Some people may not believe that whirlwind romance can exist, but it does. It can happen to anyone, any time, any day. Others would think it’s a crazy idea to fall in love with someone in such a short span of time. But I’d have to say “Yes, you can.” I always believed that when two people are meant for each other, no matter what happens or who crosses along their paths, once they find each other, they would know it in a spark. And nothing and no one can ever stop them from fulfilling their destiny of being together forever. Today’s featured couple proves that even whirlwind romances can actually lead to your happily ever after. And we are fortunate enough to have been able to get some details from the lovely Bride herself about how their spark turned to an eternal flame.
What is your story as a couple, how did you meet, fall in love..etc?
Dan and I both education majors (him science and myself math) at South Dakota State University, but our paths didn’t cross. In the summer of 2013, we both returned to campus for an education conference. We kept in touch a little bit with a text message here and there, but that was all. Dan moved away to Denver while I was still at home in South Dakota. We decided to meet in the middle for a weekend of hiking in the Black Hills of South Dakota over Labor Day. Neither of us had any expectations besides enjoying our long weekend away from work. We immediately hit it off and it became clear to us very quickly that we wanted to spend our lives together. Weeks later we were planning a wedding and trying to convince our families we weren’t crazy 🙂
Do you have advice for engaged couples still in the planning process?
Don’t get too caught up in planning. Just pick things you like and let it fall together. Remember that the focus is on joining your lives and becoming a married couple, not the decorations or plans. No matter what goes right or wrong, at the end of the day you will be married either way. That is the real goal.
Did you have a budget for the wedding, did you go over or stay under? Where did you save the most money?
We tried not to get caught up in what you are ‘supposed to do’ at a wedding and just do what was meaningful for us. We didn’t have a DJ, just a playlist on an iPhone. We also didn’t have a cake. We embraced the outdoors and had s’mores and a fire pit. We rented all of our decorations and flowers, and had flowers just for the wedding party and parents. We did no decorating at the ceremony site, as the natural beauty of the outdoors was enough. We also didn’t have programs, just large chalk boards that we wrote important information on.
What makes the two of you a perfect match?
We are both passionate driven individuals who like to learn and push ourselves. We are also rooted in a common faith and belief that in order for our marriage to succeed we need to have God at the center. We love the outdoors and physical activity and are willing to try new things. Our backgrounds in education and both growing up with educators as mothers, we had a shared interest from the beginning.
What was your favorite part of the day?
Taking photos with my groom was the highlight for me. After the ceremony we were both so busy visiting, that taking pictures was really our only time to actually be together all day. Our photographer was so talented, and just a blast all day. We laughed way too hard and were just enjoying the time together with one another and our hoot of a photographer in the hours leading up to the ceremony.
Can you share some tips or tricks that you learned along the way leading up to the wedding or after?
The day is about you as a couple. Just enjoy celebrating with your family and friends. Don’t let the planning or details take your eyes off the real meaning and purpose of your day.
What were the highlights from the ceremony & reception?
Our officiant and musicians were all good friends of ours that share our strong Christian faith, making the readings, music and message that much more meaningful for us as a couple. We also weren’t sure on the origin of the unity candle tradition, and instead washed each other’s feet, modeling Jesus servanthood to his disciples. Since we got married in a state park, one of our menu items was buffalo meatloaf, and during the reception a buffalo wandered by and gave our guests quite a thrill. That buffalo may have been the star of the reception!
Did you have a theme for the ceremony and reception?
We didn’t have a theme. We just tried to be very intentional about keeping things simple and focused on the marriage and not decorations or parts of the decor. Since we were married in such a beautiful outdoor location we didn’t even want much as far as wedding colors. We stuck to gray, ivory and a very little amount of tiffany blue accents, to allow the beauty and color pallete of the natural surrounds to take over.
What are you most excited about for the future?
I am excited to see where we wind up as we learn how to love, serve, and encourage one another better. Establishing our traditions and ideals of our own little family is an adventure I am excited to sort out together.
Vendors
Photographer: Cadey Reisner Weddings
Event Designer:Anna Lynne Claire Reception & Event Design
Event Venue:Custer State Park Game Lodge