Denise & Joel in Grand Marais, MN

The one thing Denise had asked Joel (her boyfriend of nine years) not to buy her for Christmas was a pair of women’s waders. “We’re camping, hunting, and fishing enthusiasts,” Denise explains, “and I had a pair that worked just fine!” But on the evening of December 23rd, Joel arrived home with a rather large box that he couldn’t wait for Denise to open. The Bride Denise Denny, 27, photographer The Groom Joel Mack, 29, electrician The Date July 30 Since he clearly couldn’t contain his excitement, Denise agreed to exchange one gift early. She opened the box to discover...well, waders. “They seem very nice,” Denise said, managing a smile. At that point, Joel drew her attention to the smaller package nestled inside the box alongside the rubber pants. Six months later, the couple married on the Gunflint Trail near Grand Marais, a location especially meaningful to them for the many hiking and camping trips they’d taken there together over the years. And beneath her elegant strapless gown, the bride wore (no, not waders) hiking boots, complete with lacy anklet socks! Sometimes, beautiful things come in surprising packages.