A Joyful Morning at Bethany Bible Camp

Anna and John have a way of making everyone around them feel comfortable and welcome. Their joy is contagious, their kindness is genuine, and it’s impossible to spend time with them without noticing how much they genuinely enjoy being together. Whether they’re sharing a quiet moment or laughing until they can’t catch their breath, their relationship is built on a deep friendship and a love that is evident to everyone who knows them.

Their early June wedding at Bethany Bible Camp in Bemidji, Minnesota reflected that joy perfectly. With lilacs in bloom and light navy blue details woven throughout the day, everything felt peaceful, intentional, and full of life.

The morning began with Anna and her bridesmaids getting ready together. They sipped mocktail mimosas, danced to music, and spent the morning celebrating the bride. Meanwhile, John and his groomsmen were being exactly who they are—goofy, energetic, and determined to keep the mood light. Between jokes, laughter, and plenty of antics, they spent the morning hyping John up before his first touch and prayer with Anna.

Before the ceremony, Anna shared several meaningful moments with the people closest to her. She first revealed herself in her dress to her future mother-in-law and then to her bridesmaids. One of my favorite moments of the day happened shortly afterward during her first look with her dad and mom. As Anna turned around, her dad barked at her and completely startled her. It was such a genuine reflection of their relationship and had everyone laughing.

After wedding party portraits, it was time for Anna and John to share their first touch and prayer. They chose not to do a first look because they wanted their first glimpse of each other to happen down the aisle. Instead, they met around a pine tree near the chapel, holding hands without seeing one another. As they prayed together, the anticipation grew. This would be their final moment together before becoming husband and wife.

Just before walking down the aisle, Anna’s bridal party, mother, and father gathered around her inside the chapel and prayed over her. It was a quiet and powerful moment before one of the biggest moments of her life.

Photograph of a wedding at Bethany Bible Camp in Bemidji, Minnesota.

Lakeside Ceremony in Bemidji, Minnesota

The ceremony took place right on the shores of Grace Lake at Bethany Bible Camp. Guests sat in church pews overlooking the water as they waited for Anna to make her entrance. When the chapel doors opened and Anna began walking down the aisle, all eyes shifted to John.

His reaction was everything.

The tears. The emotion. The anticipation. The way neither of them could take their eyes off one another. I found myself tearing up behind the camera, and I wasn’t alone. Guests throughout the crowd were wiping away tears as well.

The ceremony itself was incredibly God-honoring. The Scripture that was shared, the worship that was sung, the prayers that were prayed, and the vows that were exchanged all pointed back to Christ and the covenant they were making before Him.

Honestly, I could write an entire blog post about the ceremony alone.

And then came the first kiss.

The joy that followed was impossible to miss. Their smiles were bigger than Minnesota itself as they walked back down the aisle, proudly showing off their wedding rings and celebrating the fact that they were finally husband and wife.

Following the ceremony, we gathered for wedding party portraits. One thing I loved about John and Anna was how intentional they were with the people they chose to stand beside them. Whether they were bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, or personal attendants, every person in their wedding party held significant meaning in their lives. Because of that, they requested that many of those individuals be included throughout their portrait time, and I absolutely loved that idea.

Afterward, we slipped away for couples portraits on one of the forest trails connected to the camp. Surrounded by towering trees and the peaceful beauty of northern Minnesota, they finally had a few moments to simply enjoy being newly married.

Tent Reception & Chapel Dancing at Bethany Bible Camp

If the ceremony was emotional, the reception was a celebration. The reception took place beneath a large white tent overlooking the property, while dancing later moved into the camp chapel.

Before dinner, the wedding party made one of the most memorable grand entrances I’ve ever witnessed. A push-up contest. A nearly fumbled line drive. A walking handstand. More cheering than I could keep track of. And perhaps most impressive of all, Anna carrying John on her back before eventually making him return the favor. The energy was absolutely incredible.

The speeches that followed were heartfelt and reflected so much of who John and Anna are. Friends and family spoke about their love for Jesus, their love for each other, and the kindness and care they consistently show to those around them.

Then came the dancing.

Anna and her dad aren’t exactly the slow-dance type, so instead of a traditional father-daughter dance, they chose a fast-paced polka. They covered what felt like every square inch of that chapel floor and had everyone laughing and cheering. It was the perfect way to kick off the evening.

Even without a DJ, the dance floor stayed packed all night long. At one point, I was genuinely concerned the floorboards might give way because everyone was dancing so hard. And just to be clear—everyone was completely sober.

As if the night couldn’t get any more memorable, a rainstorm rolled in halfway through the reception. When it came time for their exit, rain was pouring from the sky.

Did John and Anna care?

Not one bit.

They ran through the rain smiling, laughing, and embracing every second of it.

Looking back through their gallery, those final images perfectly summarize their wedding day. Joyful. Authentic. Christ-centered. Full of laughter. Full of love.

John and Anna, thank you for trusting me to capture your wedding day. It was an honor to witness the way you love one another and the way you point people toward Christ through your relationship. Your wedding was one I won’t soon forget.

While this blog focuses on Anna and John’s wedding day, I also had the opportunity to photograph a couples session for them on the beautiful island of Maui, Hawaii after they were married. Between the jungle paths, open fields, and coconut trees, it was such a joy to document this season of their relationship in a completely different setting. If you’d like to see more of Anna and John’s story, you can read about their Maui couples session here.