The Retreat by Blue Haven

Rehearsal Dinner

Dinner

Wedding Walkthrough

Blue Haven Barn and Gardens

The Big Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Dance!

Party Bus

Fall

Our Wedding

Our Story

The hotel block is first come, first serve. Rooms are available for both Friday and Saturday night. The rate listed when following the link included is a discounted rate under "The Ekstrum Wedding" so be sure to book through this website! Our wedding weekend is the same weekend as the Sanford International, a big golf tournament held at one of Sioux Falls country clubs. We recommend booking as early as possible to avoid high prices and a shortage of availability. It is about 20 minutes from the venue, but we expect some traffic so please plan accordingly. Sioux Falls also has a surprising amount of one and two bedrooms AirBnB's/VRBO's, and we recommend checking these out for budget friendly/big group friendly options.

Staybridge Suites Sioux Falls Southwest, an IHG Hotel

Travel

Things to Do

Q + A

The Ladies

Amanda is one of Reese's closest friends from college and a roommate of many years. She is a party starter, the calm in the middle of the storm, and one of the best planners in all of history. 

Amanda Kirkeby

Reese and Courtney have known each other since their Elkhorn Middle School days and strengthened their friendship at SDSU. She is one of the smartest people on the planet, a talented artist, and is a great judge of character.

Courtney Cameron

Emily is a soon to be sister-in-law and Reese could not be more excited for the extra sibling. She is the funniest TikTok finder, best playlist creator, and an impressive vibe curator.

Emily Ekstrum

Emma is another close friend and roommate of many years from SDSU. She is the life of the party, the most determined worker, and gives the best pep talks.

Emma Smith

Jess is the first "adult friend" Reese made at her first "adult job" at CHI post graduation. She is the most logical problem solver, the most patient teacher, and the toughest woman in Omaha. 

Jess Gerber

Tori has been one of Reese's most lifelong friends. She is extremely loyal, a bilingual queen, and is going to be the best doctor in the world someday very soon.

Tori Oestmann

Though they have a few years separating them in age, Reese and Kena have been fast friends since high school. She is a fantastic listener, colorful small business owner, and the most creative person on the planet.

Makena Ninete

Moriah and Reese met in Chi Omega, their woman's fraternity, where they both served in demanding leadership positions. She is level-headed, motivating to be around, and the best matchmaker :) (and may be the reason this is all happening)

Moriah Flanagan 

The Gentlemen

Evan and George met in middle school during a golf match arranged by their parents. What followed was a golf performance to rival The Masters; the most memorable moments being Evan managing to hit the golf cart off the tee, and George nearly hitting Evan with fairway shot. It was that day they knew they would be best friends.

George Mickelson

When you think about a day one best friend, Tanner is the name that comes to mind. To have a friend with you through every stage of life is something truly special. From preschool, high school, college, and beyond, Tanner and Evan have been through it all together.

Tanner Hauck

Ben and Evan found their friendship through mutual love of oddly specific Star Wars facts and a deep passion for Minnesota sports (All Eyes North). A particularly fond memory for the two being the time Ben taught Evan how to gamble in Deadwood, SD under the promise of a "guaranteed win." It was not.

Ben Schmunk

Evan met Cooper, his future brother-in-law, unofficially for the first time over XBox with some friends. Though they fought most of their childhoods, Cooper and Reese are closer than ever now, which is why he has been given the "man of honor" title, serving as Reese's "maid of honor". He is analytical, an avid concert attender, and the best younger brother of all time. 

Cooper Simons

Harrison and Evan spent most of their summers doing standard teenage boy things like hunting, fishing, making their own knives in a home-made forge, and even some light explosives handling. Needless to say, wherever you found them you could expect an adventure.

Harrison Backer

Jack and Evan found their friendship in college at South Dakota State University where they would both discover their shared fondness for the outdoors. From ski trips to hiking ventures, no mountain was safe on spring break.

Jack Van Veldhuizen

The more musically talented of Evan's Step Brothers, Carter is an incredible musician who plays with his local group, The Blue Mountain Band. Witty and quick to make you laugh, Carter is truly an entertainer. 

Carter Johnson

Tanner and Evan really got to know each other as brothers in college, and in more ways than one. Aside from being Step Brothers, Tanner and Evan are also fraternity brothers. Or as Tanner puts it, "Full-half brothers."

Tanner Johnson

Wedding Party

Proposal!

Evan proposed on the same roof he took Reese up to see Sioux Falls from on our first Valentine's Day. Our wonderful friend Antonio Phumipraphat hid behind a wall on the roof to capture some candids and family photos!

Engagement session!

The incredible wedding photographer, Corey Gross, took some engagement pictures of Evan and Reese around the downtown area of Sioux Falls. He did such a wonderful job loosening up and posing the pair to capture who they are as a couple.

Reese & Evan

Reese & Evan

Photos

Proposal!

Engagement session!