Chelsey and Ryan met during their first few days of college at University of Minnesota Duluth. All freshmen go through Welcome Week the weekend leading up to the start of class and they were introduced through mutual friends. Ryan and Chelsey started to click right away. During the first week of classes they decided to take the city bus up to the mall to try to find French Silk Pie (her favorite!) and when they couldn’t find it anywhere, they ended up walking almost two miles to a movie theatre (they thought it was much closer) This gave them ample time to get to know each other and by the end of the night they couldn’t believe how much fun they both had! They’ve been together ever since!
In the summer of 2013, Ryan asked Chelsey’s dad permission to marry her. HE SAID YES! In late September, Chelsey and Ryan decided to make one last trip up to the cabin and decided to make it special and go out to dinner at Bar Harbor. They were running late, so when they got to the cabin to change to go out, Chelsey suggested they wait until the next night to go out for dinner. Ryan was adamant that they were going out that night so she somewhat reluctantly agreed.
They had a great dinner and while waiting for dessert Ryan got out of the booth, got down on one knee and pulled out a ring. Chelsey of course, being oblivious, thought he had dropped something at first and was completely caught off guard when he asked her to marry him! After the shock wore off, “SHE SAID YES”! Ryan suggested they stop at Moonlite Bay in Crosslake and have a celebratory drink on their way home, but little did she know he had invited all of their friends up as well and they had all been waiting for them to celebrate with them!
Chelsey and Ryan were struggling trying to decide between having a wedding in the cities or in Crosslake. However, after touring Pine Peaks and meeting Dave and Julie, there was no doubt in their minds that they wanted to have the wedding in Crosslake! They loved that they would be able to spend so much extra time with family and friends and that everything was in one place. They also loved that so much was included!
They arrived Thursday and used Pine Peaks’ decorations in a unique combination to create their own vintage, rustic décor.
It was a crisp November day and it was Chelsey and Ryan’s day to say I DO! Chelsey and her bridal party got ready in the Retreat House salon and the guys took over the family room downstairs. The “first look” was done early in the day so the couple could enjoy time together with family and friends before the ceremony. The guests arrived and witnessed the vows in an outdoor ceremony in the Garden. Then the party began with a roaring fire in the fireside room and Maucieri’s Bar open for business.
Chelsey’s dad is the owner of multiple Famous Dave’s and wanted his team to cater the wedding feast. And boy did they! Greg Toone and the cooks at the Famous Dave’s in Duluth prepared the food Saturday morning and then transported it to Pine Peaks for the event Saturday night. They enjoyed using Pine Peaks’ prep kitchen to finish with the preparations onsite.
The guests were treated to an appetizer bar with Famous Dave’s Cheesy Mac and Cheese, chips and salsa, trail mix and the original Minnesota State Fair, Pig Lickers (chocolate covered bacon, a favorite of our Dave!) Then for the main course Country-Roasted Chicken, Texas Beef Brisket, Garlic Red-Skin Mashed Potatoes, Buttered Corn and Corn Bread.
A Dessert bar was featured in the Bonus Room and satisfied every guest’s sweet tooth! Reed’s Bakery of Cross Lake made the desserts; Scotheroo’s, Pumpkin Bars, Banana Bars, Rice Krispy treats, Cheesecake, Donuts and Brownies. The bride’s cousin’s grandmother, Paulette made the delicious cake! Later in the evening, Kate from Maucieri’s Catering baked fresh pizzas in Pine Peak’s very own Mugnaini Wood Fired Oven. Yes, there was plenty of delicious food!
Chelsey and Ryan bought a house in Golden Valley this last May and plan a honeymoon in Turks and Caicos after Christmas. We were honored to host the wedding weekend of Chelsey and Ryan and wish them luck and love in their lives together as husband and wife. Enjoy the ride and stay TRUE!
See the rest of their Facebook Wedding Photo Album here.
– Dave and Julie Peterson