KATE + CHRIS

It is not every day your future husband walks into your dad’s 60th birthday party without ever having met him, yet that is exactly how things shifted for Kate and Chris Schmidt. Married this past June, their journey to finding each other was anything but ordinary.

“We actually met in 2013 through mutual friends at Briar Cliff University,” Kate recalls. “I am from Sioux City and was heading to USD to play volleyball, but many of my friends were going to Briar Cliff for sports, so our circles crossed naturally.” Despite that early connection, college took them in different directions. They dated other people and drifted apart. Years later, newly single and reconnecting through friends, Kate casually invited Chris to her dad’s birthday celebration. She never expected him to show up.

“He did not even know my dad,” she laughs. “But I think he realized it was a great opportunity since we were both single.” From that night on, Kate says they never spent a day apart. Within a month of officially dating, they moved in together. Their relationship grew quickly through shared passions, comfort, and the easy companionship they found in each other. “We are obsessed with sports,” Kate says. “We are huge Vikings fans, and we try to visit a different stadium together every year.”

Their family grew when Chris surprised Kate with Kobe, a pit bull puppy, on Valentine’s Day five years ago. “I had never had a dog and was worried he would not be nice,” she admits. “He turned out to be the most perfect dog ever.”

Life together has been full and joyful with golf outings, movie nights, cooking at home, and time spent with their large extended families. “In the past five and a half years, thirteen of our friends have moved into the same neighborhood,” Kate says. “It is such a full and happy life.”

Chris proposed over Memorial Day weekend in 2024 during a private dinner with both families and Kate’s godmother. “I always told him not to propose in front of people,” she says. “But honestly, there was no other way. We are always with our families. It made perfect sense.”

When wedding planning began, the guest list came first. Their original list held nearly 600 names before being narrowed to about 477 invitations and roughly 360 RSVPs. Choosing the Holiday Inn Express and Dakota Dunes Event Center was an easy decision. “We wanted something close to home but still unique,” Kate says. “We live right in the tri state Dakota Dunes area, so everything is nearby. The event center was just down the boulevard from our life and community.”

Danielle O’Connor, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, shared how important the full guest experience is when choosing a venue. “Look beyond the room itself,” she says. “Convenient lodging, outdoor photo spaces, and a welcoming pre function area can elevate the entire day. At the Dakota Dunes Event Center, couples get all of that in one place.”

With the help of event planner Paislee Dooley, planning became seamless. “They handled everything from décor and room setup to catering and tear down,” Kate says. “Our families did not have to stress about anything.”

Their Catholic ceremony was deeply meaningful, with family members serving roles throughout the mass. A private first look brought laughter and nerves while the ceremony itself felt joyful and genuine. “I forgot my responses at the altar,” Kate says. “We were nervous and kept giggling. It was so us.”

The reception flowed easily with good food, music, and company. Their honeymoon to California included golf, Legoland, and relaxing beach time.

It is not every day your future husband walks into your dad’s 60th birthday party without ever having met him, yet that is exactly how things shifted for Kate and Chris Schmidt. Married this past June, their journey to finding each other was anything but ordinary.

“We actually met in 2013 through mutual friends at Briar Cliff University,” Kate recalls. “I am from Sioux City and was heading to USD to play volleyball, but many of my friends were going to Briar Cliff for sports, so our circles crossed naturally.” Despite that early connection, college took them in different directions. They dated other people and drifted apart. Years later, newly single and reconnecting through friends, Kate casually invited Chris to her dad’s birthday celebration. She never expected him to show up.

“He did not even know my dad,” she laughs. “But I think he realized it was a great opportunity since we were both single.” From that night on, Kate says they never spent a day apart. Within a month of officially dating, they moved in together. Their relationship grew quickly through shared passions, comfort, and the easy companionship they found in each other. “We are obsessed with sports,” Kate says. “We are huge Vikings fans, and we try to visit a different stadium together every year.”

Their family grew when Chris surprised Kate with Kobe, a pit bull puppy, on Valentine’s Day five years ago. “I had never had a dog and was worried he would not be nice,” she admits. “He turned out to be the most perfect dog ever.”

Life together has been full and joyful with golf outings, movie nights, cooking at home, and time spent with their large extended families. “In the past five and a half years, thirteen of our friends have moved into the same neighborhood,” Kate says. “It is such a full and happy life.”

Chris proposed over Memorial Day weekend in 2024 during a private dinner with both families and Kate’s godmother. “I always told him not to propose in front of people,” she says. “But honestly, there was no other way. We are always with our families. It made perfect sense.”

When wedding planning began, the guest list came first. Their original list held nearly 600 names before being narrowed to about 477 invitations and roughly 360 RSVPs. Choosing the Holiday Inn Express and Dakota Dunes Event Center was an easy decision. “We wanted something close to home but still unique,” Kate says. “We live right in the tri state Dakota Dunes area, so everything is nearby. The event center was just down the boulevard from our life and community.”

Danielle O’Connor, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, shared how important the full guest experience is when choosing a venue. “Look beyond the room itself,” she says. “Convenient lodging, outdoor photo spaces, and a welcoming pre function area can elevate the entire day. At the Dakota Dunes Event Center, couples get all of that in one place.”

With the help of event planner Paislee Dooley, planning became seamless. “They handled everything from décor and room setup to catering and tear down,” Kate says. “Our families did not have to stress about anything.”

Their Catholic ceremony was deeply meaningful, with family members serving roles throughout the mass. A private first look brought laughter and nerves while the ceremony itself felt joyful and genuine. “I forgot my responses at the altar,” Kate says. “We were nervous and kept giggling. It was so us.”

The reception flowed easily with good food, music, and company. Their honeymoon to California included golf, Legoland, and relaxing beach time.

Looking back, Kate shares advice for future couples. “When choosing a venue, think about catering since some places have limitations. But most importantly, stay true to yourselves. Invite the people you love and do what feels right. Our ceremony was special because we focused on the sacrament and the commitment we were making to God. That is what mattered most.”

Looking back, Kate shares advice for future couples. “When choosing a venue, think about catering since some places have limitations. But most importantly, stay true to yourselves. Invite the people you love and do what feels right. Our ceremony was special because we focused on the sacrament and the commitment we were making to God. That is what mattered most.”