Kaitlin and Jake are college sweethearts. They met at Iowa State University eight years ago. As they learned more about each other, their friendship grew over their similarities and withstood their friendly rivalry between Iowa sports teams. When graduation came, Jake accepted a job in Michigan and Kaitlin worked as a 4th grade teacher in Iowa.

After two years of long distance dating, Jake said enough was enough. He moved back to be closer to his sweetheart in the Hawkeye state. On Kaitlin’s 27th birthday, Jake surprised her with the question of a lifetime. He brought her to their alma mater and rented out the gardens where they went on their first date. She said yes during their beautiful private proposal among the roses. 

Through the long distance planning through a global pandemic, they were determined to make the day joyful. The fun friends they chose to stand beside them in their wedding party made sure of that!

The ceremony took place at Kaitlin’s hometown parish of St. Odilia’s Catholic Church in Shoreview. One of our favorite parts after the vows was the unity cross that they put together. It was hand crafted by Jake’s dad!! It is the perfect symbol for what the wedding day is: it takes three. They were two people humbling themselves and becoming one with Christ. The graces they receive in the sacrament of marriage will help sustain them in the trials and uplift them in the joys of marriage. Having that cross to hang in their home will be the perfect reminder of this for years to come.

They made a short stop for a craft beer at Big Wood Brewery in White Bear Lake before heading to their gorgeous reception at the Charleston Event Center. After a truly delicious meal and toasts that had the whole room roaring with laughter, Jake & Kaitlin shared their first dance under twinkling string lights on the gorgeous patio. The colonial style brick was the perfect backdrop for their summer wedding and allowed all of their friends and family to enjoy the fresh air despite the state guidelines for social distancing. In that moment, they realized how everything came together. All of the planning, all of the details, all of their favorite people. And at the end of the day that’s what really matters. Promising your life and love to someone and getting to share that with the people you care about most.

We can’t wait to see their love grow through the years and wish them all the best!