chris + steph | associate wedding | Nicole Marie Photography

9.30.22 MEET THE COUPLE

Explain your love story:

We’ve been together going on 11 years! We began dating right after high school and were “on and off” for a few years, while always keeping in touch. In 2015, we went out for sushi to catch up and the rest is history. After 5 years of dating, Chris proposed on my mom’s (who passed away) birthday in August of 2020 on the Stone Arch Bridge. We started dating as babies (at 18!) and have grown so much both together and as individuals over the course of our relationship and are each other’s biggest cheerleaders.

Go-to date as a couple:

Sushi or seafood then back home for a movie.

Share how (or why) you chose your wedding venue(s).

We LOVED the space as soon as we walked into it! We love the tall ceilings and how much space we’d have, the concrete and brick walls, and the location. We also like that we can have our ceremony and reception in two different spaces within the same location that guests did not have to travel to/from. Chris loves his time up north and his cabin and we drive through Brainerd on our way there every time, so we liked that we were bringing people a little closer to that part of our lives outside of the Twin Cities.

What has been your favorite part of the planning process?

Seeing all of the pieces come together and imagining what it’ll look like on the big day!

What advice would you give to couples planning a wedding?

Try to take it all in, one thing at a time! It’s a lot at once but it’s so fun to see you and your fiancé’s vision come together.

What’s the best relationship/marriage advice you have received?

Never stop dating your significant other! A strong relationship takes work to stay strong and healthy.