Eyes Only For Each Other

“Everyone took our vision and made it a reality,” Morgan said. “They gave us exactly what we had dreamed and more for our day! It’s a day we will never forget!”

At 11 a.m., Tommy saw Morgan for the first time!

“I was speechless! I couldn’t form any words when I turned around and saw Morgan,” he said.

Wedding party and family pictures were taken by talented local photographer Courtney Bolluyt and videographer was Cole Jackson.

The ceremony began at 2 p.m., with Father Brian Hughes officiating. The musicians were Cane Junkman as pianist and Johnny Sandy as Cantor.

The ring portion of the ceremony was extra special because of the rings themselves. Morgan’s ring was a gift given to her by her mom before she passed, while Tommy’s wedding ring was his grandfather Miller's on his mom’s side.

“My grandpa is still living but wanted me to have it,” Tommy shared. “It is really special.”

After the ceremony, some of the Babcock guests enjoyed a ride on the Queen II on West Lake Okoboji.

The reception was held under a vaulted tent at Morgan’s grandparents farm near Milford, which is one of her favorite places on earth. “I have so many special memories at the farm with my cousins,” she said.

Morgan heard about a wrinkle in the venue after the wedding. The night before, on Aug. 6, the area experienced a storm and received a lot of rain. The excess began collecting on top of the tent.

“My grandpa had to go out at 3 a.m. with a broom and push all of the rain off and release the tension from the rain pooling,” Morgan said.

Her aunt and cousins from Louisiana were also there, who then helped rake in new gravel so the ground under the tent wouldn’t be a huge mud pit.

“It was crazy! They worked on it almost until the start of the wedding, and nobody told us beforehand because they didn’t want to stress us out,” she added.

The dinner was catered by Hy-Vee, and the wedding party used Morgan’s parent’s fine China as their dinnerware. The first dance started at 6:45 p.m., with another memorable moment included. Tommy’s parents, Marv and Lori Babcock lined up butterflies to be released during the couple’s first dance.

“My mom and I always had special memories raising Monarch Butterflies together. Ever since she passed in 2015, I have had a strong presence of butterflies surrounding me,” Morgan shared.

Morgan’s father John and her grandparents helped release the butterflies during the dance. “It was so special and a beautiful tribute to my mom at our wedding,” she added.

The wedding guests completed the celebration with pizza and fireworks once dark hit.

“Watching all of the people you love interact with other family and friends on both sides of the parties, who would have otherwise never met, is a special occasion,” Tommy and Morgan both said. “Having every person, we love all in one place is a once in a lifetime experience.”

Beginning Life Together
Now creating a home together in Minnesota, Tommy is working as a pilot and Morgan is a nurse. They are planning their honeymoon this January in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Advice they’d give to other couples is to schedule a time and day weekly or monthly to both sit down and plan together.

“Continue to go above and beyond for your partner,” Tommy said.

Morgan added, “Stay true to lots of date nights! Keep dating each other! And men, just say ‘YES HONEY!’”