For the Petersons’ first look, their day-of coordinator Kenzie Heckmann drove them to a remote spot on the venue property to exchange personal, private vows, where she delivered a special letter to Cole Peterson before driving back to pick up Allie Peterson. A few months before they met, Allie wrote a letter to her future husband, which she found during the planning process. Photos: Heather Joy Photography
One couple pays homage to lifelong love stories.
Allie and Cole Peterson, high school sweethearts who persevered through years of long distance, focused on family for their October 2024 wedding at Abella Weddings & Events.
The pair first met through friends at Hill-Murray School when Allie was in 11th grade and Cole was a freshman. After several months, their relationship evolved into something more before Cole transferred to Woodbury High School. That small separation paled in comparison to the upcoming obstacles, as their bond was tested further as they navigated the challenges of attending universities on opposite coasts for several years.
While the distance was tough, Allie and Cole are grateful for the time apart. It gave them space to focus on their education and careers, laying a strong foundation for their future together. “It would have been nice to have been closer with [Cole], but I still think it allowed us to grow up as individuals more than anything,” Allie says.
Allie Peterson’s dress was the first she tried on, with a long, billowing veil and minimal accessories. She also wore a claddagh ring representing her heritage and her mother’s garter. Her mother wore a blue dress for Allie’s “something blue,” Allie says. Cole adds, “We don’t like too much flash, but you want something to be kind of personal to you and have a little more texture and depth to it.”
A Love for Family and Nature
After moving back to Minnesota and settling into their life, Cole chose one of their most cherished spots—the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum—to propose. Their shared love of the outdoors shaped each detail for their big day, from Allie’s ring, delicately engraved with her favorite tree (the pine), to a first look deep in the woods.
The Petersons’ occasion was a team effort, with family helping with decor and signage. “I made all of our place cards as well. We used wild grasses to denote who got what meal,” Allie says. “Which is also kind of a callback to where we got engaged,” Cole adds. Additionally, the Petersons paid tribute to their grandparents’ and parents’ lifelong partnerships by displaying wedding photos from each generation.
Friends and family gathered from across the country to celebrate at Abella Weddings & Events. The venue was the first piece of the day that the Petersons settled on, and they felt the space fit their love of the outdoors.
“[The day] was just an accumulation of the past 12 years of knowing him, and it was all one day; and it was beautiful,” Allie says.
Vendors
- Bartending: With a Twist Bartending Service, twistbartendingservice.com
- Catering: Fork & Flair, forkandflair.com
- Day-of Coordinator: Kenzie Heckmann Events, kenzieheckmannevents.com
- Dessert: Custom Cakes by Megan, customcakesbymegan.com
- DJ: First Choice DJ Service, firstchoicedjservice.com
- Florals: Artemisia Studios, artemisiastudios.com
- Hair and Makeup: Northern Style & Co, northernstyleco.com
- Jewelry: Wedding Day Diamonds, weddingdaydiamonds.com
- Officiant: Mark Scannell—MN Officiants, minnesotaofficiants.com
- Photography: Heather Joy Photography, heatherjoyphotography.com
- Photo Booth: PhotoBooth Unlimited, Facebook: PhotoBooth Unlimited
- Rentals: Earthly Events, Instagram: @earthly.events
- Stationary: Truly Engaging, trulyengaging.com
- Transportation: Rent My Party Bus, rentmypartybus.com
- Venue: Abella Weddings & Events, abellaweddingsandevents.com
- Wedding Wear: Birdy Grey, birdygrey.com; Milbern Clothing Co, milbern.com; Raffine Bridal, raffinebridal.com
