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400, that’s the number of sunflowers Shelby’s mom cut, baked, painted and then tied on to the programs, menus and more! Shelby and Kasey got married at The Links of North Dakota Golf course south of Ray, ND. The Links provided such a beautiful native landscape overlooking the bluffs and lake Sakagaweega, one of the most beautiful landscapes in northwestern North Dakota. Shelby and Kasey began their relationship back when we were in high school, I say we because Shelby and her twin brother Chris and I all graduated together, class of 2010! After 9 years these two high school sweethearts are finally tieing the knot, now that Shelby is on her second month of Physicians Assistant Accelerated Program. Kasey is farming with his family south of Ray, North Dakota.
Since Shelby has been pretty consumed with PA school her mom Nancy has taken lead on planning this elegant summer navy and sunflower wedding, full of flowers, lemons, personal touches that created the event of the summer! Hometown Elegance out of Minot, ND helped to bring this vision to life providing decor for both the reception, as well as the ceremony on hole number 13! My favorite part of the ceremony besides the beautiful landscape was how the white snapdragon flowers tied into the larger lace on Shelby’s dress. The stage and archway were custom build by Carl and his team at Hometown Elegance.
Pachelbel’s Cannon was played by a cellist, and violinist as Shelby and her father Dave walked down the aisle. Shelby’s brother Christ and family friend Shellann sang ‘When I said I Do’ and it was beautiful! I got to hear them warming up before the rehearsal the night before and it gave me goosebumps. Pastor Booth, my former bus driver, delivered a beautiful message before pronouncing them, husband and wife. My assistant for the day, Rachel and I then headed for our golf cart to head back to the reception space. Where the catering staff of Hometown Elegance was ready to serve hors-d’oeuvres as the cocktail hour got started!
Rachel and I got the photo booth set up and had so much fun! Apparently, everyone was just here for the cake! Guests were invited to enter the reception space and find their tables. That was definitely the best the cart barn at The Links of North Dakota has ever looked! White ceiling high curtains skirted the outside while in the center of the room at 15-foot chandelier made of fresh greens took center stage over the LED dance floor provided by Imagine Lights out of St Paul, MN. Dragonfly Floral and Gifts of Tioga, sliced over 200 lemons to fill the vases holding up beautiful centerpieces made of sunflowers, daisies, snapdragons, hydrangeas, and wheat, a fresh elegant nod to Shelby’s new role as a farmers wife.
As a photographer, I was pleasantly surprised with how helpful the LED dance floor was Kirk from Imagine Lights set up the first dances with white lights which helped to illuminate the bride and groom beautifully as they danced to the song By My Side. It was the Mother Groom dance that had a few people in tears though. Kasey’s mom Linda shared how when Kasey asked her to pick a song there was one song she kept going back to. Garth Brook’s song The River. She shared how when Kasey was little she use to tuck him into bed and he would want to sing to her, and would always sing this song. Often it would bring tears to her eyes and he would say why are you crying mama, is it because I’m such a good singer! As soon as Jeff and The Music Machine kicked off the party, the LED dance floor lit up with colors, and was packed the rest of the night!
Sunset photos are usually one of my favorite times during a wedding. It’s usually the first time the bride and groom get to get away from all the people and get to bask in the fact that they are now Mr and Mrs, officially married, and this night was no exception! The entire day we were incredibly blessed to have overcast skies a photographers dream on an outdoor wedding day! The sun peaked out just before it set creating those glowy sunkissed images that fill your Pinterest feed! After sunset photos, we headed back to the reception space to cut the cake. Pour some Sugar from Ray did such a phenomenal job! Shelby joked that she only wanted 3 cupcake flavors but her mom took hold and now there were like 12. I don’t know the real count on the number of flavors but I can tell you that the lemon blueberry and lime strawberry ones were amazing and my mouth is watering just talking about them right now!
The night was capped off at 11:30 pm sharp with fireworks over the driving range. Guests watched from the patio of the cart barn as the bridal party surrounded Shelby and Kasey with sparklers. EH Security ensured everyone had a safe night and helped to ensure guests rode the buses home! Congratulations Shelby and Kasey, Dave and Nancy, Jeff and Linda, and thank you again for allowing me to be part of this beautiful, wonderful, joy-filled day!
Ceremony and Reception Venue – The Links of North Dakota
Event Planner – Hometown Elegance Event Catering & Productions
DJ -The Music Machine, Jeff Nelson
Dance Floor – Image Lights, Kirk Holslin
Florist –Dragonfly Floral & Gifts
Photographer – Chelsy Weisz Photography
Videographer – Dave Tengesdal
Cake Decorator – Pour Some Sugar, Brenda Danie
Fireworks -Rob Lowe
Security – EH Security Randall Moe
Follow along on instagram at @chelsyweisz.
© chelsy weisz photography 2024 | design by tonic
Photographer &
Educator
North Dakota
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