Summer Bridal Guide 2023

BRIDAL Guide

Cooking up marriage in McGowan’s Kitchen

BY JANE TURPIN MOORE

The Globe

WORTHINGTON — A shared devotion to community service, plus common interests in adventurous travel and dining, led to love for Yoli Salas and Nolan McGowan.

But don’t forget about the hot-asheck wings.

On one of their early dates at an Okoboji Asian restaurant in the spring of 2019, Salas dazzled McGowan with her fortitude.

“I was probably trying to impress her,” admitted McGowan, 36. “I’d ordered some tremendously spicy wings and Yoli handled them a bit better than I did.

“Tears were running down my face, like I had just won an Oscar, and I might have drained her drink.

“I like to think I’m a pretty tough person, but that was when I realized … she was a bit tougher than me.”

McGowan has had that opinion affirmed many times since the hot wings experience; consider that Salas

became the second female firefighter in Worthington’s history when she joined the squad in 2014 (she’s currently the only woman on the team, and Salas’s fire colleagues affectionately call McGowan the “fire wife”), she maintains a hectic work and volunteer schedule and she is bravely battling uterine cancer, a diagnosis she first received in December 2021.

“I had my first surgery in January 2022, and then I started radiation on my birthday in February 2022,” said

Salas. “The whole ‘in sickness and in health’ thing worked backwards for us because at the time we weren’t even engaged — but we’d already started to work through life’s obstacles together.

Nolan has been very supportive through the whole thing, and without him, it would be a tougher journey.”

McGowan confirms that, after a little less than two years of dating, Salas’s health crisis forced greater clarity in how he felt about their relationship.

MCGOWAN SALAS: Page 4

Photo courtesy Hayley Beal Photography LLC Nolan McGowan and Yoli Salas are engaged to be married in 2024.

Rustic chic and

romantic

BRANDPOINT

Whether you dream of a small, intimate wedding or a grand, larger-than-life affair, planning your big day starts with finding the right venue. Barn weddings continue to gain popularity as the ideal location to say “I do,” offering a romantic setting that can be customized for each couple.

After many years of wedding planning at the nearly 170-year-old, fully restored Barn on the Pemi in Plymouth, New Hampshire, the team of “Wedding Whisperers” knows the industry inside and out.

Today they share their insights into why barn weddings are in demand with engaged couples and what trends will emerge in 2023.

Custom colors and themes

Barns are known for rustic wedding backgrounds that are inherently romantic. The space itself is neutral, allowing couples to insert their own personality into their wedding, which makes an event feel one-of-akind. Couples can incorporate any color or theme without background distractions from

The Perfect Setting

the venue, making the setting personalized and memorable.

Farm-to-table menus

Barns frequently have farmto-table options for couples to choose from when selecting catering. The venue is all about

embracing the natural aesthetic and what better way to do that than providing locally sourced food? It’s a destination experience for guests who feel like the event is a getaway, no matter how near or far they

live. Plus, the happy couple feels good that eating local is delicious and sustainable, not to mention local food can also be more affordable.

Brandpoint

A barn’s interior is beautifully decorated in white draping and clear lights.

BARN WEDDINGS: Page 8

10 reasons barn weddings are ideal for couples

‘A good balancing act’

BY JANE TURPIN MOORE

The Globe

WORTHINGTON — When Andrew and Elizabeth (Thier) Johnson became engaged in late May 2021, they both said yes — she to matrimony and he to a canine.

After dating for nearly three years, the vacationing couple had hiked to the peak of Camelback Mountain in Phoenix,

Ariz., where they paused to catch their breath, enjoy the picturesque panorama and rehydrate.

“The climb was a little strenuous,” admitted Elizabeth, 26, a 2015 Adrian High School graduate who was active in basketball and volleyball as a teenager.

“I was taking pictures of the view and when I turned around, Andrew was down on

his knee and a nice lady was photographing us as he asked me to marry him.”

