True Love Waits

This adorable couple invested 7 years into each other before their wedding day. Proving that fairytales do come true they were finally able to share their first kiss!

Dane and Katie met when they were children when she moved to Dane’s hometown. They slowly became friends and after much coaxing on Dane’s side … they started meeting at the park to play on the swings. We did this frequently throughout middle school when Katie would gently remind Dane how good a “friend” he was to her. After many years and trips to the park, Katie bent down to tie her shoe, when she looked up, Dane’s hand was held out to her and she hasn’t let go since. Even when Katie traveled to Spain and South Africa for short trips, Dane was patiently waiting for her back home. Seven years of dating, countless years of friendship, and forever as husband and wife. We will be going on our honeymoon to Italy in May, after Katie graduates from college with her nursing degree.

Don’t forget the videographer!

We love learning all about our clients so we asked our bride some questions about her big day.

What did you envision your wedding being, prior to planning? We envisioned it being a large celebration of the life we have spent together thus far and our new beginning!

What is one piece of advice that you could give brides-to-be? Everyone says that the day is about you and do what you want, but part of our happiness, is our family and friend’s happiness – and I think that is perfectly okay to do a few things with other’s in mind. Just know your boundaries and if you know what you want, then you have to go for it! This day isn’t going to happen again! Include everyone as much as you can because it not only makes you feel special for having them, it makes them feel special for being asked! Delegation is definitely key here so it is okay to become a little bit of a bossy bride – especially the closer the day comes. In essence, be appreciative and grateful for the love that surrounds you.

My gown was champagne color underneath with ivory lace on the top. I think going back to our antique elegance – the dress fit the style! Katie loved having the train, although it made it difficult to dance.

What was your color palette and your style vision? Our colors were wine and charcoal grey with rose gold as our accent. Our style is not so much rustic, even though we had it in a barn, but I would say we are more antique elegance.

What unique elements or DIY details did you include?We went to goodwill/salvation army and bought a couple hundred china plates for cheap so then each person had a different style of china at their seat. Going this route, we actually saved a lot of money rather than utilizing the caterer’s china. We had family and friends help decorate the barns with stuff we bought from Hobby Lobby that we can utilize in our future home. Dane and his dad had built the riser the head table was seated at so we everyone was able to see the bridal party. Dane also made the “A” that was above the head table with lights inside of it. A final unique detail we had was that they had to come up to the head table to ring a cowbell in order for us to kiss!

Our florist, Celene Holst, was absolutely amazing! We know little about flowers, but we told her we wanted lots of greens and wine colors and told her our style; she went from there! She helped do petals down the aisle, centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres, etc. and was fabulous to work with.

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First Look

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Ceremony

Our wedding favors we decided to buy blankets on Black Friday the previous year. We had a sign stating “To have and to hold &  in case you get cold”. The blankets were in a couple of old trunks Katie’s step-father had redone for us! The extra blankets we are planning on donating to the homeless shelters, so we weren’t upset about buying extra!

What was your favorite moment? Your favorite crafted detail? Our favorite moment was when we did our vows because we had each written our own previously and were excited to share them with each other and our family and friends. It meant the world to us to have everyone close hear us exchange the promises that we intend to keep for the rest of our lives.

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The Portraits

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The Family

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A Special Gift

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The Reception

Our cake was made by Dane’s old neighbor, Heather Holmes, she too was absolutely wonderful to work with! We had a white cake with raspberry filling and she did an amazing marble glaze on top. She even made our cake topper!

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The Cake

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The Dances