WeddingMagazine

Heidi and David

Dave proposed on a beautiful beach in Panama while we were on vacation in February 2009. It was the most surreal and exciting moment of my life!

When we returned home to San Diego, the planning began. The first person I called was my mom, and we had an exciting conversation about all the location possibilities. But among them all, what stood out the most in my mind was Minnesota in the fall, how much I miss it, and how much I miss La Crosse’s Oktoberfest. That’s why Dave and I decided to have our wedding in my parent’s spectacular backyard in La Crescent, Minn., with family and close friends—during Oktoberfest.

On Friday, the day before our wedding we, along with family and friends, were excited to see the initial Oktoberfest parade and the tapping of the golden keg that kicks off the festivities. Unfortunately, it rained all day. I was nervous, having planned our wedding ceremony outside for the next day.

On Sept. 26, our wedding day, I woke up and ran to the window, seeing fog, but no rain. A few hours later, the sun broke through, and it became the most beautiful day. Our fall wedding day was better than we could have imagined. My mom, maid of honor, and I had found the perfect vintage-inspired ivory lace dress. Dave and his best man wore rich, chocolate-brown suits. My maid of honor had a beautiful, long, flowing terracotta dress. Our fall theme was enlivened with the rich colors of burnt orange and vivid burgundy. My 3-year-old flower girl, who wore an adorable ivory and chocolate dress, dropped leaves instead of flowers.

Dave and I had so much fun that we couldn’t stop smiling. We loved having our bride and groom pictures taken. Our photographer was amazing and willing to climb into my dad’s 1961 Willys CJ5 while he drove us along the ridge road finding great locations for our pictures. He captured every moment and made us feel so comfortable.

Our wedding day was perfectly sweet and, as it came to an end, my parents surprised us with a brilliant, white fireworks show. I was the happiest bride ever.

BUSINESSES: Consumer’s Bakery (Cake), Flowerama (Floral), Raymond Siler Photography, La Crosse Tent and Awning