Documentary Style Wedding at The Lowlands, St. Paul

Hanna and I hit it off right away, and honestly, the stars just aligned. She found me on social media, and as we chatted, we realized we both went to the same college and had mutual friends—such a small world. When I mentioned I was already photographing another one of her friends’ weddings this year, she was like, “Done. You’re my photographer!” And I couldn’t have been more excited. Their wedding at The Lowlands was the perfect location for their documentary-style wedding celebration—tucked near Harriett Island Park and just across the river from downtown St. Paul. It’s the kind of space that makes you want to grab your camera and capture everything—the soft light streaming through the windows made their whole day feel cozy yet elevated. A little grit with a bit of glam. Perfect for Hanna and Brett.

Hanna & Brett’s Love Story

Hanna and Brett’s love story started in possibly the most iconic college setting ever—a party bus. Could it get any better? Brett was immediately dubbed the “quiet, nice boy” by Hanna and her friends. Honestly, that’s a perfect vibe for a guy to stand out in that scene. Something about his calm energy must’ve been magnetic because they hit it off and started dating while at the University of North Dakota.

Fast-forward to post-grad life, they decided to make the Twin Cities their forever home. They’ve always been on the same wavelength, and their wedding day reflected that same vibe: fun and effortless.

Documentary Style Wedding Photos in St. Paul

Hanna and Brett’s wedding was a perfect mix of raw emotion, thoughtful surprises, and fun on this hot August day. It was so hot that we sped through wedding party photos to keep everyone cool—shoutout to Minnesota summers for keeping things spicy! Brett surprised Hanna after their first look with their dog. Cue instant tears from Hanna as she said, “I just love him so much.” And honestly, same—because dogs at weddings? Yes, always.

We ended the evening with sunset photos on Wabasha Bridge. There’s something magical about catching that golden glow over St. Paul, especially when it’s your own city. Watching these two soak in the moment, with the skyline behind them, was such a vibe. This is what documentary-style photography is all about—those authentic, unscripted moments.

Documentary Style Wedding Photographer | Maddi Waldo Photo

Hey, I’m Maddi—your soon-to-be Minnesota or destination wedding photographer. If you’re into Hanna and Brett’s St. Paul wedding vibe, you’ll want to check out Mariya and Quinn’s celebration at the St. Paul College Club—it has that same timeless charm and genuine energy. And if you’re planning your big day for ‘25 or ‘26, don’t wait too long—my calendar’s filling up fast! Click here to snag your spot. I Can’t wait to meet you!