Wedding Day

Basilica of St. Mary

Ceremony

St. Paul College Club

Reception

Summer

Our Wedding

Jared and Hanna met on March 15, 2019 while working at Chick-fil-A in Fargo, North Dakota, after being introduced by a supervisor who thought they might get along. However, the two would describe this moment very differently - Jared, with a lovestruck look in his eyes, recounts this as the moment he fell in love. Hanna laughs as she recalls how much she disliked him after they first spoke. He would tell her later how proud and confident he felt after working up the nerve to speak to her, and was shocked to find out he was not nearly as charismatic as he had hoped...

Chapter One - Love At First Sight?

Despite an unsavory beginning riddled with political disagreements, the two became fast friends. Enriched with the opportunity to learn about someone so different than themselves, but at the same time, so similar in other ways. They bonded over a shared interest in politics, even if they were on opposing sides, and vowed that their friendship should represent a new political future in America. A country in which you did not only debate acrimoniously from across a debate stage, or a campaign, but have a respectful discussion across a coffee table.

Chapter Two - Across the Coffee Table

Jared and Hanna's friendship continued to grow and deepen, but opportunity struck for each of them in different ways, which led them on different directions in life quite literally. Jared had graduated from high school and was preparing to head 3 hours north to Bemidji State University, while Hanna was still in North Dakota, gearing up for an intense cycle of college applications. Both suspected that their friendship would not last the distance, or the severe restrictions in time. To both of them, the future of their "best friendship" was uncertain.

Chapter Three - The Northern Expedition  

By some miracle their friendship not only persisted, but strengthened. Jared, in between his full-time schedule as a student and on-campus job, made time to speak with Hanna often. Hanna was so inspired by their friendship and how it had monumentally shifted her perspective, wrote about their unlikely friendship in her Harvard essay. She justified this because Jared was just a friend! She would never write about a boyfriend because relationships end, but friends are forever. And Jared would never be her boyfriend, right?

Chapter Four - Muse

Hanna was still reeling from a breakup with her high school boyfriend, and all the anxieties of the college application cycle which was slowly reaching an end, the world shut down in March of 2020. Suddenly, their friendship - which had felt far enough apart at three hours away - felt even further when the pandemic prevented them from meeting in-person. But, they took advantage of the emerging technologies from the pandemic. And used them to celebrate their achievements, like when Hanna got into Harvard after writing her essay about their friendship.

Chapter Five - Zoomin' Through

In August of 2020, those measly 150 miles, that had felt like so far originally, expanded by a 10-fold when Hanna arrived in Cambridge, Massachusetts to start her first year at Harvard. Jared felt certain that their friendship would come to an end, as she balanced her studies, but instead, it grew. They started "Spooky Saturdays" in which they watched a scary movie virtually each Saturday in October, and they both voted for President of the United States for the first time, creating a fun election night tradition to distract them from waiting for the outcome.

Chapter Six - 1,600 Miles Away

The next sixteen months passed without much change. Jared was head over heels in love with Hanna. Hanna was not. But, in March of 2022, Jared visited Hanna on-campus for the first time, and they went to Salem together. When he left for the airport at 4:00am, she reflected that his departure felt like the world got two shades darker, as if the color had been sapped away when he left. She had never before noticed how much brighter she felt when she was with him, and realized that her campus would never feel the same to her again. Could she be in love?

Chapter Seven - The Moment She Knew

After years of unrequited love, Jared decided that it was time for him to give up so he could focus on the next steps in his life after his college graduation. Wary that she might feel forced to be with him, he did not give her a choice - but rather informed her that he was accepting his fate. Hanna did not like this. Suddenly, when he was almost gone, she realized she didn't think she could live without him. Jared was doubtful - he'd been there for years. He said that if she was serious in a few weeks, they would go on one date and see how it felt. They set it for May 21, 2022.

Chapter Eight - Our First Date

Their first date had been awful. Hanna wore the wrong shoes, Jared made the wrong reservation, and they both hated their food. Yet, they still went on a second to paint pottery together. Hanna planned that one - it was much more organized. But, despite dating, they were not in a relationship. Jared promised he would ask her but wanted to make sure she was still serious. He was sure that she would change her mind. But on July 15, 2022, mere days before she left to spend her summer in Italy, he asked her to be his girlfriend at a beloved restaurant. She said yes.

Chapter Nine - We're Official

Only a few days after officially starting their relationship, Hanna went to Italy, intending to spend the summer there. From the moment she arrived at the airport, everything went wrong. She almost missed her flight, but flew to Minneapolis, and then to Paris, with no spot on a connecting flight to Italy. Then, they lost her luggage, denied her a seat on the connecting flight, and she was stuck in Paris, alone in a hotel for the first time ever. The only thing that made her feel better was Jared. So, on July 17, 2022, she told him she loved him for the first time.

