Minnesota Micro-Wedding | Jay Cooke State Park & Juliane James Place • Xsperience Photography

Bethany and Ryan decided an adventurous Micro Wedding in northern Minnesota was the perfect fit for them. They both love Jay Cooke State Park so they found an adorable cabin nearby, Juliane James Place. It is tucked away in the woods in the countryside of Finlayson and suitable to host micro-weddings. I would love to go back and visit this beautiful property in the Summer or Fall, because even in the midst of April when nothing is pretty, it was pretty!! Ryan filled the fireplace with fresh cut wood while Bethany got her hair and makeup done by Nikki Popp. Then he helped her get into her stunning black gown. They later hosted an intimate ceremony overlooking a pond and ended the evening with dinner with friends and family. In between getting ready and the ceremony, they privately exchanged vows at their beloved Jay Cooke State Park.

Why did you choose a small micro-wedding near Jay Cooke State Park?

We wanted the day to be intimate, a day to really focus on one another. And to keep it true to who we are as not only individuals, but also as a couple. Often times, less is more. We wanted our wedding day to be spent embracing quality time together and with the people who are most important to us as we combine our families.

Jay Cooke State Park is special to us. We shared some memorable dates exploring and relaxing in a hammock near the river there, and look forward to reflecting on our wedding day every time we visit again in the future.

How was your experience at the Juliane James Place?

We loved Juliane James Place, from the coziness of the wood fire, pond in the yard, to sharing our day with the wildlife. It was quiet, quaint and relaxing… the exact atmosphere we wanted and envisioned for our wedding day.

Any advice for engaged couples considering an elopement or cabin wedding?

Follow your gut instincts. It can be so easy to let the influence of what others want or what others feel your wedding day should look like. If the big wedding is what you desire. Do it. If a small intimate wedding is what is near and dear to you, do it!

The small wedding was the best for us. We got to enjoy coffee together in the morning, and even had time to relax and take a mid afternoon nap with each other before the wedding events started. How many couples get to take a nap on there wedding day?! It’s a wonderful memory for us to look back on. A nice SLOW moving morning, enjoying each others company and sharing the excitement together. If we would have had a large wedding with hundreds of people, there would have been no time to stop, slow down, and take in this special moment together.

Europe Honeymoon Plans!!

We are headed to Europe- hand in hand!! We booked a 15 day tour that allows us to explore London, Paris, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands. Hello Eiffel Tower!!!

One of the reasons we chose a micro-wedding was so we could put our money towards a trip of a life time and prioritize our time together. We couldn’t think of a better way to begin married life.