Morrison County Record • www.mcrecord.com • 2020 Bridal • 7
Swanville couple keeps barn-theme going amidst wedding plans
going out and love began to blossom.
Stoney Hills” in Cushing. It is a weekend
More than two years ago, on June 12,
experience they are looking forward to
2017, the couple visited the farm of Swen- sharing with friends, family and other
[email protected]
son’s grandparents Joe and Patty Swenson loved ones.
in Bagley. He looked at her and on a whim “I love that we get the place for the
Initially Ethan Oleson and his bride-
and inspired by a
whole weekend,
to-be, Ana Swenson of Swanville, had
Friday through
“It’s not going to be rainbows
planned to have their wedding in July. But line in the mov-
ie “Dumb and
Sunday and that
when the majority of their wedding party
and unicorns all the time, but
Dumber,” he said:
they are not
would be unavailable, they moved their
you’re living with your
“What are the
rushing us to get
wedding day to Saturday, Aug. 22.
out,” Swenson
The couple has been together for about chances of a guy
best friend, so you get to see
said. “What
eight years and have two beautiful children like me meeting a
your best friend every day.”
girl like you?”
makes it even
— Skylar, 6, and Avery, 1.
— Ana Swenson
more special is
As Skylar will be their flower girl at the “Then I pro-
posed to her. It
that he asked me
wedding — something she is absolutely
was a spur of the moment thing. I had not out in a barn, proposed in a barn and now
thrilled about, Avery will have the role of
planned it,” he said.
we’ll be getting married in a barn.”
the ring bearer, Swenson said.
Swenson said she was very surprised by Another detail the couple really likes
The couple first met at Camp Ripley
his proposal and had not seen it coming.
about their choice of venue is that there
eight years ago. He serves as a mechanic
in the Minnesota National Guard and she Nevertheless there was only one answer to are no hidden costs. They know exactly
what they’ll be getting for the price they’re
was visiting at the time. Sitting next to each give — “Yes.”
The couple has not set a definite budget
other, watching some of the other guys
play football, the two struck up a conversa- for their wedding. They just know it will be
more than $10,000, but is well worth the
tion.
But it wasn’t until after Oleson returned money spent, they said.
from basic training about six months later Oleson and Swenson will have their
from their initial meeting that they started wedding and reception at “The Barn at
By SHEILA MCCOY
Staff Writer
A second chance at love
Gorka and Sunder said they plan to go
on a honeymoon, but exactly when remains
(Continued from Page 4)
unknown. Perhaps a few months after the
is still being made. Gorka said it is likely
wedding to a warm beach somewhere, Sun-
that the bridesmaids will wear lighter pink der said.
colored dresses and the groomsmen tan
The couple is looking forward to their
tuxedos.
special day. Gorka said she loves Sunder’s
The couple will have six bridesmaids and personality, that he is caring and allows her
six groomsmen. Although Sunder has not
to be the person she is.
yet decided who he will have for grooms-
“He is somebody I can count on. I ap-
men, the bridesmaids are Gorka’s sister,
preciate everything he does,” she said.
Sam Gorka-Bollin, Sam Abrahamson,
Sunder said he loves everything about
Pam Twardowski, Angie Young, Sunder’s
his bride-to-be.
daughter-in-law, Becca Sunder, his sister,
“She’s an amazing woman, has a great
Sue Althaus and Teri Mikel.
personality, is easy going and is easy to talk
Amelia and Braxton will give away their to. She’s open and there’s no guessing with
mom and her nephew, Easton Bollin, 2, will her. I wouldn’t change anything about her,”
be the ring bearer.
he said.
paying.
They plan to have an outdoor wedding,
but feel relieved about the fact that if the
weather is not ideal, that they can move it
inside the barn.
“It’s a gorgeous place. I have gone up
there twice already to get some ideas. A
couple of the girls and I have some decora-
tion ideas,” she said.
They also like that a lot of the deco-
rations will be provided by the wedding
venue.
“The only thing I really have to worry
about is the backdrop for taking photos.
It’s already beautiful, so there isn’t a whole
lot we need to do to decorate the place,”
she said.
Oleson and Swenson plan to invite
about 300 guests.
For the meal, they have opted for a hog
(Continued on Page 9)
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