Mr. and Mrs. Oestreicher - 7.27.24
I’m gonna pat myself on the back here because I spelled their last name correctly without looking this time! Woo hoo!
I met Mandy over nine years ago by pure chance. My family was moving out of the house we were renting because we were about to have our second baby and move into the house we bought… Mandy was the one who took over our lease! Normally, you’d think we’d cross paths that one day and call it good, but my mail still kept showing up at the old house. Thankfully she had a junior-high aged son who could bring it to my classroom for me.
Over the years we didn’t chat much but were facebook friends so we somewhat kept up on life. When I heard she and Tim FINALLY got engaged after 7 years, I was thrilled when she asked me to photograph her wedding!
These two met in 2017 and had their first date at First Street Pub in Wisconsin Rapids. Even now, Mandy still remembers what he was wearing and how it made her feel. He was still in his work clothes (didn’t have time to change) and was sporting jeans with holes, a t-shirt with cutoff sleeves, a hat, and sunglasses. She was immediately drawn to his 80s vibe.
When I asked them when they each knew the other was “the one”, they both reflected on the short break they took about two years into their relationship. For Tim, he realized he “made a mistake and missed everything imaginable you could miss about a person, from her voice to her smell and touch to even pointing out something [he hadn’t] done quite right”. Mandy commented how much that break taught them about themselves and their relationship. She knew she couldn’t live without him. It truly was the epitome of absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Tim’s favorite thing about Mandy is simple: his complete trust in her and that he doesn’t have to worry about a thing. Mandy’s favorite thing about Tim is all of the ways he supports her and the people she loves… she even commented on what a great Bapa he’s been to her grandbabies too.
Saturday was a HOT day with a blazing sun. Thankfully our couple thought ahead and made cute fans for their guests to give themselves some air during the ceremony. Along with the fans, their family and friends were given cute checkered flags to wave as they recessed down the aisle, an ode to their love of racing. Their color scheme, particularly with their flowers, was AMAZING. I absolutely loved it! Not to mention that gorgeous dress train of hers!
After the ceremony, we powered through the heat for some family photos, including a cute shot of their family surrounding them in a heart, as well as some fun bridal party photos. I particularly love that their bridal party included all six of their (combined) children from their previous relationships. They have truly a merged a wonderful, new, large family unit.
Along with dinner came speeches full of love and laughter. Mandy even made a point to share her thanks for everyone who played a role in this special day, explaining that many vendors were people they knew personally. Once the dancing hit, there was not a dry eye in the house as Mandy’s brothers, sons and bonus sons rotated in for a special dance with her. The support that Mandy was lauding Tim for was shining through during their first dance as well… it was a perfect balance of silly and serious, which is a true reflection of their relationship.
This is a couple who has clearly been through so much together, all of which has made them even stronger as husband and wife. I wish them both a wonderful life ahead!
