Bridal

Guide
2011

A supplement to the
Jackson County Pilot
and Lakefield Standard
C2 • Bridal Edition • Thursday, January 27, 2011
A long-awaited silver-screen dream come true
Walking the red
carpet on her
wedding day
by RYAN BRINKS
News Editor
They drove up in classic
cars, stepped out under
the shadow of an historic
marquee emblazoned with
their names and strode over
red carpet into downtown
Jackson’s landmark His-
toric State Theatre.
It was a dream come true
for Darcey Lapic Herem
— and a dream years in the
making.
After moving to Jackson
in seventh grade, Herem
became well-acquainted
with the theater, since her
great-uncle Joe Matuska
ran it.
“A lot of times we would
go down there, get in for
free and help pick up trash
and they’d give us a ride
home,” she said.
And it had been in the
family long before them.
“My grandparents are
the ones who started the
theater here,” said Rita
Lapic, Herem’s mother.
“My grandma designed it
and my grandpa built (the
original theater location
where Pamida is now).”
That was Frank and Mary
Matuska. Later, probably in
the early 1900s, the business
was moved to its current
location, she said.
Herem first dreamed up
her wedding at the movie
house locale for a high
school social studies proj-
ect.
“I don’t even know why,”
she said of choosing it.
But it stuck.
The 1994 Jackson High
School graduate and daugh-
ter of Lee and Rita Lapic
revisited that dream — in
much more detail — over
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the year leading up to her to disrupt the ceremony, “He’s pretty easy going party and beyond thought Herem said. “It went better
June 26, 2010, wedding with the groom’s one request and thought it was a pretty so too. than I expected.”
Peter Herem. — popcorn — was served cool idea too,” Herem said “We got a lot of really For one, the ease of set-
“We didn’t want to have it for the reception at the of the wedding idea. good compliments on it, just up made it an attractive
in a church and didn’t want Jackson Golf Club. Many in the wedding being an interesting venue,” See LAPIC-HEREM on C3
to do it outdoors,” she said.
“With the family connec-
tion, it seemed this would
be a great choice.”
Though it was the first
wedding performed during
Mike and Nikki Schwartz’s
tenure as owners, they de-
livered on a number of wed-
ding day special effects.
In addition to the cou-
ple’s names on the marquee
and the red carpet, the cer-
emony got under way with
a slideshow on the silver
screen.
Then, at the moment the
credits rolled on that, the
black and white-themed
bridesmaids proceeded
down one aisle while the
groomsmen, decked out in
black tuxedos and cream
vests, entered down the
other aisle.
“Mike and Nikki were
just so nice,” Lapic said.
“They just did everything
in their power to make it
special.”
As Herem made her way
down the aisle in her fa-
ther’s arm, she held a bou-
quet of handcrafted crepe
paper flowers.
“Every flower looked ab-
solutely real,” said Lapic,
who helped her daughter
fashion many of the Mar-
tha Stewart-inspired crepe
paper peonies, lilies, carna-
tions, gardenias, roses, dai-
sies, tulips and other flow-
ers, some of which didn’t
even necessarily have a
name. “Darcey’s real artsy
and so am I.”
The ceremony also fea-
tured vows written by the
couple and a pronunciation
of marriage from a friend
who became ordained just
for their wedding, Lapic
said.
Though not available
Submitted photos
Under the Historic State
Catering
Theatre marquee, Darcey
and Peter Herem (left) ac-
Special Event company their flower girl
Lydia Herem and ring bear-
er Lucas Mortensen, brides-
maids Ginger Mortensen,
by Jean Leopold
Rebecca Pfeiffer and Lena
Hanson and groomsmen
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Lapic-Herem: Unique setting earns two thumbs up
Continued from C2
location — that and the
simple fact of having it in
Jackson.
From her Minneapolis
perspective, “it was nice to
have it in a small town. Ev-
erything was easier and laid
back,” Herem said.
Nevertheless, the bride
The bride and groom exchanged their vows in front of the silver screen.
Peter and Darcey Herem walk down the red carpet into the Historic State Theatre, a
downtown Jackson landmark built and long operated by members of the bride's fam-
ily.
did a lot of the planning
herself.
“I recommend a wed-
ding planner, at least for
that day,” she said in ret-
rospect.
Overall, the cinematic ex-
perience drew two thumbs
up.
A honeymoon on a budget?
“It had an extra special
touch because it had the
family connection, but I
It’s easy, local agents say
recommend it to others as
a non-traditional place to It’s possible to
get married in Jackson,”
Herem said. save money on
your destination
wedding as well
by JUSTIN R. LESSMAN
Publisher
With a sour economy
still fresh in many minds,
local travel agents say
soon-to-be-newlyweds
are looking for ways
to scale back and save
money on both destina-
tion weddings and hon-
eymoons.
