Ethan + Mary | A Heartfelt & Joyful Wedding Day at Harvester Square and St. John’s Abbey

If you’ve ever wondered what a perfect mix of sweet emotions, timeless tradition, and full-on dance party energy looks like… Ethan and Mary’s wedding day is the answer. Their July 26th, 2025 wedding was filled with happy tears, meaningful vows, rooftop sunset moments, and one of the most epic mother-son dances I’ve ever witnessed.

From the quiet excitement of getting ready to the dance floor packed with all their favorite people, this day was something truly special.

Morning Glow at Harvester Square

The day started at Harvester Square, a beautiful venue nestled in the heart of Central Minnesota. The bridal suite was buzzing with energy as Mary and her girls were getting glammed up by the amazing Glam By Val and Formel Hair teams. The room was full of soft laughter, makeup brushes, and joy as curls were pinned and lashes fluttered into place.

Just next door, the guys hung out in the groom’s suite, keeping things casual as they got into their navy suits and tied those ties. Ethan was calm and collected, surrounded by his closest friends, but you could tell he was counting down the minutes until he saw his bride.

As the girls slipped into their gorgeous taupe bridesmaid dresses, the nerves and excitement started to rise. Mary stepped into her dress with the help of her mom and bridal party—zipping up, buttoning the back, and sliding on her final pieces of jewelry. There were smiles all around, and it was clear Mary was soaking in every moment.

First Look with Dad (Cue the Tears)

Before seeing Ethan, Mary had one very important first look with her dad. Oh, this moment. Her dad’s reaction said it all: pride, emotion, love, and a few tears. Watching a dad see his little girl in her wedding dress for the first time is one of those moments that truly never gets old. It was a quiet and tender pause in a fast-paced day, and it set the tone for everything to come: heartfelt, meaningful, and full of joy.

Ethan’s First Look at His Bride

Now… it was Ethan’s turn. In a quiet corner in Harvester Square, you could feel the anticipation building as Ethan waited with his back turned. As soon as Mary tapped his shoulder and he turned around? Instant awe.

You could literally watch the nerves melt off his shoulders. His eyes lit up and his jaw dropped just a little as he took in his stunning bride. They shared a quiet hug and the biggest smiles before reading personal vows to each other. These were just for them, a private moment of love and promises before the rest of the day unfolded.

There was something incredibly grounding about it, just the two of them in a tucked-away corner of the venue, focusing on what really mattered: each other.

Ceremony at St. John’s Abbey

From Harvester Square, we made our way to the breathtaking St. John’s Abbey for the ceremony, a perfect fit for these two, who met during their time as a Johnnie and Bennie. The architecture, grand stained glass, and spiritual presence of the Abbey created a setting that felt both reverent and filled with warmth.

Before heading inside, we took a few more portraits around campus, bridal party photos with the stunning college backdrop, filled with lots of laughter and a few forehead-dabbing breaks (because yes—it was a toasty summer day!). But this crew was up for anything, and we had so much fun with them.

Inside the church, guests filled the pews as the ceremony began. The light streamed through the stained glass windows just right as Mary walked down the aisle, her eyes locked on Ethan, and Ethan grinning ear to ear and the tears falling down his face.

The ceremony was full of light and love, grounded in faith and surrounded by family and friends. They exchanged vows, shared sacred moments, and when they were announced them husband and wife, the applause was immediate and heartfelt. That first kiss and walk back down the aisle was pure joy. Big smiles, happy tears, and the feeling of we did it written all over their faces.

A Quick Stop & Then Back to Celebrate

After the ceremony, the bridal party hopped on the bus and headed to La Playette Bar, a classic Johnnie/Bennie pit stop, for a celebratory drink. It was the perfect way to unwind before heading back to Harvester Square for the rest of the celebration.

Meanwhile, guests were mingling at the venue, sipping drinks and enjoying passed appetizers. The space was beautifully decorated, with florals by Green Thumb Floral adding a soft, elegant touch to every table. The atmosphere was light, happy, and full of anticipation for the night ahead.

