THE WILDFLOWERS RETREAT WAS CREATED TO BE A WEEKEND OF REST & BEAUTY FOR CATHOLIC WEDDING VENDORS. CHECK OUT THE WEEKEND PORTION BELOW.
The first wildflowers retreat was immensely successful and I couldn’t have done it without the partnership of Kathleen Kelly and Mary Katherine, my incredible assistants, the photographers who trusted and invested in me, and all of the vendors who supported us. We prayed, we ate, we laughed, we praised, we created, and we lived joyfully together in the most gorgeous house St. Paul has to offer. If you’d like to see some behind the scenes of our styled shoots, check that out here; this is all about the weekend!
SATURDAY
Saturday was the first day of our “rest” portion of the evening. We started off the day in prayer (as we did every day) and then walked to Nina’s Coffee Cafe. Afterwards, we had mass in the Cathedral of St. Paul’s Cana chapel. With an incredible homily by my oldest daughter’s godfather and family friend.
The afternoon was filled with bouquet making, flat lay practice stations, charcuterie, a headshot swap, and a Q&A.
After the Q & A, we had time to get dressed up for an evening of adoration at St. Mark’s, followed by a fancy dinner at W. A. Frost.
SUNDAY
Sunday was the last day of our retreat and one with many sad goodbyes. We woke up, prayed together, had a small breakfast, and headed to mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul. After mass, we had a goodbye brunch at the yummy A Side Public House restaurant. Then we hung out at the Mall of America as people waited for flight times.
Vendors
Planning: Nikayla & Co. & By Kelly Kathleen
The House: St. Paul Mansion
Photography: Mary Katherine
Prayer Guides: Madeline at Ad Porta Caeli
Charcuterie: St. Paul Cheese Shop
Fancy Restaurant: W. A. Frost
Floral: Trader Joes
Brunch Restaurant: A Side Public House
I’m so incredibly grateful to everyone who helped put this weekend together, and I can’t express how much of my heart I poured into this. Sometimes it astounds me how fast strangers can turn into friends. Friends you pray for, think of often, and get giddy at the sight of them, even on social media. People you feel close to every time you go to Mass. Because you see them in the Eucharist.
If you missed Part 1, head over here to read about the styled shoots from earlier in the week!
