Training to run a 10K takes a lot of motivation. Emily, who had just gotten into running, was even more motivated to train for hers when Ashley said she would buy her ice cream after she met her goal.
“I definitely was not ready to run six miles, but I sure was ready to go out to ice cream with Ashley,” recalled Emily. “So one week later I ran a 10K. I honestly would have done it the next day, but one week made me seem less eager, right?”
After dating and a California proposal, the Sioux Falls couple made plans to get married in the Black Hills at the scenic Spearfish Canyon Lodge.
“We really just wanted everything to be relaxed and easygoing with as little stress as possible,” said Ashley.
“We hadn’t seen each other’s dresses prior to the ceremony, and we didn’t see each other that day until the ceremony. So after spending most of the day apart, getting to see her for the first time as I walked down the aisle was a moment I will never forget.“
Detail highlights included wood rounds and baby’s breath for centerpieces, which Emily says felt simple and elegant.
“I also loved the flowers at the ceremony,” she said. “Our friends and family put together bouquets for us and they lined the staircase we walked down. They were beautiful.”
A special part of the day for the couple was hiking down to the Spearfish Canyon Waterfall with their photographers.
“We hiked in our wedding dresses/shoes through a muddy trail to get some of our favorite pictures from the whole day. It was awesome,” said Ashley.
But their favorite part was seeing everyone come together.
Ashley recalled, “We wanted to make sure we had time to share such a special moment with a close group of family and friends who had been there to support and love us as a couple.”
Top Piece of Advice
Be true to what you want for your day, and don’t be afraid to say no when it doesn’t line up with your vision. Make it perfect for you.