Grand Entrances + Reception Fun

Once everyone was back at Harvester Square, it was time to kick things off with some grand entrances and this group knew how to make an entrance! The bridal party came in full of energy, getting the crowd hyped for the rest of the evening. Laughter, cheering, dancing, it was clear this crew was ready to celebrate.

Then, the glasses clinked, the universal sign for a kiss! But instead of just giving in to the clinking all night, Ethan and Mary gave their guests one “free” kiss… and then flipped the tradition on its head. For the rest of the evening, they called out a couple to demonstrate a kiss, and they would copy it! It was playful and hilarious, and a super fun twist that had everyone laughing.

Dinner, Donuts & Meaningful Speeches

Dinner was served by Short Stop, and let me tell you, it was delicious. Guests enjoyed a hearty meal that hit the spot, and then came a dessert that nobody could say no to: donuts! A full table of them. Because honestly… who doesn’t love a good donut wall?

As guests sipped their coffee and sampled their desserts, it was time for speeches.

Emma, Mary’s sister and maid of honor, kicked things off with a heartfelt toast full of sisterly love, stories, and sweet advice for the couple. Then Travis, Ethan’s best man and longtime friend (also part of the legendary "sexy 6" from their college days), brought the laughs with tales from their time together and a toast that balanced humor with heart.

It’s always such a gift to witness how loved and supported a couple is through the words of the people who know them best.

Dances with a Twist

After speeches, it was time to open the dance floor, and things started off strong. Ethan and Mary rolled right into their first dance, a moment of calm and closeness amidst the buzz of the day. You could tell they were savoring every second of it. Just them, in the center of the room, holding each other with quiet smiles. Next was Mary and her dad, Nick. They shared a sweet dance, full of smiles, and then invited other father-daughter duos to join them for the rest of the song. It was so touching to see multiple generations, toddlers dancing with dads, grown daughters hugging their fathers, and everyone soaking in that rare moment.

But what happened next truly stole the show: Ethan and his mom, Anne, took the floor for their dance and started out with a traditional sway, as expected. And then, music switch! What followed was a choreographed mashup performance that had jaws dropping and everyone cheering. From pop hits to dance classics, Ethan and Anne nailed every beat, complete with an impressive toe touch from Ethan that would rival any cheerleader.

It was high energy, full of personality, and the perfect way to kick off the dance floor. Safe to say the crowd was ready.

Sunset Portraits on the Rooftop

As the dance floor heated up, Ethan and Mary snuck away for a few golden hour rooftop portraits. The light was warm and glowy, casting the dreamiest glow over them. We could hear the music and laughter floating up from below, and for just a few minutes, they had a peaceful, beautiful pause.

There’s something so special about taking time for those quiet moments, just the two of them, after a full day of celebration.

And the timing couldn’t have been better, as we came back down, "Love Story" by Taylor Swift started playing, and they jumped right onto the dance floor, singing and spinning like no one was watching. It was sweet, a little playful, and full of love.

Dancing the Night Away

The rest of the night was pure fun. The dance floor stayed packed with everyone from grandparents to college friends pulling out their best moves. There were dance circles, line dances, and more than a few heartfelt moments between couples swaying side by side.

You could feel the joy in every beat and every hug. It wasn’t just a celebration, it was the start of something beautiful. And everyone there knew it.

Final Thoughts

Ethan and Mary’s wedding was one of those days where everything felt just right. From their sweet first look and handwritten vows to that unforgettable mother-son dance and rooftop portraits at sunset, it was a day full of meaning, beauty, and so much fun.

Their love for each other, their deep faith, and the community that surrounded them made this day unforgettable. I feel so lucky to have been a small part of it.

Ethan and Mary - thank you for letting me capture your love story. May the joy, laughter, and epic dance moves of your wedding day follow you for all the years to come.