It All Started With an Old Pair of Boat Shoes (And Ended With "I Dos")

We love a good love story! And we're guessing you do, too... That's why every Wednesday, we're bringing you real life "I dos" that are sure to inspire (and give you a peek into couples' planning experiences). Want to share your happily ever after? Submit your wedding here! #realweddingwednesdayThis love story begins like most midwestern love stories—in a cornfield. On a warm August night, Maddie and Nate both headed over to a nearby bonfire (where neither of the expected to meet anyone special). Read on to see how their relationship blossomed in true rom-com fashion... Persuaded by her friend Maggie's repeated phone calls and urgent text messages, Maddie agreed to head to the party. "You have to come! You know Nate Laidig, don't you? You went to high school together." The name rung a bell, but it was hardly a blaring alarm. Sure, Maddie knew the name of the basketball player, but they never ran in the same circles. "That's ok. Why don't you get to know him? I don't want to come." But Maggie's persistence finally paid off, and Maddie jumped in her Jeep. Nate wasn't looking to meet anyone that night either—his car already packed to head off to Purdue early the next morning for his senior year of college. Dressed in his Purdue fishing gear and sorry-looking Sperry's, he was content to stand on the dock all night and cast his line into the pond in hopes of catching, really, anything. "Hey Nate! Maddie Helman is coming. Do you remember her from high school? Well, you have to meet her. She's perfect." He knew the name vaguely, thinking that perhaps this night would turn out better than planned. By the time Maddie arrived at the pond in the middle of the cornfield, she had resolved to make the most of the late summer night before her friends started their last year of college. Nate and Maddie introduced themselves to each other briefly, but Maddie quickly turned to make the rounds before taking a seat down on top of the cooler. Thinking he could make a move, Nate offered her a drink but took her "No, I'm good," as a sign that she didn't want anything to do with him. Back to his fishing pole he went. As the night unfolded, the pair found themselves in a canoe full of friends in the middle of the pond. Maddie was playing it cool, using the flirting tactic otherwise known as completely ignoring Nate. But Nate didn't like it, and decided to focus on fishing instead. It wasn't until they returned to the pier and everyone started to get out of the boat that Maddie noticed Nate had left his Sperry's behind. This was her chance. It was now or never. "Hey, Nate, you forgot your shoes!" And the rest is history. After dating for a little over a year, Nate took Maddie back to that old pond and cornfield, and proposed—taking their relationship full circle. In that year, dating long distance between Purdue and Saint Mary's, they shared nights out with his Kappa Sigma friends, traveling from Nashville to Chicago, and full days of adventure throughout Michigan on the slopes and beaches. They learned how to rely on each other through the stresses of school. With strong families supporting them, Nate and Maddie have seen what good marriages look like and continue to learn every day more and more about each other. Nate and Maddie agree, today is the day they love each other the least, growing more and more in love with each passing day. The sweet duo had the most magical day they could have ever dreamed possible. With rain in the forecast all week long and a completely outdoor event, they were on pins and needles preparing for the wedding. The event took place on the grounds of Maddie's parent's beautiful home in Niles, Michigan. Being an event planner herself for corporate events, Maddie knew that she wanted the details of their wedding day to stand out and make a splash with their guests. Maddie's mother is an artist, so they combined their passions and did much of the planning themselves—designing, creating and assembling the invitations, creating the menu and place cards, painting barnwood signs (handcrafted by her dad).The list goes on! Oh, and their fabulous alter was made by her dad as well, now being used in the garden as a grape arbor. They had an amazing group of vendors who provided outstanding floral, live music during the ceremony, and artful images to capture the whole day. The best part of the whole wedding was the miracle that happened. Not twenty minutes before the ceremony, with clouds and gusts of wind swirling the tablecloths and blowing the flowers around, did they see a little pop of sunshine come out. The clouds started to open up, creating a halo over the property and the wind died down. The rain was gone and they had a completely clear ceremony and reception, twinkling lights and all. Just take a look at this double rainbow! Nate and Maddie wanted to bring a glamorous feel to the outdoors with light touches to the rustic vibe but holding true to pure elegance and class. Nate was very supportive and let Maddie explore the creative aspects of their wedding. Her parents were also very integral in the planning and vision—they spent many Saturday's scouring vintage markets finding the perfect rustic wheelbarrow for flowers and a pallet table to use for the bourbon bar. Her dad built the wedding alter and her mom sculpted their communion cup and plate. The wedding was really family focused and they made something beautiful out of nothing, like the path the newlyweds dug up to make a soft and pretty grass path for guests to walk down. The most helpful piece of advice they received about wedding planning was to accept help and try to make the planning fun! After every dress fitting, Maddie and her mom would grab lunch and spend the afternoon shopping. She and her sisters made welcome bags for all of the guests and had so much fun doing so - personalizing the bags and including yummy treats like sea salt dark chocolate caramels and Not Your Father's Root Beer. Their advice to engaged couples? "Consider all your options and don't settle on one theme right away. The options are endless with colors and flowers and dresses and locations—let yourself consider any and all themes, even if you end up going with your original ideas in the end!" Congrats, you two! VENDORS Photography: Josephiney Photography Wedding Planner: Cher Goggins, Merry Me Events Catering: Matterhorn Catering Entertainment: ProShow Bridal Dress: Marie Gabriel Couture Makeup: Camellia Cosmetics Bridesmaids Dresses: Adrianna Papell Read on for more real wedding inspiration: This Endlessly Elegant Santa Barbara Wedding is a Black Tie Dream This Redwood Forrest Wedding Featured Wolves, and Wizards, and Ring "Bears," Oh My! This Couple Said "I Doe" to a Wedding Theme That's Totally "Quacking" Us Up