Greysolon by Black Woods

Best Day Ever

Ceremony

Social Hour

Reception

Our Wedding

Jacob’s Version

Jacob and Leah attended the same schools in Waseca and were in the same grade. While Jacob excelled in sports as the captain of the football and basketball teams, Leah excelled in the classroom. During high school, Jacob and Leah had a few classes together, but they never connected like they would in the future. Jacob was focused on sports, Xbox, and giving his mom many gray hairs by going out with friends every weekend. Leah, however, spent most of her time studying, baking, caring for her dogs and cats, and being the World’s Greatest Sister. Despite their differences in high school, they both attended colleges in Duluth on scholarships. Jacob accepted a scholarship to play football for UMD, and Leah accepted an academic scholarship to study nursing at the College of Saint Scholastica. During their freshman year, Jacob reached out to Leah, and they chatted—but Leah already had a boyfriend. A couple years later, Jacob reached out again, but Leah ​still​ had a boyfriend. They finally began talking at the right time when Leah was graduating college. On her graduation day, Leah forgot to ask her family to help move her bed from her apartment to her new place, so she asked Jacob. He happily obliged, thinking he had a date, while Leah was just happy to have somewhere to sleep in her house. But over the next month, Jacob and Leah continued to spend time with each other, which eventually turned into real dates that included hiking, long walks, new restaurants, a beer or four, and flowers. Jacob asked Leah to be his girlfriend in June of 2016, and they continued adventuring all summer long. Their little family grew by one when Leah adopted Cedric the Christmas Kitten, who quickly became the center of attention in their relationship. When the next year came around, Leah and Jacob decided they wanted to live together, so they did for three wonderful years. In that time, their little family grew by another fur baby when they adopted Maisy Minerva, the most adorable black cat. On December 23, 2019, Jacob proposed to Leah. She said yes, along with some other words! The couple began searching for their first home, and they moved into the perfect one in February of 2020. Jacob and Leah continue to write their story and are so happy to have you in it. They can’t wait to celebrate with you all on April 30, 2021!

Leah’s Version

I remember recognizing Jacob in elementary school. He was the tall boy whose second grade classroom was across the hall from mine. In third grade, I was worried about learning how to keep up in Phy. Ed., square dancing with the tall boy who was double my height. Jacob says he remembers me as the girl who always had a book in her hands. We each had our own group of friends while we grew up in Waseca, and our families lived on different sides of town. But even though we didn’t know each other very well, we definitely remembered each other. Years after we graduated high school together, Jacob reached out just before my college graduation. He was completing a Bachelors in Secondary Education at UMD, and I was finishing my Bachelors of Nursing at St. Scholastica. It was so easy talking with someone from the same hometown who had also fallen in love with beautiful Duluth, Minnesota. When my graduation day finally came, I had the bright idea of moving right before the ceremony. My family came to celebrate, but after they left, I realized I still needed help moving my mattress. So I asked Jacob. And while I thought I was trading moving help with a beer, it turned out to be our first date! Fast forward through three years of Mario Kart tournaments, spending time with our families, moving in together, beginning our careers, and adding Cedric and Maisy to our little family, I started to drop a couple (or ten) hints. Jacob proposed December 23rd, 2019, and I said “Yes!” along with a couple other words... We cannot wait to celebrate our wedding with our family and friends April 30th, 2021!

Our Story

Sheraton Duluth Hotel is centrally located in Duluth and is walking distance from Fond-du-Luth Casino and close to Canal Park. This hotel is within close proximity of S.S. William A. Irvin Ore Boat Museum and Great Lakes Aquarium. Make yourself at home in one of the 147 air-conditioned rooms featuring plasma televisions. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming provides entertainment. Partially open bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided daily. Don't miss out on the many recreational opportunities, including an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a 24-hour fitness center. This hotel also features complimentary wireless Internet access, gift shops/newsstands, and wedding services. Guests can catch a ride to nearby destinations on the complimentary area shuttle. Satisfy your appetite at the hotel's restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or stay in and take advantage of room service (during limited hours). Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge. With our Wedding Block: Rooms must be booked before 3/30/2021.

Sheraton Duluth Hotel

Travel

Enger Trail & Observation Hill: Trailhead

Blacklist Brewing Co.

Great Lakes Aquarium

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Things to Do

Her Girls

Leah's wine, pizza and wing sharing, sit on the kitchen floor catching up, more like a sister, best friend. 

Kaitie Selleck

Leah's go-to adventure buddy, keeps her centered and put together while making her laugh until she's crying, sister! <3

Ireland O'Gara

Leah's best friend from nursing school and through everything else life has brought them! The friend that became family.

Hannah Hayes

Leah's cat loving, joy sparking, world's best hugging, sister <3

Marla Wagner

Leah's sister! The best Mario Party player and the little sister Jacob didn't know he wanted.

Anna Wagner

Jacob's sister, Leah's soon to be sister <3

Jenny Benzel

This beautiful soul is Leah's sister! We are so lucky and thankful to have her capture our wedding day. 

Avalon Thomas

Ireland’s beautiful girlfriend and a lovely fit to the O’Gara family. Maddy will help all of us keep it together & get through the day as seamlessly as possible. We are lucky to have her. 

Maddy Hardyman

The best future Rugby player and the coolest girl in Duluth. The Matron of Honor’s stunning, Stella Jean.

Stella Selleck

His Guys

Jacob's best friend! Expert moped rider and everything sport related. Jacob spent 3 years protecting Brad in football and they have been best friends ever since!

Brad McIntosh

Jacob's brother. Helps him win a lot of money on Black Jack. Double Down!

Jeremy Sass

One of Jacob's best friends from college at UMD.  Lived with Jacob and Leah and is the only person who is as competitive as Jacob. #Catan #MarioParty

Mike Jaksa

One of Jacob's best friends from high school.  Master Driving Instructor: he and Jacob spent a lot of time driving around Waseca growing up :)

Connor Oelke

One of Jacob's best friends from UMD! A loud music listener and 4  year partner-in-crime as a maintenance co-worker.

Matt Kraus

Jacob's brother-in-law! Married to the beautiful Jenny Benzel, one of Leah's bridesmaids.

Riley Benzel

One of Jacob's best friends from high school.  Jacob's favorite wrestling partner and friend who is never scared of a challenge.

Brandon Pederson

One of Jacob's best friends from high school. Expert game player and one of the funniest kids Jacob knows. 

Carter Hanson

The goofiest labradoodle around. He can’t wait to see his parents get married. 

Theo O’Gara Sass

Wedding Party

He Asked - She said "Yes!"

Photos

Registry

1/12/2021 - 108 days to go!

The bad news: Today Greysolon informed us that only 10 people from 2 different households are able to attend events. Fingers are crossed that in the spring the world may turn a corner, and restrictions will lessen.   Jacob and I both want to keep our family and friends as safe as possible, so while we are hopeful of restrictions lifting by our day, we are aware we may have a very different wedding day than we originally planned.   The good news: Theo can be at the ceremony! He is so excited to be our “Best Dog” on April 30th (he did mention that he is actually the best dog every day)

Leah & Jacob

Leah & Jacob

L&J

Best Day Ever

5:00 PM

Ceremony

5:30 PM

Social Hour

7:00 PM

Reception