Call him the quiet but crafty type; Andrew had researched scenic engagement spots and planned ahead for the big moment by previously typing a message into his phone that would explain to a random stranger what he needed.

JOHNSON THIER: Page 6

Photo by Complete Weddings + Events Elizabeth Thier and Andrew Johnson were married Sept. 3, 2022.

“I never had to take more than a minute to think where I stood in terms of what I’d do to help Yoli,” he said. “The question of ‘Do you stand or do you run’ was already made because I was already considering asking her to marry me.”

“A decision about when to do that was dictated by how things were going with her cancer treatment, but it was less about her prognosis than it was about the timing — because when you love someone, your instinct is to fight for them every single time,” he said. “We’re really blessed that so far it’s gone so well.” Added Salas, “Nolan’s been amazing. He definitely showed up for me 110%.”

Prepping for life together

Though Salas, 34, was born in California, she moved to Minnesota with her family as a youngster and has called Worthington home since starting fifth grade. A 2007 graduate of Worthington High School, she later completed the law enforcement program at Minnesota West Community and Technical College. She was employed with area law enforcement agencies for a few years before pivoting to become a special education paraprofessional at Prairie Elementary.

Recently, Salas decided to earn a teaching degree and is pursuing that via the Transfer Pathways program with Minnesota West and Southwest Minnesota State University. Her goal is to work as an elementary or special education teacher.

McGowan grew up in DeKalb, Ill., and earned a bachelor’s degree at University of Iowa before proceeding to Drake University Law School. He moved to Sibley, Iowa, in August 2017 and is the Osceola County attorney. His law school experience gave him the opportunity to travel. Following his first year of study,

he spent seven weeks in Nantes, France, learning about international law, and after graduating, he spent a year in Chongqing, China, as a post-doc teaching fellow with the Southwest University of Political Science and Law.

“That was a very formative year for me,” said McGowan, “and I value it a lot not only for what it taught me about the law but also in terms of food.”

Travel — both domestic and international — and adventurous culinary pursuits are two of the couple’s common interests.

“We love to try new foods, and there aren’t a lot of restrictions on what we’re willing to try,”

said McGowan. He is an enthusiastic cook, and Salas is known for posting mouthwatering photos of his culinary concoctions on her social media pages, often headlined with the words, “Tonight in McGowan’s kitchen…”

They also like golfing

(Salas plays in seasonal leagues in both Sibley and Worthington) and attending hockey and football games.

Salas and McGowan met on a dating app (and later discovering they had mutual friends).

“When I looked at his profile, it looked like we

had a lot of the same interests,” said Salas, noting his red beard caught her attention in a positive way. Added McGowan, “Yoli had a warm smile that made me feel at home from the beginning, and I always thought she was a cool person from the first time I looked at her profile.”

Photos courtesy Hayley Beal Photography LLC Nolan McGowan and Yoli Salas.

Yoli and Nolan hold the engagement ring.

Saying ‘yes’ to ‘Your Song’

Fittingly, both their mutual Elton John fandom and appreciation for public service played major roles in their unforgettable proposal moment.

Salas has been a Worthington Windsurfing Regatta & Music Festival board member for eight years.

It was at the June 2022 regatta, with Salas in her second year as vice president, that McGowan took advantage of her hectic schedule to plan a winning surprise.

“From the time we first got serious, Yoli had told me several times that if I asked her to marry me, she wanted it to be a big thing, not a proposal with just the two of us in a kitchen,” laughed McGowan. “Realizing how well known she is in the community, I thought the proposal should be fairly public.”

While Salas busied herself with regatta weekend details, McGowan plotted behind the scenes to surprise her, concocting a plan that put her on stage with other regatta board members while the band Maiden Dixie performed. Among Maiden Dixie’s music personnel is

Worthington native Wesley Berger, who happens to be a younger brother of Salas’s best friend, Amelia (Berger) Rogers.

