WA Frost & Company

Rehearsal Dinner

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Germanic-American Institute

Reception

Our Wedding

ORDER OF EVENTS   Marriage at Saint Clement’s:   3 PM Ceremony 3:45–4:30ish Cookie Table and Receiving Line   Take your time with the cookies and head to the reception when you’re ready!     Reception at the Germanic-American Institute:   4–5:15 Open bar and passed appetizers (No rush, get there when you get there!) 5:15 Buffet 6:45ish Prosecco and coffee (and a song from Joe Andrews!) 7ish Dessert and toasts 7:30ish Dancing on the top floor 8 Late-night snack 9:30 Last call at the bar

Order of Events

Reception Location: the Germanic American Institute, 301 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, MN Time: 4–10 PM Please join us for dinner, and proceed to the reception directly from the church! See the above menu for dietary sensitivity info. No formal seating plan — mix, mingle, and enjoy! Food served on the main floor. Open bar in basement. Yard games outside. Music on the third floor after dessert.

Reception and Dinner Menu

Please note the wedding is at the Saint Clement‘s Episcopal Church in SAINT PAUL on Portland Avenue, starting at 3 PM. (There are other churches by the same name in other cities!) Road construction on Highway 94 throughout the summer may add to drive time.

Road construction and location updates

Saint Clement’s has very limited parking in back. Expect to park on the street and walk a block or two. The Germanic American Institute has a large parking lot in the back and ample street parking close by.

Parking

Please wear what works for you!   “Comfortable elegance” is a possible guideline. This might look like a summer dress with a shawl or sweater. Or a suit/pantsuit. Or dress pants/chinos with a blazer. You get the picture :)  Layers might be nice. The church is not air-conditioned. The reception location is air-conditioned.

What to Wear

Q + A

Ushers and Daughters of the Groom: Audrey and Lydia Benton Processional: Parents of the Groom: Judith and John Benton Step-Mother and Brother of the Bride: Linda Krach and Jake Galt Sister and Step-Father of the Bride: Alex and Fran Galt Matron of Honor and Sister of the Groom: Jessica Kelty Best Man and Brother of the Groom: Garrett Benton The Flower Children: Greg Holmbeck with Polly and Peach Father of the Bride: Robert Kriel

Helena’s mother, Margot Fortunato Galt, adored Graham and was SO excited about the wedding. She passed in 2024, and we are holding her in our hearts during the wedding preparation. We will have some special ways to honor her on the big day… which involve cookies (so many cookies) and pretty roses from us to you, so what’s not to love about that!

Wedding Party

Travel

Welcome to Saint Paul! Here’s a place to find all kinds of fun activities, from museums to outdoor exploring to seasonal events.

Saint Paul Visitors Bureau

Seriously, from breakfast to an after-dinner drink, just about anything you want to eat (or drink!) in Saint Paul can be found here

All The Dining Your Heart Could Desire

Don’t wanna drive too far? Grand Avenue only runs a few miles, is close to the wedding venues, and is FULL of eateries of all types. Just make sure you choose the Grand Avenue in Saint Paul (the Grand Avenue in Minneapolis is more of a haul!).

Wanna Be Close?

Selby Avenue in Saint Paul is another great choice for close-by eating and imbibing. Some charming historic spots here.

Wanna Be Close (Part 2)?

The greatest of our 10,000 Minnesota lakes! If you are staying a little longer, the North Shore of Lake Superior is GORGEOUS at every time of year and especially accessible in the summer. Hiking, kayaking, dining, gazing at this stunning inland sea, relaxing and shopping in Duluth… something for everyone. Remember to book early, locations sell out! The South Shore in Wisconsin is equally beautiful and may have more options available (but still, book early!).

The Big Lake

One of National Geographic Traveler’s “50 Places of a Lifetime,” this pristine wilderness of over a million acres is primarily accessible by canoe. Experience the northern lights in Minnesota’s first Dark Sky Sanctuary (no light pollution— you won’t believe the stars can twinkle so brightly!). Paddling, hiking, and being in nature… if you make the trip, you’ll always remember the adventure.

The Boundary Waters

Minnesota’s State Parks are truly awesome! We’ve bookmarked Itasca State Park, headwaters of the Mississippi, where you can camp or stay in ridiculously cute cabins (again, book early!). Itasca demands a few extra days… but Saint Paul boasts many parks you can access for an afternoon, if you want a little nature boost during your trip.

State Parks!

Things to Do

We have known each other a LONG time… Graham’s little sister Jessica was Helena’s kindergarten bestie! Helena’s first memory of Graham was at Jessica’s sixth birthday. Graham made a “pin the tail” game featuring a drawing of their bulldog Molly. Helena thought that was the coolest thing she’d ever seen. Graham, on the other hand, remembers Helena as an annoying, shy kid with a face full of bangs whose Barbies he would torture. Helena played at the Bentons’ on countless weekends and afternoons. Helena loved the whole family, including the Great Pyrenees who succeeded Molly. Graham named this gorgeous white dog “Shoe Bear”. Shoey’s gentle, massive, kindly presence and beautiful smile made a deep impression on Helena. Many years later, Helena chose a Great Pyrenees “Winston” as a companion when living on her own. At that time, with work and life and all the things, the Benton kids and Helena had not seen each other in decades. One day, Helena was walking her beloved Winston around Lake Como, when a passer-by said, “What a beautiful Great Pyrenees!” Helena instantly recognized the voice as belonging to Graham’s mom Judith! They chatted and caught up, and from this connection, Helena was delighted to get back in touch with Jessica. Some years later, she and Graham went on a winter hike when he was home at Christmas… and the rest is history! Graham and Helena currently live in two different locations. Graham works in Vallejo, California, and Helena in the Twin Cities. We see each other as often as possible and have had some amazing hiking adventures in the redwoods and Northern Minnesota. We’re hoping to live in the same place sometime soon when work permits, but no immediate plans to move. That’s the story so far, and we’re so happy to open a new chapter and celebrate with you on June 7!

Our Story

Engagement photos per Natalie Werness at Bauer Creative

Helena & Graham

Helena & Graham

Photos