This wedding blog post needs to first start with the backstory of HOW we even got here and let me tell ya, this is one of my favorite stories in my work career so BUCKLE UP. The entire wedding weekend I kept getting asked “so… how do you know Jacqueline and DJ??” and I feel like we have our very own love story…
In 2018, these cuties got engaged in Downtown Wayzata. Coincidentally, I saw it happen from a distance as I was in the same place, at that same time. At this point I didn’t know who Jacqueline and DJ even were (I’ll get to that a little later). Being a wedding photographer who obsesses over proposals and all things love, I naturally peaked over and admired the entire thing as it unfolded. I cheered these total strangers on from a distance. The NEXT DAY, I see their proposal photos in a post on my Instagram explore page (the IG algorithm be crazyyyyy lol) but what I also saw was a COMMENT on the post from a bride of mine whose wedding was that weekend.
“Yay! Congrats you two! Double the celebration this weekend!!” -Kelly
I thought to myself, that’s neat.. I’ll say hi to them and share the story of how I saw their proposal, haha.
Two days later, it’s my couple, Kelly and Tarin’s, wedding. Post-ceremony, they did this fun thing where they had 5 guests/friends with white jeep wranglers take the bridal party (+ meeeee) to Lake Minnetonka to hop on a boat for cocktail hour. Well, Jacqueline was one of those friends who had a white jeep wrangler… and guess who got randomly thrown into her car and sat shotgun?! THE ODDS. Of course I took that opportunity to share with Jacqueline that whole story. Later that night, my bride, Kelly, told me “there’s a cute couple here that just got engaged and you’d LOVE them.” Kelly, GIRL… I KNOW hahah. Later that night, I met DJ and Janet and Jon Fransway (Jacqueline’s parents).
Okay so this story gets 10x CRAZIER……….. A MONTH LATER, I’m at my boyfriend’s best friend’s cabin in MINONG, WI. We’re boating. We see a boat stuck and stranded, waving for help. We approach the boat… only to get closer and realize… it’s Jacqueline and her family????? Mind you, we are 3 hours away, in WISCONSIN… so this is just… NUTS. When Jacqueline and I caught eyes, we were both literally like 👁👄👁. Janet literally goes “Jacqueline… this is meant to be… you need to hire her as your photographer”
And that is my love story with DJ and Jacqueline hahaha.
Moving on, their WEDDING. Holy SMOKES was this day (or should I say entire WEEKEND) a dream. One of my favorite things about destination weddings is that you get to meet + befriend EVERYONE well before the wedding day. By the time the wedding day rolls around, you seriously know everyone. Now what’s better than meeting everyone on the beach throughout the weekend? Driving with half of the bridesmaid squad from the airport to the resort. Let me tell ya, that 2 hour Uber ride came with so many fun talks and life stories (PS Jacqueline you have one great crew of BFFs!!!
February 6 2021 – the day started with some rain only for the clouds to pass in time for Jacqueline and DJs first look. DJ was SO EAGER and ready to see his soon-to-be wife. Their first look was sweet, intimate, genuine, and as a photographer, I could witness so much love between these two as they exchanged the biggest smiles and hug after seeing one another. Their wedding party?! WHAT A CREW. Just when I thought Jacqueline and DJ couldn’t smile any bigger or laugh any harder, being surrounded by their friends did just that. Their ceremony was one for the books… beautiful, to say the least, filled with words and vows that caught family members teary-eyed and friends giggling. Reception – goals goals goals. Straight out of Pinterest for what you’d want a dreamy beachside wedding to look like. Jacqueline and DJ’s vision was unmatched and the vendor team that pulled this all together was phenomenal. Speaking of vendors… to this date, I have never ever experienced a DJ and entertainment crew as great as Sarz Entertainment. When I tell you every single guest (including grandma Nancy!!!) was on their feet dancing from the start of the night till the last call dance, I’m not kidding!!! ME INCLUDED. When I was done working, the gear was stowed away and I was DANCIN’!!! Find yourself a DJ that gets his BRIDE to DJ. Like, WOAH! Those are some FUN photos and quite the memory that Jacqueline and DJ, along with their guests, get to hold on to! This was
Jacqueline Fransway Wedding, DJ Thoma Wedding, Islander Resort Wedding, Florida Keys Wedding, Florida Keys Destination Wedding