But despite being a
little more cost-conscious
these days, the agents
add, couples are still will-
ing to spend money on
these once-in-a-lifetime
memory-makers.
“Newlyweds are still
taking honeymoons,” said
Janet Bargfrede of the
Travel Station of Jackson.
“They’re just looking to
scale back a little — may-
be planning shorter stays
or looking to scale back
on hotel accommoda-
tions.”
Despite the recent
recession, honeymoons
remain one of the stron-
gest travel categories,
said Connie Vanderpoel,
certified travel planner
with Southwest Tour and
Travel, with offices in
Jackson.
“Studies show that
brides and grooms are
willing to make conces-
sions on other parts of
their wedding — maybe
a less expensive dress, a
DJ rather than a band
— but they won’t skimp
on their honeymoon be-
cause of the memories
that come with it. And the
mentality is that they can
spend it now, and make
the money back later
— so newlyweds are still
Thursday, January 27, 2011 • Bridal Edition • C3
spending.” hearts set on saving money
As for destination wed- on a destination wedding,
dings, couples are really Vanderpoel suggests look-
looking for places that offer ing at the where and when.
the most bang for their of- She said a destination like
ten more-tightly-squeezed Mexico will often prove
buck, said Bargfrede and much more economical
Vanderpoel. than one in, say, Europe.
She also suggests shop-
Destination weddings ping hotels and resorts for
Destination weddings deals.
combine a wedding and a “Many resorts offer spe-
honeymoon, Vanderpoel cial complimentary wed-
said, and are often less dings or affordable wedding
expensive than traditional packages,” she said, “and
weddings due to their small- some hotels may have bet-
er size. In terms of saving ter rates.”
money on destination wed- For those who have their
dings, Vanerpoel said, it’s hearts set on a certain place,
all about the destination money can still be saved if
itself. some flexibility can enter
“Airlines are flying full, into the equation, said Van-
so there are no deals on derpoel.
airfare,” she said. “Be flexible and plan
The only way to even at- ahead,” she said. “Have
tempt to save some bucks on several options for the date
the plane ride is by booking and time of your wedding.
well in advance, she said. This way, you’ll be able to
Bargfrede agreed. have your wedding at the
“There’s not much out resort of your choosing. You
there for airline deals,” she can also save more by hav-
said. “In fact, if anything, ing your wedding during the
the plane ride portion has slow season in the destina-
gotten more expensive, tion you choose.”
what with the airlines charg-
ing for luggage and all other Honeymoons
sorts of things now.” Honeymooners can also
So, for those with their See HONEYMOONS on C4
Submitted photo
With unparalleled access to shows, dining, sites and, of
course gaming — and all at rock-bottom prices — Las
Vegas is one of the country’s top-value honeymoon desti-
nations, local travel agents say.

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C4 • Bridal Edition • Thursday, January 27, 2011
Honeymoons: Plenty of ways to have a memorable trip and save some money in the process
Continued from C3
save money based on where value.” any hidden or additional some of the best deals one of other little measures cou- So, you’re planning a
and when they want to go. As far as Orlando, plenty costs you don’t want,” she can find anywhere in the ples can take to save a buck
“It all just depends on of hotels are offering special said. “There are lots of world. or two on a honeymoon. destination wedding?
destination, time of year rates and other money-sav- warm-weather deals with “Always a honeymoon “Shave a couple days off Who pays?
and travel dates,” Bargfrede ing options, she said. all-inclusives and cruises.” favorite, it now offers some your trip, look at flying in Make the details clear. It
said. For those looking beyond Vanderpoel has also seen of the best pricing you can and out on off-peak days, is customary that the bride
In terms of des- a trend toward find,” she said of the country get a hotel room with a and groom pay for the ac-
tination, Barg- “NEWLYWEDS ARE STILL TAKING all-inclusives and to the south. “Take advan- partial-ocean view instead commodations for their at-
frede said, two HONEYMOONS.THEY’RE JUST cruises. tage of the fabulous beach- of full-ocean view — there’s
tendants, and some wedding
of the top-value LOOKING TO SCALE BACK A LITTLE “You’ll spend a es, unparalleled warmth plenty of ways to have a couples may pay for travel
places within the lot less by choos- and culture and the excep- memorable trip and save costs, as well. Decide what
country right now — MAYBE PLANNING SHORTER ing an all-inclusive tional values.” some money in the pro- you are able to do and make
are Las Vegas and STAYS OR LOOKING TO SCALE BACK resort where much Vanderpoel and Barg- cess,” Bargfrede said. “Youthese details clear to your at-
Orlando. ON HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS.” of the food and frede said there are plenty just have to look around.” tendants when you ask them
“For what you beverage expense to be part of your wedding.
