Conner and Marissa Ariss look back on fall wedding
BY SETH BOYES
DECORAH LEADER
NEWS EDITOR
Conner and Marissa Ariss briefly crossed paths while taking the same college course in early 2020. Classes moved to an online format within a matter of weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the two met again that fall, and a relationship eventually grew from there — they married in November of 2024.
Marissa, daughter of Loren and JoEllen Foels, grew up in Postville and attended Upper Iowa University in Fayette after graduating from Decorah High School. Conner, the son of Michelle and Rob Ariss, attended Dubuque Senior
High before he too was led to Upper Iowa University. The two happened to enroll in the same section of an anatomy and physiology course in January of 2020 — neither imagining their future spouse was seated just a few feet away. “I asked him what he scored on his first lab practical, and he told me what he scored, and I immediately walked away — I actually didn’t share my score with him until after we were married this fall,” she said with a laugh. “I did that much worse.”
Classes were dismissed for spring break after about eight weeks, and classes resumed under a remote learning model. Marissa and Conner met each other again thanks to a mutual friend the next
semester, and the two began connecting through social media. They planned to have their first date in February of 2021, but that outing had to be put on hold. Marissa was working part time with the Allamakee 4-H program, and a grapefruit freeze elsewhere in the country threatened to put a damper on the service club’s annual fruit fundraiser — a situation Marissa had to address quickly.
“We still hung out, but it wasn’t like our first date,” she said. She and Conner later marked their first official date at Leo’s Italian Restaurant in Oelwein.
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Marissa Foels and Conner Ariss were married in November of 2024. The couple was able to incorporate woodland elements and colors into their celebration.
ABOVE- The couple was married in Decorah Lutheran Church. BELOW LEFT- The bride and groom are pictured her parents Loren and JoEllen Foels. BELOW RIGHT- The couple is pictured with the groom’s parents Rob and Michelle Ariss.
Today, Marissa is employed by the South Winneshiek School District, and Conner works at Wellington Place Nursing Home in Decorah. He said thoughts of marriage were already on his mind while he was attending nursing school.
“Then we ended up finding a house, so then I said ‘Well, if we’re going to buy the house, we might as well just get engaged the same day,’” he said.
Marissa said Conner had joked he would propose to her the same day they closed on their house, but she didn’t believe he would do it — Conner indicated that was part of his plan.
“I just kept talking about it, knowing the more that I talked about doing it, the more she wouldn’t actually believe it would happen,” he said.
They closed on the house in early November of 2023 and, as they were taking some celebratory photos, Conner pretended
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to drop the keys to their new home before presenting Marissa with an engagement ring — at first, the ruse worked too well, and Marissa kept her eyes on the camera until both their mothers told her to look down at her soon-to-be fiancé.
The couple decided on their wedding date the next week and, with about a year to plan, they went about arranging the details. Marissa said she was already familiar with many aspects of planning a wedding, noting her mother owns Country Garden Flowers and Gifts in Decorah.
“Since I could walk and talk, I was in my mom’s store,” she said. “Just being in that industry, I’ve seen so many things over the years. When I was younger, I obviously didn’t do a whole lot with weddings, but
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The newly-married couple held a flag bearing the logo of Upper Iowa University, where they met during an anatomy and physiology course.
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Maria Lea served as the maid of honor during the wedding. Karlie Einck, Abby Baker, Allison Hartly, Courtney Howe and
Carly Steere served as bridesmaids — Laura Druecker was chosen as a junior bridesmaid. Dylan Flanagan served as best man during the wedding. Jake Hudson, Drew Knese, Logan Zacharias, Seth G and Keagen Einch served as groomsmen. Caitlyn Druecker and Jada Vanden Brink were selected as personal attendants, and ushers were Logan Flanagan and Zach Wegmann.
The couple was married in Decorah Lutheran Church, and a reception was held in the community building at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds.
Marissa and Conner chose a woodland theme for their November wedding. Decor included rich fall colors, and some early winter details with greenery like pine and cedar.(Photos courtesy
Hidden Beauty Studio
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“pretend proposal” at their senior prom.
