Clyde Iron Works

Friday Night Social

Wedding Day

Christ Lutheran Church

Ceremony

Pier B Resort and Hotel Bayfront Ballroom

Cocktail Hour

Pier B Resort Hotel Bayfront Ballroom

Reception and Dinner

Bride and Groom Last Dance

Sunday

Our Wedding

"But seek first the Kingdom of Righteous and all of these things will be given to you as well." -Matthew 6:33 We didn't know a Love like this was possible, but God sure had a bigger plan than we ever saw possible. Rachel started reading the Bible in January with her Mom.Will started focusing on Christ in his daily life. Rachel's brand new co-worker (who recently moved from Nevada) Tracy MacMillan, told Rachel that she was going to find her a husband. Rachel laughed and said "Go ahead and try! My requirements are: 1) He has chosen a Christ-Centered Life2) He is an outdoorsman3) He wants a family someday" Tracy asked her best friend, Sue Fitzsimmons, if she knew of any men that fit the description. Sue immediately thought of Will, her Daughter-In-Law's (Grace) brother. If that wasn't a God-connection enough... Tracy &amp; Sue set up Rachel and Will on a blind date the following week. Rachel didn't think he would show up, but he was early AND came with a cute Golden Retriever puppy. Rachel showed up in a white GMC truck. Both were pleasantly surprised. Rachel had recently had a rough time with COVID, and Will waited for her to catch her breath during their gentle walk and didn't judge her for being out of breath 99% of the time. A short time later, their relationship faced trial when Will's mother, Deb, passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm. Will continued to turn toward Rachel instead of away or against. Will's family included Rachel and welcomed her with open arms despite the overwhelming grief of losing a mother. Deb was able to successfully donate her lifesaving organs to multiple people at St. Luke's Hospital, where Rachel works. Life has hardships and joyous moments, just like Rachel and Will's relationship. Through the trials, God has given to each Rachel and Will in ways they didn't know they needed. They will never understand God's timeline, but they continue to trust and pray that their hearts, minds, and ears are listening for God's direction. *** Rachel and Will were dancing in Will's living room one evening to an old Jazz record. Will told Rachel that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.Rachel: "Well, do you have a ring?"Will: "Do you want me to get a ring?"Rachel: "Yes."Will: "It is important for me to meet your parents and ask for their support in our marriage." Rachel brought Will home to meet Pete and Patti two weeks later, and it was an instant connection. The boys went off to do projects together, and the girls started wedding planning.The weekend ended with a boat ride to the Vermilion Club to celebrate.A match made in Heaven. That leads us to 12/16/2023.The day they make a public declaration of their inward love for one another. Thank you for being part of such a special day.

Will & Rachel

Our Story

Wedding Dress Shopping

The Wedding Shoppe in Grand Rapids, MN

Photos

Bridesmaids

Anneliese Braaten

Abbey Burritt

Maddy Svoboda

Dani's daughter, Amelia, is also a Flowergirl.

Dani Breznik

Jenny's daughter, Mabel, will also be a Flowergirl.

Jenny White

Hannah Improta

Michelle Ozanich  (soon to be Katke!)

Groomsmen

Andy Nast

David Steen

Jake Crispo

Ted Nast

Jon Charles

Tim Charles

Erik Johnson

Personal Attendants 

Kaite Hendricks

Alana Kaaret

Kendra Ezell

Megan Crow

Leanna Olive

Andrea Osborne

Belinda Leifer

Hannah Clement 

Junior Bridesmaids

Aiofe Cook & Elizabeth Achterling

Ring Bearers

Weston & Spencer Brown 

Flower Girls

Posey Cook

Aubree Cook

Amelia Breznik

Mabel White

Music During Ceremony

Anneliese has many musical talents, but for the ceremony she will be playing the piano during the processional and special music. She is also dualing as a bridesmaid! 

Jenny will be dualing as a Bridesmaid and doing the special music hymn, "We are Called." This hymn was chosen because it is one of Rachel's favorite hymns and based off of one of Will's favorite biblical scriptures.

Jenny's daughter, Mabel, will also be a Flowergirl.

Belinda is dualing as both a personal attendant and a musician for the wedding! Her musical talents are spread between lots of different areas. Belinda is such an important faith friend, "little sister" figure, and role model. She is currently serving in the Marine Corps along with her husband. Her brothers are the Harms family, who are playing the recessional. 

Rachel knew Byron growing up on the Iron Range, and Byron now is the Duluth East Orchestral Director, as well as playing in the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra! He is playing the cello, as well as organizing the string quartet to play preludes and at the cocktail hour. 

Byron Klimek

Wynston and Rachel met swing dancing in the Twin Cities. From there, Rachel eventually met the rest of the family! The Harms family welcomed Rachel into the most beautifully challenging faith conversations, never turned her away when she needed to sleep on their couch, and always showed up when it mattered. Rachel's heart is overflowing that each of them are playing in the recessional! Thank you. 

Wynston, William, Parker, Bryce Harms

We are SO EXCITED to share with you that Cover 2 Cover will be playing as our live house band for the reception! Chris Jamnick, Rachel's first cousin, is in the band. Bring your dancing shoes for an entertaining, lively, and dance-filled evening of music through the ages. 

Cover 2 Cover

Meet Our Photographer 

<a href="https://thecoopercollections.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lynsey Cooper</a>

Wedding Party

Q + A

Venue Information 

Of note: All of our venues are accessible for all mobility requirements. 

Friday Night Social for all guests from 5-7pm. Hosted Food. Cash Bar.

Clyde Iron Works has an elevator. 

Christ Lutheran Church 

2415 Ensign Street, Duluth, MN 55811

This church has strong familial significance.Christ Lutheran Church was where Will was confirmed, his mother Debbie was part of the music team, one of Will's sisters was married here, and Will's Great Aunt Carol and Arlene are still very active members of the congregation.

Pier B Resort and Hotel & Bentleyville 

Saturday's Wedding Reception Location. A one-stop-shop if you decide to stay here!

$250/night with 2 night minimum. (See Radisson for cheaper option)

218-481-8888. Block of rooms under DeRocher/Stoddard Wedding.

(click on photo to see full image)

Reminder to reserve your hotel room under the Stoddard/DeRocher Wedding Party to get the discount!

Bentleyville Information: https://www.bentleyvilleusa.org

Radisson Hotel 

505 West Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802

218-481-1185. Room block is under DeRocher/Stoddard Wedding 

5 minute drive, 0.7 miles from reception at Pier B 

$149.00/night, No minimum night stay requirement

Venue Information

Things to Do

Registry