April 4, 2011
Spc. Brian Wunderlich, 26, is unsure if he will deploy to Kuwait soon, but many of his friends are preparing to leave. So Wunderlich and his new wife Margarita Jacobson, 29, moved their wedding from June to Saturday, April 2, 2011.
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Kasson, MN, USA — Brian Wunderlich (left) dresses for his wedding in the basement of Pleasant Corners Church in Kasson, Minn., on April 2, 2011. He's joined in the church kitchen by groomsman Stash Rucinski (right) and the bride's 8-year-old son Joseph Jacobson. Wunderlich and his groomsman are members of the Minnesota National Guard. Instead of tuxedos, they chose to wear their service uniforms for the nuptials. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo
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Kasson, MN, USA — Margarita Jacobson (right) gets ready for her wedding ceremony in the basement of Pleasant Corners Church in Kasson, Minn., on April 2, 2011. She's assisted by bridesmaid Jolene Schultz. Jacobson and her fiance Brian Wunderlich wanted to get married as soon as possible after learning Wunderlich, a member of the Minnesota National Guard, could be deployed to Kuwait in May 2011. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo
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Kasson, MN, USA — Minutes before her wedding to National Guard service member Brian Wunderlich, Margarita Jacobson has a heart-to-heart talk with her son (and ring bearer) Joseph Jacobson. The 8-year-old is fond of his soon-to-be stepfather and he's already nervous about the idea of Wunderlich being deployed. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo
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Kasson, MN, USA — Brian Wunderlich, surrounded by fellow National Guard service members, exchanges marriage vows with Margarita Jacobson at Pleasant Corners Church in Kasson, Minn., on April 2, 2011. After getting engaged the previous fall, the two started to plan a June wedding. But, when the Guard told Wunderlich he was fit for duty and good to deploy, he knew he had to speed up the wedding plans. It was an emotional decision, but also a practical one -- the Guard offers a monthly combat allowance for families of those who are deployed. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo
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Kasson, MN, USA — Groomsman Kolt Krumpos (center) holds his 5-week-old daughter in the foyer of Pleasant Corners Church in Kasson, Minn., on April 2, 2011, following the wedding of his friend Brian Wunderlich. Krumpos expects to be deployed to Kuwait in a few weeks. He says he's "already sad about all the firsts I'll miss -- the first time my daughter crawls, the first time she talks, the first time she walks. But that's the sacrifice." (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo
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Kasson, MN, USA — Brian Wunderlich and Margarita Jacobson share a kiss after their wedding ceremony at Pleasant Corners Church in Kasson, Minn., on April 2, 2011. Wunderlich, a National Guard service member, says the way he thinks about deployment has changed as a result of his relationship with Jacobson. "You're not just caring, not just about a significant other, but it's your wife and stepson. Your thoughts are, 'Are they going to have an okay year without you there to be the man?'" (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo
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Kasson, MN, USA — Members of the Wunderlich-Jacobson wedding party joke around in the church after the ceremony on April 2, 2011 in Kasson, Minn. At these nuptials, Army attire is as natural as satin and lace. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo
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Kasson, MN, USA — Brian Wunderlich and Margarita Jacobson were married at Pleasant Corners Church in Kasson, Minn., on April 2, 2011. Outside the church, Wunderlich's friends and fellow National Guard service members string together empty beer cans. They'll attach the finished string of cans to Wunderlich's truck bumper in hopes of drawing attention to bride and groom as they drive away from the church. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo
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Kasson, MN, USA — Eight-year-old Joseph Jacobson rushes to open the truck door for his mother Margarita Jacobson after her wedding ceremony to Brian Wunderlich at Pleasant Corners Church in Kasson, Minn., on April 2, 2011. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo
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Kasson, MN, USA — Brian Wunderlich flashes his bride Margarita Jacobson a smile in the parking lot of Pleasant Corners Church in Kasson, Minn., on April 2, 2011, as his stepson Joseph Jacobson looks on. On this afternoon, they'll focus only on their wedding and reception and set aside thoughts of Wunderlich being deployed. "It's probably not going to hit me until he's gone for a week," says Jacobson. "I'll wait until it hits me and I have a feeling it's going to hit me good." (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo
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