathtaking! Stunning. Full of life and beauty. Julie is so passionate about her work and taking your wedding colors and visions and creating these out of the world arrangements. All we gave her was “muted colors. natural. cascading” that’s it. And she was like “yep, I can do that” When we saw the pieces that she created, we couldn’t believe what we saw. She went above and beyond, and I know she will do the same for you.

Andi Jo Photography

I have an obsession for capturing real and raw moments that are both timeless and elegant. To live for the moments that aren’t rehearsed or posed. I want my couples to feel comfortable in front of the camera.

To achieve this, I give you prompts to think about and to do, creating this authentic moment between the two of you, allowing me to capture the true nature of you both.

If you don’t leave a session or wedding day with me without belly laughing and connecting with your partner in a way that you haven’t before, than I didn’t achieve my job. And on top of it, you will get timeless pictures to awe over for years to come.

Andi Jo Photography is located in Southern Minnesota, but travels throughout all of Minnesota, the Midwest, and wherever your heart desires.

With her attention to detail, type A personality, laid back spirit that is up for anything, there is no one else to trust on your wedding day. She will go above and beyond to make sure that your wedding day is seamless, stress free, and full of love that shows through every photograph.

Ahavah Cottage

Your love story is beautiful. You deserve a venue that understands and celebrates that. Leslie Lee and Ahavah Cottage can help you make the wedding of your dreams become a reality.

They have everything you could ever wish for all at one place. They provide you with a beautiful outdoor ceremony site, and outdoor reception area, patio, getting ready room (for both brides and grooms), a bar, and a large indoor reception space.

I think my favorite part of Ahavah Cottage is the laid back nature that they embody, while still being an upscale wedding venue. The beauty of this setting is that you can really make it what you want. You can have a backyard feel or you can have a black tie affair feel to your wedding and Leslie and her team will provide that for you.