A little bit about Brooke and Cameron

 

Wife’s name: Brooke

Husbands name: Cameron Peterson

How long have you been married? 3 yrs

When did you get married? July 27, 2012

Short story of timeline before engagement and marriage: We met the Summer of 2011 early in July, playing sand volleyball. Brooke spotted Cameron first because of his dashing good looks, but quickly wrote him off, anyone THAT good looking MUST be a jerk! Needless to say, they were put on the same team later that night, and were married almost exactly a year later!

 

Indoors or outdoors wedding? Outdoor

 

Where did you get married? Monticello, MN

 

Did you do a first look?

If yes were you glad? Yes, VERY GLAD

 

Where did you get your dress? Urban Outfitters

 

Did you enjoy the dress shopping experience? I knew I didn’t want a traditional wedding dress, I had a picture of it in my head, it was just a matter of filtering through stores until I found it. (I do wish I would have at LEAST tried on a real wedding dress just for fun…)

 

How many bridesmaids did you have? 8

 

Did you have a separate ceremony and reception locations? No – married under a large oak tree, and people turned around to head to the reception in the barn!

 

What was your favorite gift? Nice road bikes!

 

Where did you honeymoon? Rivera Maya, Mexico

 

Did you do cake, cupcakes, pies or other? Homemade cookies, coffee, lemonade

 

Live band or Dj? Acoustic set with guitar/singer (friends of ours) No dance

 

Were you happy with the music? Yes

 

Did you do buffet style or plated dinner? Buffet style: Chicken salad, chips, salsa, hummus, carrots, homemade cookies/bars, watermelon, coffee/lemonade

 

Was there an open bar or was it a dry wedding? Dry

 

How long did you have to plan your wedding? 3 ½ months

 

Were you happy with the photography? Yes, we had a friend take pictures

 

When did you leave for the honeymoon? Day after

 

 

What was your favorite wedding detail you put into your big day?

We were married outside underneath a luscious, large, old oak tree. If only that thing could talk… We knew from the beginning we did not want to be married in a church. Really for no other reason than – we wanted something less traditional, more meaningful. In order to represent the “church” we hung old church windows from the trees which served as part of the backdrop. This was our favorite detail, because it signifies our mission in life – BEING the Church wherever, to whoever, and living in such a way that the world can witness the Church WITHOUT walls.

 

What advice would you give to brides planning a wedding right now?

I like to encourage brides to spend serious time considering the purpose and greater “vision” for their marriage. Why are they marrying each other? What can they accomplish in a greater way TOGETHER, rather than being apart? What are each other’s strengths/weaknesses? To whom are they accountable individually, as a couple? Are you enjoying the process, the planning or is it stressing you out? If it’s stressing you out…this is not a good sign or start to a marriage! The last question I like to ask bride-to-be’s while planning their wedding is – how do you plan on honoring your guests & what message as a couple is important for you to relate to your guests? Finding the answer to this honestly will reveal much about the heart & purpose of the approaching marriage.

 

At the end of the day, your marriage will resemble two, self-seeking people, each trying to perfect their little lives OR it will resemble two, servant-leaders who together have an outward focus to make a difference in other’s lives and in turn, impact the world together. The choice is yours!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What was your favorite part of the reception? Our reception was like a big family reunion. We only had family and a few family friends that were either in the wedding or helping. It was a perfect MN summer weather, no humidity & NO BUGS - a miracle! I look back on our reception and can taste a little “slice” of what Heaven will be like. People were laughing, catching up meeting new friends, delighting in each other, all around picnic tables & good food. It was elegant, but not overly done. People felt comfortable to be themselves & enjoy, even without alcohol ;)! To this day, people reminisce with us this about how special of a time they had at our wedding.

 

What kind of pictures do you wish you had taken? I wish we would have taken more time to get pictures of just Cam and I – possibly after the wedding instead of just before so we didn’t feel too rushed or nervous.

 

What has been your favorite thing about being married? With out a doubt, our favorite part of marriage is just that – being together! We are still best friends. I would rather hang out with him than anyone else, partly because he is hilarious! It does not take too much to entertain us. Let’s face it, day-to-day life is not glamorous! It’s filled with washing dishes, going to work, laundry, & endless home projects. The key is enjoying the process of “normal” life with a spouse that brings joy in the little things. Plus, you’re never without a date!

 

What has been the hardest part about marriage? The most difficult part of being married is choosing to remain humble. choosing the discipline of acknowledging when I’m wrong or off base. to remain moldable & teachable – not just by my husband alone, but with God. Marriage is the ultimate magnifying mirror to who I am. The good, bad and the ugly reflect upon it. When the bad & ugly arose when I was single, it was much easier to sweep under the rug, when it arises in marriage – it poses a major potential problem. I’m beginning to see the problem as more of a wonderful gift. I can point my finger and blame my husband for the bad & ugly OR I can run to my Heavenly Father, acknowledge the bad & ugly is not of or from Him, ask for forgiveness, and put on His strength & grace He promised. When I choose to deal with the bad & ugly in this manner, I see much more “good” will sprout in me and as a result, in my marriage.