Couple Finds the Sweetest Way, Literally, to Include All 4 Grandmothers in Their Wedding (Exclusive)

Yahoo

02-07-2025

A few weeks before tying the knot, Ella Farrand and her now-husband Christian brainstormed ways to include their grandparents in their wedding
They ultimately decided to have their grandmothers serve dessert during the reception
After the wedding, Ella posted a video on TikTok showing the grandmas in actionOne bride is going viral for sharing the unique way she and her partner included their grandmothers in their big day.
A few weeks before tying the knot at Woods & Co in Pepin, Wisc., on May 24, Ella Farrand, 24, and her now-husband Christian, also 24, were chatting when they came up with a sweet idea: they would have their grandmas serve dessert at the wedding.
Soon after, they brought the idea to their four grandmas: Terry Farrand, 74; Carmen Berg, 76; Annie Winn, 77; and Sharon Frampton, 86.
'We explained the idea to them, and they were so excited to be part of it,' Ella tells PEOPLE exclusively. 'One of them said, 'This is a wedding tradition I've never heard of, and I'm thrilled to be included!' '
For dessert, the couple — who live in Minnesota's Twin Cities — served a variety of pies from Hanisch Bakery, a local favorite in Red Wing, Minn. Each grandma was assigned specific rows of tables to serve, with pie flavors mixed throughout. Guests enjoyed Caramel Apple, Cherry, Strawberry Rhubarb and Blueberry.
For Ella, the pies were more than just a sweet treat; they were filled with family meaning.
"It was incredibly meaningful to us," she says. "We wanted our grandparents to have a special role at our wedding. Our love story wouldn't have happened without their love stories. Having four grandmas still with us and well enough to be involved is something we don't take for granted."
One of Ella's most sentimental ties to the pies comes from her grandma Sharon, who used to make pies from scratch.
"In recent years she hasn't been able to stand in the kitchen for long," Ella says. "So before every holiday, she would drive two hours to Hanisch Bakery in Red Wing — the only place where the pies still tasted like hers."
"Serving this bakery's pie at the wedding, with our grandmas passing it out, felt like bringing that cozy, familiar feeling of grandma's house to our guests," the bride adds. "It created the kind of warm, nostalgic atmosphere that made everyone feel at home."
Leading up to the big day, Ella and Christian kept the idea mostly under wraps — telling only a few people. For their guests, the pie-serving grandmas were a surprise and an instant highlight.
"People were blown away," Ella says. "It was definitely one of the most talked-about parts of the day — everyone thought it was absolutely precious."
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After the wedding, Ella posted a video on TikTok, showing the grandmas in action. She originally shared it in hopes of inspiring other couples to involve their grandparents in a meaningful way, but the video quickly took off, racking up more than 1 million views and hundreds of comments.
"To still have your grandparents alive 🥹 how beautiful," one user wrote.
"This is absolutely priceless and makes me miss all my grandmothers so much," another commented.
A third added, "Little slice of grandma's love after getting married — now that's how it should be."
"It was surreal — I had never gone viral before," Ella says. "What surprised me most was how many people shared their stories about losing their grandparents. It was emotional and deeply touching, and made me realize how rare it is that we have all four of our grandmas."
When she told the women about the viral video, they were thrilled. Sharon and Carmen — who are close friends — would call each other daily to check the view count.
'Sharon would say, 'So, how famous are we today?' ' Ella shares. 'They even joked about getting recognized at the grocery store!'
Now, reflecting on the experience, Ella says it's only become more meaningful with time.
She recalls spending summers with her grandmas while her parents were at work — days filled with fun outings, home-cooked meals and traditions that became treasured memories.
"I can confidently say my grandparents are some of the most influential people in my life, and I cherish all the wisdom and love they have imparted to me," she says.
'All four of my grandparents have played a major role in my life," she continues. "They were always there growing up — coming to all my basketball tournaments, hosting sleepovers and showing up for everything that mattered. They have become some of my best friends.'
One recent loss made the moment even more poignant for the entire family.
'When we lost my grandpa [Carmen's husband] to lung cancer last year, it was a huge shock and heartbreaking to our entire family. It made me realize just how precious our time with our grandparents — and family in general — really is,' she says.
'That's why we decided against a destination wedding," she adds. "We wanted to be close to home, surrounded by the people who mean the most to us.'
Read the original article on People