Sweet Surprises

Ashley and Harley shared an abundance of happy surprises on their journey to happily ever after.

Two years after unexpectedly meeting at a street dance, Ashley and Harley went golfing with Ashley’s grandma and grandpa, an activity that they all enjoyed doing together. At the eighth tee box at Lee Park in Aberdeen, this casual get-together turned into a momentous occasion as Harley got down on one knee and asked Ashley to spend forever together.

“Both my grandma and grandpa were tearful, and they were so excited,” Ashley said. “And just being able to always have that special memory with them is pretty fun.”

When COVID-19 struck after wedding preparations were already underway, countless questions swirled around the couple and their big day.

The adjustment to the pandemic was a blessing in disguise for Ashley and Harley because it reminded the couple of the real meaning of their engagement and gave them time to reflect on what the wedding day truly meant to them.

The Hoogendoorns kept the wedding classic and traditional to accentuate their marriage and capture the love they felt for each other.

During the ceremony, Pastor Leland Armbright added time for Ashley and Harley to look into the crowd, take a deep breath, and appreciate the love and support of their friends and family.

The reception followed with the same simplicity of the ceremony and appreciation for their family. A surprise, heartfelt speech written by Ashley’s brother who could not attend that day because he tested positive for COVID the day before the wedding was read by her father. The intimate gesture left everyone in tears.

The memorable day was topped off with Ashley’s grandma’s homemade cookies for dessert, a tradition for every grandchild in her family.

Ashley and Harley faced the unforeseen arrival of a pandemic and created a day even more special for the couple as they said “I do” to a lifetime of love and happiness. // —Josie Clemens

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Advice from the Bride

1. Stay true to yourself during the process, remember the true meaning behind the day.
2. Keep your day personal – don’t do something “just for the guests.” Make sure it makes you happy.
3. When you are stressed and do not know what to do, take a deep breath. It is all going to turn out perfect no matter what.

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Details:

August 29, 2020

• Ceremony Venue: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
• Reception Venue and Catering: Dakota Event Center
• Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Bird Nest at Wylie Park
• Photography: Paisley Tree Photography
• Bridal Dresses: Brides N’ Belles
• Menswear: Halberstadts, Sioux Falls
• Her Ring: Heiser’s Jewelry
• His Ring: Ashcroft & Oak, Sioux Falls
• Hair: Chloee Waiflein, Experience Salon & Ally Goeman, Salon Remix
• Wedding Ceremony Coordinator: Renae Wensmann
• Invitations: Shutterfly
• Programs: Printed at Quality Quick Print
• Floral: Hobby Lobby, arranged by Sharon Sauer
• Table Squares and Backdrop Rentals: Dakota Giftware Supply Inc, Watertown
• Officiant: Leland Armbright
• Ceremony Musician: Amanda Jacobs, sister-in-law
• Reception DJ: Kory Erickson at Celebration Entertainment
• Rehearsal Catering: Ken’s Superfair Foods
• Cookies: Ashley’s grandmother
• Transportation: Deunwald’s Transportation, Clark
• Lodging: Holiday Inn Express & Suites and Hampton Inn & Suites