“We were called on stage by the band and they thanked us for inviting them,” said Salas.

“Then Wes started singing Elton John’s ‘Your Song’ — it’s a special song to us — so I looked around for Nolan, who’d been next to me right before I went up there, and I couldn’t find him,” she continued. “Nolan was suddenly right in front of me, getting down on his knee and asking me to marry him.”

Spoiler alert: She said yes.

“The help I had from Josh (Miller), Barry (Roberts), Kaytee (Amaro)

and Wes was fantastic, but I benefited from Yoli being responsible for so many things right then — because there are about a dozen different ways she would have otherwise figured it out, since she’s a perceptive, thoughtful person,” said McGowan. “I’m just lucky I didn’t trip going up the ramp to the stage.”

McGowan presented her with a lovely oval-cut, rose-gold diamond ring he purchased at Mastbergen Jewelry in Sheldon, Iowa.

“I love it,” said Salas. Partly due to some uncertainties surrounding Salas’ cancer treatments, the couple scheduled an Oct. 12, 2024, wedding in Worthington. They’ve chosen a photographer

(Brianna Lien-Onsy of LO Photography), a reception site (the Worthington Event Center), colors (autumnal tones of maroon, rust orange and olive green) and a tux source (The Stag).

More details (Salas’s gown and a caterer, to name two) remain to be finalized, but Maiden Dixie has been secured for their wedding dance.

And when the band plays “Your Song,” as they undoubtedly will, don’t be surprised to see guests dab at tears while watching Salas and McGowan — two people who mutually agree “how wonderful life is while you’re in the world.”

Yoli sports her oval-cut, rose-gold diamond engagement ring.

Yoli and Nolan met through a dating app.

“The question of ‘Do you stand or do you run’ was already made because I was already considering asking her to marry me.”

Nolan McGowan

JOHNSON THIER

From Page 3

“I handed my phone to another tourist, showing the message that said I was about to propose and asking if they would take some pictures,” Andrew said. “I was definitely nervous on the way up the mountain.”

Elizabeth’s response? An unequivocal “yes,” yet she was looking for an affirmative reply from Andrew, as well.

“There was a contingency,” laughed Andrew. “She wanted to get a dog but I’d told her we couldn’t get one until we’d decided to get married and move forward together.”

Andrew said yes to a dog, and their handsome white Labradoodle Bauer (affectionately named after sports equipment company Bauer Hockey) became part of the package.

Blossoming romance

Elizabeth, the daughter of Ron and Kellie Thier of Adrian, says she and Andrew (a 2015 Worthington High School graduate and the son of Andy and Jayne Johnson, Worthington) knew of each other during their high school years but had never previously connected.

While attending a mutual friend’s 21st birthday party in July 2018, everything changed.

“I went over to talk to him because he was one

of the quieter guys there and I just wanted to help him feel comfortable,” said Elizabeth.

Added Andrew, “She’s an attractive woman, and she was very easy to talk to, so it was a lot of fun to get to know each other that night.”

They exchanged cell numbers and about a week later, Andrew (a 2019 graduate of Augustana University) drove north to Brookings, S.D., where Elizabeth was due to graduate from South Dakota State University in December 2018.

“He took me to Cubby’s Sports Bar — my favorite

place in Brookings,” said Elizabeth.

After that, hanging out together became routine, and the two enjoyed

outings like hiking at Palisades State Park in Garretson, S.D.

“We like to be active and outdoors when the weather is nice,” said the

26-year-old Andrew, who played three years of tennis at Augustana and was a three-sport high school athlete (tennis, hockey and soccer).

Several months before their engagement, the Johnsons had scouted engagement rings; conveniently, one of Andrew’s Augustana tennis teammates is a relative of the Riddle’s Jewelry owner. Hence, he purchased the ring there.

“Elizabeth gave me a handful of ring ideas,” said Andrew. He ultimately chose the first ring that had caught her eye — an oval diamond with a halo on a diamond-studded band.

