Carli and Ross are a true example of how opposites attract.
OPPOSITES ATTRACT
In Carli's words: "Ross grew up with a love for being outside and appreciating all that the East Coast landscape has to offer. An avid hunter, fisherman, and all around outdoorsman, he went on to study natural resources and soak up any activity that included four wheeling or snowmobiling.
"I grew up with a love of all things creative, staying up all night to sew an outfit to wear to school the next day, dreaming of living in a big city and traveling to every metropolis I desired. I didn't own a decent pair of hiking boots or a crazy warm winter coat until I got tired of showing up in inappropriate footwear when Ross would invite me along on his outdoor adventures.
"Ross has opened my eyes to all the cool things that nature has to offer. He can spout off the name of any tree just by looking at its leaves, can name the bird that's squawking from a mile away, and gets me out of my comfort zone with steep hiking trails and long canoe portages. I like to think I can occasionally convince him to run with a crazy invention or take a vacation every once in a while.
In Carli's words: "Ross grew up with a love for being outside and appreciating all that the East Coast landscape has to offer. An avid hunter, fisherman, and all around outdoorsman, he went on to study natural resources and soak up any activity that included four wheeling or snowmobiling.
THEIR FIRST DATE
"Our first date consisted of us convincing our parents to drop us off at the local mall where we awkwardly walked around holding hands, too embarrassed to talk to each other or to even set foot in a store. I wore an extravagant handmade outfit decked out in sequin and jeans trimmed in buttons. Ross must've liked my confidence, because I looked like a fool."
THE ELOPEMENT
Getting married outdoors was a special decision for them, and Gunflint Lodge was the perfect balance of wilderness and a comfortable place for families and friends to stay. The decision to elope was also a special decision for them.
"We originally toyed with the idea of a secret wedding. We had been dating for so long, we tried to craft a way to invite our friends to our backyard and (SURPRISE!) get married. The logistics got a little tricky so we opted to just keep our elopement secret from most of the world. We told our immediate family and close friends of our plans but never got engaged or shared the news on social media until after the actual day.
PERSONAL DETAILS
"With old(er) age came the decision for a low key wedding sans 80% of the frills I had collected on my Pinterest board over the years. That was the second best decision ever. The first best was tying the knot with Ross (#sappymuch)."
They filled their ceremony with personal touches bringing everything back to their roots. Carli carried a handkerchief that nine other women in her family have carried down the aisle since 1856, and her sister acted as their officiant delivering a heartfelt message. Their moms dug up a jar of dirt from a meaningful location from each of their childhoods - from Ross' family cabin in Maine and from Carli's childhood home in Wisconsin. They planted a tree using the dirt from both locations to symbolize their new roots together with the help of their pasts. And the tassel backdrop they used was a labor of love between the two of them with Ross building the structure and Carli creating over 200 tassels to hang.
THEIR MARRIAGE ADVICE
After over 15 years together, it's safe to say that Carli and Ross have accumulated their fair share of relationship and marriage advice. Here are some of their favorite pieces:
Ross: "'Put the shovel down,' is a common phrase we exchange and means quit digging yourself a hole!"
Carli: "My best friend said it best, 'You might think things won't be any different since you've been together so long, but there's something about the titles 'husband' and 'wife' that hold a lot more weight. It's not always easy, but the most rewarding things never are. Always remember to treat Ross like the partner he is, even on the days you might feel more like enemies and take time for each other even when life gets busy.'"
Featured Vendors
Photography | Kellie Rae Studio
Florist | Saffron & Grey Couture Floral Design
Wedding Planner | Simply Gypsy Events
At Lake Bride Magazine, we strive to continually inspire you and your ideal "I Do's" by featuring a collection of beautiful inspiration, the best local resources, the latest trends, and practical planning tips for your special day. Reserve your issue HERE.
Leave A Comment