Dori & Kevin

November 3, 2007; Walnut Springs Farm, Marshfield

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With a 100-year-old barn, a string quartet and 70-degree weather in late fall, Dori Allen and Kevin Grinder’s wedding couldn’t have been more perfect. The event was held at the Walnut

Springs Farm in Marshfi eld, a parcel of rolling countryside and prairies. The nuptials and reception were performed in front of 200 friends and family—and one fi eld mouse.

“When we had our walk-through a few days before the ceremony, there was a mouse nibbling on corn in the barn in the same location where we planned on placing our cake,” says Dori.

“We just kept our fi ngers crossed that it wasn’t going to reappear on our day.” Dori and Kevin met while working at KOLR 10/Ozarks FOX TV stations. Kevin was in sales, while Dori was

in promotions. Today, Dori works for 417 Magazine as the marketing director, while Kevin runs dotDigital Studios. They met on a softball fi eld, and as fate would have

it, decided to recite their vows out of doors as well. The simple ceremony paid homage to the fall surroundings with orange, red and yellow fl owers. Two pastors who were close friends of

the couple warmly personalized the ceremony that was held in a charming gazebo. “I had the biggest smile on my face all day long,” says Dori. “I had been a bridesmaid so many times, and

now it was my turn.” Following the ceremony, guests were led to a lean-to on the property where they were served hot chocolate and pumpkin muffi ns. The crowd then headed up the hill to

the cathedral-like barn for hors d’oeuvres and a three-layer cake. A photo booth with hats and funny glasses provided levity and lasting memories for the couple long after their day.

As evening approached and Dori and Kevin began to shift their focus to their upcoming Maui honeymoon, some of the guests’ children ran playing in a nearby fi eld. And happily participating

in the day’s events was that elusive fi eld mouse, enjoying meatball handouts and the glow of a perfect fall sunset.—Gerri Mack