Typing up this post to go hand in hand with Emily and Matt’s wedding brought on some seriously melancholy feelings for me today. See, Emily and Matt (and especially Emily’s family) become somewhat of my own over the almost 17 months we planned this celebration together. I was welcomed into their home with open arms, trusted with some monumental details, and given the most respect and level of gratitude I’ve ever received from a client. Parting ways with everyone the day after the event post clean up, was a really hard thing to do. But I digress because this was just the beginning of a really beautiful happily ever after for two special, special people.

With a half mass ceremony in the bride’s childhood church, a reception set in the perfectly manicured backyard of the bride’s parent’s home, and a sophisticated palette of neutrals, soft blues, black and gray, this wedding was elegantly beautiful yet simple enough to feel comfortable, approachable and like home. Coincidently enough, that’s just what this couple exudes and when a wedding can feel like the couple, our team can pat ourselves on the back. It’s our goal to always create weddings that reflect our clients in only the best way possible.

Emily and Matt, we love you. To the Norton and Bastion families, thank you for your love and kindness. To all of the vendors who worked so hard to make this wedding come to life (especially my team and husband who worked tirelessly that week and day of to help me through an awful week of morning sickness) thank you. This is the reason we do what we do. To celebrate love in big ways. Enjoy this incredible love story told through the stunning visuals of Kelly Sweet; these photos are some of my favorite to date.

The couple’s wedding invitation and day of stationery was custom made by the team over at Smitten on Paper. It was the perfect way to set the stage for the big day aesthetic and wedding vibe. The suite is now available as a design over in Smitten on Paper’s site too so you can have a similar look for your event.

After the ceremony and rose petal send-off, it was back to the private residence reception in Ann Arbor where live music and cocktails awaited guests. Inside the reception tent was a curated selection of details that Emily and I so passionately designed together as a team and it was seriously delicious. And this cake stole the show! Sweet Heather Anne ALWAYS knocks it out of the park. The custom linen from I Do Linens which was made to match the floral pattern on the invites completed the vignette perfectly.

Cheers to a lifetime of love and happiness you two! Xoxo

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Planning, design, florals & execution: Hey Gorgeous Events / Photography: Kelly Sweet Photography / Stationery: Smitten on Paper / Rentals & linens: Special Events Rental / Gray silk runners: Silk and Willow / Custom cake linens: I Do Linens / Floral calligraphy tags: Layers of Loveliness / Cake: Sweet Heather Anne / Church: St. Joseph’s Village Church / Catering: Katherine’s Catering / Wedding dress: Watters with Augusta Jones overskirt / Bridesmaid gowns: mixed designers/stores / Men’s suits: Vera Wang / Make up: Alexandra Holton / Hair styling: Julie Jaynes / Band: Newsmaker / Reception venue: Private residence