Prairie Winds Event Center

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Happy Hour

Reception

Fall

Our Wedding

Kelli and Fidel both started working at Marshall’s and Homegoods in 2016. Kelli had started the job to make some extra money while she finished getting her Bachelor's degree at ASU. For the first few months they had worked completely different shifts, they didn't even know each other. Once Fidel started working the closing shift (which is what Kelli ALWAYS worked), they finally had met. However, they both worked in different departments and only talked in passing. For years it was only "hi" and "bye". One night Fidel finally worked up the courage to start a conversation with Kelli while they were working together. And of course, the conversation was food related! As their shift came to an end and they were walking to their cars, he asked Kelli to get something to eat (knowing she was starving). Before Kelli could think she blurted out "SURE!" Once she got in her car she thought, "What just happened?!" But instead of chickening out, she showed up and it was the best decision she had made that year. For the next few months, they spent their time together eating and getting to know each other more. Eventually, the dates turned into movie dates and she was finally able to share her love for High School Muscial and Teen Wolf with someone. Then COVID hit. Being out of work for 3 weeks meant they spent every second together and by the end of that summer Kelli knew he was the one. It had seemed like Fidel was placed into her life for a reason. He knew when she was upset. He knew how to make her laugh until she cried. He knew how to comfort her without her ever having to ask. He became her best friend. They navigated life together for the next 3 years. Between moving in together, getting another cat, and continually learning new things about each other. When Fidel took Kelli to Colorado to propose, she knew he was the one she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Fidel and Kelli look forward to celebrating their love with you all this coming October!

How We Met

Our Story

Photos

Macey is from Dos Palos California. Kelli and Macey met freshman year in a lab while attending GCU. Kelli walked in and sat at Macey's table, and they instantly became friends! Macey had a wild side like Kelli has never seen before, and she quickly brought Kelli out of her quiet shell! Macey is a fun, outgoing, strong loving best friend. Kelli and Macey have been through so much together, and Kelli can always count on her to be by her side whenever she needs her. Even when they lived in different states! 

Macey Gomez

Ashley and Kelli have been inseparable since high school. Ashley was the one that Kelli would get in all the trouble with growing up and that continued through college at GCU. They are sisters. Kelli practically lived at her house throughout high school, and Ashley has been by her side ever since. Kelli can always count on her to be her biggest supporter and critic (only when Kelli needs it!). Even when they lived in different states, it was like nothing ever changed once Ashley finally moved back to Arizona with her husband. Ashley has been Kelli's best friend for 10 years, and she can’t wait to have her help celebrate this beautiful day!

Ashley Woodworth

Kelli helped hire Courtney at Independence Gym! At first, she thought Courtney was going to be another coworker, however, they quickly became the best of friends! They share their love of One Tree Hill, country music, Sweet Home Alabama, and much more. Courtney was the face Kelli saw almost every single day for a year, and it definitely made work bearable! She is such a kind-hearted, loving, hilarious individual and Kelli is beyond lucky to call Courtney not only her best friend but also her bridesmaid! 

Courtney Hurst

Kelli and Jovana met while working at Marshall’s and Homegoods together. Jovana was always scared of Kelli because she was the front-end coordinator that never talked to anyone. That quickly changed once Jovana became one of Kelli's favorite cashiers. Jovana is hilarious, kind-hearted, and so generous. Jovana and her family have quickly become Kelli's second family and couldn’t be more grateful for them. Kelli has known Jovana since she was 16, and it’s been so fun watching her grow and become such an amazing person! 

Jovana Cardona

Jacky is Fidel's younger sister. She is a quiet, yet, outgoing individual who makes sure you always know she cares about you. You can always count on her being the life of the party no matter how she is feeling. She is a big-hearted individual that Kelli continues to learn more and more about each year. She and Chloe and the only ones Kelli has met that can keep up with Fidel's sense of humor and make sure his head isn't too big! Kelli is very excited to have her by her side while celebrating this beautiful day. She is also very grateful to have gained 3 amazing sisters along the way! 

Jacky Cruz

Chloe is Fidel’s beautiful niece. She is full of love and laughter and is one of the most generous teenagers you will ever meet. She lights up every room she enters and is probably the only one that can match Fidel’s sense of humor. It has been a joy watching her grow up in the few years Kelli has known her, and she can’t wait to see the amazing things Chloe does!

Chloe Woods

Hilian Cruz

Eloy Rodriguez

Keegan Staag

Fabian Serrano

José Cardona

Jake Grey

Wedding Party

Q + A

Airports Nearby 

* Omaha Eppley Airfield - 2hrs (132.2 miles) from LeMars, IA.    * Sioux Falls Regional Airport - 1hr 27min (89.3 miles) from LeMars, IA.

