Liv + Joe

A Love Story

Story: Jennifer Kranz - Photos: Hannah Photography

A love story years in the making, Liv Stromme and Joe Berger knew they’d find their way back to each other. The high school and college sweethearts grew apart after their senior year and would intermittently drift back into each other’s lives through the years until rekindling their love at ND Country Fest. Now, Joe and Liv’s flame burns bright and forever after saying ‘I do’ in a Western Wildflower soiree at Black Leg Ranch.

The Proposal

Joe knew his proposal to Liv had to be something special. After scheming with her mom about “forgetting his wallet” and asking her dad to photograph the moment, the scene was set and in front of her parent’s house, by the very tree the couple had their first kiss, Joe got down on one knee and asked Liv to marry him. She said yes and was greeted in her parents’ house with a surprise party including cake, champagne, and most importantly, the people nearest and dearest to the couple.

The Ceremony

The couple had their ceremony at the University of Mary. “We knew we wanted to get married at UMary,” Liv explains, “Ever since we were 18, we had always talked about if we were going to get married that was where we would want to do it.” Our Lady of the Annunciation church on campus provided the perfect backdrop for the couple to exchange their marriage vows.

The Party

Liv and Joe know how to throw one heck of a party. It wasn’t just the food and drinks that made their reception unforgettable, it was the many incredibly personal details that contributed to the thoughtfulness of the night. Liv’s Jenny Yoo dress was a nod to the modern architecture at the University of Mary while Joe’s custom suit played perfectly into the Western Wildflower theme. Liv designed their logo and together Liv and Joe created the Berger Saloon sign. The Erica Thune commissioned painting that hung above the head table, called Invisible Thread, is a stunning nod to the couple’s meandering love story. The pair honored the past with their guest book, using a copy of Joe’s grandmother’s book ‘Little Yellow Jacket,’ and used their own handwriting to pen a thank you note in their program. The flowers were all grown by Liv’s brother, Andrew. “We had so many people that were so excited we were getting married, and it really took a village to get us here, so we wanted to include a lot of people in special ways throughout the day,” explains Liv. Liv and Joe’s wedding was unabashedly them-their style, their people, and their love. As Liv said, “I always wanted a wedding that felt like you were at an amazing party and there justhappened to be a wedding there as well.”

1. Advice you’d give to other couples?

“Your wedding should feel like your ideal party! Don’t worry about the pressure to compare your day to others and focus on what’s important. We wanted to make our wedding day feel like our ideal ceremony of commitment and party to celebrate starting our life together!”

2. Favorite wedding purchase?

“Joe’s suit! We were so obsessed with it. It made him feel like the truest version of himself. My wedding shoes I also plan on wearing on all of our anniversaries!”

3. Favorite wedding gift received?

“We just bought our house right before our wedding, so we were starting with nothing! The kitchen items like our shun knives, kitchenaid, vitamix have gotten so much use. We were surprised by getting steak knives with Berger engraved on them which was such a fun gift which we love.”

4. First dance song?

“Anyone by Justin Bieber”

5. Favorite memory from the day?

“We always wanted to not do a first look and have me come down the aisle, but logistically it was much easier to do before the ceremony for photos, and we ultimately decided spending as much time together on our day was most important. So we did a private first look where it was just us in the chapel, and Liv walked down the aisle so we could still get the same experience. It was incredibly emotional and special, and then we privately exchanged personal vows which will forever be our most special moment!”

6. Did you have a “something blue”?

“Something blue was Joe’s four sisters and sister-in-law to celebrate becoming sisters!”

Vendors

Venue: Black Leg Ranch

Church: University of Mary

Photographer: Hannah Photography

Videographer: Alec Larson (Alec Wesley Visuals)

DJ: DJ Du

Hair: Erika Weisz (Apex Hair Co) & Hi Honey Salon

Makeup: Chloe Danielle MUA 

Floral: Andrew Stromme 

Commissioned Painting: Erica Thune 

Catering: Six-O-Four

Stationery: Flash Printing

Dress: Jenny Yoo 

Suit: Etsy

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