“Little did we know a few short years later, that would be our reality,” she said. “After I graduated from college, Brendan bought a house a few minutes from where he grew up, and we have spent the last few years making it a home.”
The real thing Fast forward to July of 2023 when, after seven years of dating, the couple shared real engagement news during the annual Winneshiek County Fair — the phrase “It’s Always Been You” was posted on their social media platforms after Brendan popped the question in mid-July of 2023.
Leah was getting off work late and tried convincing Brendan to meet her in town, but he insisted she needed to come home first. When she arrived, Brendan told her there was something wrong with the tire on his truck, and he needed her to hold the flashlight — Leah said Brendan is always talking about trucks, so she thought nothing of it.
“He set the ring box on his tire, and when I walked around the back of the truck he got down on one knee and grabbed it. It was a special moment just between the two of us with nobody else around, just like we wanted,” Leah said.
Brendan timed the engagement perfectly, to ensure they could share the news with those close to them. He said he wanted to propose during the fair, calling the fair a special time for him and his family as well as a staple in their lives.
“I always said when we got engaged, I would love to celebrate with friends and family to see everyone’s reactions,” Leah said. “And Brendan timed it during the fair because he knew friends and family would be there.”
Wedding planning
Brendan and Leah were both apprehensive at the thought of planning their wedding.
“When the planning began, we had no clue where to start,” Leah said. “Luckily, we had a few friends who got married over the last couple of years, so
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP-The bridal attendants in the Weis-Lovstuen wedding party were Jaden Weis, Kayla Anderson, Marlee Johanningmeier, Kaylee O’Connell, Shae Dwyer, Allison Groux, Maggie Lovstuen, Mara Lostuen. Personal attendants were Jaden Falck and Leslie Sivesind. Leah was escorted down the aisle on the arm of her father. Leah and Brendan exchanged vows at the altar before Father Donald Hertges and Father Daniel Knipper. Leah carried a bouquet with keepsake charms including a small remembrance of her twin sister, Brittany, who died at birth, and two pictures of her beloved grandfathers, Larry Heying and Tom Weis, who have both passed.
the first thing we did was talk to them. They gave us the rundown of all the important vendors to get booked right away and what things you could wait to do until later on. One of my close friends also got me a wedding planning book. This was especially helpful because it broke everything into different sections. There was a budget section, a guest list section, a vendor section and more.”
She said the planning book proved invaluable, with information on things they would have otherwise forgotten. She also said Tami Brink with Party Island near Decorah helped find inspirational ideas for the wedding through the website Pintrest.
“She was able to show me different decorations she had that would help my vision come to life,” Leah said. “If I had a tip for someone planning a wedding, I would say start early and don’t sweat the little things. The day goes so fast, the little details that feel enormous do not matter and things you spend so much time stressing over play such a small part of the day. The important thing is to soak in the memories with all the people who are there because they love you.”
The wedding day Brendan and Leah were married in August of 2024 at St.
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surprised her mother by sharing a special dance with her during the evening reception. The newlyweds shared a heartfelt message with guests at the reception at Pinter’s Event Center. Brendan ushered his mother to her seat at the church.
~WEDDING PHOTOS BY
Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah.
“Brendan and I wanted to have a church wedding for many reasons,” Leah said. “Growing up Catholic, it was especially important to me to get married in the church just like all the important people in my life were. I went to Catholic school from kindergarten through eighth grade, so religion is a value that is very important to me. We wanted faith to be at the center of our marriage, and we thought beginning the next chapter of our life in front of God and surrounded by our family and friends would help us create a special bond that will last us forever. Celebrating the sacrament of marriage in the church was important for both of us.
We also thought the church was a beautiful place to get married.
The natural beauty of St. Ben’s is what I envisioned getting married at as long as I can remember. We also thought it was important to get married in the church because of the support it provides us after the wedding.
The church is a community of people that we can turn to for the rest of our lives to help us grow in our marriage.”
Their special day dawned — the girls in the wedding party woke up at Bear Creek Cabins north of Decorah, and the guys were headquartered at Leah and Brendan’s house.
