A Love Story in the Sky: Dan & Carly’s Elegant Rooftop Ceremony at A’BULAE, St, Paul, Minnesota
A Love Story in the Sky:
Dan & Carly’s Elegant Rooftop Ceremony at A’BULAE, St, Paul, Minnesota
Captured by Sunset Blue Productions — Your Premier Wedding Videographer in St. Paul, Minnesota
Weddings have a magical way of telling love stories not just through words, but through moments — fleeting glances, heartfelt vows, and tearful embraces. For Dan and Carly, every second of their wedding day was a vivid illustration of love, connection, and celebration. At Sunset Blue Productions, we were honored to provide the wedding videography for this stunning St. Paul wedding, and we’re excited to share every detail of their once-in-a-lifetime event.
As a professional wedding videographer for over 20 years, we have witnessed countless beautiful unions. Yet Dan and Carly’s day at A’BULAE was something special. From the emotional rooftop ceremony to the lively, laughter-filled reception, their wedding was the perfect blend of elegance, intimacy, and heartfelt joy — everything that makes wedding filmmaking our passion.
A Timeless Setting: A’BULAE, One of St. Paul’s Most Stunning Wedding Venues
Nestled in the heart of St. Paul’s historic Lowertown, A’BULAE offers one of the most breathtaking rooftop ceremony spaces in Minnesota. With a panoramic skyline backdrop, it set the perfect tone for Dan and Carly’s heartfelt vows. Their ceremony took place under open skies, just moments before a light rain graced the venue — like nature was giving them its blessing before gently stepping back.
As a seasoned St. Paul wedding videographer, we’ve filmed at dozens of venues across the Twin Cities metro. But few locations provide the cinematic potential of A’BULAE. From the natural light on the rooftop to the modern elegance of the reception hall, every scene looks like it belongs in a film — which is exactly how Dan and Carly’s wedding unfolded.
The First Chapter: A Whirlwind Romance with Lasting Impact
Dan and Carly’s love story proves that time isn’t always measured in years. From their first meeting — 7 years, 3 months, and 15 days before their wedding — their connection was instant. That initial encounter may have been brief, but its impact was profound. It sparked a relationship that quickly deepened into something beautiful and lasting.
Their story is a reminder that love can move quickly when it’s meant to be. As a Minnesota wedding videographer, we love capturing the excitement of couples who know — without a doubt — that they’ve found their person. That sense of certainty was palpable throughout Dan and Carly’s entire day.
Getting Ready: Classic Elegance with a Modern Twist
As the day began, the energy was already buzzing. Dan prepared for the ceremony in a look that was both modern and timeless: a dark green tuxedo jacket with sleek black trim, black pants, and a classic black bow tie. It was a bold and sophisticated look that reflected his personality — refined, stylish, and deeply genuine.
Carly, meanwhile, stepped into a jaw-dropping form-fitting white wedding gown that shimmered with jeweled trim running delicately from the front and cascading down her back. The dress was a perfect embodiment of grace — a word that would come up more than once when describing her.
Before they saw each other, the couple took a private moment to exchange letters. Reading their written words separately, both were visibly moved. Tears were bravely held back, but the emotion was real — and we were there to capture every flicker of joy and anticipation.
These quiet moments — the ones that happen just before the day fully unfolds — are why wedding videography in Minnesota is such a rewarding craft. The spoken words, the trembling hands, the heartbeats before the ceremony — these are what make a wedding film truly unforgettable.
The Ceremony: On the Rooftop with Rainclouds Holding Their Breath
The rooftop at A’BULAE was the setting for a ceremony that perfectly balanced laughter, emotion, and spirituality. Officiated by Carly’s brother-in-law — who did a truly remarkable job — the ceremony brought both heartfelt tears and plenty of joyful laughs. The service was centered on God. God has been at the center of Carly and Dan’s relationship from the start.
As Carly stepped onto the rooftop and began her walk down the aisle, Dan visibly held back tears. It was a moment that left many of the guests — and frankly, us as well — deeply moved. See the Wedding Film to see Dan’s reaction.
The officiant spoke beautifully about the couple’s connection. He reflected on Carly’s admiration for Dan’s kind heart, and Dan’s love for Carly’s grace, intelligence, and “heart of gold.” As a wedding videographer, we’re always looking for these emotional centerpieces — the quotes and expressions that bring the love story to life in the final film..