Chapter Ten - To Be In Love

Their relationship remained strong through the summer, the autumn, and the spring, but it also took on a new aspect, as Hanna decided to convert to the Catholic Church and asked Jared to be her sponsor. He agreed, and this decision brought them so close together. They had read the Bible together, prayed for one another and with one another, and had many spiritual conversations. He helped her through the conversion process and was with her in-person when she was officially welcomed home into the Catholic Church on April 8, 2023.

Chapter Eleven - Faithful

From the moment Hanna said yes to their first date, she knew it would lead them to the altar. Jared, who was not very good at surprises, told her he intended to visit her in Washington, D.C. "around June 15." Hanna figured out that he was proposing, and challenged him to do something that would keep her surprised. Jared planned a multi-location scavenger hunt across D.C. with clues to meaningful locations. She did not know at what point he was proposing. On June 15, 2023, Jared proposed to Hanna in front of the Lincoln Memorial. She said yes!

Chapter Twelve - When She Said Yes

The year after they got engaged was filled with big moments - Jared started his dual-degree program for law school and Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas and continued working at the MN Senate, Hanna wrote her thesis and graduated from Harvard, then started working in her dream job for Rise, and they signed a lease. On June 19, 2024 they moved into their perfect apartment in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. Together, they furnished their warm and cozy new home for themselves and their three cats: Grace, Pumpkin, and Nutmeg.

Chapter Thirteen - Our First Place

As Jared and Hanna's wedding grew closer, the health of Hanna's mom, Nancy, who was sick, worsened. Knowing that she might not be there for their wedding, they planned a mock wedding celebration to occur on February 15, 2025, to serve both as a six month celebration countdown and a wedding rehearsal where they shortened an entire wedding morning, ceremony, and party into a few hours for Nancy to participate in, in the comfort of her own home. She passed away peacefully three weeks later. Rest in Peace, Nancy.

Chapter Fourteen - Six Month Celebration Countdown

The most beautiful thing about Jared and Hanna's love story is that it is a work in progress. They don't know how many chapters are left to be written, but are hoping to find out through a long, happy lifetime together. Hopefully, the next big chapter of their life will be at their wedding on August 15, 2025. They are set to tie the knot at the church they first attended on their first date, where they are now regular parishioners. If you're reading this as an invited guest, they hope you will help them write this next chapter and celebrate their Love Story.

Chapter Fifteen - We Do

Our Story

Our Proposal Pictures

Photos

Megan and Hanna met in August 2020 when Megan was assigned as Hanna's Peer Advising Fellow to mentor her through her first year of college.  Their social circles began overlapping, and when Hanna became a Peer Advising Fellow alongside Megan the next summer, they became close friends.  Later, Megan joined Alpha Phi, which was Hanna's sorority, and they became sisters, too.

Megan Songer

Indy and Jared met as co-workers in the Minnesota Senate, where long hours seemed short due to their various discussions on niche historical and political topics.  Indy has always been there for Jared, from drives to the airport, to Jared's short-lived political campaign.  Indy is Jared's right-hand man and the Henry Cabot Lodge to Jared's Theodore Roosevelt.

Indy Smallman

Tegan and Hanna have been friends since sixth grade when Hanna transferred to a new school and found a new circle of friends.  United by their shared interest in leaving North Dakota and ambitious dreams of law and business, they became good friends throughout high school.  Despite being in MA and AZ for the last four years, their friendship has remained steadfast and strong.

Tegan Amundson

Chris and Jared met in college and while they only had one year in-person together, they made one year feel like much longer.  From random three hour drives to Chick-Fil-A, to 3am conversations at work in the middle of January, the darkest nights of the year felt so much brighter. Despite the miles apart, they've maintained regular contact and have felt their friendship grow. 

Chris Opatz

Dora and Hanna were immediate friends when they were assigned to be suitemates during their first-year of college during COVID-19  and quickly bonded over a shared interest in deep conversations, thoughtful reflections, and late-night bubble tea runs.  Their friendship has flourished in college, but has thrived in the in-between periods as well.  With their differences in academic interests, they have learned a lot from each other.

Dora Woodruff

Tryston and Jared met during their first year of high school in Oceanside, California at Speech & Debate.  While they didn't always agree on religious and political topics, they always had friendly and fruitful conversations. Though Jared has not been back to California as often as he would like, each trip back, they get the same meal at the same restaurant they've been visiting for seven years.

Tryston Trejo

Kylie and Hanna have been friends since they danced together in Kindred Just For Kix, where they discovered an unusual connection: they're related (sort of)!  Even though they are only third cousins, these two can chat, tease, and laugh like first cousins.  The two could not be more different in their interests, but they treasure their friendship regardless.

Kylie Vining

Brian and Jared also met at Speech & Debate in Oceanside, California and have always had passionate discussions on religion and politics.  They've bonded over their shared Roman Catholic faith and have nurtured each other's theological beliefs.  Much like Tryston, Brian has made room in his schedule on short notice to meet the two at the Village Pie Shoppe where they all have Fish and Chips.

