A Night to Remember: Celebrating Kaylin & Noah Mayer at Round Lake Vineyards

Some weddings hit differently — and this one? This one hit straight to the heart.

This past weekend, I had the absolute honor of celebrating the wedding of Kaylin & Noah Mayer at the breathtaking Round Lake Vineyards in Minnesota. A four-hour drive from home, and every single second was worth it. I actually left Friday night so I could sleep in, take in the scenery, and roll into Saturday fully refreshed and ready to make magic.

What made this one extra special? Kaylin is a wedding photographer — someone who knows the ins and outs of what makes a wedding memorable. She and I had worked together before, and for years she told me that when the day came, I’d be her DJ. And she meant it.

When she officially reached out to book me, I was honored beyond words. Having a fellow wedding industry professional trust you with their day is one of the highest compliments I can receive. And I knew I was stepping into something special.

The Setting

Round Lake Vineyards is tucked away behind a tree-lined driveway and framed by vineyards — a peaceful and elegant space that opened up to a reception room with a tiered ceiling and a gorgeous chandelier. At first glance, it looked small, but once guests started arriving, it was clear this place could hold more love and laughter than its walls let on.

It was a windy day at first, and I was a little nervous we wouldn't get to use the outdoor space — but Mother Nature came through. The wind calmed. We opened the doors. And the night just kept getting better.

Cocktail Hour & Dinner

Because I wasn’t covering the ceremony, I had time to ease into the reception. For cocktail hour, I played a groovy, upbeat mix — think classic feel-good songs that spanned decades and genres. Kaylin and Noah wanted something elegant and welcoming, with music that made people feel included from the very start.

Dinner was handled in-house by the venue, and they opted for a private cake cutting — just the two of them, their media team, and a few lucky onlookers — exactly the kind of intimate touch that matched the vibe of their day.

Speeches That Stopped Time

Then came the toasts. And this is where everything shifted.

Kaylin’s dad, Jim, gave a heartfelt speech about a moment with her as a toddler, cuddled up on the couch. As a dad to a little girl myself, it hit me hard.

But what followed was even heavier. Noah’s mother passed away, and while she wasn’t physically present, she was absolutely there in spirit. His father spoke with a quiet strength. His brother followed with a beautiful message, thanking friends, family — and

his mom. Then Noah spoke, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

The love, the loss, the legacy — it all hung in the air in a way I’ll never forget.

First Dances, Deep Emotion, and Pure Joy

Kaylin and Noah’s first dance was tender and beautiful, followed by a sweet dance between Kaylin and her dad. Then came a special dance between Noah and his aunt — someone who had clearly stepped into a significant role in his life. I got choked up announcing it — something that’s never happened to me before.

Noah was then joined by his dad, brother, and new bride Kaylin, as emotions spilled over into celebration.

Dance Floor = Packed

As soon as I pressed play after the dances, the party was ON. I wasn’t sure if guests would follow the couple’s lead — but they didn’t even wait. The floor was already full.

Chelsea from Photography by Chelsea (Facebook Page), who I love working with, let me know she’d be pulling the couple out for golden hour portraits. I told her, “Make it quick!” because I figured I’d need the couple on the floor to keep the momentum up.

I was wrong.

When they came back in, Chelsea and Ben Sanders from Sander Visuals were blown away. The floor was still packed — wall to wall with guests of all ages having the time of their lives.

That Second Dress & One Epic Reveal

One of the highlights of the night? Kaylin’s second dress reveal. She made her entrance back into the room to “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” by ABBA, and I hyped her up BIG. She looked absolutely stunning — again — and made her grand entrance to a sea of guests jumping, dancing, and singing around her. It was her moment, and she owned it.

And Noah? Watching him break it down to Rasputin and other favorites — you could just see how present and joyful he was.

Every generation, every guest, every table — they were all on that floor. We played clean edits, avoided anything questionable, and focused on creating a party everyone could love.

A Firework Finale Full of Meaning

Just when we thought the night couldn’t get better — I asked everyone to step outside. The wind had calmed, the patio was clear, and Round Lake Vineyards had one last surprise: a private fireworks show for the couple.

But it wasn’t just fireworks. It was catharsis. It was celebration. It was every emotion from the day bursting into the sky — from the legacy of Noah’s mom, to the laughter on the dance floor, to the promise of forever.

Thank you. Thank you for your trust, your friendship, and the gift of being part of something so beautiful. I’ll never forget this one. It was worth the drive, the late night, the hours away from home — because the joy on your faces and the packed dance floor made it all more than worth it.

2025 is off to an incredible start, and I’m so grateful to be working with couples like you.

💬 Planning your big day? If you’ve been dreaming of a wedding where emotion meets energy and every moment feels intentional — let’s make it happen.

Click here to book your wedding consultation and start designing your perfect celebration!