Wedding Day

The Nest

CEREMONY & RECEPTION

Fall

LOCATION | Our wedding is being hosted at a beloved family home we call, The Nest - please be sure to input the address when using GPS, as 'The Nest' is not an official location.

PARKING | Parking will be available at the house. Please note you may be parked on uneven terrain.

Our Wedding

Forrest and Megan first crossed paths in 2013 while working together in the Career Development Office at Saint Catherine University. While their relationship remained entirely professional, they genuinely enjoyed each other’s company. It wasn’t until Megan left her job at the university that they began building a true friendship. As their bond grew stronger, Megan began to develop feelings for Forrest that went beyond what she had expected — and it scared her. She found every excuse to distance herself, until one day, she simply vanished from his life without a word. Three years later. Forrest had moved halfway across the world to teach in China. Megan was stateside and living in New York pursuing a Master’s degree. Though they lived separate lives on opposite sides of the world, neither could fully forget the other. Megan carried quiet regret over losing her friend, while Forrest often found himself wondering what had happened to her — their thoughts of each other lingering, silently reaching across the years and the miles. In December 2019, right before Christmas. Megan was traveling in Paris and had just stumbled off an overnight ferry from London — tired, cranky, and hungry as hell. Alone and hangry, in the aggressively romantic "City of Lights", she wandered aimlessly through its enchanting streets, feeling every bit of her spinsterhood, until, almost like fate, she ended up on the iconic and EXCESSIVELY romantic, "Love-Lock" Bridge --- because of course she had. (For those who do not know, it has become a global tradition for lovers from every corner of the world to leave their mark on this bridge. Couples inscribe their names on a lock, fasten it to the bridge, and let the key drift into the Seine—an enduring vow of love, whispered across time and distance.) Realizing that she'd stumbled on a World Heritage Site of Romance, she stood there in abject horror and self-pity, understanding two things immediately: Firstly - that Paris really was the most romantic city in world; secondly, she was undoubtedly going to die alone and very, very hungry. And this stupid bridge was unceremoniously, rubbing. it. in. -- Meanwhile, Forrest was halfway across the world in Ningbo, China, living a life as vibrant as the city itself. He spent his days teaching students and his evenings weaving through night markets and club-hopping with an ever-growing international circle of friends! His days were full, his apartment often louder than it was quiet, and his social calendar rarely saw a blank space. But even in the chaos of city lights and cross-cultural adventure, there were quiet moments. Moments when the buzz faded and his mind would drift — not to the future, but to someone from his past. Forrest had been healing from his own heartbreak, piecing himself back together while wondering whatever happened to that witty, spirited friend of his who had once made long office hours feel like something worth looking forward to. He thought of Megan more often than he cared to admit. And in a moment of equal parts impulse and hope, he sent a message. Just a few words — simple, unassuming: “Long time no see…” He didn’t know that half a world away, Megan was standing on a bridge in Paris – heavy-hearted and alone. -- Megan had just turned away, deciding it best to drown her woes in an excessive amount of alcohol and something wickedly French, when her phone suddenly buzzed. Drying her ridiculous face, she opened her phone to a text message from Forrest Swanson — it was him. “Long time no see…” It was him. And just like that, standing on a bridge that moments ago had symbolized loneliness and longing — everything shifted. The very place that had just echoed with emptiness now seemed to hum with possibility. That stupid bridge wasn’t so bad after all. She didn’t know it then, but it had become the perfect backdrop to a new beginning. The message from Forrest wasn’t just a simple text; it was the spark that reignited everything.

AND WHATTA STORY IT IS...

