REAL BRIDE: Anna

Mikal + Anna

12.31.20

Something White bride + stylist, Anna married her best friend in a stunning Minnesota wedding on New Years Eve. Nothing about their day (or engagement - hello global pandemic) was what they expected but dang did it turn out gorgeous. We love all of the personal details of Mik + Anna’s special day. From the ceremony + reception being held in Anna’s parents yard to Anna’s something borrowed being a scarf from her neighbor + rocking handmade masks, every moment of this day is jammed full of meaning + warmth.

Anna is a gem of a human, a bride, a stylist + a friend + we are so so excited to share the day she married the love of her life! We don’t play favorites around here, but if we did…

How did the two of you meet?

“Mik was a math teacher and I was teaching theatre at the same high school. His classroom was right around the corner from my office and we would chat every once in a while, but I thought nothing of it. Meanwhile, he had a huge crush on me and referred to me as "Theatre Girl" with his friends. In the spring, Mik's position was cut due to budget cuts so he decided to finally "make a move" and would hang out and chat in the theatre office after school while I was still working. One day after he left, my colleague that I shared an office with said, "You know he likes you, right?" I turned beet red and said that was absolutely not true - I had NO IDEA! He played guitar in the talent show staff band that year, so after the performance was over I told him I was going to get a drink and he could come with if he wanted. Of course he came with and the rest is history! :)”

What was one of your favorite moments from your wedding day?

“It's so hard to pick just one! It felt like nothing I had wanted or planned for was able to come to fruition because of that pesky pandemic, but I made a conscious decision to let all of the little things go on that day and just enjoy every second. So when grandma didn't have a ride to pictures, two of the boutonnières were missing, we forgot to eat cupcakes, lunch went longer than scheduled, etc., I just reminded myself that I got to marry the love of my life and that's what the whole day was about, nothing was going to change that and I can't control everything - even though I try really, really hard to.”

Tell us about the proposal!

“I don't like surprises and Mik is the WORST secret keeper. He told me that it would happen at the end of our family trip to Norway. My brother, Mik and I planned a couple days in Italy after Norway with my parents and he said he was going to do it there. I was less than thrilled with this, knowing him I worried he'd lose the ring while we're traveling! A few days before our trip, we were going on a date, but little did I know he was trying to recreate our first date - and I was not having it. The restaurant was closed for construction, but he didn't know that until we tried to walk in. He suggested swinging on the swings in the park, just like at the end of our first date, but there were families around because it was still light out and I most certainly didn't want to do that. We did go to the brewery from our first date and met up with some of our friends, and he had hoped to have that ring on my finger by then so we could celebrate, but I (and they) didn't know that at the time. On the walk back to the car, I agreed to go to the park and swing on the swings. He asked me to grab something from his bag on the sand and there it was! I was so surprised, I don't remember what happened after that. It's the only surprise he's ever gotten away with, and will probably be the only secret he'll be able to keep - he had decided earlier that day to change his plan from Italy!”

How did the two of you decide to get married on December 31st, 2020?

“I absolutely LOVE winter (Minnesota girl through and through) and always loved the idea of making New Years Eve into a holiday I could actually look forward to!”

Did you have a specific theme in mind while planning?

“Winter/New Years Eve was our theme! I loved the sparkly gold, but when the pandemic hit, I decided to go much more simple and scale back to just clean black.”

What advice would you give to other brides in regards to dress shopping?

“Take it one shop at a time! There's no need to visit every shop in town, find a place that matches your style and go there first! And relax - this is supposed to be fun and exciting, not a chore! :)”