Dane & Ashton (Phillips) Balsmann ~ Married Sept. 27, 2014

__How they fell in love:__ One of my best friends introduced us at the New Hamburg Picnic, and we got engaged on a fishing trip in the spring of 2013. Dane got "hung up" in some moss and needed me to help him get it off his line. When he swung the pole around for me to grab the line, there it was: a shiny thing on the end of the hook. A ring? Not just any ring, though -- it was plastic. Dane got down on his knee, held up the real deal and asked me to marry him.

Photo by Felicia Mobley of Felicia Hausman Photography

__Wedding location:__ St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso

__Reception location:__ Jackson Knights of Columbus Hall

__Wedding colors:__ Black, ivory and blush

__What they wore:__ I wore a Maggie Sottero gown from Clarice's Bridal in St. Louis. Colored in pale blush with an ivory lace overlay, it was embellished with a subtle sparkle and a cathedral-length veil. The bridesmaids wore Mori Lee by Madeline Gardner dresses, also from Clarice's Bridal. The black with lace overlay complemented the design in my dress, and the different styles allowed the girls to choose what they liked. The groomsmen wore BLACK Collection tuxes by Vera Wang and rented from Men's Wearhouse in Cape Girardeau.

Photo by Felicia Mobley of Felicia Hausman Photography

Photo by Felicia Mobley of Felicia Hausman Photography

__Decor and more:__ Linda McKinnis of Design Exclusive LLC was our decorator and floral designer. The bridesmaid bouquets were made of off-white hydrangeas, and the maid of honor bouquet had additional peonies. My bouquet had off-white roses, hydrangeas, pale pink roses, hot pink mini roses and seeded eucalyptus. The church décor included submerged magnolia arrangements with floating candles, off-white rose pomanders in urns and off-white rose wreaths. At the reception, the ceiling had twinkling lights, chiffon draping, cream linen lanterns, Edison globe lighting and two disco balls. The dance floor featured a chandelier with sparkling crystals and dangling prisms. The walls and backdrop were draped with ivory chiffon. The guest tables had three different centerpiece concepts including silver candelabras with crystals, candelabras with stemmed crackle glass vases, silver mint julep cups, and candlelit lanterns. Other accents included mercury glass, crystal, mirrors, pale pink roses, off-white hydrangeas, seeded eucalyptus and gold curly willow. We used a custom globe created by Linda as our guestbook.

__The food:__ The Kelso Ladies made kettle beef, chicken and dressing, chicken and dumplings, corn, green beans, slaw and rolls.

__The cake:__ The four tiers were decorated with flowers between each layer. The tiers held carrot cake, Italian coconut cake, strawberry cake and vanilla cake and were iced in buttercream. We also had a few chocolate sheet cakes. Cakes were made by Pat Robinson of Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

__Wedding planner:__ Linda McKinnis of Design Exclusive

Photo by Felicia Mobley of Felicia Hausman Photography

__Music:__ The Intention, with Walt's Sound during breaks

__First dance:__ "Stuck on You" by Lionel Richie

__Photographer:__ Felicia Mobley of Felicia Hausman Photography in Arkansas

__Videographer:__ Matt Fluegge of Flig Productions in Jackson

__Other details:__ Hair and makeup by Belladona Salon and Spa

__Ashton's advice to other brides:__ Allow yourself to comprehend each moment of this day. Look around at your friends and loved ones. Watch them, enjoy them and remember their expressions. Most importantly, focus on your husband and the vows you are making to one another. This day is meant for the two of you. Enjoy each other, embrace each other and be next to one another. Remember how his hands feel, remember the glimmer in his eye (because it's very special, and there really is one), and kiss him on multiple occasions throughout the day. After all, he just became your husband!