Minnesota State Fair Wedding: Mary + Kyle
Mary and Kyle’s Minnesota State Fair wedding was full of laughter, connection to each other and their communities. It was a joyful day full of twirling, dancing and so much love!
“We need a witness to our lives. There’s a billion people on the planet… I mean, what does any one life really mean? But in a marriage, you’re promising to care about everything. The good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things… all of it, all of the time, every day. You’re saying, ‘Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will not go unwitnessed because I will be your witness.’”
– Shall We Dance
How did you meet and fall in love?
Mary and I met with the world wide web. We met when OkCupid messaged her and said we “were an exceptionally good match” five years later we have the internet to thank for her asking me out on our first date.
How did you choose your venue?
Our goal was to have an include fun wedding that included many spaces for conversation, sensory breaks, and spaces for us to include gender-neutral bathrooms. Cost was also a factor for us, as well as the ability to personalize the food and truly make it our own. The state fair fit the bill while simultaneously providing a space full of collective memories of fun for our guest.
The staff there was incredibly accommodating and offered things such as zero waste options and queer-inclusive spaces. As someone who has a more male read name, I sent out emails in advance not disclosing that we were a queer couple, and looked to see how the individuals meeting us responded. We sadly met staff who were unable to immediately extend welcoming atmospheres, but Erik at the fair was completely able to just welcome us as we were and did not blink at an eye when two women showed up.
Thoughts leading up to your wedding day?
We wanted our wedding to be a celebration of gratitude and a chance for our guests to feel safe. Both of us work in what could be thought of as politicized fields. We wanted our wedding to be a chance for celebration and rejuvenation while acknowledging those who made it possible for us to be ourselves.
What was your favorite part of the day?
Our officiant held a moment of grounding where our guests held hands and collectively declared that they were present to support our love in that moment and moving forward. I didn’t know that it was going to happen, but it gave me a chance to look out at my community beautifully joining hands, breathing as one, and forced me to stop and truly become rooted in the rest of the ceremony. I also loved eating Popsicle’s while watching my friends dance in my wedding cape and just laugh. We both loved Minnesota State Fair wedding and it was the perfect place for us to get married!
What is each of your favorite images from your wedding? What makes it your favorite?
One of my favorite photos is two of my bridesmaids in mid jump pulling down the fire escape outside of the one of the barns. It represents how we approached our wedding. I also love love love this photo in black and white of us during our first dance.
Is there anything that you would change?
I had a great day, there are little things (like we forgot to tell our bridesmaids the order for walking in in advance during the grand march. I didn’t give the list out for who should have gotten boutonnieres that I made. But honestly those didn’t detract from anything.
What is your best advice to anyone planning a wedding?
We had a friend who told us to take kiss breaks every 45 minutes if we were doing a long planning session. It reminded us why were doing this. Kissing each other reaffirmed that though this was a party for everyone it was a celebration of us and our love! We gave ourselves permission to do it our way!
Because Kyle and Mary love the fair so much we went back to take photos when it was open!
Vendors:
Hair & Makeup-Fox Den Salon
Getting Ready-Best Western Plus Como Park Hotel
Kyle’s epic wide leg pantsuit and cape-Samantha Rai from Project Runway 16
Wedding & Reception: History & Heritage Center-State Fair Grounds
I would love to hear about all about your ideas for your wedding! Let’s chat!