Brian Sanchez

Kalli and Hanna have been friends since the day Hanna was born - literally.  While Hanna didn't have a sister, she grew up so close to Kalli that for years, you could have sworn that they were related.  From childhood best friends, to possible sister-in-laws (sorry, Kalli, #Janna wasn't meant to be), and now, bridesmaids in each other's weddings, this is a friendship that is bound to last a lifetime.

Kalli Idso

Seth and Jared are old friends and grew up together in Oceanside, California, and saw each other so often that they felt more like brothers.  They met as Boy Scouts in middle school and became Eagle Scouts together later in life.  From traveling the world together, to camping locally, Jared's greatest adventures have been shared with Seth.

Seth Wheeler

Lucy-Mei and Hanna have spent two decades of their lives not seeing the other for 10 months out of the year, and then seeing so much of each other in 2 months that it made up for the rest of the time.  As long-distance-first-cousins, Hanna first studied the French language as a way to feel closer to Lucy-Mei.  Though they see less of each other now than they did in their childhoods, they have an unbreakable cousin-bond.

Lucy-Mei Malgouyres

Justin and Jared met in law school at the University of St. Thomas and Justin was one of Jared's first friends in law school. The two grew closer over the two years and worked together as Murphy Scholars which helped their friendship flourish. While starting a new chapter in his life, Jared was so grateful for Justin's support and friendship and is excited for all that the future will bring for their friendship.

Justin Buehler-Hoard

Chloe and Hanna have known each other since Chloe was born, when Hanna was ecstatic to have a new "first cousin once removed."  Hanna has had so much fun watching Chloe grow up, and looks fondly back when she was a nanny for Chloe and her brother, Bryce, and they read unicorn books together every day.  Chloe, if you're reading this, I did promise you that one day you would know how to read!

Chloe Gylland

Jared and Bryce have only met on a few occasions, but Jared has heard so much about Bryce over the years from Hanna, especially when she was a nanny for him and his sister, Chloe, for a summer.  Jared remembers Hanna recounting how kind, smart, and considerate Bryce was and how wonderful it had been to watch him grow up.  Jared is excited to be gaining Bryce as another "first cousin once removed" once him and Hanna are married,

Bryce Gylland

Wedding Party

Q + A

We encourage guests to stay at the St. Paul Hotel, a historic landmark in the Twin Cities. However, there are many other hotels and rentals in St. Paul and Minneapolis. Please stay where you are most comfortable! If you'd like to stay at the St. Paul Hotel, please use this code while booking (2420004) to reserve the lowest prices for your stay. The code is eligible for use two days prior and two days following the wedding. Alternatively, you may call 800-292-9292 and ask for the&nbsp;Johnson Zimmerman&nbsp;WEDDING RATE. If you need any assistance finding a different hotel, please feel free to reach out to Hanna or Jared and they will be happy to share some more recommendations.

The Saint Paul Hotel

If you will be arriving via plane, please fly into the MSP Airport in Bloomington, MN which is a short distance from the Twin Cities. Public transportation, car rentals, and rideshare apps are available to get you from one place to another. For transportation within the city, and between wedding venues, we encourage rideshare apps or car rentals. For guests who will be driving their own car or renting a car, there is complimentary parking available at both venues.

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport

Travel

If you will be in Minneapolis on Saturday, Hanna strongly recommends attending her favorite Twin Cities farmers market: the Mill City Farmers Market. Some of their favorite foods and products have been found here and it is the perfect amount to do without being too overwhelming. Hanna also recommends the Minneapolis Farmers Market, but it is much larger and she gets overwhelmed with all of the options - if you, too, are an anxious shopper - beware!

Mill City Farmers Market

If you're looking for an immersive nature experience just a short drive from Minneapolis, we recommend visiting Minnehaha Falls! It is great to see the sites, or for a short walk and hike.

Minnehaha Falls

The Mall of America is probably the "when in Rome" moment of visiting the Twin Cities. However, the Mall of America isn't technically in Minneapolis or St. Paul! It is in Bloomington, the same city as the airport. But, if you're looking to shop in the largest Mall in the United States and explore its 520 stores, the specifics of the location don't really matter.

Mall of America®

Just minutes from Jared and Hanna's apartment is the U.S. Bank Stadium which houses the Minnesota Vikings. It also hosts other events, like concerts. While we don't think there will be any games or concerts that weekend, it's worth a check if there is anyone you're hoping for! Hanna would probably skip her own wedding if Taylor Swift played there again.

U.S. Bank Stadium

Also located minutes away from Jared and Hanna's apartment is the famous Guthrie Theater! If you're feeling creative and looking for a show, the Guthrie is the place to be. But, it also isn't the only option for the performing arts. The Twin Cities are home to many amazing artists and we'd recommend many of those places too.

Jared & Hanna

Jared & Hanna

J&H

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception