Courtney + Jay

Courtney and Jay's wedding day was one that will forever be a favorite of mine. I waited for a Bride like Courtney for some time and when we met, we just clicked. She has incredible style, and it is so evident that she is completely in love with Jay.

From the Bridesmaid bouquets of olive branches (forever a favorite!) to Courtney's INCREDIBLE dress, the entire day was filled with little details, touching and belly-aching toasts, and the loveliest flowers of late summer. Tucked into a tiny town in South Dakota, it was the most beautiful day for the most beautiful couple.


Creative Partners:: Design/Florals/Planning: Johnny and Dottie | Photography:: BD Design Studio, LLC. | Venue: Buffalo Ridge Event Center | Stationary: Dena Swenson Designs | Music Services: DJ Kor | Lavender Bags: Etsy

 Yes. A Zombie Groom's cake. Jay was thrilled.

Michelle + Chad

I have a confession to make.

 I really love working with out of state couples who come home to get married. Now 'home' can be referred to really any place my clients choose to have me travel, but in Michelle and Chad's case, home is about forty five minutes from my home studio. Michelle's mother was referred to Johnny and Dottie by a favorite creative partner of mine who happens to make THE best cake in the area (almond with raspberry jam anyone?).

The moment I spoke with Michelle and her mother via phone, I knew this was going to be one lovely wedding filled with great design and a lot of love. With that being said, there were a few hurdles we had to tackle in order to pull this flawless wedding off:
1. Michelle and Chad were/are based on the west coast.
2. We were literally designing a wedding at the farm where Michelle was raised, in a back yard that, at that time, was literally dirt. (Transformation on that is forthcoming in the photos.)
3. We needed to create and execute a design and planning within five months. Start to finish. Five.

The design portion was easy. Have Michelle's father install underground electrical, a sprinkler system, load in massive amounts of dirt and trees and sod, install a ten foot high fountain, and paint all the trim on the family house AND trim up a massive grove AND create an entire new driveway for the wedding just for the parking. Check.

Work with the Blake and his amazing crew to install one massive tent, tables, chairs, dance floor, heaters, bars, and linens while I hung sixteen feet in the air installing massive bronzed lanterns and hung from a tree layering chiffon to blow in the Minnesota wind with rose filled glass orbs. Check.

Create a lovely design with my favorite cake designer Angie to whip up while she tucked individual pies into care baskets for guests to enjoy on the car ride home. Check.

Collaborate with the floral team at Flandreau Flower Shoppe during design and oversaw installation to all of the floral work meticulously to the tables and ceremony space. They transformed those tables, friends. Check.

Work with entertainment and lighting extrordinaires Jason and Darnell in making sure the timeline could flow easily for them to bring the party (including a logo on a silo, no joke). Check.

Assist the powerhouse of Chef Dom and his incredible staff bringing in catering onsite and ensure a flawless execution. Check.

Authorize with the FAA to create a firework display within limits of the local airport. Check. Double check.

Hug and watch the magic that makeup and hair artist Angelique created for Michelle, in not one but two hairstyles for the special day. Check.

Ensure a seamless timeline for the talented duo of Justin and Chrissy so bring about these beautiful photos. Check.

The day came and it was flawless. In creating a day like this, it takes a talented village, friends (and an amazing assistant for me!!) and it was one wedding to remember.

So much love on one farm, with the loveliest toasts under one tent. I watched as Michelle's parents took it all in and had their eyes filled to the brim with love for Michelle and Chad, and found myself squeezing their hands a lot that day. So much love on Minnesota prairie.

Design + Planning:: Johnny and Dottie | Photography:: Graddy Photography | Location:: Private residence | Caterer:: Chef Dominique Catering | Cake Designer:: Taylor'd Cakes | Entertainment and Lighting Design:: Energy Event Group | Tent and rentals: Ideal Weddings & Events | Florist: Flandreau Flower Shoppe | Hair & Makeup:: Platinum Imagination

 From dirt...to this. Seriously.

 

 

 

 Again...dirt, to THIS.

 

 

 

We Are Now A Part Of Once Wed!

There are so many exciting things that we are going to share over the next weeks and months, but first off we are completely thrilled, elated, and smitten to be a part of the preferred vendor list for one of our most favorite wedding websites, OnceWed!

One of the things that we have really been working on over the past few months is getting to the core identity of who we are as a company and what we are wanting to give to our clients with their beautiful wedding days. OnceWed has always been an inspiration and a constant cultivation of all things unique, beautiful, and stunning in design. The photography, the design, the amount of love visible in each wedding...we always dreamt of being a part of such a beautiful site.

What makes this even more special for Johnny and Dottie? We are the first Minnesota vendor selected. Blessed. Loving. And soaking in all the goodness that we have been blessed with these past years.

Be sure to check out our page HERE!

 

Bobbi Jo + Ryan || Wedding

There is such a flutter in my heart when I get the chance to see real, true love within a wedding day. The day that Ryan promised his life and love to Bobbi Jo, my heart was fluttering all day long.

 Proof that your wedding day is all about family.

 

Photos of this beauty are limited, but the bouquet included a selection of white dahlias, ranunculus, hydrangea, freesia, Queen Anne's lace, dusty miller, and succulants. It. Was. A. Stunner.

 



 



 

 

 



I felt so amazingly blessed that this family has placed the trust in my services not only for the planning portion of the day, but the floral and design work as well. Hands down, this was one of the most beautiful designs I have ever been given the opportunity to create with a Bride putting complete trust in my vision for her. I truly do have the best clients!

I felt like a kid at Christmas waiting to open the reception doors for Ryan and Bobbi Jo's mothers and the awe and joy that ensued is certainly something that I will never, ever forget. We spent days hanging the eighty glass orbs, installed vases that dripped with white dendro orchids, callas, and anthurium. After this was installed, we hand tied white dendros to these arrangements.
It.
Was.
Amazing.
I only wish I had more detail shots to share of it all!

Custom stationary design was created by the AMAZING Rosann Konieczny. If you have not worked with Rosann before, let me tell you, you are missing out. She not only hand designed the invitation suites and menus, she also hand created the seating chart that was displayed outside the room. Letterpress of the invitations was done by Spark Letterpress.

 

 

Wednesday we will share the beautiful photos of the Mr. and Mrs. that were taken at sunset. They are so beautiful, we wanted to make sure they had a separate post of their own.

A special thank you to everyone involved in making such an amazing day for such an amazing couple.

Ceremony: Church of the Holy Redeemer || Reception Venue: Marshall Country Club || Wedding Planner + Designer: Johnny and Dottie || Photography: Magnolia Revolution Photography || Floral Design: Johnny and Dottie || Calligraphy Design: Rosann Konieczny || Letterpress Print: Spark Letterpress || Hair + Makeup: Sheer Elegance || Bridal Attire: Bridal Accents Couture || Men's Attire: Mister Cool's Clothing || Cake Designer: Taylor'd Cakes || Dipped Strawberries: Sharry's Berries || Music Service: Energy Productions || Videography: Elegant Motion Studios || Linens: Johnny and Dottie || Specialty Sparkle Linens: Linen Effects || Chivari Chairs: Ultimate Events