Cindy & Matt – Love Story

Mazeppa Minnesota Wedding

Our Story

We met on the website “Our Time” and in person at Caribou for coffee! After talking and sharing things with each other we decided to walk next door and have dinner continuing the conversation at Applebee’s. The bride decided if this man was willing to ask her out right after work to a coffee shop to meet her in work clothes and no makeup then he was certainly worth a date. From that day on we were a wonderful match and the groom continued to ask the bride to meet at that same coffee shop on the 2nd Monday of every month like when they first met. On 9/11 he met her there with a dozen yellow roses, a card and a cup of French Vanilla latte waiting at the same table and proposed. September 11 as the groom states, now has new meaning. Where were you on 9/11? He says, I was in a coffee shop proposing to you! The couple went to visit some very dear friends in Missouri for a couple of days after the wedding. They plan to take a longer honeymoon this summer by going to Alaska. In the meantime, they plan to continue spending all the special time they can enjoying and loving their family!

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What did you envision your wedding being, prior to planning? We certainly didn’t envision everything we ended up having! We didn’t have much time to plan so our wedding far exceeded our dreams. We knew there would be snafus being it was coming up so quickly but as long as we had each other and our families it would be perfect. The main theme for our wedding was “Families Unite”. We have both been married before and our children and families are very important to us. We were not only marrying each other but our families were all uniting together as one. Our venue Steeplechase was the perfect place for us. Small Chapel area that was turned into dance hall with reception seating attached. They were wonderful to work with and set everything up the way we wanted. Outdoors has beautiful scenery for pictures.

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Family Unity was our theme with our wedding day. The groom made a banner with all last names that were united through our marriage together that we hung behind the head table. We had that same thing with names on the unity candles joining as one. Our Pastor made the service special with the message she shared and the family circle of love surrounding us at the altar. We had our first dance together, then father daughter dance with the bride and her dad, as well as the groom dancing with all 3 of our daughters, we then had the song ” We are Family” playing as the wedding party all circled dancing together with each other. It was a wonderful blessed day! We are so grateful for our family, close friends and relatives who were able to share in our special day by being there in spirit or in person. We love you all!

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What was your color palette and your style vision?We had the plum color for our girls and charcoal gray shirts with black pants and black ties for the guys. The groom wore a custom made gray charcoal colored suit with yellow shirt and tie. We wanted everyone to be comfortable and yet looking nice and matching for the pictures. This is also our family photo!

What unique elements or DIY details did you include?We met at the coffee shop, so having Dierdre from Le’ Petite Cafe with the coffee cart worked perfectly for us! We included coffee packets with stickers saying “Falling in Love” and Perfect Blend with the date and our names. We also had coffee mugs saying “Love Brewing”and our names on by each place setting for guests. I enjoyed the cornucopias with flowers that our wonderful florist made up for the tables and we included fairy lights wrapped up in them so when the lights were dimmed for the dance time they were beautiful. It was a joy to send them home with our guests and parents when over to have them to celebrate Thanksgiving the following week. Very special friend Carrie Rogness played piano and sang God Knew I Needed You, and The Wedding Song for the couple, as well as college friends of the bride all arrived and sang Friends are Friends Forever prior to the bride walking down the aisle.

Tell us about your flowers, your gown, your favors,your cake, etc. Flowers were mostly yellow and purples. These two colors have special meaning for us. Yellow is the grooms favorite color and he gives the bride and only those special that he loves including the mother’s yellow roses. Purple is the brides favorite color and a color that has special meaning from the past as well to the groom. These colors fit well together with the ladies all wearing the purple plum or eggplant color as some refer to on the dresses and looked nice with fall colors blending in the cornucopias on the tables. Our flowers were done so beautifully by Celene Holst from Country Lane Floral out of Kellogg.

What was your favorite moment? Your favorite crafted detail?My husband mentioned his favorite was when we shared a surprise moment sitting together prior to the wedding ceremony. I gave him a card and letter that I wrote to him with the gift of a watch. I wrote a message about spending time together and how it felt appropriate giving him a watch because we actually found each other on “Our Time”. It was Our Time to start spending a life time of happiness together and in reality any time I get with this man is a gift to me.

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The brides elegant gown was made of ivory colored lace with sleeves made of natural color netting and lace from The Wedding Tree. It had a small train with buttons down the back and bustled up for the dance. Shopping for the gown was a very special time for the bride because her matron of honor was her daughter who was recently married herself. She still took time to do details helping her mother for her special day when she had so much going on herself. New son-in-law and a friend were along as well during the final decision time too. Decorating the day prior was enjoyed due to the brides Godfather (Uncle) and wife came from Carolina to help along with parents, children, nephew all went to Tillys to enjoy a meal together after setting up.

Piano player delighted bride and groom with playing music creating a calm atmosphere while preparing the venue.

Our cake was a Sour Cream Raspberry flavor and we had several delicious desserts from our catering company Omar’s Kitchen. Our guests enjoyed apple crisp with a warm carmel sauce, chocolate mocha cake, strawberry rhubarb pie, cherry pie and Pumpkin torte with pecans, The coffee bar went well with the desserts, as well as hot chocolate and hot apple cider that she served. The meal we chose to have them serve was Salmon, Pork, Augrautin Potatoes, Rice Pilaf, green beans, Caprese salad, broccoli salad, Italian pasta salad, and home made rolls. They served the head table family style and the rest of guests went through buffet.

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My favorite was listening to Matt while saying his wedding vows to me. He has a talent for how to word things that makes me feel so special and loved. He didn’t even write it down, just says things from his heart.

Seeing our children and family members each walk up lighting all the unity candles during our ceremony holds a very special place in our hearts. It was a little tricky for everyone to get them in the candleabra without tipping, but they did it! All in all we had 21 candles lit when Matthew and I finally did the unity candle because it included our parents as well and the beginning candle for everyone to light from said, Love Never Fails. That was also part of our scripture reading that our dear friend Jim Rath read for us.

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What is one piece of advice that you could give brides-to-be? Whether you are a younger or older bride getting married to the love of your life you should just take time to stop and smell the roses. Things get hectic with trying to get everything perfect for your special day. You may have spent a year or 6 weeks preparing the details. Just work hard at enjoying the moments with your family and friends.

It doesn’t matter if every detail happens the way it is supposed to or not. The best part is marrying your spouse with those who care about you present. Allow yourselves to share in the happiness and joy of the moment, you get to spend the rest of your life with this person…what a gift we have been given!

 

All of our children, grandchildren, family and close friends made November 18th the best day in our lives to share together with us in our wedding day.

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Please list all of your vendors. 

Steeplechase Event Center-Justin

Omar’s Kitchen- Omar for meal,

Lori and Alexa Feyen with desserts

Country Lane Floral – Celene Holst

Le Petite Café-Dierdre Conroyou

Nicole Hollenkamp Photography

Zandolee Media – Videography