Elizabeth insists she was surprised by the proposal timing because it had been “many months” since they had last looked at rings.

Andrew’s wedding band didn’t come from a store but has value beyond measure.

“I never wore jewelry,” he said, “so I didn’t really know where to start in finding a ring for myself.”

One evening while having dinner at his parents’ house, Andrew’s dad presented him with the wedding band his late paternal grandpa Gene wore and treasured for decades.

Photo by Paige LeAnn Photography Andrew and Elizabeth pose during their engagement photo session.

Photo by Complete Weddings + Events

Andrew and Elizabeth were married at St. Adrian Church in Adrian.

“My grandma had set it aside in case I’d ever want it,” said Andrew, “and I couldn’t say no to that. It meant so much to them, and my grandma thought of giving it to me.

“I got it resized and shined up. There’s a lot of meaning behind it, and I’ve had a few compliments on it, too.”

Wedding bells

Elizabeth, says Andrew, is a planner, so wedding preparations proceeded smoothly.

“She took notes, did a lot of work beforehand and made sure we had plenty of time to get things done,” credited Andrew. “She had an awesome vision of how she wanted things to go, and it turned out awesome.”

A rehearsal dinner in the backyard of the groom’s parents’ house had a “local cuisine” theme, featuring food from JBS, Jon-E-1’s BBQ, Nystrom Orchard, Gordon Farms and La Azteca.

Their afternoon wedding on Sept. 3, 2022, took place at the Church of St. Adrian with Father Richard Colletti officiating.

An aunt of Andrew’s, Cheryl Mahin, provided piano accompaniment and his cousin, Colleen Mahin, was the cantor.

With six groomsmen, six bridesmaids, three personal attendants, five ushers, a flower girl and a ring bearer (the latter two a niece and nephew of the couple), the Johnsons had a relatively large bridal party — appropriate for a wedding with nearly 300 guests.

“We both have goodsized extended families,” said Elizabeth, “so family members were a big chunk of our guest list.”

The bridesmaids/ matrons of honor wore mauve dresses accented with sage green (ordered online from Azazie, with the attendants choosing their own style) while the groomsmen and ushers were resplendent in black tuxes with white shirts and black bow ties.

“We got the tuxes from Robyn (Moser) at The Stag,” said Andrew. “She does a wonderful job.”

Elizabeth’s gown was an ivory fit-and-flare style with straps found at Bridal Gallery, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

“The one thing I wanted was a long, elegant train,” said Elizabeth. “And I knew I didn’t want a strapless dress.”

Bouquets came from Seed & Stem 12:27, DJ Barry Roberts provided music at the reception and Complete Wedding + Events of Sioux Falls handled wedding photography/ videography.

Worthington Event Center was the reception headquarters; Hy-Vee catered the traditional meat-and-potatoes menu that included roast beef and pork loin, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, salad, rolls and cupcakes. A friend of the family also made tasty cookies.

“Our wedding cake was a chocolate-chocolate chip cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes, and it was delicious,” said Elizabeth.

They waited until the

cold of December to honeymoon in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

“It was great to sit back, relax and enjoy the warm weather,” said Andrew.

Since then, Elizabeth, a sales account executive at Bedford Industries, and Andrew, a financial advisor with First State Investment Services, have happily settled in to married life in Worthington.

Evening walks with Bauer are a rule, and Andrew — an enthusiastic golfer — has coaxed his bride into trying the sport this season.

“It’s a frustrating game on your off-days,” she laughed.

The couple feels their personal strengths are com plementary and provide a healthy, respectful balance to their relationship.

“Andrew is determined and giving,” said Elizabeth. “He’s always willing to do things for me and others even if it’s not asked of him.”

And Andrew appreciates his bride’s personal integrity.

“She’s true to herself and who she is,” he said, “and she’s very compassionate as well.”