“The bridesmaids spent the night together in the Whitetail Cabin, as we had to start hair and makeup very early since it was a big group,” Leah reminisced. “We spent the morning listening to music, drinking strawberry fields from Mill Street Mocha and getting ready for the big day. Once everyone was done with hair and makeup, we all got into our dresses, and I did a first look with all the bridesmaids.”
Soon it was time for a few photos with her mother and sister, and then a first look at the dress with her dad.
“We had our first look on the deck of the cabin,” Leah said, “and this was when I gifted
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my dad with a tie pin that said, ‘forever your little girl’ and a handkerchief with the words - ‘You will always be the first man I ever loved. Thank you for walking by my side today and always’.”
Later that morning, the wedding party traveled down the road to the Highlandville Store, an iconic, homespun general store in the heart of the village of Highlandville north of Decorah. There, they caught up with family for more pictures.
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Garrett Lovstuen, Tyler Bullerman, David Johanningmeier, Tye Anderson, Cole Tweten, Mason Falck, Blake Courtney and Andy Lillegraven. Ushers were Kyle Woodson and Gage Dahlberg. Leah
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Grace Sveen Photography
which suggests the tradition of a couple waiting to see each other until the ceremony begins is one wedding day tradition that is perhaps falling by the wayside.
Marissa Foels approaches Conner Ariss for their ‘first look’ outside of the Porter House, Decorah. The two married in November of 2024. (Photo by Kim Andera Photography)
A wedding day is a magical and memorable day for a couple and their family members.
Months or even years of planning may go into making a wedding day special.
For some, an outdoor wedding and celebration amid the beauty of nature is the ultimate setting in which to tie the knot.
When Mother Nature is your decorator, the setting can be hard to match. Perhaps that’s why 62 percent of couples opted for outdoor nuptials in 2023, according to The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Survey. However, there may be some extra work involved when exchanging vows outdoors, hosting a reception outside or both. That work includes having a contingency plan in place if the weather does not cooperate. Here’s what couples should know about having a backup plan for their outdoor weddings.
• Identify a second location.
Couples who book outdoor receptions at catering halls can inquire how they handle inclement weather. Many will have a clause built into the agreement
to move the party indoors in the event of bad weather. Others may enable the wedding to move to a different space for an added fee. Smaller, less formal weddings taking place at other locations may require a bit of ingenuity when looking for a backup space. Perhaps a friend has a large house where everyone can gather, or an employer may have a warehouse, loft or even a barn that can be transformed into unique venues at the last minute.
• Choose outdoor spaces with covered areas. The wish might be to have blue skies overhead, but it’s impossible to control the weather. So it’s safe to select outdoor spaces that offer a measure of weather protection, such as a pavillion in a park or a covered deck at a beachside locale. Such sites offer a little security without detracting from the ambiance.
• Look into a tent rental. A tent is a great investment because it keeps everyone out of the elements rain or shine. Even on a lovely summer day, How to create a
the blazing sun can make being outdoors uncomfortable. A tent is the solution. Couples should coordinate with a wedding planner or the venue itself to be sure that a tent is allowed on the grounds.
• Think about event insurance. Special event insurance may protect against financial loss in the event that severe weather throws a wrench into outdoor wedding plans. Poor weather may make moving around the venue treacherous and might force a postponement. Liability and cancellation protection in an insurance policy helps couples avoid financial hardship.
• Hire a wedding planner. The Knot suggests hiring a wedding planner or coordina-
tor who can pivot to plan B in the event of bad weather. This helps take some of the stress off of the couple so they can enjoy the day.
• Plan wardrobe and hair/ makeup accordingly. Brides and bridesmaids can choose fabrics for dresses that will be comfortable and not become blown around or see-through due to rain and wind. The wedding party can ask hair stylists to create a wedding hairstyle that is somewhat weatherproof. Experienced makeup artists likely know some tricks to keep makeup looking flawless even when the weather isn’t.
Outdoor weddings can be beautiful events, but it is important to have a backup plan in place in case weather doesn’t cooperate.
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I remember my mom meeting with brides and talking about what kind of flowers they’d want.”
She went on to say many young girls dream of what their wedding day will be like, and she said her years of observation helped her know what to expect during the planning stages.
“For me it was probably easier than the typical bride, because not everybody is as in tune to the wedding industry,” she said. “The biggest thing to me was it was our day.”
