It was a perfect spring day for Dana and Danny’s wedding in Amana. Their ceremony was at the Main Amana Church, one I hadn’t been in before, but I loved the light, natural wood tones and pale blue walls and their reception was an easy walk across the street to the Festhalle Barn.

They met in 2016 in Chihuahua, Mexico while they were both on an optometry medical trip. (You can read more about how they met here.) Years later, when Danny prepared to propose to her, he incorporated their love of Lego into it, a love which they then included in their reception as well! “I had the ring with me for some time, but couldn’t find the right time to propose. Dana was the one who first asked me for my number while on a boat when we first met. She had the idea to go on a boat ride during a business trip in San Diego, so I thought that was the perfect time to propose. (She basically planned it herself, but didn’t know she was going to be proposed to.) Dana and I are both huge fans of Lego. In San Diego, I had to visit a couple of clinics without her and, oddly enough, drove past Legoland. I had the idea to find little Lego mini figs that looked like us as a gift. However, you couldn’t just buy the figures; you had to buy a whole set. When I explained this to an employee, she gave me two people for free, but that looked nothing like us. She said that there were free exchange stations where I could trade parts off the people and replace them with ones I liked around the park. 

“So I walked around the park for two hours trying to find the best combo that matched us and was able to get pretty close. Later, when on the boat after dinner, I asked if she wanted to go to the top deck (before a lot of people finished their food and crowded it). I showed her the Lego people that I got that day and explained the story of me walking around like an idiot changing parts to look like us. She found it very funny and was excited for them. 

“I then said, ‘I also got you this.’ And got down on a knee with her grandma’s ring. Through her tears of joy and laughter, we kissed and someone random came over and tried to ask Dana if she can take a photo of them (I don’t think they knew what just happened). She covered her face and just motioned to me to do it. So right after I proposed, I took a photo of a stranger and then went back to Dana who was still trying to stop crying. It was a very memorable night.”

Bringing their families and friends together to celebrate with them was so full of joy that my cheeks actually hurt from smiling so much.

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Photography: Emily Crall Photography

Ceremony: Main Amana Church

Reception: Festhalle Barn

Florals: Stonehouse Farm

Live Band: The Crossroad Sound

Hair & Makeup: Skin Deep Salon

Bridal Gown: Brides by Jessa

Maids’ Gowns: Azazie

Suits: Jim’s Formal Wear

Catering: Peppercorn Food Company

Bride’s Rings: Kay Jewelers

Groom’s Ring: D&D Jewelers

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Dana’s socks were amazing!! The eyes were a perfect nod to her profession and how she met Danny.

In lieu of a traditional guest book, they had a custom Lego frame with platforms labeled for each of their guests. Their guests could then design their own Lego mini fig to place by their name. It was a huge hit; people kept going up all night to retouch their design.