If you're dreaming of a wedding that blends rustic charm with timeless elegance, Samantha and Dakota's May wedding at the Heritage Event Center in Taunton, Minnesota is one you'll want to see. As a wedding photographer in southwest Minnesota, it's days like this that remind me why I fell in love with capturing love stories.

A wedding party plays croquet on a sunny outdoor lawn during an elegant garden reception celebration.
Place cards with elegant calligraphy sit among vibrant blue and coral floral arrangements on a rustic wooden surface.
A romantic wedding reception scene in a rustic wooden barn with twinkle lights and guests seated at long tables.
Aerial view of red barn buildings and parking area at rustic farm venue during golden sunset.
Glass bell jar terrariums with delicate floral arrangements sit beneath glowing string lights at a rustic wedding reception.

A Perfect Spring Wedding in Western Minnesota


The Heritage Event Center in Taunton is a hidden gem tucked into the heart of southwest Minnesota. With its warm, welcoming atmosphere and beautiful historic touches, it offered the perfect setting for Samantha and Dakota’s celebration. Every detail felt authentic and personal, creating a day full of emotion, joy, and connection.


The weather couldn’t have been more cooperative—clear skies, soft light, and just enough breeze to keep the spring air fresh. I used a mix of natural light and professional off-camera flash throughout the day to capture both the beauty of the venue and the emotion in every moment.

Unforgettable Moments, Beautifully Preserved


From the quiet moments before the ceremony to the laughter during speeches and the dancing that followed, Samantha and Dakota’s wedding day was filled with genuine emotion. The ceremony was heartfelt and beautifully intimate, surrounded by loved ones. And once the music started, the energy didn’t stop.


The food, catered by Country House, was outstanding—comforting, flavorful, and beautifully presented. DJ Sean Frandsen kept the celebration going strong with a great mix of music that had guests of all ages out on the dance floor. It was a true celebration in every sense of the word.

A couple shares their first look moment in a sun-drenched park during their wedding celebration.
A wedding dress flows elegantly across a garden setting with scattered wood mulch and green grass background.
Healthcare workers wearing blue and white checkered uniforms pose together smiling in front of a building.
Newlywed couple dancing together at rustic barn wedding reception venue with exposed wooden beams and romantic lighting.
A romantic wedding ceremony takes place outdoors on a rustic wooden platform surrounded by spring greenery.
A wedding party gathers at a rustic wooden table decorated with lights and floral centerpieces during a reception.
A bride and groom walk hand in hand through lush green grass with vintage black cars visible in the background.
A couple in wedding attire share a playful dip dance pose outdoors by red barn buildings.

Why I Love Wedding Photography in Southwest Minnesota


As a southwest Minnesota wedding photographer, I know how special these small-town weddings can be. There’s a sense of community, tradition, and warmth that you just don’t find everywhere. Whether it’s the history behind the venue, the meaningful details planned by the couple, or the way the whole town seems to come together to celebrate—there’s nothing quite like it.


Photographing Samantha and Dakota’s wedding was an absolute honor. Their love for each other was evident in every glance, every smile, and every shared moment throughout the day. And being trusted to preserve those moments for them is something I don’t take lightly.

Looking for a Wedding Photographer in Southwest Minnesota?


If you're planning a wedding in western Minnesota—whether it’s in Taunton, Montevideo, Marshall, or beyond—I’d love to be considered as your photographer. I specialize in capturing the moments that matter, the ones you’ll want to relive again and again.


You can learn more about my wedding photography packages [insert link here], or get in touch [insert contact link] to see if your date is available.