The Look of Love: A Dreamy Wedding Party with Classic Style
The wedding party looked stunning — and completely cohesive with the elegant, slightly dramatic color palette. The bridesmaids wore full-length black gowns with sparkling details that shimmered in the light, providing a perfect contrast to Carly’s radiant white gown.
The groomsmen matched Dan in classic black tuxedos with black bow ties, creating a sleek, formal vibe that photographed and filmed beautifully. As professional wedding videographers, we know that attire matters in the final edit — and this bridal party absolutely nailed it.
Heartfelt Words: Toasts and Tributes That Brought the Room to Tears
At the reception, the celebration moved inside to the main level of A’BULAE. But the emotion didn’t stop at the rooftop.
One of the standout moments was Carly’s sister delivering a touching toast, where she reflected on what it meant to be Carly’s sister — a role she clearly cherished. Her words were full of warmth, humor, and sincere love. The audience was silent, soaking in every word. As videographers, these are the golden moments — words that tell a family story and build lasting legacies. It was a reception brimming with love — the kind of atmosphere that makes for not only great video but treasured memories.
A Reception to Remember: Dancing, Creativity, and High Energy
If the ceremony was filled with grace and emotion, the reception was filled with pure celebration. Dan and Carly’s family and friends came ready to party — and they did not disappoint.
The bridal party introductions were some of the most creative we’ve ever seen. From silly skits to coordinated dance moves, each entrance had the crowd cheering and laughing. These are the moments we love to capture — candid, unexpected, and bursting with personality.
As the evening rolled on, the dance floor stayed packed. Laughter echoed across the venue, and it was clear that this wasn’t just a wedding — it was a reunion of people who truly loved Dan and Carly and were thrilled to celebrate their union.
From a videography standpoint, these receptions are a dream. Every joyful spin, every heartfelt hug, every shout-along chorus becomes part of the narrative we build for the final film.
Details That Made the Day Shine
The decor was classic and elegant: white roses, carnations, and soft greenery with delicate small white flowers created a romantic and sophisticated look. The tables were covered in sleek black linens, adding contrast and depth to the room. Each centerpiece was carefully arranged, adding beauty without distraction.
The coordination of the day, led by Katelyn Reid, was flawless. Everything flowed smoothly — a testament to the value of having an experienced wedding coordinator.
Photography by Michaela Graw was also on point — capturing beautiful stills that complemented our video footage perfectly. Together, we were able to tell Dan and Carly’s story from every angle.
Why Choose Sunset Blue Productions as Your Wedding Videographer in Minneapolis & St. Paul?
At Sunset Blue Productions, we’ve had the honor of documenting love stories across the Midwest for over two decades. Based in Minneapolis–St. Paul, we specialize in cinematic wedding videography that captures not just the big moments — but the meaningful, quiet ones too.
When you hire a wedding videographer in Minnesota, you want more than just footage. You want emotion. Story. Atmosphere. You want to hear the catch in your voice during the vows, to see your dad tearing up during the first dance, and to relive the high-energy joy of your reception. That’s what we deliver.
Whether you’re looking for:
- A St. Paul rooftop wedding video
- A Minneapolis winter wedding film
- A destination wedding videographer who travels from Minnesota
We’ve got you covered.
We use the latest cinematic tools and techniques, but more importantly, we tell human stories. Honest, emotional, and elegant — that’s our style.
Ready to Book Your Wedding Videographer in Minneapolis or St. Paul?
Dan and Carly’s unforgettable wedding at A’BULAE reminded us once again why we love what we do. Their love, their families, their celebration — it was everything a wedding day should be.
If you’re getting married in Minnesota — or anywhere across the Midwest — we’d love to tell your story.
Visit SunsetBlueProductions.com to learn more about our wedding videography packages, see our highlight films, and reach out to book your date.
Make your memories last forever with wedding videography that captures it all — with heart, elegance, and joy.
Final Thoughts: A Day We Won’t Forget
Dan and Carly — thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey. Your day was a dream to film, and we’re so proud of the story we captured.
To future couples searching for a trusted wedding videographer in Minneapolis and St. Paul, know this: your love story matters. And we’re here to help you preserve it — beautifully.
Contact Sunset Blue Productions today
📍 Based in Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota
🎥 Over 20 years of award-winning wedding videography
💌 Serving MN, WI, ND, SD, IA, IL, and beyond
NOTE: Photos below taken from 4k video frames.
