When a couple has been together for more than ten years and come to you to plan their big day, there’s admittedly a bit more pressure than normal to create something really spectacular. I still remember the day Kris and I skyped together for our initial meeting (with her sweet Mom by her side) and I felt an overwhelming amount of respect for not only the love and care that she and Brett had for one another but how that same love and care would be instrumental in guiding their wedding planning decisions. As soon as we started planning it was clear every desire and wish was very intentional, and each decision was treated with extreme but timely care. To say Kristine and I grew together during the planning process would be an understatement. Watching her walk down the aisle with her incredible father that day still gives me goosebumps nearly a year later.

Kristine and Brett, we love you guys so much! I could go on for days about you both. And to my team, I have to give you ladies a huge shout out for your hard work that week. We took the truck up to Petoskey that week to prep all of the florals (over 500 stems of white hydrangea!) and worked day and night to make it all come together. I can’t say enough about the kindness of the hotel staff (who brought us food and drinks during our prep days), the families and friends who travelled near and far to come out and celebrate the couple that weekend (and to pop into our work room periodically to compliment our work), and the talented vendors who made that weekend feel like a blessing instead of work. Because it was truly a beautiful melange of both.

Happy Monday, friends. Enjoy this sweet celebration!

Northern Michigan is fascinating. It’s such a gorgeous place to say I do!

And the cutest ring bearer and flower girl award goes to . . .

It was honestly a perfect and picturesque Northern Michigan day for a wedding. The day before, the forecast called for rain all day (fun fact: 100% of my 2014 weddings called for rain) but that day when we woke up, the forecast had miraculously changed to only a 10% chance of showers! We took full advantage of the beautiful weather and went ahead with the planned outdoor ceremony while the landscape and exterior of Stafford’s Perry Hotel was the perfect backdrop for portraits of the couple prior to their cocktail hour.

Kristine’s bouquet was one of my favorites I’ve ever made. Kris told me to make whatever I wanted and well, truthfully I think that put the pressure on me a bit more than normal. Half of her bouquet was made up of roses sent from a farm in California, some really gorgeous blush anemones, white peiris, sweet peas, garden roses, spray roses, blushing bride protea, and some jasmine vine. It smelled absolutely incredible! I also created a custom beaded wrap that matched the custom sleeves on her Reem Acra gown and this wrap went around the handle of her bouquet. You can tell the blush nail color she wore was pretty spot on too!

The tent! I wish you could have seen it in person, guys!

Sleek, elegant, grown up, glam, sophisticated. These were all cue words Kris and I talked about when we worked on the design of her wedding. We took a lot of inspiration from her and Brett’s home, the colors they are most drawn to, and the addition of texture; and lots of it! The coolest part was even though the design was so bold, contrasted with the environment and the intimate guest list of 100 people, it was a really cozy space.

The first dance was to Coldplay’s Magic. Awesome right?

Kristine and Brett, working with you two was a pleasure and an honor. You welcomed the team and I into not only your world on your special day but into your family’s lives. We are so grateful for your hearts, trust and kindness. While last August was one of the best days of your entire lives, the best part for me now is calling you dear friends. Let’s do tacos and margaritas again in Grand Rapids sometime soon pretty please! Xoxo

You can catch more of this incredible event via The Knot here or in the spring 2015 issue of The Knot Michigan which hits newsstands next month. Big thanks to Ben and Laura of Harrison Studio for the gorgeous photos and always fun day of work! And make sure you watch the most beautiful wedding film over here, made lovingly by the team at Zara Creative. It’s incredibly beautiful.

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Photography: Harrison Studio / Planning, Design and Florals: Hey Gorgeous Events / Videography: Zara Creative / Venue: Stafford’s Perry Hotel / Linens: Nuage Designs / Gown: Reem Acra via Belle Vie Bridal Couture / Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka / Invitations: Smitten on Paper / Menus: Aerialist Press / Calligraphy: Laura Hooper Calligraphy / Cake: Bella e Dolce / String Trio: Bayshore Strings / Entertainment: Pluister Entertainment / Hair: Billy Dixon, 6 Salon / Rentals: Special Events Rental