Jake And Brianna Marry

Jake and Brianna were married on Saturday December 27th, 2025 at the Semple Mansion in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was a beautiful wedding, and the mansion was gorgeous with glittering lights and cozy, warm fireplaces for people to sit by. The evening had a magical feel to it, and everyone we talked to seemed to think it was a wonderful place to celebrate a December wedding. 

Of course now as I try to remember as many details about the evening as I can, it's worth noting that there were a lot of things going on to remember! I'm grateful for friends and family who passed along their pictures to me, and though I did happen to have a pocket in my dress to hold my phone, taking pictures just didn't happen.

The little boys had a ball, and were as well behaved as little boys can be. Daniel loved listening to the string quartet. And, cousin Stellan was there also, so three little boys in all. Aunt Brianna made sure that they had chicken fingers and white cheddar garlic mashed potatoes for their suppers...

Dancing was fun (and especially fun to have that special dance with Jacob) plus Bruce and I ended up being the last ones on the floor for the anniversary dance, having been married just short of 39 years. The dancing lasted until almost midnight. They even had late night pizza!

The morning after, Brianna's folks hosted a wedding brunch at Ikes in Minnetonka. As snow began to fall, I thought how nice! Because Brianna loves December snow. 💕 

You look like Elsa 💖

a few of the Book Club Beauties

Sven, Bruce, and Curt

I gave a toast

Uncle Mark

so beautiful

Aaron

Daniel

Stellan and Aaron

Jake and Brianna's table

💕💕💕

Brianna and Jake
were well matched in the shoe game

I could have sworn there was a
little orange cat on the cake, too!

my corsage

The Semple Mansion

 

December Wedding Snow 
for Brianna

Wordless Wednesday

The Rehearsal Dinner At Buca di Beppo

The night before Jake and Brianna's wedding, we hosted a rehearsal dinner at the Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant in Eden Prairie. It was a warm, cozy place to be on a cold winters night, and most everyone invited was able to attend. 

Diana

our room

so much to see

Items chosen from the Glorioso Menu included: Bruschetta and Fried Mozzarella, Caesar and Chopped Antipasta Salads, Baked Ziti and Spicy Chicken Rigatoni, Eggplant Parmigiana and Chicken Marsala, Italian Broccoli Romano and Brussels Sprouts with Prosciutto, and Mini Chocolate Chip Cannoli and Tiramisu. Plus, wine. Phew.

the little boys...

Pastor Eric getting to know everyone

Godmother Debbie 
was able to attend 

Jacob with John S. and John B.   

I think the evening turned out well. The room was loud with talking and laughing! Towards the end of the night, I asked if we could bring home left over food, and there was a lot. Our waiter said they normally weren't supposed to, but that he would do that for us. And then it turned out that John B. had a huge family of siblings at home that would be thrilled to eat all of that food. So, of course, I had to give our waiter an extra big tip for being so good to us. 😍