AirBnb Locations 

If you are looking to book an Airbnb, you can look at the following areas﻿: * LeMars, IA 51031. * Orange City, IA 51041 (this is the location of the ceremony and reception). *Sioux Center, IA - 18 mins (13 miles) from Orange City. * Sioux City, IA - 34 mins (26.5 miles) from LeMars. * Remsen, IA - 13 mins (10.3 miles) from LeMars.

Inn On Central

Holiday Inn Express

There are 10 two queen beds and 5 kings bed hotel rooms blocked off for our guests under the name “Arens-Cruz”. The rooms are $149.99 + tax or upgrade to a suite $20 more. Check in is 3:00 pm and check out is 11:00 am. These rooms are booked for the 28th - 30th but if someone is looking for earlier, they could work that out too. Please call +1 (712) 546-1700, ask for Donna. She is available Mon-Thurs 8am-3pm (Iowa time - 2 hours ahead of AZ).

Hampton Inn Orange City

We do not have rooms blocked off for this hotel, however, this hotel shares the same parking lot as the wedding venue if you are looking for a close place to stay. With that being said, we can not promise available rooms because we have only blocked off rooms at the Holiday Inn in LeMars.

Travel

Looking for a good cup of coffee? Check out Kelli's favorite locally-owned coffee shop! She has been coming here since middle school with her mom and it is always her first stop whenever she is back home! Make sure you say "Hi" to Heidi when you stop in. She is the owner, and will always welcome you with a big smile! Just tell her Kelli sent you!

Bellissimo Coffeeworks

Since you are visiting the "Ice Cream Capital of the World", you must stop by the famous Ice Cream Parlor! Located in downtown LeMars, you can learn the entire history of Blue Bunny ice cream and how it is made all while enjoying some fun sundaes, shakes, or ice cream cones!

Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor

Most famous hotdogs in the midwest, you must stop in for a Bobs Dog!

Bob's Drive Inn

There are fifty-five ice cream cone sculptures scattered across town! Each standing almost six feet tall. All sculptures are painted and designed by local artists. Snap a picture of all the ones you fine! Below is a link to a map of all the cones located in town!

Ice Cream Cone Sculpture Hunt

Things to Do

Registry

You Should Be Here

The saying goes, “If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I would walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.”   This page is dedicated to the loved ones who are unable to celebrate this day with us. I can only imagine what it would be like to have them all here, but they will all be together watching over us.

James and Lois Arens

Grandpa and Grandma Arens helped show me what love within a marriage truly means. My grandpa suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed on the right side of his body, affecting his speech and ability to walk or move on his own. My grandma lived to care for him. Although I’m sure it was never easy on her, being his full time caregiver and taking care of her kids and grandkids along the way. At a young age I knew the love they had for each other and also saw the heartbreak in my grandpa when grandma passed away. They were reunited in 2013 and I know they haven’t stopped dancing since. I love you both so much, and I hope I’m making you proud each and every day. I know you’re up there having a smoke and a coke with everyone.

Eva Collins

My cousins and I spent a lot of our time with Great Grandma when we were young. My favorite memories were playing cards with her, playing in her apartment playground, and playing with the few toys she kept for us in her coat closet. We always knew where to find them and always knew to put them away before we left. This photo is also a good memory, as it was the last birthday we got to celebrate with her. Our birthday was only a few days apart, so we always celebrated together. I miss her dearly, and I can always see her smiling down on me.

David Hemmingson

I had a couple of photos to choose from for Grandpa Dave, but chose this because this was his personality. Always doing something goofy for a photo. Not a day goes by where I don’t think about you. Mom and I talk about you all the time and share many laughs over all the funny memories we have of you. I always find myself wishing you were standing in the back doorway when I walk through the barbershop door. Leaning against the doorframe smoking a cigarette. Love you grandpa Dave, and things have not been the same down here without you.

Linda Arens

Linda was my Aunt Nana - I know what you’re thinking, this isn’t a real thing, but to me it was. Growing up with my cousins (her grandkids), they always called her Nana. I loved her very much, she was that cool aunt you always wanted to be around. I knew she was my aunt, but always wanted to call her Nana as well - this is where I came up with Aunt Nana. She has been that to me ever since. Never Linda, never Aunt Linda, always Aunt Nana. My favorite memory was her 60th birthday party we had for her right before I moved to Arizona for school. Shortly after that we found out she was sick and I only got the chance to see her a handful of times before she passed in 2017. I miss you Aunt Nana, but I know you’ll be having a smoke and a coke with everyone on this special day.

Gordy Arens

Uncle Gordy was my first guardian angel. Although i was very young when we lost him, there are a few things I do know for certain: 1. He is missed by every single one of us. 2. He comes up in almost every story my dad tells. 3. He’s having a smoke and a coke with everyone while watching us all try to navigate this life without them.