As their first anniversary approaches, the Johnsons advise other couples to take wedding planning little by little.

“Things will go wrong,” said Andrew, “and it’s a big day, but as long as both of you have fun, are happy and have a good time, it’s a win.

“And if friends and family are around you, that’s what matters.”

In-season florals and decor

Another trend is to make the event a reflection of the locality where it’s held by choosing in-season flowers and decor. You can even mimic the florals and greenery on the barn property to evoke a seamless aesthetic. This localized strategy produces stunning results and can also help you control expenses. These sustainably sourced decorations can be used in the ceremony and then easily moved to be enjoyed at the reception to save money.

Mocktail bars and sober curiosities

Toasting to the happy couple is a tradition at weddings, and while alcohol is still an important element at most events, mocktail options are growing in popularity as more people are exploring a sober curious lifestyle. As couples request alcohol-free drinks as an option, the Barn has created innovative menus of flavorful drinks for

every guest, including freshly made cider, hot and cold.

Indoor and outdoor spaces

A barn wedding stands out from other options because it typically offers indoor and outdoor spaces for events. With 10,000 square feet of climatecontrolled event space and seating for up to 300 guests, the Barn on the Pemi also offers an outdoor terrace with stunning views of the White Mountains and a seasonal

Brandpoint

greenhouse as additional space for a ceremony. Learn more at TheBarnOnThePemi.com.

Year-round events

Climate-controlled spaces in barn wedding venues give couples the option to tie the knot any time of the year. The changing seasons are a gorgeous backdrop for photos and couples can choose a date that fits their preference. Whether it’s a favorite season, a special date or a time that works best for extended family, a year-round venue

allows flexibility in planning.

Destination weddings

No need to stick to only local options, because barn weddings are ideal for destination weddings that host guests from all over. The Barn on the Pemi has trolleys available to take guests from their on-site accommodations to the wedding. Part of The Common Man Inn & Spa in Plymouth, guests can choose from 43 cabin-inspired rooms at the main Inn and tiny cabins on the Barn on the Pemi property. Plus, the recently purchased Lodge located just minutes down the road provides 37 additional rooms for guests.

Cherished settings

Barns are authentic settings that feel romantic and memorable, providing the perfect atmosphere for flowers, candlelight and, in colder months, fireplaces. Wedding photographers delight at the near endless options for image backdrops. This is one reason why The Barn on The Pemi is one of New England’s most sought-after wedding venues, featuring 10,000 square feet of

Set the stage for a beautiful wedding reception with Tri-State Rental!

We have been in the rental business for 25 years. Besides our party line we have enclosed trailers for transport, construction equipment for contractors, carpet cleaners, trailers, etc. for the homeowner and consumer. In our facility we have a rental store that has a largest selection of electric, hand & other tools along with the bits & blades necessary for them. We also have a service department so we can repair all makes and models of tools and equipment, lawn mowers, and small engines.

LINENS & SKIRTING (White, Black or Ivory)

PARTY BASICS

TENTS

Canopy 10x10 $50/day

Canopy 20x20 $100/day

Canopy 20x30 $125/day

High Peak Canopy 20x20 $125/day

Sidewall 7xl0 $5/day

Sidewall 7x20 $10/day

Sidewall 7x30 $15/day

Canopy Barrels (for tie downs) $8/day

INFLATABLES

Jump Castle $125/day

Slide and Bounce $125/day

Dash and Splash $200/day

Tables 6 foot 72x30 $8/day

8 foot 96x30 $I0/day

Round 6 foot $12/day

Round Cocktail table

.36” (adjustable height) $10/day

CHAIRS

Tan $1/day

White $1.20/day

Party Lights

4 light white $10/day

LED ring lights for cocktail Tables (remote control) $5/day

AUDIO

rustic charm indoors with plentiful outdoor space graced with Mother Nature’s beauty.