can get, Las Ve- Janet Bargfrede is part of the lodg- Send out ‘save the date’ cards
gas has a lot of ing costs,” she said. With traditional weddings,
deals right now — some of the states, Bargfrede sug- “Cruises also hit on another invites are usually sent out
the best values out there,” gested either shopping all- trend we’re seeing — the four to six weeks in advance;
she said. “There’s shows, inclusive resorts or jumping desire for all-inclusives.” but for a destination wed-
meals, sites to see, moun- on a cruise ship. As far as out-of-country ding, that isn’t enough time
tains to drive to — lots to “With those options, you honeymoon destinations for people to make their travel
do even apart from the know how much you’re pay- for those on a budget, Van- arrangements and ask for time
gambling, and all a good ing and don’t get hit with derpoel said Mexico has off from work, etc. It is recom-
mended to send out the save-
the-date cards several months
For Memories That Last A Lifetime . . . in advance.
Carry your dress on
Many brides take their wed-
ding dress on the plane as
carry-on luggage, but be sure
Submitted photo it is an approved size, as some
The warm sandy beaches of Mexico offer the best interna- airplanes do not have extra
tional values for both honeymoon and destination wedding room for oversized carry-on
travel, according to local travel agents. pieces. It is advised to make

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After a dozen years of marriage, advice is the same: Marry your best friend
by MIKE JORDAN
Staff Writer
It was while they were
students at college that Jeff
and Haylee (Mack) Goulet
of Lakefield met.
Haylee worked with the
marketing department at
Willmar Technical College
and Jeff had transferred
there from North Dakota
State University.
“I had a picture of some
friends — of our group to-
gether from NDSU — and
Haylee was working in the
photography department,
so I went down there to see
what it would cost to have
an enlargement made of the
photo. I first met her there
and it just went from there
with us meeting at school
dances,” Jeff Goulet said.
“Then we started dating.”
“We dated nine and a half
months,” Haylee Goulet
said. “Then we decided to
go our separate ways and
stayed apart for nearly two
years.”
That’s when Jeff, just out
of the blue, decided to call
Haylee and wish her a hap-
py birthday. The only thing
about that birthday call was
it came two weeks after the
event, a bit late. And when
he called, Haylee asked him
what he really wanted. Ob-
viously, he wanted to start
dating her again, which they
started doing.
“Our timing hasn’t been
the best,” Jeff Goulet said,
laughing. “When we were
first dating, I had this plan
to propose to Haylee at my
dad’s cabin on Lake Min-
newaska that has a beautiful
overlook to the lake, but we
decided to separate before
that had happened. I guess
you could say she ruined
that plan.”
But after dating for a
short time the second time
around, they became en-
gaged at the cabin — just
not in that special spot or
at the special time Jeff had
first planned for it to hap-
pen. That was in the fall of
1997. They were married
one year later on Nov. 7,
1998, at Kranzburg, S.D.,
a town located just outside
of Watertown, in Haylee’s
home church.
“It was a traditional Cath-
olic church wedding,” Hay-
lee Goulet said. “We had
about 200 people attend,
mostly family and close
friends. It snowed that day
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snow.”
Haylee’s former piano
teacher coordinated the
wedding and her mother-
in law was in charge of it.
Her mother actually made
the flowers for the wedding
and Haylee made her own
necklace for the event.
“I remember the chil-
dren’s choir from our church
singing, ‘Angels Among
Us,’” Haylee said. “It was a
memorable song.”
But then there was that
timing thing again. Jeff
nearly had to fly out for a
business trip, but was able
to delay it at the last min-
ute so the couple could get
married as planned and,
because of time constraints,
the couple made a quick
honeymoon trip to Winni-
peg, Canada.
“That was an interesting
trip,” Jeff said. “Winnipeg is
a very culturally diverse city
and, instead of having the
big malls, they have many
traditional small shops in
the downtown area that
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After their engagement,
Jeff changed jobs and
moved to Rosseau, where
he worked for Polaris In-
dustries. At that time, Hay-
lee worked for Laurel’s in
Jackson. After they married,
she got a job in the plastics
molding department as an
administrative assistant at
Polaris while Jeff was the
purchasing agent there.
“We have been married
12 years and in those 12
years we have moved sev-
en times,” Haylee said.
