1. Real Weddings

Tina & Matt: A Summer Wedding in Sioux Falls, SD

When Tina Heeren saw coworker Matt Beal for the first time, she was immediately drawn to him. He had a girlfriend then, but a year later, the two were

When Tina Heeren saw coworker Matt Beal for the first time, she was immediately drawn to him. He had a girlfriend then, but a year later, the two were both single and started dating. At first they tried keeping their relationship a secret at work (texting during sales meetings and stealing little romantic glances), but after a few months, the two came clean to their coworkers -- “We were accepted with arms wide open!” Tina says. The Bride Tina Heeren, 28, event director The Groom Matt Beal, 31, sales representative The Date August 23 One Memorial Day weekend, the couple and their friends were enjoying an evening on Matt’s new houseboat when Tina turned to him and asked whether he thought they should get married. He said yes, but she told him that the proposal didn’t count unless he asked her. “So will you marry me?” he asked immediately -- she said yes and the two started planning a summer wedding in Sioux Falls.

The bridesmaids wore strapless, knee-length, yellow dresses. They accessorized with ivory sandals in varying styles.
Couples Shots
The five-tiered, square wedding cake was frosted with buttercream and decorated with graphic fondant flowers.
As soon as the ceremony was over, an usher handed out brown and yellow ribbon wands and small packets of eco-confetti from EcoParti.com to all the guests just in time for the couple’s exit.
White wrought-iron flower stands topped with floral pomanders lined the aisle. The altar was decorated with a coordinating white arch lined with pomanders.
Tina and Matt made a very stylish exit in a ‘57 Chevy, which belongs to his dad. The wedding party wasn’t left out: The couple chartered a party bus to transport them for the day.
As a gift to her bridesmaids, Tina purchased yellow beach bags at a local retailer; then her grandmother embroidered each maid’s name in green. Tina filled the bags with day-of necessities like tissues, hair ties, and gum.
Tina carried three floral pomanders strung with ivory pearl ribbon. Her bridesmaids each carried single pomanders.
Tina had already bought a great wedding dress at a secondhand store (for less than $100!), but fell in love with a different one just three months before the wedding.