Wedding Day

Rogge Family Vineyard

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

It all started...in a van. Every year, our campus ministry took a spring break trip and that year we went to New Mexico. I don't know if you've ever driven to New Mexico, but it is a long drive of nothing. Shane and I ended up riding in a van together with Lydia and Lauren (important characters) and driven by Derrick and Reed (important [side] characters). We didn't know it at the time, but it would be the most important van ride of our lives.A couple hours before we arrived back in Kirksville, Shane woke me up because I had fallen asleep with my head lolled back. He offered me his pillow. "Your neck is going to hurt," he said. I fell in love instantly.That's not actually what happened, but something did stir inside me. That simple act of kindness made me see Shane in an entirely new light. Shane doesn't know exactly when it happened, but he knows that something changed on that van ride. When we got out in Kirksville, we had this sense nothing would be the same. So what did we do?

The Van

We sat by a fire for a couple of hours, said nothing of our feelings, and headed off to separate summer plans. Shane did an internship, volunteered a week at one camp, and spent the rest of the summer working at Heartland Summer Camps. I spent the summer working and enjoying myself (like when my sister and I saw Taylor Swift!). That entire summer, we spoke maybe once. Both of us still had growing to do, and that summer was a good time to do it. By the time we both returned to Kirksville in August, me for my senior year and Shane for his gap year, the pieces had fallen into place. We saw each other again for the first time at a group trip to Sonic and that was it. That's when we actually fell instantly in love.

The Summer

For the first several months, things were great. We were living the good life on a college schedule. Slow days, lots of friends around, and plenty of free time. We had a thriving community. Our campus ministry provided amazing opportunities to draw closer to God, and we found that drawing closer to God drew us closer together. We both had the opportunity to speak at services that year and were active in leadership. There were plenty of events and activities that made easy date nights. As time passed, we began to feel certain that we would spend our future together, but that future felt far off. We were being responsible and planning, but that year passed in the kind of bliss that only comes when it feels like college will go on forever.

The Early Days

But of course, college doesn't last forever. And come graduation, we had a big decision to make.

The year before, my friend Lydia (I told you she was important!) had moved to Independence. I was sad to see her go, but when it came time to figure out what came after graduation, I was glad to have her there. I knew I couldn't stay in Kirksville, that it wasn't the path for me, but I had no idea where to go. Lydia had a spare bedroom.When I told Shane I wanted to move to Independence, I knew it was an ultimatum of sorts. We had discussed before how we didn't want a long distance relationship. We had also been dating for only six months when the decision had to be made. It's crazy to move from everything you know for a relationship that young, right?Lucky for me, Shane is crazy. He decided that if I was moving, so was he. For me, it was a kind of test. We worked really well in Kirksville, but Kirksville was a bubble. If we were going to be together long term, we had to go try ourselves against the real world. For Shane, he knew his time in Kirksville was coming to an end. He had promised himself he would only stay one extra year, and in that extra year, he came into himself. His faith had grown immensely and he learned to love deeply. He was afraid he would lose himself in leaving, but he knew I was the one and I was worth following (his words, not mine!). We trusted that God would hold us together as the people He'd spent the last few years growing us into and that He would hold us together as a couple.So we left. And leaving was the hardest thing either of us has ever done. There are so many people in Kirksville that we love dearly and that we would not be together without. But we had hope for what we would find out here. Lauren decided to move in with Lydia and I (the van all back together!) and the four of us formed a core. There were a lot of hard days, especially in the beginning. There were times that it felt like moving was the worst decision we ever made. But there were also good times. Moments that broke through the darkness to remind us that we were still in God's hands and He wasn't done with us. Moments that held us together. And very, very slowly, the good moments started to outnumber the bad. We made new friends. Found new communities. Built the beginnings of a faithfully rooted life. We came out the other side stronger people and a stronger couple. We survived the test.

The Move

The time had come. We had known for a long time that we wanted to get married. It was just a matter of when and how.Shane had the perfect plan. He was going to propose in October, a little after our two-year anniversary. Then in May, I told him I wanted to get engaged sooner. Shane asked if I was sure, and I said yes, which created a bit of a problem for Shane. But he managed to pull up his plans to July. Everything was perfect. He planned a lovely picnic, recreating our first date, and called a bunch of our friends, begging them to come to Kansas City for a surprise engagement party after.Two days before he was set to propose, I let him know that I had just been cast in a musical. The first rehearsal would be that Saturday, and it would take most of the day. This created a bit of a problem for Shane. I could see that this created a problem for Shane and asked him what was wrong. He tried very hard to play it cool. He did not succeed.I knew about the picnic date, so we discussed rescheduling it. I suggested that we just push it to after the rehearsal, but Shane was strangely resistant to the idea. He insisted we have a breakfast picnic, and though I was a little confused and very suspicious, I agreed. I later remembered that I had a lunch break, so we agreed to have our date then. Shane picked me up from rehearsal and drove us to a nearby park. He dropped to one knee, pulled a ring from the cooler, and asked me to marry him. I said yes!The friends he'd asked to take pictures emerged from the bushes (where I definitely did NOT see them hiding the second we walked into the park) and we had a small photoshoot before enjoying a quiet picnic as a newly engaged couple. I was able to get word to the cast of the musical before we returned after lunch, and the room burst into applause when Shane brought me back. Nothing at all went according to plan, but I wouldn't have had it any other way.

