We are Anthony and Jaci, high school sweethearts, who finally tied the knot after 10 years of dating. Anthony planned a proposal on a beach in Punta Cana in December of 2022, working closely with a local photographer to capture the moment. We both attended high school in the small town of Cando, ND. Anthony is a licensed addiction counselor, and will soon graduate with a master’s in social work. Jaci is a Registered nurse, and studying to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Outside of work and studying, we enjoy traveling and spending quality time with family, friends, and our 2-year-old red lab, Eva.
The Day They Tied The Knot
June 2024
“Our day was absolutely perfect. It was a beautiful, warm day filled with family and friends.”
- The Wentzes
Vendors
Venue: Pines Venue
Long before we got engaged, we always dreamt of touring the Pines Venue. Immediately after we arrived back home from where we got engaged, we toured both Pines White and Black and fell in love with the elegance and beauty of the venues. Ultimately, we chose the Pines black, which had a separate indoor ceremony room and an attached lounge and suite to get ready, along with a golf simulator, which the men thoroughly enjoyed.
Floral: Love Always Floral
They were so easy to work with and created the most beautiful floral arrangements. They were able to pull up our dream wedding floral Pinterest board right on their TV during our consult and made our vision come to life.
Videographer: Grace Films
We love their style, creativity, and attention to detail. We knew they would capture the special and fun moments throughout the day so we could relive them for the rest of our lives!
DJ: Fuze Entertainment
We could not have asked for anyone better. He was organized, and professional, and continuously checked in with us throughout the night. On top of that, our dance floor was filled the entire night.
Dessert: Cake + Cupcakes, Nichole’s Fine Pastry
We chose our cake and cupcakes from Nichole’s Fine Pastry. We were able to taste-test a variety of flavors, which were all very delicious.
Gowns: RSVP Fargo
They had a variety of wedding dresses for me to choose from and were very accommodating and easy to work with throughout the appointment.
Suits: Halberstadt’s on Broadway
The men picked out their suits from Halberstadt’s on Broadway. They took their time to make sure Anthony’s suit was perfectly tailored.
Hair Stylist: Hide Out Salon by Ashley Mikkelsen
Ashley is very easy to work with and was able to complete nine beautiful hairstyles in just a few short hours! She is so talented, easy-going, and fun to be around.
Makeup Artist: Artistry by Kimberly
Kimberly was able to accommodate eight other girls, as well as myself, and did a wonderful job. She was so kind and flawlessly created the perfect makeup look for each girl based on their request.
Jaci and Anthony’s wedding proved you can have a stunning wedding that also feels easy and fun. I adore the shots of the newlyweds diving into their cake at the end of the night!”
- Abby Anderson, Abby Anderson
Serving: I’ve been photographing weddings solely in the Fargo-Moorhead area since 2008. I am looking forward to working with many more local couples in 2025!
Facebook | /abbyandersonphotographer
Instagram | @abbyanders
Couple Q&A
Q: Looking back, what was worth the coin and what wasn’t when it came to the entire process, why?
A: The areas we were not willing to comprise on were the venue and photographer. The Pines Black was the aesthetic we were looking for and really set the mood for the wedding. Abby Anderson was also an easy choice for photography as it was apparent that she left no detail unnoticed. We will look back on these pictures for decades, so price really wasn’t a consideration. Two areas that we tried to be mindful of cost were food and decorations. Nobody is going to complain about free food, and the Pines Black was so beautiful on its own that we felt we could go minimal on decorations.
Q: Everybody says that you should have fun and enjoy the wedding planning process, but it is easy to get stressed! Any recommendations on how to stay calm during the stressful parts?
A: Start early and stay organized! We booked the venue, photographer, and DJ about 16 months before our wedding day, which gave us plenty of time to get everything else figured out. We also kept spreadsheets with costs and due dates for payments. This made everything feel fairly manageable. Another way we were able to stay calm throughout the process was by securing vendors that we knew were awesome at their jobs. This allowed us to just let them do their thing, and not worry about the outcome.
Q: Can you share some advice with couples who are planning their big day?
A: Keep it simple. It can be easy to get wrapped up in trying to make sure every little thing is perfect, but at the end of the day, having friends and family to celebrate with is the most important part of the day
Frequently Asked Questions… with answers from local vendors!
Grace Films is a Fargo-based wedding videography company led by husband-and-wife team Hunter and Jess Mouw. They specialize in capturing and preserving the unique moments of your special day through cinematic storytelling.
“I (Jess) have been in the wedding videography business since 2015 (so gosh almost 10 YEARS, which is crazy)! One of the most common questions I get from couples planning a wedding and inquiring about our services is:”
What is your turnaround time?
We prioritize a timely turnaround with our films. We ensure at minimum you receive your footage within 120 days, but our average turnaround time is 45-60 days. This allows you to reminisce and enjoy re-watching your special day while it’s still fresh in your mind!
Learn more at:
filmsbygrace.com
Facebook | /filmsbygrace
Instagram | @filmsbygrace
Hide Out Salon, Ashley Mikkelsen, operated by independent stylist Ashley Mikkelsen in Fargo, offers a range of hair services including cuts, coloring, formal styling, waxing, perms, lash extensions, and makeup. She specializes in bridal hair as well!
Do I get a trial for hair and makeup?
If the bride would like a trial, we can get her booked for one! We typically like to see the bride two weeks to a month before the wedding if she is getting a trial.
What is the pricing for hair and makeup?
2025 pricing is as follows:
Bride: Hair $95 – $125
Makeup: $100 – $125
Bridal Party: Hair and Makeup $85 – $100 per person per service
*These prices vary on time, amount of hair, the style of hair or makeup.
Travel fee?
Wedding venues directly inside the city limits of Fargo/Moorhead have no travel fee. Venues outside of Fargo/Moorhead are $1 per mile round trip and $20 per extra stylist. For any trips over 2.5 hours, we are required to leave the night before and charge for the night stay.
Learn more about Ashley and the Salon!
Facebook | /HideoutSalonAshleyMikkelsen



