In a world often dazzled by grand gestures and elaborate celebrations, Daisy and Ted’s wedding stands out as a refreshing breath of fresh air—an intimate, authentic ceremony deeply rooted in their values and love for nature. Their story is one of clarity, connection, and the courage to celebrate on their own terms.
Daisy, a Duluth, Minnesota resident, shares how her journey to finding “the one” was thoughtful and intentional. “When dating, I kept meeting people who weren’t quite right, so I decided to clarify what ‘it’ really meant for me,” she explains. She created a list on her phone with 17 qualities she sought in a partner—things like being emotionally available, living joyfully, and even practical skills like starting a fire or changing a tire. Then, in 2019, she met Ted. “I like to say I manifested him,” she laughs.
Their relationship blossomed quietly, marked by simple but meaningful moments. During the pandemic, date nights involved dressing up at home, cooking together, sipping wine, and dancing around their apartment. It was during one of these evenings that Ted proposed. For Daisy and Ted, celebrating their love wasn’t about spectacle or grandeur. “We wanted our wedding to be chill and true to who we are,” she says.
With just a month’s notice, they set a date and invited everyone. Duluth’s summer scenery offered a perfect backdrop—an outdoor ceremony by Lake Superior. They rented a local community center by the beach for a modest $125, using the space to get ready before walking down a natural aisle formed by tall grasses. Daisy kept things simple and personal: her dress was an off-the-rack find from Nordstrom, her makeup was self-done, and a friend brought baby’s breath flowers for her hair.
Covid restrictions meant some loved ones, especially Daisy’s family from Tanzania, couldn’t attend in person. But technology bridged the distance, with them joining the celebration over Skype. Despite these challenges, the couple found joy in their chosen setting and intimate circle.
One of the most memorable details was their ceremony, conducted with their feet submerged in the cool waters of Lake Superior—a touching tribute to their shared love of the lake. Daisy’s best friend officiated, adding a layer of warmth and familiarity to the moment.
The night before the wedding, they hosted a casual gathering for out-of-town guests. Daisy joked about starting her vows with “Someday, we’re all going to die…”—a line that raised some eyebrows. Yet, in her vows, this honest reflection on mortality served as a powerful reminder to cherish life fully. “I said I wouldn’t want to spend my life with anyone else,” she recalls, laughter in her voice.
The ceremony took place on a public beach, and when Daisy and Ted kissed, spontaneous cheers erupted from strangers alongside friends and family. It was a moment of communal joy, unplanned yet perfect.
The community center itself was unassuming, a government building lacking the charm of typical wedding venues. But the couple creatively transformed the space with lace panels sourced from Goodwill, thanks to a friend who is an interior designer. This simple touch made the area feel more intimate and shielded from the bustling street nearby. Lawn games provided lighthearted fun, creating a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
The couple briefly worked with a wedding coordinator accustomed to extravagant events but quickly realized that such extravagance wasn’t their style. “Whenever we suggested something simple, the coordinator would take it up five notches,” Daisy says. “I kept thinking, I don’t care about all that, and I’m not going into debt for it.” They parted ways with the coordinator and chose to invest their resources only in what mattered to them—like food. Rather than a fancy sit-down dinner, they hired a food truck, which was a hit among their guests. The entire celebration came in at around $2,000—a testament to how meaningful a wedding can be without breaking the bank.
Music played a vital role in their day. Their friend Peter Witrak, a talented musician, served as DJ and serenaded the gathering with guitar strums on the beach before the ceremony. His presence contributed to the laid-back vibe that felt more like a backyard party than a traditional wedding.
Daisy describes the event as a perfect blend of their personalities and values. “It felt like a backyard hang with friends, when a great song comes on and everyone just gets up to dance.” In a time when weddings often feel like productions, Daisy and Ted’s lakeside celebration stands as a beautiful reminder that the best weddings are those that reflect the couple’s true selves.
Their story encourages us all to rethink what a wedding can be—less about grandeur, more about heart, connection, and the joy of being surrounded by loved ones in a place that holds meaning. Sometimes, the simplest moments are the ones that stay with us forever.
