Dakota Lodge

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Dinner

Dancing!

Late Night Snacks and Send-Off

Our Wedding

Katie and Steve met through online dating on Ok Cupid. Their first date was Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at Tongue in Cheek restaurant in St. Paul, MN. Steve and Katie hit it off, and made sure to set up a second date, in spite of delays due to a lead exposure response at work and a family emergency for Katie. Eventually, Steve and Katie were able to get together for a second date at the Como Zoo and Conservatory. From there, dates happened more regularly and included various activities such as live music, roller blading, movies, and more.&nbsp; Steve and Katie have been lucky to share many adventures and fun experiences together. These have included travel to state parks throughout Minnesota, trips within the U.S. to San Francisco, Austin, and Colorado, and most recently an international trip to Switzerland and Italy. Locally, they’ve explored live music events from small Jazz clubs to large concerts, checked out museums and local attractions, and engaged in outdoor adventures including hiking, biking, canoeing, and camping. Getting to know each other’s friends and families and working on house renovation projects have been enjoyable experiences as well.&nbsp; Steve proposed to Katie on Sunday, August 13th, 2023 at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge outside Princeton, MN. That morning, Katie and Steve grabbed breakfast at a local diner after camping in a city park the night before. Then, they went on a wildlife drive and saw bald eagles, sandhill cranes, and trumpeter swans and chicks. While standing at an overlook, Steve said, “I like going on adventures with you. In fact I’d like to go on adventures with you for the rest of my life.” Then he got down on one knee and proposed. Katie was very surprised and very happy to say yes!&nbsp; Steve and Katie’s relationship has continued to grow through good times (travel, time with family and friends) and the challenging (pandemic, social unrest, and other emergencies). They are excited to start this new chapter in their story and share it with you all.

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Hotels & Travel

Make sure to make your hotel reservations in advance! Dakota Lodge is located in Thompson park in West St. Paul at 1200 Stassen Lane, West St. Paul, MN 55118 (<a href="https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/parks/Gathering/IndoorFacilities/Pages/dakota-lodge-map.aspx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Driving directions</a>).&nbsp; If you are driving, there is free parking at the venue.&nbsp;If you are coming from the north, take Highway US-52 South to the Butler Ave exit. Turn right onto Butler Ave E, then left on Stassen Late. Keep driving to the farthest parking lot. If you are coming from the south, take Highway US-52 North to the Butler Ave exit. Turn left onto Butler Ave E, then left on Stassen Late. Keep driving to the farthest parking lot. If you are flying in for the wedding, you’ll be flying into the Minneapolis St. Paul (MSP) Airport. The venue Dakota Lodge is about a 20 minute drive from the MSP airport. Public transit from the airport to the venue would not be recommended. Taxis, lyfts, and ubers are available, and many hotels have airport shuttles as well. If you need to book a hotel, it is recommended that you book early as it is a busy time of year with high school graduations and college commencements. Some examples of hotels are below, but you are welcome to stay wherever you like.&nbsp; Hotels closer to Wedding Venue<a href="https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/microtel/inver-grove-heights-minnesota/microtel-inn-and-suites-inver-grove-heights-minneapolis/overview?CID=LC:5b3ss9kd80xe5ox:29697" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Microtel Inn &amp; Suites Inver Grove Heights</a><a href="https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/inver-grove-heights/mspig/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-EX-_-US-_-MSPIG" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Holiday Inn Express St Paul S - Inver Grove Hgts</a><a href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mspmh-courtyard-minneapolis-st-paul-airport/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Courtyard by Marriott Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport</a><a href="https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/viking-lakes-minnesota?utm_source=gmblisting&amp;utm_medium=organic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Omni Viking Lakes Hotel</a> Hotels closer to MSP Airport<a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/mspmlgi-hilton-garden-inn-minneapolis-airport-mall-of-america/?SEO_id=GMB-AMER-GI-MSPMLGI&amp;y_source=1_MzI4MzAyNy03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis Airport Mall of America</a><a href="https://www.choicehotels.com/minnesota/bloomington/park-plaza-hotels/mn273?mc=llgoxxpx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Park Plaza Minneapolis Mall of America</a><a href="https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/msprb-hyatt-regency-bloomington-minneapolis?src=corp_lclb_gmb_seo_msprb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hyatt Regency Bloomington-Minneapolis</a>

