Samantha + Alex | Cozy Winter Wedding

Venue:
Bunker Hills Golf Course
Bridal Shop:
Our Shop Bridal
Formalwear:
Haggar
Rentals + Floral:
Festivities
Hair and Makeup:
Primped MN
Rings:
BR Diamond Suite
Bridesmaid Dresses:
Kennedy Blue

Sometimes you meet the love of your life when you least expect it. And that might even be in kindergarten class! That is where the fairytale love story of Minnesota couple Samantha, a Sales Manager, and Alex, an Electrician, began. And on January 22, 2022, the couple hosted a cozy winter wedding at Bunker Hills Golf Club. Read all about this couple’s dreamy day below!

Samantha previously worked at Walt Disney World and loved reminiscing by visiting the destination often. And when she and Alex began dating, this became a special place for them both. Alex knew this would be the perfect place to pop the question and planned a romantic proposal in front of the iconic Cinderella Castle and the Magic Kingdom. 

The couple began planning a cozy winter wedding at Bunker Hills Event Center in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. “We were looking for a location where we could have an outdoor wedding during the winter, and Callie Kiepke at Bunker was so accommodating and had super creative ideas to help create our vision,” says the bride of their wedding coordinator. 

Samantha began searching for her gown with a few things in mind. “I was looking for a simple dress with clean lines and no beading or lace.” The bride found her dress and veil at Our Shop Bridal and loved it the second she put it on. She was a vision with a Mikado ballgown with a classic sweetheart neckline and a cathedral-length veil. The groom was dashing in a black tux with a sleek velvet jacket and satin lapel. The men in the wedding party wore black suits with satin black ties and boutonnieres filled with greenery, while the bridesmaids wore varying gold gowns. 

After guests enjoyed the cozy winter wedding ceremony held outdoors, they headed indoors for a romantic reception. Sticking to their green, white, and gold color palette, “We selected lots of greenery and specifically winter greens for décor and bouquets, including some white floral for depth,” the bride shares.“We included tons of candles to allow for us to keep the lighting low and intimate.”

Loved ones enjoyed an elegant dinner with a main course choice of salmon, filet mignon, or 3-cheese stuffed shells followed by fudge and almond cake. As for the late-night snack, the couple incorporated their love for Disney. “We created a Main Street USA late-night snack! We had mini corndogs, a popcorn machine, soft pretzels, Mickey ice cream bars and Mickey rice krispy treats!” the bride says excitedly. 

Towards the end of the night, a light snowfall began and so the couple headed outside for a quick romantic dance. The bride says this was her favorite moment of the day, “It was perfect to have a moment just between us during a day of celebrating with so many loved ones,”

Bride and groom stand outside wedding venue as it snows

For those of you who may currently be planning your perfect day, Samantha has some great advice, “Plan your day to be exactly the way YOU want it to be!” And that even though some guests weren’t fond of the outdoor ceremony, “it happened exactly how we wanted it to, and we adored our day because it was about us.”

The bride shares that they spent two weeks in Europe for their honeymoon venturing to Paris and London exploring local pubs and wandering the side streets. “We were able to stumble upon wonderful street fairs, cozy cafes and old bookstores because we had time to explore!”

Vendors Cont.  — Dessert: Angie Sance | Entertainment: Dan Ristrom & The Big Throwdown/Bluewater Kings Band | Veil: Our Shop Bridal |  Fur Wrap:  SissilyDesigns |

 

All images by Gina Zeidler Photography