Rehearsal Dinner

Wedding Day

St. Michael's Catholic Church

Ceremony

St. Mary's Parish Hall

Reception

Reception Schedule:3:30 p.m. - Cocktail Hour5:15 p.m. - Wedding Party Entrances5:30 p.m. - Dinner6:30 p.m. - Speeches &amp; First Dances7:15 p.m. - Time to Party!

Our Wedding

If one were to tell the entire story of Bailey and Michael, you might laugh and tell Michael he probably should have made a move sooner. But every story has its perfect timing, and theirs began back in December 2019 — on Snapchat, of all places. They started chatting during Christmas break, two college seniors just having fun and not thinking too far ahead. The world was on the verge of a global pandemic, their futures weren’t exactly clear and somehow, in the middle of all that uncertainty, a spark began. Through four years of Snapchat streaks, two big moves, two master’s degrees and the usual small-town traditions, their story slowly came to life. One of those traditions was the night before Thanksgiving, when practically everyone in town heads to the Westside — and that night, their friend groups happened to overlap, adding another layer to their connection. Their first date took place on December 2, 2023, at Norma Jean’s in Panama. Dinner was shared, Christmas lights were admired and the conversation never stopped. Long-distance wasn’t ideal, but Bailey’s parents kindly opened their home so she could visit nearly every weekend (minus the two weekends that Michael actually made the drive north — no hard feelings). When Bailey eventually moved back to Harlan, everything began to fall into place. Evenings were spent walking and dreaming about the future, weekends were surrounded by friends at the Croghan, Juhl and Crees households and countless Saturdays were spent celebrating weddings of people they loved. Their faith became the heart of their relationship, guiding their choices and the way they cared for one another.They built a home together after Michael bought a house in Harlan, filling it with laughter, love and plenty of recorded shows they still somehow find time to watch. They also discovered a shared love for trips to Ames — and thankfully, Bailey was already an Iowa State fan. Then came the night that changed everything. Bailey thought they were headed to Michael’s grandparents’ for pizza to see his Aunt Shelli, who was supposedly in town (she was actually visiting Niagara Falls). As they turned into the driveway, Bailey noticed lights in the distance — the kind of lights that could only mean one thing. The knots in her stomach were real and she could hardly contain her excitement. A few months earlier, she had mentioned to Michael’s mom that she thought the farm would be the perfect place for a proposal, and sure enough, that’s exactly where Michael got down on one knee. It was beautiful, heartfelt and so perfectly them. Bailey and Michael’s story may be simple, but it is timeless — two people who grew up in the same small town and even graduated in the same class, yet somehow didn’t cross paths until years later. Every step, every laugh and every twist in the road led them here — to a love that feels steady, joyful and meant to last a lifetime.

How it all began...

Our Story

Kayla Brown

Mitchell Rueschenberg

Jayden Gessert

Nolan Heese

Kara Rueschenberg

Connor Olson

Jenna Gessert

Brett Croghan

Kyia Rueschenberg

Thomas Fink

Brooke Nelson

Nate Nelson

Mallory Mulligan

Bryce Shults

Clare Croghan

Maddie LeGrand

Kyle Juhl

Travis Crees

Kurt Benjamin

Collins Brown

Claire, Izzy & Molly Davidson

Callahan & Oliver Croghan

Wedding Party

Baymont by Wyndham - Harlan, IAP: 712-755-2930Address: 5015 Ridgeway Dr., Harlan, IA 51537 Cobblestone Inn &amp; Suites - Avoca, IAP: 712-307-6006Address: 7013 N Chestnut St., Avoca, IA 51521 Cobblestone Inn &amp; Suites -&nbsp;Denison, IAP: 712-263-2200Address: 2511 Boulder Dr., Denison, IA 51442

Michael & Bailey

Michael & Bailey

Registry

Please note our honeymoon fund through Four Seasons Travel at the bottom of the page . We are so grateful for your purchases!