We’re traveling to my hometown today – beautiful Ann Arbor, Michigan. And there’s no better way to visit, than with this University of Michigan Museum of Art wedding stuffed full of all sorts of sweet and quirky details. Like the Penguin Classic hardcovers as centerpieces for the book editor bride? Genius. We were so excited when we got this one from the always fun, always talented Jess + Nate Studios. Ann Arbor is such a cool place to have an artistic, unique wedding. Honestly, it’s a great place to have ANY wedding (I had mine there!). So enjoy this one, and then feast your eyes on more in the gallery!
From the bride … Pat and I were living in Brooklyn when we got engaged, but we wanted to get married in Ann Arbor, where we met and fell in love while students at the University of Michigan. I had been an English major and was working as a book editor; Pat had been an architecture student and was working at a boutique architecture firm. We wanted a location that captured our personalities, that was unique and that had a sense of fun.
When we discovered that we could hold our wedding at the University of Michigan Museum of Art on the school’s campus, we knew we had found our dream location. The museum is beautiful—originally built in 1910, with a brand-new modern wing added in 2009. It pleased Pat’s architectural whimsies and it also tickled my little liberal-arts heart. Plus, our guests could peruse the museum’s collection during our reception!
Reverend Tom Burdette officiated the ceremony, and our talented string quartet provided stunning contemporary music – I walked down the aisle to the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun.” We followed the ceremony with a cocktail reception in the museum’s new wing. Then we laughed and danced the night away while our DJ spun tunes.
The lovely Gwen Kassa from University Flower Shop provided our flowers and created our sweet dahlia centerpieces, in which she used cool red and blue glass vases and gorgeous Penguin clothbound classic books.
Our day-of wedding coordinator was the fabulous Kathy Bishop. She made our day worry-free, even going on a beer run when the supply was low. Our photographers were the absolute geniuses of Jessica Johnston Photography, Nate and Jessica Johnston. Their photographs of our wedding day still leave me speechless. Our wedding day was a dream. It rained, and it didn’t even matter. There truly is nothing like being surrounded by friends and family who love you.
Photography: Jess + Nate Sudios / Wedding Gown: Vera Wang / Ceremony + Reception Venue: University of Michigan Museum of Art / Officiant: Reverend Tom Burdette / Ceremony Music: Panache Entertainment / Catering: Katherine’s Catering / Bride’s Headpiece: ban.do / Bride’s Shoes: Bloch from Laney’s Place / Jewelry: Kate Spade / Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew / Floral: Gwen Kassa of University Flower Shop / Day of Coordinator: Kathy Bishop / Entertainment: Lee Walch of Mike Staff Productions