“Among others, we’ve lived
in Sioux Falls, S.D.; Spirit
Lake, Iowa; the Warroad
area in northern Minnesota;
and lived in Baxter before
coming here to Lakefield,”
Haylee said. “Baxter is sep-
arated from Brainerd by the
river.”
“Baxter is really where
the retail businesses are
located for the Brainerd
area,” Jeff said.
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Thursday, January 27, 2011 • Bridal Edition • C5
Presently Haylee is the
coordinator of the Lakefield
American Red Cross blood
drives and is active in the
Pleasantview Elementary
School Parent-Teachers
Organization. Jeff is now
the purchasing manager
for AGCO in Jackson. They
moved to Lakefield in June
2009.
As for marriage and those
contemplating the same,
the Goulets offered some
good advice in choosing a
lifelong mate.
See GOULETS on C6
Jeff and Haylee Goulet’s
advice to those thinking
about marriage? Marry
your best friend.
Submitted photos
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C6 • Bridal Edition • Thursday, January 27, 2011
Goulets: After a dozen years of marriage, the advice remains the same: Marry your very best friend
Continued from C5

Described by the bride as a “traditional Catholic church “Marry your best friend,”
wedding,” Jeff and Haylee Goulet exchanged vows on Nov. Jeff said.
7, 1998, in Kranzburg, S.D. Haylee indicated that
communication and faith
are what makes for a happy
marriage, in her opinion.
The Goulets have two
children, both enrolled in
Pleasantview Elementary
School — Samantha, who
is in fifth grade, and Joshua,
who is a second-grader this
year.

I can’t find the perfect words for my longtime best friend’s wedding
I love to write, which is game generally comes easy a hard time writing a best- brother, Jacob’s, in June rather easily. I thought of mind involves our times
a good thing, since it’s a to me. So does writing a man speech for my best and my best friend Ryan some ideas one night and driving around Lakefield
huge part of my job. feature after talking to an friend’s wedding? Place’s in August. tweaked it a few times in the pickup — or
Writing a story after individual or a family. I am a best man in two I came up with a speech and now I think sometimes full-
watching a basketball So why am I having such weddings this summer: my for Jacob’s wedding it’s the prefect size van — when
combination of it was snowy and
sappiness and icy. We spent
A bride’s flflower
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But I haven’t corner and
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From Way
Kelly Johnson and We have had involved us
Downtown
Paul Hargus some great times Dan Condon going through
together and a snow bank we
I have several had previously
Call ONE WAY CATERING wonderful memories of
Ryan and I spending time
thought might be too big
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Planning a night of love in the fast lane
Local couple plans
their wedding right
in victory circle
by RYAN BRINKS
News Editor
They both grew up around
the rev of engines, the scent
of gas, oil and exhaust, and
the glimpses of speeding
cars kicking up dirt as they
raced under the Saturday
night lights.
So when their mail-
box filled with invitations
for race day weddings,
they shook their heads.
“I think the conversation
started out as ‘Who gets
married on a Saturday dur-
ing racing season?” said
Jackson’s Chad Tweedt.
But the more he and his
bride-to-be, Stacey Flitter,
thought about it, the more
appealing it became — it
being a Saturday wedding
for themselves, but at the
Jackson Speedway.
“It just made sense, since
that is where everyone is ev-
ery weekend,” Tweedt said.
“We have family that race
everything from stock, mods
to sprint cars and even more
friends in the stands, and it
is one of the main things
that drew us together in the
first place.”
Tweedt has lived in the
area almost his entire life,
graduating high school in
1993 and college in 1997.
“My dad started taking
me to races,” he said. “I
have always had family rac-
ing in one class or another
since then.”
Currently, that lineup of
racing family members in-
cludes cousin Steve Yarns in
a 305 sprint car, cousin Mel
Halverson in a modified —
and his son in one too, and
a nephew in a hobby stock.
“I don’t drive, I run demo
cars,” he joked. “But, I have
been a pit crew member for
one car or another since I
was 14, most recently (since
2003) for Steve Yarns and
his No. 98 Cheaper Than a
Wife sprint car.
“I grew up watching them
fly around the track. Now I
get to wrench on them. It’s
pretty fun.”
Meanwhile, his bride
was growing up in Janes-
ville, home to the Ar-
lington Raceway.
“She grew up with a dad
who always worked on race
cars, which meant weekends
at the track and go-karts,”
Tweedt said.
Eventually their racing
paths crossed — on the
Internet through common
racing friends.
And when the relation-
ship led to marriage, the
racing influence didn’t
stop at the wedding.