Wooden benches arranged in rows on a grassy lawn create an outdoor ceremony space under tall trees.
Bright floral bouquets with name cards artfully arranged on rustic wooden boards for a wedding.
Colorful wedding flowers with blue cornflowers and orange roses displayed beside name cards on rustic wooden surface.
Rustic wooden benches line up beneath tall trees creating a natural outdoor wedding venue setting.
Vibrant floral arrangements with blue, red and yellow blooms decorate a rustic outdoor wedding setting.
Vibrant wedding bouquet with orange, blue and pink flowers sits next to a small book on wooden surface outdoors.
Colorful bridesmaid dresses in yellow, blue, purple, green, pink and burgundy hanging on display rack.
Wedding dress and colorful bridesmaid dresses hanging on display rack against orange wooden wall.
Wedding party members in light blue attire gather indoors for group photos.
A group in matching blue and white gingham dresses pose together smiling outside a building entrance.
Rustic wooden beams and warm lighting create an inviting atmosphere in a restaurant interior.
Rustic barn interior with wooden beams and industrial lighting for a wedding reception venue.
Two people in white shirts help each other with formal attire adjustments in rustic wooden room.
A group shares joyful laughter while wearing formal attire at a special event.
Professional dressed in a white dress shirt and patterned tie stands in a rustic restaurant interior with wooden walls.
Close-up detail of a wedding dress showing intricate white floral lace patterns and delicate buttons being fastened.
Close-up shot of hands styling an intricate braided updo hairstyle with decorative accessories.
Wedding party helping adjust the bride's dress in a warm wooden room with natural lighting.
Wedding party members in blue and yellow dresses making adjustments to a white wedding gown.
Three women in formal dresses of yellow, white, and navy blue pose together by a window in an interior room.
Wedding party members in white shirts and dark suits gathered in a rustic indoor venue.
Wedding couple walking together on a sunny day in a grassy park setting.
Beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony setting with guests seated on wooden benches under sunlit trees.
Joyful wedding embrace outdoors in a sunny park with green trees in the background.
A colorful wedding party poses outdoors on a sunny day in a park setting.
Bride holding vibrant bouquet poses in front of red barn on sunny wedding day.
Wedding photos in front of a red barn featuring a white wedding dress against rustic farmhouse architecture.
Emotional moment during wedding preparation as makeup is being applied.
A flowing white wedding dress with lace details trails elegantly across green grass in a garden setting.
Back view of lace wedding dress with flowing train against green garden background.
Colorful floral arrangements and bright dresses create a cheerful wedding celebration atmosphere outdoors.
A tender moment captured in black and white showing embrace with flowers in outdoor setting.
Wedding celebration scene in a rustic wooden beam venue with hanging lights and decorative elements.
Couples dancing and celebrating at a rustic barn wedding reception with wooden beam ceiling.
Black and white photo of wedding guests dancing in a rustic barn venue with overhead lighting.
Black and white wedding reception photo showing guests celebrating in a rustic venue with string lights.
Wedding celebration outdoors under tree branches with guests gathered on a sunny day.
Outdoor garden wedding ceremony with guests seated on wooden benches under trees.
Wedding party celebrates outdoors in sunlit wooded area during emotional ceremony.
Outdoor wedding ceremony taking place in a garden setting with natural lighting and greenery.
Outdoor wedding ceremony on wooden platform surrounded by spring foliage.
Intimate garden wedding ceremony surrounded by lush greenery and natural lighting.
Intimate wedding ceremony moment as couple exchanges rings on outdoor platform.
Outdoor wedding ceremony taking place among trees and greenery in natural lighting.
A couple shares their first kiss during an outdoor wedding ceremony with colorful flowers and guests looking on.
Outdoor wedding ceremony setup with white chairs and natural decor in a sunlit garden.
Wedding guests gather under trees in a scenic outdoor setting during golden hour.
Candid moment of laughter during outdoor wedding festivities.
Rustic wedding centerpiece featuring glass bottles with flowers displayed on a wooden tree slice.
Close-up of hands signing wedding documents on a rustic wooden surface.
Wedding celebration with guests seated at rustic picnic tables in a natural outdoor setting.
Wedding party members sign documents at an outdoor wooden table during a sunny day.
Wedding party and guests mingle at outdoor wooden picnic tables during a casual celebration.
Rustic wedding centerpiece with white rose in glass vase on wood slice with glowing string lights in background.
Rows of chocolate and vanilla cupcakes topped with swirled frosting and chocolate drizzle on elegant dessert displays.
Rustic wedding decor featuring glass bell jars with fairy lights and floral arrangements on wooden display shelves.
Elegant cupcake display with multiple tiers arranged on wooden shelves in a rustic barn setting.
Rustic barn reception venue with exposed wooden beams and twinkling string lights creating ambient lighting.
Wedding reception dinner in a rustic barn venue with string lights and long tables.
