Heidi and John’s wedding at the Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo, Minnesota was incredible! These two beautiful souls found each other through the toughest challenges and have built a life of gratitude and joy together. It was an honor to get to know their story, their friends, and document their beautiful day.
How They Met...
Heidi and John met at a 12-Step Recovery Meeting in the Twin Cities back in 2016. They are both recovering addicts and have both been clean for some time. One day, a good friend of both of theirs brought John to a meeting that Heidi was regularly attending. As Heidi puts it: “When I walked into the meeting, I couldn’t help but notice the very good looking new guy. He was so handsome that I even chose a seat near him so I could get a better look at him!” Once Heidi learned about John’s recovery journey and that he was a year and a half clean, she decided to introduce herself during the break. After the meeting, they talked some more and the rest is history! They’ve been together five years now!
The Proposal...
In October of 2019, John asked if Heidi wanted to celebrate their third anniversary by going on a double-date with John’s brother and his brother’s girlfriend in Stillwater. Heidi didn’t think anything of it and quickly agreed. Stillwater is where they had their first date, and ever since, it’s been a special place for them. When the four arrived to Stillwater, John suggested they grab some coffee and walk along the river to take some photos – which is what Heidi and John had done on their first date. It was a beautiful day along the St. Croix, and the group searched for the perfect spot to take a photo with the lift bridge in the background. Once they settled on a spot, Heidi and John posed for a photo. John’s brother’s girlfriend shouted, “Say I do!” Heidi said it, and just as she did – John grabbed her hand, bent down on one knee, held up the ring, and asked her to marry him!
Since their first date and proposal took place in Stillwater, we also returned there for their engagement portraits! Check out their engagement session here!
The Ceremony
For the wedding, John and Heidi were considering an intimate destination wedding, but they couldn’t picture their day without ALL the people that love and care about them. So instead, they decided to have a larger Twin Cities wedding so they could tie the knot being surrounded by all of their favorite people. While researching venues, Heidi and John wanted a venue that had both an outdoor ceremony site and an indoor reception area. When they found the Royal Golf Club, they quickly fell in love with the outdoor ceremony site that overlooked the lake, the beautiful greenery and flowers throughout the grounds, and the modern clubhouse for the reception. They also liked that the venue had a bridal suite and a groom’s room for getting ready. With everything they wanted at one venue, it was an easy choice for them!
Heidi and John were looking forward to the ceremony so much! John even had dreams about lifting Heidi’s veil and seeing her in her dress! For their ceremony, Heidi’s uncle officiated which was very special as he had also officiated both of Heidi’s siblings’ weddings! Heidi and John also made the ceremony special as they included John’s two daughters, Briana and Mikaela. Not only were the girls junior bridesmaids, but they also joined the couple for a special sand unity ceremony as they celebrated officially becoming a family.
The Reception
For the wedding, Heidi and John wanted to have good food and great music – two things that have brought them closer together as they enjoy foodie date nights at the hottest restaurants and loudly singing along to 90’s rap music in the car. The Royal Golf Club catered delicious food and Buttercream Wedding Cakes provided dessert. Before dinner, Heidi’s brother led a dinner prayer that Heidi’s late grandma taught Heidi and her siblings. Every night, they all say the prayer before dinner and since Grandma’s passing, the prayer has become a special way to honor her! After dinner, Heidi and John couldn’t wait to dance and sing all night long with their friends and family as GenerationNOW Entertainment kept the party going!
Venue: Royal Golf Club | Photographer: Jeannine Marie Photography | Florist: Sweet Pea’s Floral | Dessert: Buttercream Wedding Cakes | DJ: GenerationNOW Entertainment | Stationery: Paper Source | Hair and Makeup: Spa Beauty Agency | Bridal Shop: The Wedding Shoppe | Dress Designer: Morilee | Bridesmaids Dresses: Bill Levkoff | Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse | Honeymoon Destination: Duluth, MN