Our Story

Events of the Day

3:00-3:30PM | Arrive in style! Feel free to arrive anytime starting at 3pm, while we wait for the Mr. &amp; Mrs - ceremony is set to start at 4pm! 3:45PM | Take Your SeatsEveryone will take their seats. Seating is open, please sit on either side!﻿ 4:00PM | Ceremony The ceremony begins and the bride and groom will exchange their vows. ﻿4:30PM | Cocktail Hour-ish With the Mr. &amp; Mrs./Formal PicturesBefore we dig in, mix and mingle, play corn hole, and sip a cocktail, while photos are being taken! 5:30PM | DinnerEnjoy decadent spit-roasted pig and all the fixin's. 6:30PM | Toasts, Cake, &amp; MerrimentAlong with a couple dedicated speeches, the mic will be available to all guests who wish to stand up and say a few words to toast the happy couple. 7:00PM | The Couple's First DanceAfter our couple's initial twirl, the dance floor officially opens! 10PM | Let the Afterparty Begin!The wedding officially ends at 10pm but we'll be dancing and hanging out until midnight for anyone who wants to party on!

Day-of Details

Only Brothers Allowed!

Forrest and Megan are foregoing a wedding party and have instead, asked their beloved siblings to stand with them as they re-commit their life and their love to each other.

Baby brother to the bride and lifelong co-pilot in backyard games, lava leaps, and lightsaber duels. Quincy is quiet by nature but has a laugh that fills a room, and a sense of humor that sneaks up on you in the best way. He’ll be walking Megan down the aisle in place of their dad—who built the court they played on, and who would have been beaming with pride. It’s a moment full of love, and just the right amount of Spaceballs energy.

Wedding Party

Heads Up On Lodging! 

We’ve reserved a block of rooms at the Fairfield Inn, which is currently the only hotel with a room block available for our wedding. That said, hotel prices in the area are very high right now, and availability is limited. If you’re planning to book accommodations, we recommend doing so as soon as possible — and don’t hesitate to check out options in nearby areas for better rates. If you're interested in the Fairfield Inn, contact Megan for details!

Make yourself at home in one of the 80 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and LED televisions. Complimentary wired and wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as desks and microwaves.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Northfield

Situated just across the Cannon River from the city’s historic downtown, the Country Inn &amp; Suites by Radisson, Northfield, MN offers a comfortable place to rest during your travels. Rooms and suites offer everything you need for a comfortable stay, including a microwave and mini fridge. If you’re traveling with a group, opt for a suite with a sleeper sofa. Please note that our hotel has two floors, but we do not have an elevator. An active railroad runs behind the hotel.

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Northfield MN

Make yourself at home in one of the 41 air-conditioned rooms featuring LCD televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and coffee/tea makers. *Pet-Friendly!

AmericInn by Wyndham Northfield

Accommodations + Travel

FAQs

Hi everyone! First off, we'd like to say that your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift we could ask for. The time, effort, and expense of traveling to be with us is something we deeply appreciate, and we are so thrilled that we will be able to celebrate this happy occasion with you. Forrest and I decided to forego traditional gifts and instead, created this registry as a way to help make our dreams honeymoon come true. While we have taken many exciting trips separately, we are so excited to share a couple of our favorite European city's with each other. We greatly appreciate and will fondly remember these gifts for years to come. After all, the memories from this honeymoon will last a lot longer than a new set of wine glasses (especially with Megan's... breakage rate!). We'll do our best to document our experience with photos and include it in your much-deserved "thank you" note. Thanks again and we can't wait to see you at the wedding - or earlier!

Accommodations

HONEYMOON REGISTRY

Gifts are absolutely optional! Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift we could ask for. The time, effort, and expense of traveling to celebrate with us means the world, and we’re so excited to share our special day with you!

Instead of a traditional registry, we’ve created a Travel Registry to help fund our honeymoon adventure through Japan and South Korea. If you'd like to contribute to unforgettable experiences or help cover travel costs, we’re incredibly grateful—thank you for being part of this journey with us!

<a href="https://www.travelersjoy.com/meganandforrest" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR REGISTRY!</a>

Gifts

After Hours: Ramen, Beats, and Treats

Once the formal festivities wind down, stick around for the After Party! The vibe will shift — the music will get louder (and a little less family-friendly 🎶), the drinks will keep flowing 🍻, and we'll be serving up a late-night ramen bar to keep everyone fueled. For those who want to partake, we'll have gummies available, plus all the classic munchies you could dream of. Come ready to keep the celebration going late into the night!

Megan + Forrest

Megan + Forrest

M&F

Wedding Day

3:00 PM–12:00 AM

CEREMONY & RECEPTION