Frank and Hope Dea had about a year to plan their wedding. Even so, everything hung on the weather of that special day.
A teacher and coach with Cumberland, Anita and Massena Schools in southwest Iowa, Frank Dea had bought a house in Avoca, across the street from his parents' home.
He proposed to Hope Denton, a guidance counselor at Avoca, Hancock, Shelby, Tennant Schools, on the steps of that new house.
That outdoor proposal at what would become their new home together inspired the wedding plans.
Theirs would be a home-style wedding, outdoors, with their homes as the backdrop for the ceremony and the reception. That way, they figured, their wedding day would be relaxed, comfortable and fun — with a lot of people helping in the celebration.
The Deas sent out about 300 invitations and arranged a catered backyard cookout for 400 people.
They said a prayer for good weather and had a backup plan — to use a building at the fairgrounds.
On a clear day and wearing an off-white prom dress, Hope walked down the aisle — an asphalt driveway — to an archway of flowers on a platform built by her dad in the senior Deas' front yard.
The bride set the tone, wearing slippers rather than high heels; the groomsmen wore suspenders but no jackets; and the bridesmaids wore tea-length floral-print sundresses from a mainstream clothing shop
. After the ceremony, the wedding party and guests moved to the backyard, where a festive atmosphere was created by lights strung through trees.
A caterer served burgers and hot dogs; the Deas' deck became a dance floor, and the weather cooperated.
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