A wedding party gathers around decorated tables with string lights hanging above during an indoor celebration.
Wedding reception guests celebrate inside a rustic wooden venue with decorative lighting.
Reception venue decorated with twinkling string lights and elegant table settings.
Wedding reception table with neon lights and string lights creating warm ambiance in rustic barn setting.
Rustic barn reception with twinkling lights and wooden decor creating a romantic atmosphere.
Wedding reception celebration in a wooden barn with decorative lights and table settings.
Wedding reception venue decorated with string lights and floral centerpieces creating a warm ambiance.
Wedding reception celebration inside rustic barn with decorative string lights and neon signage.
Guests enjoy dinner at a cozy indoor wedding reception with exposed wooden beams and string lights.
Rustic barn reception venue with exposed wooden beams and illuminated string light decorations.
Indoor barn wedding reception with hanging lights and guests seated at long tables.
Wedding reception dinner in rustic wooden venue with glowing S&D initials and string lights on walls.
Wedding toast speech during intimate reception dinner under illuminated S&D sign and wooden beams.
Bridal portrait surrounded by white floral arrangements and colorful bouquet against red background.
Colorful wedding party poses in front of a red barn wearing dresses in shades of purple, yellow and blue.
Bridal party in pastel rainbow dresses poses in front of red barn with white trim.
Wedding portrait framed by white flowers against red barn background.
A rainbow of pastel bridesmaids dresses in front of a red barn wedding venue.
Wedding party in colorful pastel dresses posing in front of a bright red barn.
Wedding party in colorful dresses posed in front of a red barn for group photos.
Wedding party poses in colorful pastel dresses against classic red barn backdrop.
Wedding party posed in front of a classic red barn with colorful attire.
Wedding party in colorful dresses poses in front of a classic red barn.
Wedding party group photo in pastel dresses lined up against a classic red barn backdrop.
Wedding party in rainbow-colored dresses poses together in front of a bright red barn.
Wedding party poses in colorful rainbow bridesmaid dresses in front of a red barn on a sunny day.
Bridal party in rainbow-colored dresses poses in front of red barn.
Wedding party wearing rainbow colored dresses line up against a red barn backdrop.
Rainbow colored bridesmaid dresses create a vibrant display against a classic red barn backdrop.
Wedding party members in pastel rainbow dresses lined up against a rustic red barn.
Wedding guests gather on a grassy lawn during golden hour for outdoor celebrations.
Wedding party poses in colorful attire in front of a classic red barn.
Colorful wedding party wearing rainbow pastel dresses posed in front of a red barn.
Large wedding party in pastel dresses and formal wear gathered by a red barn.
Wedding group photo featuring bridesmaids in rainbow-colored dresses against a red barn backdrop.
Wedding party jumps for joyful photo in front of red barn wearing pastel rainbow attire.
Wedding group photo with bright colorful dresses against a red barn backdrop.
Wedding party celebrates with enthusiasm outside red barn during golden hour.
Joyful wedding party celebration shot with everyone raising their arms in front of barn.
Wedding party in colorful pastel dresses poses joyfully in front of red barn.
Joyful wedding party cheers together in front of red barn during outdoor celebration.
Joyful wedding party celebrating outdoors with a red barn in the background.
Groomsmen in khaki pants and white shirts pose in a line in front of a red barn.
Groomsmen in khaki pants lined up in front of a traditional red barn.
Wedding party members in casual attire posed along the front of a red barn.
Groomsmen in matching white shirts and khakis pose casually in front of a red barn.
A group in white shirts and khaki pants poses in front of a classic red barn with white trim on a sunny day.
Groomsmen in khaki pants and white shirts walk in formation near a red barn.
Close up of hands with wedding rings embracing over a detailed white lace wedding dress.
Red barn with white trim serves as backdrop for rustic wedding photography.
A happy couple in wedding attire pose together against a red barn backdrop.
Newlyweds pose together in front of a red and white barn door.
Couple dancing on grass at sunset during their wedding celebration.
Couple celebrates their wedding day on lush green lawn with trees in background.
Wedding couple shares a joyful moment on grassy grounds during golden hour.
A romantic outdoor photo showing two people in white clothing with visible tattoos embracing in a sunlit natural setting.
A joyful outdoor wedding portrait of a couple embracing and smiling at the camera.
Red barn wedding venue exterior with outdoor ceremony setup.
A newlywed couple shares their first dance outdoors near a red barn and DJ setup.
Wedding couple dancing and celebrating with joy during outdoor barn reception.
Romantic moment shared during a first dance at an outdoor wedding reception.
Close-up of couple's hands during first dance, showing bride's floral tattoo sleeve.
Wedding guests embracing during celebration outdoors.

Photography by Novel Images | Southwest Minnesota Wedding Photographer

Venue: Heritage Event Center – Taunton, MN

Catering: Country House

DJ: Sean Frandsen