A Rustic, Romantic Wedding at Five Lakes Resort in Frazee, Minnesota

Despite first meeting in the third grade, newlyweds Amanda Sigurdson (26 and a merchandise planning manager) and Grant Larson (26 and a medical student) didn't begin dating until their senior year of high school. When the time came for a proposal, Grant waited for the perfect moment while visiting Franklin Lake. "He proposed on a pontoon in the middle of the lake where his parents have a cabin," Amanda says. "We both love to slalom ski, so we went out for an evening cruise and he strategically stopped the pontoon in the middle of his slalom ski course and got down on one knee. It was the perfect moment!" For their July wedding in Frazee, the couple quickly settled on the Five Lakes Resort as both their ceremony and reception venue. "Grant and I both grew up going to our lake cabins every weekend in the summer, so the Detroit Lakes have a special place in our hearts," Amanda says. "When we came across Five Lakes Resort, we knew it was perfect for us since it was a private venue on the lake that allowed us to have an outdoor ceremony." With the help of her mother, resort wedding coordinator Marlette Otto and Lori Velde from I Do by Lori, the bride pulled off a rustic, romantic f?te filled with elegant touches. "We kept our tables simple, since the barn itself already had so much natural character," Amanda explains. "We had large floral arrangements spread out throughout the room along with mercury glass and crystal pave votives. We even hung lanterns under the large barn window upstairs in the reception area." K's Bakery in Fargo created the couple's romantic, flower-filled cake along with pink cupcakes that guests enjoyed along with dinner and cocktails. "We passed out drink koozies as favors and displayed them in a wicker basket for guests to grab, the bride explains. "We knew they'd get used and we thought they were so fun!" As for wedding advice for future brides, Amanda advises to book vendors quickly. "We were fortunate enough to work with fabulous vendors for everything we did," she explains. "However, if you're getting married in the Detroit Lakes area in the summer, I recommend reaching out to your vendors as early as possible. It's a popular area for weddings in the summer and vendors get booked quickly!"