Excellent value for different budgets

Compared to large hotels that host conferences and other events in conjunction with weddings, barns provide an intimate space. This is one of the biggest days of your life and you don’t want to share it with another event going on next door, not to mention the noise, added crowds and potential wedding crashers. Also, staying clear of big “name brand” venues can be a money-saving tactic in the long run.

Weekday weddings are big

As there are no corporate events during the week, a weekday wedding in a barn is an opportunity to manage a budget without sacrificing the romance of the setting. In fact, many barns, like Barn on the Pemi, are open nearly every day of the week. One growing trend is Thursday evening weddings, with many wedding industry insiders declaring Thursday the new Saturday for events.

4 Foot Colwnu $14/day

3 Foot Plant Stand $12/day

TABLECOVERS Square 52”

Rectangle 52” x 114”

Row1d 8 I “x8 l” or 90”x90”

Cocktail (spandex)

Spandex Tabletopper $5/day

Spandex Tablebands $1/day (various colors)

TABLESKIRTING 10 ft cake table $20/day 14 ft banquet table $30/day

21 ft banquet table $35/day

31.5 ft head table $45/day

CHAIR COVERS

Half-Chair Covers $I/day

Full Chair Cover $1.50/day Coral Satin Sashes $.50/day

NAPKINS Napkins 17” square $.50/day (White, Black, Ivory, Red, Burgundy, Hunter Green, Navy, Gold, or Tan)

TABLE RUNNERS Table Runners $2/day (Black, Burlap, Gray Satin, or Damask-Black/IWhite)

BACKDROPS

8’x20’ Pipe Frame $30/day

8’ Lighted Column $18/day

6’ Lighted Column $16/day

BACKDROP LINENS

5’x8’ White, Black, Gray, or Silver $8/day

BACKDROP ACCESSORIES

Curtain String lights $5/day

Sign Hooks (10) $2.50/day

Vintage Patio String Lights (30’) $I0/day

TABLE ACCENTS

Lanterns-Silver (12) $10/day

MR & MRS Letters (Lighted) $25/day

14.5” Tall Vase (3) $3/day

Tuscany Crystal (13) $3/day

Gold Hurricanes (12) (Set of Three) $8/day

White Cake Plate (12) $3/day

Bubble Vase (24)

$1/day

Glass Grape Clusters $.50/day

ARCHWAYS & CANDELABRAS (Brass, Nickel, or Charcoal)

Archway $25/day

Candelabras - 5 Styles $20/daylpair

Unity Candle $10/day

Aisle Candelabra $8/day

Candlelighter’s $5/day!pair

Glass Votive Cups $.25/day

LED Votive Candle $.50/day

LED 3x6 Pillar Candle $4/day

Tea Lights $.15/each

BEVERAGE & SERVING ACCESSORIES

Punch (Silver & Gold or Silver)

Champagne Fountain-3 gallon $30/day

Punch Bowl-3 gallon $20/day

CAKE/CUPCAKE/COOKIE

5 Tier Cupcake Tier (White) $35/day

4 Tier Plate Stand $10/day

Serving Tray-2 Tier $8/day (Silver & Gold or Silver)

BEVERAGE Coffeemaker-90 cup $15/day Hot Beverage Dispenser $10/day Cold Beverage Dispenser $5/day

TREAT MACHINES

Chocolate Fountain 3 tier $125/day

2# Chocolate $18.95

Cotton Candy $49/day

Floss Sugar (per canon) $10.95

Sno Kone $49/day

Syrup (per bottle) $11.00

Popcorn Machine $49/day

All in One Popcorn (Per pkg) $1.60

Soft Serve Ice Cream $150/day

2.5 Gal. Ice Cream Powder Mix $15.95

Grill 6-ft propane Holstein $125/day (plus propane)

NOTE: Plastic aisle runners, tablecovers, tableskirts and rolls of banquet table covering available in many different colors and sizes.

The use of green sprigs and plants are simple, yet beautiful atop tables set for the wedding reception