I’m about to let you in on a little secret. For years and years before I even met my husband, I wanted to get married at Waldenwoods. With it’s big private lake, old panelled ballroom, and amazing grounds, it was the perfect place to get married – and SO beautiful. But even I could not have imagined how gorgeous it could look with the right wedding. This wedding. The gorgeous green apple palette. The beautiful bride in her Modern Trousseau gown from The Gown Shop. The fabulous lighting, brilliantly captured by a girl in love photography. It’s beyond perfect. I needed more, and I’m sure you do too, so we loaded up a gallery filled to bursting with amazing images!
Kris and I love to spend time outside and on the lake in the summer. We were looking for a venue between Detroit and Chicago that would allow us to have an outdoor ceremony, but other than that our search was wide open. At the last minute we decided to check out Waldenwoods, which happens to be within a few miles of our home. It fit the bill perfectly with its private lake, trees, beautiful landscaping, and wood paneled historic reception hall. We booked it immediately!
With our September third wedding date we wanted to keep the fresh green colors of summer in our pallete but also decided to incorporate a popular Michigan fall element, apples. Holly of Sweet Pea Floral Design did an amazing job using ivory garden roses and green flowers in the arrangements, also adding willow branches and green apples. After countless hours on Etsy and Style Me Pretty I decided on just a few DIY projects to personalize our day like the place cards, table names, programs and directional signs. I also customized our ceremony by pulling together pieces from friend’s weddings that I admired, and added an apple tree planting ceremony. But, overall with the unique details of the venue, we kept the theme very simple and natural.
The day of our wedding couldn’t have been more perfect. Although the forecast was threatening storms, the weather stayed sunny and hot for our ceremony by the lake. I had asked the bridesmaids to wear a green dress of their choice, and that morning was the first time we saw the colors come together. They coordinated beautifully! I felt like a supermodel in the custom Modern Trousseau gown that Stacy of The Gown Shop helped me pick out. It fit like a glove! Walking down the aisle towards Kris I felt so peaceful looking out over the water, sorrounded by our closest family and friends, about to marry my perfect match. Melissa of a girl in love photography truly captured that sentiment in her photos, and the joy and excitement we felt as we celebrated at our reception afterwards.
Photography: a girl in love photography / Flowers: Sweet Pea Floral Design / Ceremony Location: Waldenwoods / Reception Location: Waldenwoods / Stationery: Minted / Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew / Dress: Modern Trousseau via The Gown Shop / Earrings: Haute Bride via The Gown Shop / Groom’s Tuxedo: DKNY / Wedding Cake: Zingerman’s Bakehouse / Favors: Spicer’s Orchards / Hair: Simplicity Salon / Makeup: Posh Salon / Photobooth Signs: Em&N Designs