Courtney, Andrea, and I left when the morning dew was still on the ground to arrive in Northern Illinois for their wedding. With Starbucks in our hands and a mind full of ideas, we arrived at the church in awe of its grandeur.

Reconstructed from two different churches, this beauty was ready to make its mark on Old Mill Creek and we were ready to document one of the most serene weddings before it was fully complete.

And oh, was it serene! From the moment we met Sarah in person to the moment we left hugging each other tight, we were in love with this Bride and this couple.

With leaky eyes, Sarah put on her dress.

With leaky eyes, she saw her father.

With leaky eyes, she held the hand of her groom.

And with leaky eyes, we watched her dance to Return To Pooh Corner with her father before he invited Andrew to take his place.

From childhood memories to new adventures on the beautiful Strawberry Creek Golf Course, Andrew and Sarah blew us away with their young love and playfulness.

Sarah and Andrew, congratulations, you two, and thank you for your tender compassion and the incredibly generous love you showed to both us and your guests!

Full Vendors:

Church Contact:  Saint Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church

Hotel Contact:  Hampton Inn and Suites in Kenosha, WI

Florist:  Floral Acres

Cake Vendor: Lovin Oven Cakery 

Rings: Josephs Jewelers

Cantor during Mass:  Maureen Christine Music

DJ / Band / Music: Kidron Music & Entertainment (Jesse Lynn)

Shoes:  The White Ribbon

Dress: Modern Dress – Casablanca Bridal collection

Menswear:  Mens Warehouse

Bridesmaid Dresses:  Modern Dress

Videographer:  Madison (Mattie) Karr

Reception Venue: Strawberry Creek Club

Ceremony Venue:  Saint Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church

Transportation:  Olson Transportation

Best Man Speech Good evening everyone. First, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Creighton Collier, and it’s both an honor and a pleasure to be standing beside Nordyke as his best man this evening. And when I say Nordyke for the remainder of this speech, know that I’m referring to Andrew right here. 

I’m one of Nordyke’s best friends, and, as the best man, I was asked to come up here and say some nice things about him. Well I couldn’t think of anything nice to say, so I’m going to make it up as I go. There’s a rule you know, there’s a certain bit of wedding etiquette we guests have to follow. No woman should look better than the bride. And no man should look better than the groom. I’d like to personally thank the ushers for abiding by that rule to the fullest. You did a great job today. 

Let me go ahead and get some thank you’s out of the way as well. To all of the guests, I want to personally thank you for taking the time to travel here tonight. I know some of you had to take planes, trains, or automobiles for several hours to make it and, on behalf of the lovely couple, we’re so grateful. To all of the bridesmaids and the rest of the groomsmen, thanks for helping make everything go off without a hitch today. We nailed it. To Nordyke and Sarah’s parents, thank you for raising these two amazing people we’re all here to celebrate tonight. None of our lives would be the same without them and that’s all thanks to you. 

Nordyke and I have been friends for a long time. I first met Nordyke when we attended Vacation Bible School at the Catholic Church back in our hometown of Warrensburg, Missouri. And for almost the past two decades we’ve had some great times together. Some of my favorite memories have been our numerous “Catholics and Creighton” gatherings where Nordyke, Joel, Shaul, and I played hours of Halo 2 while quoting the entire Anchorman movie. 

He’s been by my side for every wrong move, every high, every low, and all the biggest moments from winning the state cross country championship our senior year to now. I’m so grateful that I was able to be here tonight celebrating alongside not only Nordyke but Sarah as well. Their relationship is something to admire. I have never seen two people who are more meant for each other than Nordyke and Sarah. I first met Sarah when Nordyke brought her over to my house to introduce her to me. They told me the story about their first date at a cattle show. It was at that moment I wondered, maybe there was something wrong with this girl, because there is no way he would get a second date from the story I just heard. 

Yet, here we are today. And if you haven’t heard about the story of their first date, tonight would be the night to ask. In all honesty, I knew from that moment that she was the woman Nordyke would end up marrying. She’s beautiful, obviously. But getting to know her over the years, I’ve found her to be one of the most loving and caring people I know. She has been such a blessing to my family by checking in my grandmother and taking her to their favorite Mexican restaurant in Des Moines. 

She is the perfect example of what it is to have a kind, giving heart. I watched Nordyke become an even better person when they started dating. And now look at them, they’re happy, wide-eyed newlyweds that we’re toasting to tonight. If I could think of a word that describes these two, it would be love… [The Channel 4 News Team begins “Afternoon Delight”] 

On a more serious note, I wish the both of you years and years of happiness and love. The running gag between Nordyke and my family is that people always mistaken him to be one of my brothers. Well I do consider Nordyke to be part of my family, and I am honored to have Sarah be part of my family as well.

 So let’s raise our glasses and toast to the future of this newly-married couple. May your lives be filled with family, friends, adventures, and a long and blissful marriage through and through. Cheers!