Oh goodness. I’m so excited to share this wedding with you today, friends. Yesterday I shared our feature over on Snippet and Ink and today I’m diving into all of the details from Ellen and Pat’s Grand Rapids Downtown Market wedding. The couple hired me on the last day of January earlier this year to plan their May 2nd wedding. Yes, you read that right. May 2nd. In under just 12 weeks we put this incredible celebration together and I have to say it’s easily one of my favorites. Sometimes when there is less time to ponder over options during the wedding planning process, you have to act on your gut instinct and make decisions faster. Booking vendors and approving designs was a breeze with Ellen and Pat because everything circled back to their core values and their biggest goal; a beautiful day with meaningful details that didn’t outshine the love they wanted their guests to experience. And that’s just what they got.
Enjoy the gorgeous photos from Bradley James Photography. Ellen and Pat, we love you both!
All of the gorgeous paper was done by the talented Val Marie Paper. Ellen and Pat are minimalists through and through so the simple yet elegant design we chose for the invites was perfect. We did custom wrap labels instead of calligraphy and added in Michigan themed and neutral colored vintage stamps for a fun touch. The programs, menus and escort cards all carried through the simplistic aesthetic the couple so loves and embodies. Love that simple monogram, too!
This bouquet is hands down one of my favorites. Since the wedding happened at the very beginning of the spring season I had access to some pretty spectacular florals like snowberry, white peony, cream garden roses, white clematis, white anemones and some pretty lovely scabiosa. Tied together with fresh bay leaves and clematis vine foliage it was so lush and textural. A cream colored raw muslin ribbon was wrapped around the stems and a necklace belonging to the bride’s late Mother was the final piece to create this beauty. Giving it to her that morning was such an honor.
The greenhouse at the market is far too lovely for words. That climbing vine is spectacular.
The ceremony was held outside in the market shed with very minimal decor. We used oversized bunches of bay and olive branch greens and clusters of white pillar candles tucked into industrial type lanterns of various sizes. At the alter where the couple said their vows we had a beautiful acrylic chandelier from Fancy Fray that I decorated with greens and fresh blooms like clematis. The chandelier was actually a small little surprise from yours truly and really was the finishing touch to the sleek and modern space that on it’s own is a pretty cool backdrop to say ‘I Do’ in front of.
A table of mixed beverages awaited guests as they came upstairs for dinner post ceremony.
This shot. Seriously.
And that wall! After grabbing a signature drink of choice, guests were able to find their escord card. The escort card was set up on the market space’s wall adorned with the same pieces of raw muslin fabric from around Ellen’s bouquet and escort cards fastened to them. The ribbon pooled at the bottom of the wall with a few pillar candles in the mix. An oversized floral arrangement sat in the corner of the display to soften things up a little and add a natural pop of green.
Farmhouse tables for the win!
And why not have your first dance to Beyonce’s ‘Love On Top’?
Ellen and Pat, you two are a joy. Enjoy each other for the rest of your lives.
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Photography: Bradley James Photography / Planning, design, florals and execution: Hey Gorgeous Events / Venue: Grand Rapids Downtown Market / Officiant: Gust Bassianotis / Dress: Badgley Mischka via Renee Austin Wedding / Shoes: Stuart Weitzman via Zappos / Earrings: Kate Spade / Suits: Jos A Bank / Shirt: Kenneth Cole / Tie: Skinny Tie / Stationery: Val Marie Paper / Rentals: Cascade Rental Center, Refunction Junktion Vintage Rentals / Music: Adrian Butler / Catering and wedding cake: The Amway Grand / Linens: La Tavola Linens / Chandelier: Fancy Fray