Travel

The Twin Cities of Minnesota have a lot of neat activities to do! Some ideas are listed below:&nbsp; Parks, Outdoors, Around TownSt. Paul Downtown (Mears Park, Rice Park, State Capitol, St. Paul Cathedral, Farmer’s Market, Landmark Center, Mississippi River, Harriet Island)St. Paul Grand Ave. Summit Ave. Selby Ave.&nbsp;Minneapolis Downtown (Stone Arch Bridge, St. Anthony Main, Guthrie, First Ave, the Foshay, the Basilica, Target Field, US Bank Stadium)<a href="https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/como-regional-park" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Como Park</a> and <a href="https://comozooconservatory.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Como Zoo and Conservatory</a><a href="https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/minnehaha_regional_park/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Minnehaha Fall Regional Park</a><a href="https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/minneapolis_chain_of_lakes_regional_park/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Minneapolis Chain of Lakes</a><a href="https://www.dodgenaturecenter.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dodge Nature Center</a><a href="https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00154" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fort Snelling State Park</a> Shopping&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mallofamerica.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mall of America</a><a href="https://www.minneapolisnorthwest.com/listing/midtown-global-market/724/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Midtown Global Market</a><a href="https://hmongtownmarketplace.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hmongtown Marketplace</a>&nbsp; Things to Do<a href="https://www.cancanwonderland.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Can Can Wonderland</a><a href="https://www.milb.com/st-paul/schedule/2024-03" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">St. Paul Saints Baseball</a><a href="https://www.mlb.com/twins/schedule/2024-05" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MN Twins</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.visitsaintpaul.com/blog/guide-to-cinco-de-mayo/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cinco do Mayo Festival</a><a href="https://britspub.com/calendar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kentucy Derby celebration</a> Museums<a href="https://new.artsmia.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Minneapolis Institute of Arts</a><a href="https://new.smm.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Science Museum of MN</a><a href="https://www.mnhs.org/historycenter" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MN History Center</a><a href="https://walkerart.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Walker Art Center</a> and <a href="https://walkerart.org/visit/garden" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Minneapolis Sculpture Garden</a><a href="https://www.mnhs.org/millcity" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mill City Museum</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.paisleypark.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Paisley Park (Prince's Home)</a> Live Music, Movies, and TheatreFree Music and Movies in the Parks in <a href="https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/activities-events/summer-activities-events/music-parks" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">St. Paul</a> and <a href="https://www.minneapolisparks.org/activities-events/music-movies/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Minneapolis</a>Live music calendars for <a href="https://www.jazz88.fm/live-music-calendar/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jazz</a>, <a href="https://mnbs.org/blues-calendars/calendar-page-with-html-download/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blues</a>, and <a href="https://www.thecurrent.org/events" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alternative</a><a href="https://first-avenue.com/shows/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">First Avenue and Partner Venues</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MN Orchestra</a><a href="https://hennepintheatretrust.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hennepin Theatre District</a><a href="https://ordway.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ordway Center</a><a href="https://www.guthrietheater.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Guthrie Theater</a> Local Food and DrinkA juicy lucy burger (invented in MN) from <a href="https://www.crnook.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Nook</a>, <a href="https://mattsbar.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Matt's Bar</a>, <a href="https://www.5-8club.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">5-8 Club</a>, <a href="https://redcowmn.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Red Cow</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Hmong Pho soup or banh mi sandwich from <a href="https://iphomn.com/ipho" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ipho</a>&nbsp;Mexican from <a href="https://www.bocachicarestaurant.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Boca Chica</a> and <a href="https://elburritomercado.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">El Burrito Mercado</a>Thai from <a href="http://www.bangkokthaideli.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bangkok Thai Deli</a>, <a href="http://thaicafemn.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Thai Cafe</a>, <a href="https://thaigardenmn.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Thai Garden</a>&nbsp;Italian from <a href="https://cossettas.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cossetta's</a>, <a href="https://pizzaluce.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pizza Luce</a>, <a href="https://johnspizzacafe.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">John's Pizza Cafe</a>&nbsp;Breakfast or brunch from <a href="http://mobile.daybyday.comcastbiz.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Day by Day Cafe</a>, <a href="https://www.hopebreakfast.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hope Breakfast</a>&nbsp;Dessert, Ice Cream from <a href="https://www.cafelatte.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cafe Latte</a>, <a href="https://grandolecreamery.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Grand Ol Creamery</a>, <a href="https://www.connyscreamycone.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Conny's Creamy Cone</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mncraftbrew.org/find-a-brewery/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MN Breweries and Cideries</a> (including <a href="https://www.urbangrowlerbrewing.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Urban Growler</a>, St. Paul Brewery, Bad Weather, Surly’s, Minneapolis Cider Company, and Sociable Cider Werks)

Things to Do

Gifts

Katie & Steve

Katie & Steve

Gifts

If you are interested in making a cash gift you can do so below. If you are interested in giving an item as a gift, there will be more information on the registry list coming soon!