The Van Dusen Mansion Wedding Reception Photos
We got another fun wedding post to share, this time it’s The Van Dusen Mansion wedding reception photos from Linh and Dang’s beautiful wedding reception.
On Thursday evening, Linh and Dang had their traditional Tea Ceremony at Linh’s parents home. Then, on Friday, their pretty wedding ceremony was held at the Church of Saint Columba in St. Paul, MN.
Linh, Dang, and everybody!
After the ceremony, Joannie and I photographed everyone in attendance on the front steps (above) followed by all of the family portraits at the altar. Then everyone headed to downtown Minneapolis, MN and The Van Dusen Mansion for a beautiful wedding reception, dinner, and dance!
Awesome Couple & Awesome Venue
Linh and Dang in the pretty Bridal Lounge at The Van Dusen.
The weather was very conducive to creating great wedding photographs. A light breeze, low humidity, and warm but comfortable temperatures. Just a perfect summer day in Minnesota! The Van Dusen Mansion wedding reception photographs that we were able to create, both inside the mansion and out, turned out really awesome! Especially the images of Linh and Dang alone.
Linh and Dang on the front lawn at The Van Dusen Mansion.
Third Floor Gallery
One of the coolest inside photos was taken up on the Third Floor Gallery, under a stunning chandelier that once hung in the Chicago State Theater. Our crazy ultra-wide Canon EF 11-24mm f/4.0L USM lens took full advantage of that beautiful room from floor to ceiling.
Linh and Dang share a kiss in the beautiful Third Floor Gallery at The Van Dusen Mansion.
After taking many images of Linh and Dang all over the property, their guests and family were starting to arrive. Our newlyweds wanted to make sure that they got as many photos with their arriving guests as possible. So many of The Van Dusen Mansion wedding reception pictures I took before dinner were taken in the nice natural light on the front steps of the mansion. It was kind-of receiving line style, but looking at the camera. Meanwhile, Joannie walked around getting candid wedding guest photos, and also images of the ballroom as it was getting set-up.
A cute black & white candid photo of Dang sneaking a kiss.
The Grand March
Dinner time was fast approaching, so the wedding party assembled for the Grand March as the wedding guests started to find their way into the ballroom for dinner. It was a fun entry into the ballroom as not only the wedding party, but the parents as well were introduced as they entered prior to the newlyweds.
Wedding Dress #2
Once the first course was served, Lihn and Dang snuck out to change outfits. Both returned in colorful blue Vietnamese attire with Linh wearing a traditional Áo dài. It is tradition to wear this clothing during the table visits to personally thank their guests for coming. Joannie and I followed them from table to table, capturing candid photos of each table of wedding guests.
Linh and Dang’s colorful Vietnamese attire including Linh wearing a traditional Áo dài.
Wedding Dress #3
Vietnamese tradition says that a third wedding dress may be worn. So when both Linh and Dang slipped away for their final wardrobe change, Dang returned once again as “Mr. Bond” in the awesome tux that he got married in. But Linh returned in a cute little white “Western” style dress that I really loved. It featured “no train”, which would make dancing much easier than the beautiful long wedding gown that she married Dang in earlier in the day.
Linh and Dang’s first dance from the balcony of the Carriage House.
The World’s Only Light Painting Wedding Photographers
We will feature that cute wedding dress in the one-of-a-kind light painted wedding photo that we created to close out our coverage. Wait until you see this stunning piece of art! It’s one of my favorite light paintings to date. And that’s saying a lot! But you’ll have to wait just a couple more days. But it will be worth the wait, I promise!
In the meantime, here’s a fun highlight video with many of The Van Dusen Mansion wedding reception photos that we captured from start to finish with this awesome couple, their families, and friends! – M&J