Heritage Center wedding featured in magazine
When Randy and Aimee Staples said “I do” at an intimate ceremony in the church of the Heritage Center in New Richmond, they never imagined their special day would be shared with thousands of people across the Midwest.By: Ashley Halladay, New Richmond News
When Randy and Aimee Staples said “I do” at an intimate ceremony in the church of the Heritage Center in New Richmond, they never imagined their special day would be shared with thousands of people across the Midwest.
Their Sept. 18, 2010 wedding is featured in the fall edition of Minnesota Bride Magazine.
According to its website, “Minnesota Bride is the region’s premier luxury bridal magazine and website, catering to engaged couples looking for the top wedding vendors across the state.”
Without their knowledge, their wedding photographer (Lauren B Photography) submitted photos from their rustic wedding to the magazine.
About four months ago the Staples received an email from the magazine saying their photos had been submitted and Minnesota Bride would like to feature their special day in the fall edition.
The Staples gave the magazine the OK to use their photos and love story in the bi-annual publication.
Aimee said it was neat to see their small-town wedding in such a large publication.
“It’s exciting because we worked so hard. We put so much love into it and effort and personal touches,” she said. “It’s neat to be able to send the magazine, that’s regional, to our families and say ‘look!’”
Love story
Randy, a 1978 New Richmond High School graduate, met Aimee when he was called upon to help her when she locked her keys in her car at the place they both worked.
Aimee took Randy out to lunch as a thank you for his help, and the two discovered they had an instant connection.
A year and a half later, in early March, Randy proposed to Aimee on the front porch of his rural New Richmond home.
The location of the proposal has meaning to the couple. Randy proposed over the one dark colored board on their large porch. Randy had never been fond of the board. He’d even considered moving it and replacing it with a better matching board, but Aimee loved the unique character it gave to the area.
Now the couple says the board is there to stay, and will probably go with them if they ever sell the house.
Everything about their relationship has had a meaning or connection, and when it came to choosing a ceremony location, finding a venue that fit their personalities was essential.
“We’re just simple people,” Randy said.
Aimee and Randy wanted a wedding that was romantic and simple, and let guests feel as if they were part of the ceremony, not merely observers.
Aimee, a Colorado native, said it was important to her to get married close to home.
“I wanted my friends and family to see where I’m building my life,” she said.
Heritage Cente
“Our friends had gotten married (at the Heritage Center) and they were telling us how quaint it was and we went over there and we just absolutely fell in love with it because it’s in New Richmond and we love antiques,” said Aimee.
“The Heritage Center was such a great backdrop for our wedding because it wasn’t overbearing in any way. It wasn’t overly religious because that’s not who we are either. It just kind of had this perfect little, fairy tale feeling,” said Aimee.
Not only was the Heritage Center the perfect backdrop for Randy an Aimee’s simple and honest wedding, but it was also an avenue for guests to step back in time, and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Although they got married in 2010, Aimee said it felt like they had stepped back in time when they entered the Heritage Center church.
And for some guests, the church offered a chance to reminisce about the old days.
Randy’s grandparents came from small communities in southern Minnesota and he said, “that church was a lot like the church they were born, raised, baptized and married in. That’s why for me there was a connection, growing up in those churches. It was kind of like coming home.”
The couple even brought some of their own home to the ceremony, from the pew cones to the boutonnieres, many of their wedding decorations were harvested from their New Richmond property, like pieces of bark and dried plants.
Randy said the romantic wedding “really let everyone know who we were.”
Randy and Aimee said the Heritage Center staff was wonderful in allowing them to personalize the church to fit the atmosphere they envisioned.
“They were great there. They were helpful and very accommodating,” said Aimee.
“It was a perfect small wedding,” Aimee said. “I wouldn’t change anything about that day.”
The couple said the Heritage Center is an “unknown treasure,” and they hope the magazine feature will bring attention to the local landmark.
Tags: new richmond, area news, lifestyle
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