Raquel and Jacob’s wedding was a deeply personal celebration filled with faith, family traditions, and unfiltered emotion. Set in their local church with joyful tears flowing freely, the day was a testament to their shared love of community and each other. Photographer Nikayla Bautista, a longtime family friend, beautifully captured the emotional resonance of the ceremony and the vibrant joy that followed.
From honoring their heritage with traditional Wedding Kuchen and polka music to Raquel’s heartfelt first look with her three brothers and a pin memorializing her grandparents’ love stories, every detail reflected intentionality and legacy. Their wedding wasn’t just a celebration—it was a sacred and joyful gathering of the people who shaped them.
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
We met at Youth Group (we were both youth leaders) at a local church. I (Raquel) instantly asked the youth group director after our first meeting “WHO”S THAT”. Little did I know, Jacob asked the youth group director the same thing.
Jacob’s first impression: “I told myself; I want to marry someone like her. Her joy and freedom in her being was so attractive.”
Raquel’s first impression: Wow, he is so cute and so faithful and gentle.
We dated for 6 months and then Jacob proposed! We both knew very quickly our hearts were made for one another.
Tell us a funny story relating to your wedding day or relationship!
We had to check our family’s family tree to verify we weren’t related because I (Raquel) saw an invitation on his fridge to a birthday party that I knew my family was going to because we were related LOL. Long story short, we are not related.
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
-I had a pin with a photo of each of my grandparents on their wedding day (all my grandparents are deceased).
-I did a first look my 3 brothers
-We had “Wedding Kuchen” as a snack at our reception which has been a long tradition in our family (German tradition), as well as polka music
What part of your wedding day was/is most important to you?
Our ceremony at the church (we both cried throughout the entire service in gratitude for the gift of one another and the gift of marriage)
If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be?
Your day should represent you as a couple (don’t try to “copy” the trends because your love cannot be copied). Everything from flowers, invitations, reception, food, etc… should be YOU (not what the world says it should be).
What is the most honest thing you can say about love?
Love costs all that we are but is worth everything
Dress Designer: Your Day by Nicole / @yourdaybynicole
Florist: Beyond The Blooms / @beyondtheblooms_mandan
Ceremony Venue: Cathedral of the Holy Spirit / @cathedralbismarck
Reception Venue: The Eagles Club
Photographer: Nikayla & Co. / @nikaylaandco
Videographer: A&G Media / @a.g.media_
DJ: PowerPlay DJ / @powerplaydj
Hair: Pretty Little Hair Studio / @prettylittlehairstudio
Makeup: Christina Lahren / @christinalahren
Publisher at The White Wren and Bajan Wed, Award Winning Photography + Videographer at Live View Studios, Dad, 80s music lover, crunchy health advocate
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