Jada and Dustin Eggen Wedding Story

Wedding Theme

Modern, Natural, Romantic

The Day We Said Yes

Saturday, June 2nd, 2018

Our Love Story

We got married on our 7 year anniversary, June 2nd, 2018.  Dustin and I decided not to see each other the night before or the morning of our wedding. I stayed with my maid of honor, and he stayed with his best man. We had planned our day so that Dustin would arrive at the venue around 2pm, and I would arrive around 2:30pm. Black Hills Receptions and Rentals go out of their way to ensure that the bride and groom (if you so wish) do not see each other before the wedding. My bridesmaids and I had an adorable gazebo to get ready in, while the men had the reception tent to get ready in. My bridesmaids decided to do their hair and makeup in the gazebo while I, after long consideration, decided to have my makeup and hair done at my artists' shop rather than at the venue to save time. Kandi at Be You Beautiful (inside Elite Hair Design) did such an amazing job on my hair and makeup. I gave her a few ideas and she created the perfect look for me- a bold lip and smokey eye with a beautiful hidden braid hairstyle. I couldn't have been happier with how it all turned out.

Our ceremony started at 4:30pm, beginning with Dustin seating parents and grandparents. Our wedding party lined up, and I knew it was time for me to prepare to walk down the aisle. Reed with Complete Weddings & Events made sure the transition between the wedding party's processional song and my processional song was seamless. My dad and I were both emotional as he handed me over to my husband. Our ceremony was seamless and perfect. Our officiant, Heather, created the perfect reading to represent what Dustin and I have been through over the last 7 years, and expressed it in a way so that everyone felt as if they had experienced it with us. Soon enough, we were taking pictures with family and preparing to eat. Natali with Complete Weddings & Events did an incredible job at capturing the beauty of the Black Hills in our photos. She was so much fun to work with and kept us laughing and smiling the whole time. The poses we were in felt very natural. During the reception, Reed went as far as to carry my plate as I dished up my Qdoba so that I wouldn't trip over my dress. He was so friendly and helpful that he even helped staff at the venue clear dirty plates from tables. Reed led a lot of our dances and played music that was spot on for our taste. Our reception went on until about 11pm. It was a perfect night and I couldn't be happier with our vendors.

How We Met

In the summer of 2011, Dustin was living in his hometown Sioux Falls, but touring in a band that traveled all over the Midwest playing music. Dustin was the vocalist- I say vocalist because it wasn't exactly “singing,” but more like angry shouting. A friend of mine would let bands play shows out of his garage, and Dustin's band happened to be booked there. I was working at a restaurant in Keystone at the time, but living in Rapid City. I got off work that day just in time for the show to start at my friends garage. I noticed Dustin immediately, and he must have noticed me too, because after his band played and the next was setting up, I bought a few shirts from him and he ended up giving me a huge hug. We exchanged information thanks to friends' encouragement and have been together ever since. We were in a long distance relationship for 2 years and only got to see each other for a few days once a month.  At one point, thanks to work, school and seemingly everything else working against us, we went 4 months without seeing each other. It was very difficult but we never gave up… and now here we are, 7 years later, happily married!

Planning Our Day

I am a huge planner, which definitely came in handy for our wedding! I had several notebooks and an actual wedding planner that I had purchased from a local book store. It included a month-to-month timeline of things that should be completed. I would highly recommend purchasing something like this if you aren't great with deadlines! The timeline at the end of Black Hills Bride was also a huge help.

Wedding Hint

It is going to be stressful, no matter what. But remember that all of the stress is going to pay off because at the end of it all, you will be marrying your soulmate.
Also, try some yoga.