Conner said he trusted Marissa and her mother’s experience, and he had strong opinions on only three aspects of their big day — the cake, the wedding colors and the time of year.
“My caveat was, if we’re going to wear full tuxes, it’s got to be a little cooler outside,” he said. “I’ve been in a lot of summer weddings in allblack tuxes.”
And cooler weather suited Marissa just fine. She said she’d always wanted a late winter wedding, but she also knew blizzards or ice storms could spell disaster for attendance if the wedding was too
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late in the year. So they opted for a woodland theme during the late fall.
“The time that we picked in November is kind of in that transition period between late fall and early winter, so we still used a lot of rich fall colors, but then we also included greenery like the pine and cedar and kind of brought that in,” she said.
The two held their rehearsal dinner at Mabe’s Pizza in Decorah and were married at Decorah Lutheran Church, with a reception in the Community Building at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds. Conner said he was impressed by seeing the wide open reception space transform into what he called a bright and elegant venue.
Both he and his wife said one of the best memories from their wedding day was seeing the various friends and family who came to celebrate the couple as they began their next chapter together. Marissa credited their hosts and hostesses with the idea of directing guests passed the head table during the evening’s meal, allowing the newly weds to chat with their each of their guests.
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Then, it was on to the church, as the wedding approached.
Following the afternoon ceremony, the couple got the chance to give each guest an embrace as they ushered them from their seats at the church.
A party bus took the wedding party to a few stops on their way to the reception. The rainy skies cleared just as they arrived at Pinter’s Event Center east of Decorah. The couple made their grand entrance to the song “Love Like Crazy.”
“It was our song in high school,” Leah said.
Special touches
One heartfelt moment followed another on their wedding day, starting with the ‘first look.’
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by our ‘matchmaker’ Cole, then by Brendan’s dad and finished with my dad. All the speeches were amazing, and it is such a cool feeling hearing the people closest to you talk about how they admire the love that you found and how they couldn’t be happier for you,”
Leah said.
Leah’s dad gave what many said was a most epic speech. Always the salesman, the local car dealer at Weis GMC told everyone at the reception that Brendan made the “Weis” (wise) choice in selecting Leah as his wife.
Leah and Brendan’s first look — that private moment where the bride and groom see each other for the first time on their wedding day in their full wedding attire — occurred at the same place their families had settled, a quaint farmstead near the village of Highlandville north of Decorah.
Brendan’s family now owns the farm where Leah’s grandmother grew up, and the couple agreed having their first look at one another in a place connected to both their families was a special moment.
Additional sweet moments came before dinner, as family and friends shared tearful and amusing speeches about the couple’s early courtship and their growing bond.
“My sister Jaden gave the first speech, followed by Brendan’s brother Garrett, followed
“We just remember sitting at the head table and looking out and taking it in - that all these people were here for us. I don’t think we will ever forget how unbelievable that feeling was.”
The special moments kept on coming for the couple.
“Brendan loves older music, so it only felt right to dance to ‘When you say nothing at All’ by Keith Whitley,” Leah said.
“We learned to swing dance over the last few years — especially during COVID — so it was fun to show everyone our dance moves. After our dance, I shared a dance with my dad, and Brendan shared a dance with his mom.”
Leah’s mom was touched when the bride called for a special dance with her, to symbolize their mother-daughter connection and show appreciation for all her mother’s help planning the wedding.
“With her having two girls, she will never get the chance to have a mother-son dance,” Leah said. “So, I surprised her with a first dance too. It was a moment I will never forget, and I could truly feel how special it was to her too.”
Brendan and Leah agreed that their evening of dancing and celebrating with family and friends helped make the wedding one of the best nights of their lives.
The couple topped off their marriage celebration with a relaxing honeymoon at a friend’s cabin in Canada, along with an overnight stay in a unique and cozy sleeping barrel on the shores of Lake Superior.
Marissa was familiar with many aspects of planning a wedding, having spent her youth in her mother’s store, Country Garden Flowers and Gifts in Decorah. Marissa and Conner chose rich fall colors and incorporate woodland elements into their celebration. (Photo by Kim Andera Photography)
