Kathryn
&
Elijah
May 16th 2025
May 16th 2025
Location
Venue: Pine Haven Venue & Lodging
Address: 13514 US-16, Rapid City, SD 57702
Parking: Available on-site
Ceremony
4:30 pm - Guest Arrival
5:00 pm - Wedding Ceremony
The ceremony will begin promptly at 5:00 pm at Pine Haven Venue & Lodging outside.
Reception
5:30 pm - Inside the Barn
Come hungry, we are both foodies so you can trust us when we say it will be good and plenty.
We Leavin
10:30 pm - Hit the road Jack! Ya danced way to much!
OUR LOVE STORY
How we met
Some lovely friends supposedly just knew that her and I would get along and decided to shoot for us meeting and getting ice cream at the same time (good move).
At first I was quite "hands off" and reluctant to hang out with the group after showing up because I'd caught on pretty quickly that this was a set-up.
The rest of that first day was actually pretty fun with approximately 1 million and 23 laughs and general
"I think I like you" eyes.
Just some talking at this point but it was so obvious there was something truly sweet between us.
But thus, Katie and her family hated the South Dakota winters as much as I do and decided to "visit family" and spent that winter and the next 6 months in California.
Luckily though, I was so busy with work and studies that I barely had time to notice how long it had been by the time she texted me and said they were on their way back to cold muddy South Dakota.
(obviously questioning this girl and her families sanity)
So Awkward and Lovely
Fast forward to
I was tricked into meeting her again….
She surprised me by showing up early from her California trip at Pure Bean coffee shop at the old creamery building downtown.
I didn’t know she was back in town yet...
(Because she said it would be a bit longer)
Propertius got it right!
Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.
After this lovely reunion, we spent the rest of the year going on all kinds of adventures and just learning each others hearts, eventually leading up to our proposal on December 17th of 2023.
The proposal
Just a train ride.
Our Black Hills of South Dakota have a little town with an old magical train depot, The 1880 Train.
This depot has a Christmas train ride tour through the Black Hills for a few weeks around Christmas each year on an old 1880 Locomotive, with beautiful rustic passenger cars.
Surprisingly this was plan "C." for proposing to this lovely sweet lady whom I had become so amazingly in love with; and I couldn't wait to get on that knee.
Some great friends helped me plan the whole thing including going outfit shopping with her and driving all the way there just to take the pictures.
And now?
Just absolutely everything ahead God has planned for us we suppose...
One more thing
FORMAL DRESS CODE
Bring your Sunday Best
WE HOPE YOU
CAN JOIN US
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Parking?There is plenty of parking right out front of the venue.
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Will There Be Food?Come hungry because there will be GOOD FOOD (fantastic even) and plenty of it!
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What Do I Wear?Wear your Sunday best! Or else you might accidentally get photoshopped later.
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RSVP Deadline?To help us with our planning, please RSVP to the events as soon as possible. However, the deadline is April 16th, 2025. If we don’t receive your RSVP by this date, you will automatically be marked as “Not Attending.” We will miss celebrating with you, but it is imperative we provide our vendors with a final guest count within the time they have given us. Thank you for understanding!
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Can I Bring a Plus One?Due to limited space, we can only accommodate guests who are named on the invitation. We ask that only the people named on the invitation are in attendance. If you have any questions just give either of us a call or text. Thank you for understanding!
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What Time Should I Arrive?Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony start time to find parking and your seat. The ceremony will begin at 5pm so plan to arrive by 4:30. Once the ceremony begins, entry will not be granted until the ceremony is completed.
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Are Children Welcome?As much as we love your little ones, the wedding is exclusively for adults, with the exception of immediate family who are part of our wedding party. This is also due to limited seating. If you have questions about your littles, give either of us a call or text.
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Can I Take Photos During The Ceremony?We ask that you kindly turn off or silence and put your phones and cameras away during the ceremony as we want you all to be present with us in this moment. We have a wonderful professional photographer and videographer capturing the ceremony for us. Any of those pictures or videos you would like will be avilable to you later. Other than the ceremony, yes! Please feel free to take as many photos and videos as you like.
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Will There Be An Open Bar?Whilst there won’t be an open bar, we will have a fully functioning cash bar at the venue. Along with food and an open mocktail bar by a special vendor we have provided. Please plan accordingly!
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Is The Wedding Outside?Yes, as the sun will be shining (hopefully) the ceremony will be outside and the reception will be indoors. Please make sure to dress appropriately and keep hydrated throughout the day.
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What Is The Dress Code?Formal: Men in suits & ties (or tuxedos); women in cocktail or evening attire. LADIES: NO WHITE... (please and thank you).