Wedding Day

Glen Avon Presbyterian Church

Ceremony

Greysolon by Black Woods

Reception

Our Wedding

How We Met the 1st time  Miguel and Allysa first met when they were both around 13 at a youth event in Duluth, MN. Allysa remembers meeting him vividly seeing as she had a crush on him. However, her best friend and now bridesmaid basically said he was “up to no good”. When Miguel came up to talk to Allysa he asked her to play a game with him. She was so nervous she hardly said a word and no games were played.    How We Met the 2nd time  A few years later Allysa went to La Vina to sing for a worship event in Burnsville, MN. Miguel came up to her after and asked if he could play her guitar. She of course said “no”. Then he asked her if she wanted to see the drum set and meet some of the other kids. She again said “no”, thinking “I don’t know this boy”.   Third Times the Charm Soooooooooo much time passed. In 2019, Allysa was going to UMD and Miguel was about to transfer there. They had a mutual friend, Jack Kohaut (best man). He sent Allysa a text with a selfie of him and Miguel and said something like “this guy is going to be working at your Outback soon”. (for context they all worked at Outback Steakhouse). She recognized him immediately and even sent a screenshot over to Donya who confirmed that it was that boy from all of those years ago. Jack said something like “Make sure he has a good time in Duluth” and she certainly did.   She waited for him to show up at her Outback. But he never did. Apparently, he visited it one day and asked for her, and whoever he asked had no idea who she was. He had decided not to work at Outback anymore. Bummer. Eventually, they did meet though.   Months later Jack and a crew full of friends came to Duluth to participate in a mud run with Allysa. Jack invited him out, and then it happened. Allysa ran up to Miguel covered head to toe in mud and shook his hand. That night they all went out to Jay Cooke and played games around a campfire. From then on they were good friends.    First Date  The pandemic hit, and in September 2020 Allysa thought to herself “I should check on my good friend Miguel to see how he’s holding up.” She snapchatted him on September 13th. They joked about how there was nothing to do, so they might as well start a book club. He suggested they meet up tomorrow and go to the local bookstore (masks on of course). He picked her up the next day and when they got to the bookstore it was closed. Miguely slyly suggested dinner at OMC. They hit it off. For the first time, they were seeing each other as more than friends. Miguel described horrid scenes from Steven King and Allysa wore some old boots she got for 2 dollars. He almost didn’t go out with her again just because of that. They spent the whole evening talking and laughing and not much has changed since then. And not very many books were read after all.   Made it Official  They didn’t make it official for quite some time as Miguel was all in, and Allysa remained nervous about everything and anything. She was head over heels, and that felt scary. How could she give up on being Ms. Independent??? After several months of talking, not talking, just “friends”, not friends, they finally got together. January 22nd, 2021 Allysa showed up at Miguel’s with a surprise of a ton of movie snacks, and he, anticipating she had a surprise for him, showed up with roses. It was so blatantly obvious they were supposed to be together that they made it official.

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Allysa's little sister who had to share a room with her and listen to her talk in her sleep for over 10 years.

Emily Geer

Samantha has always been Miguel's supportive older sister and an inspiration for his art and music. 

Samantha Schmidel 

The most sassy person Allysa has ever met. Allysa's good friend of 12 years who was there the first day the couple met.

Donya Stromgren 

Allysa's friend and old roommate who taught Allysa that you do have to clean out your microwave every once in a while, and that meals should consist of more than just black beans in a cup.

Megan O'Brien

Allysa's friend, bandmate, and travel buddy. Inseparable throughout college and now they are long-distance buddies who often refer to each other as "fishy".

Natalie Pierce

A good friend of the couple who was there for many of the beginnings of their relationship. Always down for an adventure and a good laugh. 

Kimbra Kohaut 

Jack Kohaut introduced the couple never seeing it as a possibility that they would get together. He was a great friend to both Allysa & Miguel long before they knew eachother. 

Jack Kohaut

Lucas and Miguel met in college and quickly became good friends. He's always there for a laugh and a good time. 

Lucas Pearson

Allysa's younger brother who she used to make get her water all of the time, and who would always make her pork chops at midnight. That's Miguel's job now! 

Glenn Geer

Yome has quickly become friends with Allysa & Miguel ever since he started dating the one and only Donya Stromgren. Yome is not only incredibly kind and generous but also plays a lot of video games with Miguel.

Yome Hailu

Herron & Miguel met when they were 13 years old. Miguel moved to Minnesota in Middle School, and he was lucky to have Herron to rely on ever since. She is a weightlifting pro and a supportive buddy for life. 

Herron Bartz

Allison and Miguel go way back to 2018. She has been someone who the couple spends a lot of time with! She's really the mom of the friend group. 

Allison Aadland

Q + A

Celebrate the union of love at the exquisite Radisson Hotel in Duluth, where elegance meets comfort for an unforgettable wedding experience. Nestled in the heart of the city, our hotel offers a perfect blend of modern amenities and timeless charm. As guests of the Aviles/Geer Wedding, immerse yourselves in luxury with spacious rooms designed to ensure relaxation after the festivities. Enjoy stunning views of Lake Superior or explore nearby attractions, from scenic parks to vibrant downtown shops. To enhance your stay, book by May 28th to secure a special discounted rate of $229 per night. Let us be part of your memorable journey as you create cherished moments with loved ones.

Radisson Hotel Duluth Harborview

Welcome to the Geer/Aviles Wedding celebration at La Quinta Inn in charming Duluth! We’re thrilled to invite you to join us for this joyous occasion. Our hotel offers a perfect blend of comfort and convenience for your stay. As a special offer for our wedding guests, weve secured a discounted rate of $241 per night when you book by May 28th. Experience relaxation and tranquility in our well-appointed rooms, and take advantage of our convenient location to explore all that Duluth has to offer. We can’t wait to create unforgettable memories with you during this special time. Book your stay today and get ready to celebrate love, laughter, and happily ever after at La Quinta Inn, Duluth.

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Duluth

Travel

Stroll along the iconic Canal Park area, where you can enjoy scenic views of Lake Superior, visit unique shops, and dine at waterfront restaurants.

Canal Park

Catch the Aerial Lift Bridge in action as it raises and lowers for passing ships. It's a must-see landmark in Duluth.

Aerial Lift Bridge

Enjoy hiking in this beautiful park where Allysa used to work! There is also a playground for the kiddos to enjoy.

Chester Bowl Improvement Club

Hike or drive up to Enger Park for panoramic views of Duluth, Lake Superior, and the St. Louis River. Don't forget to climb the Enger Tower for even better view.

Enger Park

Tour this historic mansion and its stunning gardens overlooking Lake Superior. It's a beautiful spot for photos and to learn about Duluth's wealthy past.

Glensheen Mansion

Take a leisurely train ride along Lake Superior's North Shore, enjoying picturesque landscapes and historic narration along the way.

North Shore Scenic Railroad

Check out this smokehouse where we had our first date. It's only open for dinner! During the day I would suggest their other restaurant, the Corktown Deli.

OMC Smokehouse

Peruse a creative and quant little bookstore that Miguel and Allysa used to walk to frequently.