When Meg Otten and Randy Malecha were planning their wedding at Valley Grove Church, Otten’s siblings who lived in Connecticut, Texas and Utah thought they were coming to the North Pole.
Perhaps they got that idea based on the wedding date: ten days before Christmas. Thus, the church was already beautifully decorated for Christmas with evergreen swags, trees and wreaths.
“Winter is our preferred season,” said Otten, who married Malecha on a cold and snowy December 15, 2007.
In preparation, the Northfielders borrowed snow boots, gloves, facemasks and stocking hats for all the guests who traveled north for the festivities.
Otten, a retired Carleton College administrator, and Malecha, Willie’s Shoe Repair owner, made sure their guests knew before the ceremony that there was no indoor plumbing at the Nerstrand church. On their wedding invitation they suggested to their 100 guests, “You might want to plan ahead.”
To add romance to the winter landscape, the couple rode around the Valley Grove property in a horse-drawn sleigh.
After the ceremony, the entire wedding party decamped to Carleton’s Great Hall for a dinner reception. A highlight from that portion of the festivities was a spectacular fireworks show.
“Our wedding was really a gift,” said Otten. “We are so grateful to the community for keeping the history and the foundation of this beautiful church alive. They allowed us to celebrate our ceremony in our own unique way.”
Summer and steeples
With 125 guests in attendance, Tedd and Molly Patterson were married at Valley Grove 16 years ago. The couple remembers that their July wedding day was sunny, windy and warm.
Tedd, who grew up on a farm down the road from the historic churches and today serves on the Valley Grove Preservation board, said their reception was held at his parent’s home. “It was a short commute,” he joked.
The couple, who now live in Kenyon, included their daughters, nieces and nephews in the ceremony. “The church was filled with a lot of pink, light and dark,” said Molly.
“We couldn’t imagine a better place to have our wedding,” he said. “It’s a little slice of heaven out there.”
Ongoing restorations
According to the Valley Grove Preservation Society spring newsletter, much needed repair work began on the wooden church steeple in January. River City Builders and Millworks Inc. worked on the restoration and during that phase, discovered other necessary repairs requiring additional funds.
Margit Johnson, a VGPS board member, explained that the idea for the wedding celebration occurred when the board received end of year donations with notes from several people stating that they had been married at Valley Grove, some 15-25 years ago.
“Because of the restoration work from January through May, Valley Grove was a construction site and not conducive to the doughnut hole roast in February or the Syttende Mai celebration in May,” said Johnson. “We didn’t want the public to have to wait until the September Country Social on September 15 to get inside the churches. Therefore, we’re holding this new event in June.”
Johnson said attendees at the June 23 afternoon gathering are asked to bring photos and stories to share.
“If no one shows up, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Johnson. “If more show up, we might do it again another year.”
More Information The weddings celebration at Valley Grove churches will be Sunday, June 23, from 2-4 p.m. The iconic churches are located at 9999 155th Street E, Nerstrand. For more information contact Margit Johnson, VGPS board member, at margit@usfamily.net. 8b8d7d67-670f-4a3c-9f75-fe14e8ec8797
If You Go Did you get married at Valley Grove? The Valley Grove Preservation Society invites anyone who has ever been married, attended a wedding or aspires to be married at Valley Grove to a celebration on Sunday, June 23 from 2-4 p.m. Couples, families, singles, divorcees, and everyone else is invited to gather for coffee, lemonade and cookies while they share stories and photos of their weddings. Participants are encouraged to wear or bring their wedding attire for display. A photographer will be available to take photos in exchange for a donation in any amount to support the ongoing restoration efforts at Valley Grove. Nordic musicians will join the festivities throughout the afternoon. From 3-3:45 p.m. stories may be shared aloud with an audience in the wooden church. This is an opportunity for couples to show their family and friends and their children where it all began! 94cf5706-3dbc-41f1-93a2-83efb3fa92d8
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