Willow Brooke Farm

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Fall

Our Wedding

Our story started when we were both out for a girls/guys night out in Buffalo. Neither of us had any intention of finding the person that we were going to marry that night, but crazy how the stars align and some things just happen. We went on our first date the day after to Huikko's bowling alley and pretty sure Alex let Ashley win a game or two. (Such a gentleman!) Throughout the next few years, there were many trips to Colorado, meeting all of the family (on both sides), and miles upon miles put on the Jeep and the Buick traveling from Buffalo to Savage to Cokato and back, just to spend time together. Colorado had always been a place that was special to us both. It was the first place that we had traveled together, a place where we could share our love for nature and the mountains. We found Glenwood Springs, CO to be a favorite place of ours. We had gone mountain biking and spent time in the hot springs there before, and wanted to make another trip of it in September of 2022, this time, with friends. Unbeknownst to Ashley, Alex had another plan. We had booked our plane tickets and our VRBO and had our official 3rd wheel/Maid of Honor- Kara with us as well. We took the Amtrak out to Glenwood and enjoyed our first few days biking around the tiny town, spending some time in the hot springs, going up to the top of Red mountain, and enjoying the views. Saturday had come and Alex's friend/best man- Mark planned on meeting us out in Glenwood. Even though our legs were sore from the first time we had biked up the mountain, we decided we needed to go again so that Mark could experience riding down the trails--or so we thought that was the reason. So the four of us trucked it up the mountain, we got to the top, had our celebration drinks, and were packing up to go back down the mountain, when Alex pulled Ashley aside and asked her to marry him. To say she was excited was an understatement, she was literally jumping up and down with excitement. Then throughout the next hours, days, weeks, months, and years, we were able to share the story of our engagement with our friends and family. But now we get to write the next chapter of our story by continuing that celebration and having the wedding we have both been imagining. (Okay... Ashley's probably been planning and thinking about this a lot longer than Alex has... But you get the point!) But on that note, thank you all for being a part of our lives. Each of you have played a vital role in shaping us into the people we are today. It is our honor to have you be a part of our big day either with us in Red Wing or if you are celebrating from afar. We can't wait for September 5th to be here!

Our Story

Photos

Alex & Ashley's first pup, lover of all things food, tennis ball hoarder, not a fan of baths, cooking supervisor, loves a good game of tug, and really good at sniffing out squirrels.

Kylo

Ashley & Alex's second pup, destroyer of every toy that has a squeaker, lover of snuggles and belly rubs, big fan of cookies and antlers, big fear of vacuums and the massage gun. 

Cooper

Invited Alex to live in Germany after high school, spent 7 months adventuring in Europe. Alan is charismatic, adventurous, and annoyingly optimistic. 

Alan Lehto

College roommate x3, LST sorority sister, daily ice cream eater, CKRI coworker, fellow dog lover that must pet all of the dogs, and best friend. 

Jenna Behnken Resnick

Troy's been a role model for Alex while growing up and beyond. He will definitely beat you in disc golf, and won't make you feel bad about it... some of the time...

Troy Lehto

Housemate, LST sorority sister, Godmother to all of Ashley & Alex's animals, carried the engagement ring up the mountain (master secret keeper), and fantastic surprise engagement photographer. 

Kara Nelson

Met in Denver, spent a lot of time exploring Colorado, its gyms, and its Chipotles. He's a fellow mountaineer who can be counted on for a good time. 

Mark Bacho

Housemate, LST sorority BIG sister, cat lover, master skier, someone who also loves all things Christmas just as much as Ashley, and a great mommy!

Jessica Gunderson

Spent time living together in Evergreen, life of the party. Rob's the go-to brother for a bags partner and crashing at his and Ali's house in Colorado. Thanks again! 

Rob Lehto

Friend since middle school, fellow chips and queso lover, always down for a concert (or a weekend of concerts), can always be found near a body of water (part mermaid?) and can always count on for a fun time. 

Alicia Berkenes

Dan has always been a close brother and always has a contagiously good attitude. Typically a moderator in debates, dabbles in the devil's advocacy. 

Dan Lehto

St Kates classmate, friend since 3rd grade, fellow adventure and Wild hockey lover, always down for a good time and really good at making people laugh. 

Rachel Lachermeier

We all know Ryan... Or at least you will by the end of the wedding. 

Ryan Lehto

Friend since Maddie was born and started daycare, always down for half priced apps, fellow bingo lover, Buffalonian, and a lifelong friend. 

Maddie Kenney

Wedding Party

Q + A

Call 1-800-222-7077 to book a room and mention the Knutson/Lehto room block. Be sure to ask price differences between the Wolf tower and the Eagle tower to determine the best room situation for you! Last day to reserve a room within the block is August 4, 2025.

Treasure Island Resort & Casino

This hotel does not offer traditional wedding blocks, however, they provide a 15% discount for guests. How to book:1. Call the hotel directly at (P: 651-394-0676) and mention the "Wedding" rate.2. Use the direct booking link below. Be sure to book early, as room availability decreases and rate increase as the wedding approaches.

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Red Wing, MN

There will be a shuttle service running between the two hotels above and the venue on the day of the wedding. Shuttle service will pick up from: -Treasure Island at 2:00 PM -Country Inn &amp; Suites at 2:15 PM -Willow Brooke at 2:30 PM -and back to Treasure island at 3:00 PM-back to Country Inn &amp; Suites at 3:15 PM- arriving back at Willow Brooke Farm at 3:30 PM. The shuttle service will resume the circuit every hour between the hotels and venue between 9:00 PM and 12:00 AM.

Shuttle Service

Travel

9 hole course. Fully mowed rolling terrain on gorgeous bluff overlooking the city and the Mississippi. Mostly open with challenging wind and scattered trees. Back nine tees marked with numbered posts.

Memorial Park Disc Golf Course

Bike, hike, or walk the Cannon Valley trail! Bring your own bike or rent from the Rolling River Bike Rental. <a href="https://rollingriverbikerental.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://rollingriverbikerental.com/</a> Just note that no furry family members are allowed on the trail!

Cannon Valley Trail - Old West Main Access

Downtown Red Wing features the World’s Largest Boot, original Norman Rockwell drawings, a huge outlet center, and the most comprehensive selection of Red Wing Shoes products anywhere.

Red Wing Downtown Main Street Shopping

The current Red Wing Brewing Company was founded in 2011 – 60 years after the closing of the last brewery in Red Wing, Minnesota.&nbsp;Our brewhouse is small (3 ½ barrels), even in comparison with the brewhouses of other small breweries in Minnesota.&nbsp;We make about 6-7 barrels (bbls) of beer per week to keep up with a thirsty public.&nbsp;Our beer is produced and sold exclusively at the brewery, which means that the beer in your glass is as fresh as possible.

Red Wing Brewery

Bring the cash! The island is calling. If you're not going to the casino, relax in the lagoon, see a show, go bowling, or spend time at the Marina. There's something for all.

Ashley & Alex

Ashley & Alex

Registry

Your presence at our wedding is enough of a gift, but should you wish to buy us something, we'd greatly appreciate a contribution towards our dream honeymoon.