Nestled in the heart of Marshfield, Wisconsin, lies a hidden gem waiting to be discovered—Mill Creek Gardens. This enchanting greenhouse served as an idyllic backdrop for capturing this lovely couple. We loved spending time with them and could not be more thrilled to be a part of their Wisconsin Dells wedding this fall. It was also a super windy day so we were grateful for the protection inside the warm greenhouse. However, on the way to our cars, we decided to embraced the wind and got some photos outside near some timber. This fit them perfectly because of Stephen’s experience as a forestry major. Join us as we introduce you to Stephen and Kayleigh!
Share how you met and your proposal story:
We met at UW Stevens Point during the spring of 2022. We were both very involved in the Catholic campus ministry and the Students for Life group on campus. That fall we went to a corn maze as part of a campus ministry event and we were paired up in the same group. We quickly realized we had a very similar sense of humor and from then on we were inseparable. Before we formally started dating we went on a trip with some mutual friends to Door County. We stopped at the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion on the way. There we took time to pray together about entering a relationship. Afterwards, we went to Cave Point park and hiked along the cliffs overlooking Lake Michigan. We started dating soon after. A year later we’d be back in Door County- this time Stephen had a ring for Kayleigh! On Sunday morning we went to Mass together at the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion and then spent the day viewing lighthouses along the shore. That evening Stephen took Kayleigh on a hike at Cave Point, where with a little help from Kayleigh’s sister Abby and Abby’s boyfriend Tom, Stephen had set up a picnic blanket and bottle of wine along one of the cliffs overlooking the lake. At the end of our hike, we reached the blanket. There, Stephen got down on one knee and proposed to Kayleigh. She overwhelmingly said yes! 🙂
Could you share a funny or meaningful story about you as a couple?
Something that was a very meaningful time for us in our relationship was the period after Stephen graduated. He was living in St. Paul, Minnesota and traveled a lot for work. Kayleigh postponed college and began working full time. We lived about 4 hours away from each other and the distance and stress of the jobs we were working made it so we had to be very intentional in our relationship. It took a lot of self-sacrifice and some creativity, but we got through it and grew a lot in our relationship.
Tell us a bit more about yourselves. What do you love to do together? How long have you been together?
We’ve been together for about a year and a half. Stephen loves spending time outdoors and went to school for forestry. He also enjoys painting in his free time. Kayleigh loves cute coffee shops, reading a good book, and trying new recipes. Kayleigh has enjoyed learning about plants and trees from Stephen, and Stephen has built up his cooking skills with the help of Kayleigh. Together we love hiking and exploring new places, swing dancing, listening to Noah Kahan and Zach Bryan on car rides together, spending time with our families (especially with Kayleigh’s cousins and our godson Luka), and of course being goofy together.
Share any places or activities that are special to you both:
One of the most special activities that we do together is making an effort to go to Mass with each other and pray our daily Rosary. Some places that are meaningful to us are the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, UW Stevens Point, Kayleigh’s Mom’s house, and Bella Goose Coffee in Wisconsin Dells.
What are you most excited for about marriage?
It’s so hard to pick what we are most excited for! Maybe being able to experience life together and going through the ups and downs that come with married life. After being in a distance relationship for a period of time, we’re also excited to settle down some and be able to come home to each other at the end of the day.
Tell us about wedding planning. How has it been so far?
It has been going surprisingly very smoothly! We were able to book all the venues and vendors that we wanted within a month or two of our engagement. It has been so good being surrounded by family and friends that want to support us in our next step in life. Our wedding day can’t come fast enough!
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