“She agreed to get mar-
ried at the track and to
name our son Maxim
Hoosier after a sprint car
chassis and tire,” he said.
Once the wedding date
was set for June 5 — also
Tweedt’s 35th birthday — the
couple worked with track
promoter Jon McCorkell
and assistant promoter Bri-
an Postma to make all of the
arrangements, particularly
renting the VIP booth and
getting tickets for all of the
guests.
“Our interim pastor
agreed to marry us track-
side in a short ceremony,
and we asked our guests to
wear their favorite driver
shirts or purple and white to
support the No. 98 Cheaper
Than a Wife race team,”
Tweedt said. “Groom and
groomsmen wore pit crew
shirts and jeans. The hard-
est part of the planning was
getting people to believe
we were actually getting
married at the track. Some
of my family didn’t think
we were serious and ex-
pected a church wedding.”
The plan was to exchange
vows and be married in
victory circle during an
intermission between the
regular Saturday night heat
races and the feature races.
In addition to reserving the
VIP booth for friends and
family, a reception party
was set to go in the No. 98
pit area of driver and best
man Yarns.
Despite those plans, the
racer’s nemesis — rain —
messed the whole thing up.
“We held off as long as we
could, hoping to at least get
some pictures at the track,
but 12 hours of rain caused
the races to be cancelled at
5 p.m. and at 6 we called all
of our guests and posted
a note on Facebook that
we were moving to Our
Savior’s Lutheran Church,
with a meal at Pillars Pub
afterwards, since we weren’t
gonna have access to speed-
way BBQs and nachos,”
said Tweedt, who works at
Pillars two nights a week
as a cook.
The couple had talked
with the church ahead of
time to ensure the event
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Thursday, January 27, 2011 • Bridal Edition • C7
Chad and
Stacey Tweedt
of Jackson both
grew up around
racing and so
nothing seemed
to be more fitting
than a wedding Named after a racing chassis and tire, Chad and Stacey
in the Jackson Tweedt’s son Maxim Hoosier helped them celebrate
Speedway victory their racing-themed wedding day with attendants Derek
circle amidst Sampson (from left), Jenny Sweere and Steve Yarns.
the Saturday
perfect
night action
with friends and
family filling the
setting
VIP booths in the
grandstand.
Submitted photos
The Historic Dayton House
could be switched in such races or our love in the fast is the perfect setting for
a case, and then it was lane theme.” intimate weddings and
merely a matter of keep- Nevertheless, the attempt receptions.
ing in contact with friends was worth it, Tweedt said,
and family via Facebook, and he would recommend Having a larger wedding?
phone and text message. a themed wedding to oth- Consider the Dayton House
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“It turned out perfectly ers as well.
“Do what your heart tells for your bridal shower,
fine,” he said. “Everyone
made the drive and showed you to do,” he said. “… I groom’s dinner, gift opening,
up at the church, even with- think you should do what- or as a romantic getaway on
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C8 • Bridal Edition • Thursday, January 27, 2011
You’re engaged! Now what? The top five wedding Taking the stress out of
planning questions to answer before doing anything preparing bridal shower food
After he pops the ques-
can be one of the most ex- ents can help or if you’ll be wedding planning is usually If you’re planning a great-tasting, nutritious
tion and she says “yes,” the
pensive undertakings you’ll paying on your own — and most successful when done bridal shower, you want snacks that also go easy on
reality of wedding planning
tackle in your life together decide how much you can well in advance, if you’re to make it a relaxing, fun artificial additives, salt, fat,
sets in — and that feeling of
as a couple. Many couples afford to spend without go- interested in a destina- time for everyone — and sugar and other potentially
joyful romance can fade as
only spend more on buying ing into debt. tion wedding, planning far right at the center of the unhealthy ingredients. For
quickly as Christmas lights
a house or car, or fund- ahead is essential. Popular fun is good food. guests with special diet re-
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questions you will need to
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answer to make your wed- your wedding is an essential people start asking what destination of your choice pared — especially with free baked treats.
ding planning journey a step toward starting your the wedding date will be. To are booked a year or more everyone nowadays pay- • Take some shortcuts.
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nancial footing. Determine tion as simple as possible, to what they eat — re- dips without fuss, use high-
1. What is our budget? where your funding will start by considering in what 4. What kind of venue do lax. You can serve deli- quality organic dip mix-
Funding your wedding come from — if your par- season you would like to be you want? cious and healthy food es. Just add a creamy dill,
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Rent For
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low-fat cottage cheese and
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want to keep it local? While Is it important to you to bring something if they without a lot of work.
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Your life together you OK with a justice of ger to help. Get others
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One way to combine sim-
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