The Proposal

And that's it. There's not much more to write because it hasn't happened yet. I could tell you about all the plans we've made, the dreams of serving God, our neighbors, and each other in whatever ways He sees fit to gift to us. I could tell you about the things we're looking forward to, the figuring it out, the prayers and tears and laughter this life is sure to bring. I could tell you about the people we can't wait to share it all with, like Derrick and Reed, the van drivers that are going to officiate our wedding, or all the dear friends and family we hope to one day all have near. But that would take a lot more space than this website has to offer. There are myriad possibilities for where we could go next, but all that really matters is that we trust in God and we're going to do it together. When I look to our future, those are the things that stand out most brightly. It's the part of the past that has most shaped who we are. And it's the present I'm grateful to live in.

The Future

Our Story

Photo credits: Mya Gordon Photography

Photos

Wedding Party

What Should I Wear?

Our dress code is semi-formal. Keep in mind that the wedding will be primarily outside. Check the weather and consider Missouri's unpredictable August weather when planning your outfit!

Will the Wedding be Indoors or Outdoors?

The ceremony will take place outdoors, weather permitting. Dinner will primarily take place in an air-conditioned barn. However, due to limited space inside this barn, a few guests may need to sit outside. Guests requiring special accommodations will have reserved seating indoors.

Can I Bring A Plus One?

Due to limited space, we cannot accommodate any additions to your party beyond those named on the invitation.

Can I Bring My Children?

Invited children will be named on your invitation and we encourage you to bring them!

Where should I stay if I am not from Kansas City?

If you check out the Travel tab on our website, there will be a few hotels listed at varying distances and prices.

What Can I Expect for the Day of the Wedding?

The general timeline will be as follows: The day will start with the wedding ceremony. This will be followed by pictures and cocktail hour. After pictures are over, dinner will be served. The night will end with dancing, games, and general merriment!

Will Alcohol Be Served At The Wedding?

Alcohol will be provided free of charge, but we ask that each guest over the age of 21 be responsible with their consumption as there will be a limited amount.

What can I expect during the ceremony?

Our ceremony is very important to us not only as an expression of our commitment and union, but as an expression of our faith. It will include prayer, a short pastoral message, and the practice of communion. While all are welcome to participate, we understand that our guests come from a variety of faith backgrounds and may not be comfortable participating in all of these elements. That is okay! You are welcome to participate to the level that you feel comfortable. For example, if you are not comfortable taking communion, you are welcome to remain in your seat during that portion of the ceremony, or even come through the communion line to share a moment with us during the ceremony without taking the elements.

Q + A

Places to Stay in or around Raymore, MO.

Below is a list of hotels that are all within a 20 minute drive to the venue. Please note that we have not blocked out any hotel rooms. If you need a room, we suggest booking it well in advance in order to secure a spot. Otherwise, you may have to find a hotel that is further away or of less quality.

Hampton Inn Belton/Kansas City is located in Belton, within 18 miles of Kauffman Stadium and 20 miles of National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial. With free WiFi, this 3-star hotel offers a business center. The hotel has an indoor pool, fitness center and a 24-hour front desk. The rooms in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. Union Station Kansas City is 20 miles from Hampton Inn Belton/Kansas City, while Sprint Center is 20 miles from the property. Kansas City International Airport is 37 miles away.

Hampton Inn Belton/Kansas City area

Located in Belton, Fairfield Inn &amp; Suites by Marriott Kansas City Belton provides air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. The property is around 20 miles from Kauffman Stadium, 22 miles from National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial and 22 miles from Union Station Kansas City. The hotel has an indoor pool, fitness center and a 24-hour front desk. Sprint Center is 22 miles from the hotel, while Kansas City Convention Center is 23 miles from the property. Kansas City International Airport is 39 miles away.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Kansas City Belton

Holiday Inn Express Hotel &amp; Suites Kansas City - Grandview by IHG is located in Grandview, 13 miles from Kauffman Stadium and 15 miles from National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and an ATM. The hotel has an indoor pool and luggage storage space. All guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The rooms include a private bathroom with free toiletries, while some have city views. All rooms will provide guests with a desk and a coffee machine. A business center and vending machines with snacks and drinks are available on site at Holiday Inn Express Hotel &amp; Suites Kansas City - Grandview by IHG. Union Station Kansas City is 16 miles from the accommodation, while Sprint Center is 16 miles from the property. Kansas City International Airport is 32 miles away.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kansas City - Grandview by IHG

Comfort Suites Grandview - Kansas City is located in Grandview, within 13 miles of Kauffman Stadium and 15 miles of National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial. This 3-star hotel offers free WiFi. Kansas City Convention Center is 16 miles from the hotel and Worlds of Fun is 21 miles away. At the hotel, each room comes with a desk. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a hairdryer, guest rooms at Comfort Suites Grandview - Kansas City have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and selected rooms are equipped with a seating area. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy an American breakfast. Union Station Kansas City is 15 miles from Comfort Suites Grandview - Kansas City, while Sprint Center is 15 miles away. Kansas City International Airport is 32 miles from the property.

Comfort Suites Grandview - Kansas City

Located in Lees Summit, 11 miles from Kauffman Stadium, Holiday Inn Express &amp; Suites - Kansas City - Lee's Summit by IHG has accommodations with a fitness center, free private parking and a shared lounge. With free WiFi, this 2-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and a business center. Guests can have a drink at the snack bar. The hotel offers an indoor pool. Sprint Center is 19 miles from Holiday Inn Express &amp; Suites - Kansas City - Lee's Summit by IHG, while Kansas City Convention Center is 19 miles from the property. Kansas City International Airport is 37 miles away.

Elizabeth & Shane

Elizabeth & Shane

Registry