Wendy Woods Photography

Kelly and Reid's Wedding

Kelly Coyne and Reid Plumbo were married January 19 in an elegant ceremony on a teeth-chatteringly cold day a couple weeks ago. One of those days where the temperature never goes over zero. As this meant no outside photos, we were lucky enough to have two photogenic locations to shoot in - the James J Hill Library and the St. Paul Hotel. This was my first wedding at the library. For weddings, they clear out all the tables on the main floor and set up an altar at the back of the far wall. Kelly's dad Joe Coyne brought in lighting professionals to help illuminate the cavernous space, and the candles along the side set a warm and magical tone, echoed outside by the twinkly Christmas lights of Rice Park. The beauty of the ceremony was matched by a beautiful reception. Joe Coyne clearly has a lot of friends who adore him and his wife Chris, as do Kelly and Reid, and Reid's parents, and among the evening's highlights were Joe's toast, the spectacular band Synergy, and the outstanding wine collection that guests enjoyed. It was a party to remember and a memorable beginning to Kelly and Reid's new life together. Click on any image to open larger, and please leave a comment!

Kelly looks splendid in the skyway

Reid and his groomsmen

Kelly and her bridesmaids

Dad walks Kelly down the aisle

The James J Hill Library's grand hall

Cake by Buttercream

Joe Coyne's toast at the St Paul Hotel

Ringbearer Joey gets applause

First dance, Reid and Kelly

Synergy, a great band

Artistic Guild of the WPJA

Every quarter the Wedding Photojournalism Association's Artistic Guild holds a contest, just like the main WPJA does, featuring photojournalism moments we have captured, but allowing us (unlike the WPJA) to play with them in Photoshop. Since a lot of what I do is play in Photoshop, this is great fun - it's an interesting challenge to participate in this contest, which attracts the best wedding photographers from all over the world. What I generally do is tweak for color, add selective blur, or use painter-type tools for an expressionist approach. Just in case anyone is interested, these are images I submitted to the contest tonight, all from weddings in 2007. To see more detail, click on the image to open in a larger, separate window.

Josh and Kim Kluge, looking at the blizzard outside before their ceremony on December 1

Engagement portrait, Stillwater Boomsite, of Anna Blem and Matt Hogan

Engagement portrait, Nicolette Island, Minneapolis, Rachel Meagher and Matt Struck

First Dance, Kimberly and Peter Maertens, June 2

Evening walk, Patti and Erik Johnson, at sunset after their wedding, July 21

Ashley and Mike Langland, emerging from the church after their wedding September 8.