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Photo by Kate Wenzel Photography
Teresa & Brandon
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September 21, 2013
Teresa & Brandon
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Photo by Kate Wenzel Photography
The bride searched long and hard for shoes that were both beautiful and comfortable
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Photo by Kate Wenzel Photography
The bride’s bouquet was filled with blooms in the neutral tones the couple chose for their big day
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Photo by Kate Wenzel Photography
The groomsmen’s argyle socks added a pop of color
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Photo by Kate Wenzel Photography
The couple’s program alerted guests to the unique musical selection Teresa chose for her walk down the aisle
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Photo by Kate Wenzel Photography
The small beaded bracelet was Teresa’s something borrowed from friends who also wore it down the aisle
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Photo by Kate Wenzel Photography
The groom had the bride’s ring designed from an image she found online
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Photo by Kate Wenzel Photography
The bride’s mother enlisted some friends to help create a cupcake table
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Photo by Kate Wenzel Photography
The couple tempted fate by heading onto this wobbly dock with their wedding party, and they both agree the photo was worth it
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Photo by Kate Wenzel Photography
Escort cards were creatively hung from chicken wire
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Photo by Kate Wenzel Photography
Teresa’s grandfather gathered the wood used for the table numbers from an old railroad fence near her family’s farm in North Dakota
I love you more than _____. That simple phrase has long been a playful ritual between Teresa and Brandon, who started dating at the end of their senior year at St. Cloud State. “I love you more than ice cream,” one might say to the other. “I love you more than the Harry Potter movies,” the other might respond.
But there was one thing Teresa thought Brandon would never say: “I love you more than airplanes.” Brandon is a pilot for Schwan Food Company in Marshall, and on their second date he picked Teresa up by plane for a weekend at his family’s cabin in Grand Rapids. In other words, he loves planes. But on a late-August day in 2012, after four years of dating, he finally said those special words. “He said ‘I love you more than airplanes’ and asked me to marry him,” says Teresa.
As the pair started planning, they knew they wanted an outdoor ceremony. Given their many happy memories at the cabin, they decided an up-north wedding would be a good fit—and might help winnow the guest list. They visited a few resorts and instantly fell in love with Grand View Lodge. “It’s really up northy versus some of the other resorts up there. It’s wooded, and it’s not a huge lodge,” says Brandon. Once they picked Grand View, other things fell into place: the late-September date, the recommended vendors.
The day unfolded with a sunny ceremony under tall pine trees, Gull Lake in the background. The bride wore a romantic lace gown, while the groom sported colorful argyle socks. After the I dos, the 250 guests headed inside Gull Lake Center, where the décor was simple and sweet. “The venue really speaks for itself. It didn’t need a lot. We kind of went for the rustic shabby-chic theme, seeing that we were up north,” says Teresa. That included Mason jars as candleholders, burlap and lace accents, and table numbers made from weathered wood from Teresa’s family homestead in North Dakota. Dinner and the cupcake buffet drew raves, and the night ended with Teresa and Brandon encircled by family and friends for one last dance. Says Teresa, “It truly was the best day of my life.”
Date: September 21, 2013
Ceremony/Reception: Grand View Lodge in Nisswa
Groom’s/Groomsmen’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Bride’s Dress: Allure dress from LeeAnne’s Bridal
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Che Bella Boutique
Photography: Kate Wenzel Photography
Rings: R.F. Moeller
Catering/Cupcakes: Grand View Lodge
Cake: A Piece of Cake Bakery
Flowers: Kate Kuepers of Bloom Designs
Invitations: Minted.com
Ceremony Music: The Lakes Trio
DJ/Photo Booth: Complete Music
Linens/Rentals: Grand View Lodge
Hair: Panache Salon and Spa
Honeymoon: Royal Caribbean cruise
