Michigan Wedding Ideas and Inspiration

Wedding Inspiration That Celebrates Going Deeper With Color

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The words that kept floating around as we dreamed up this design were: a refined, modern, European experience. With those words at the forefront of our minds, the design for this began with the front door of the beautiful property, Greencrest Manor. This chateau-inspired manor has a gentle tan exterior that is covered with deep green vines, but one element that stands out amongst these exterior details is the front door as it is a dark, rich brown tone. Since the change of guard at Greencrest, it has turned into a perfect mixture of old and new. We wanted to incorporate Jenn’s transformation of the Manor and her respect to the original beauty through the details that were chosen. PR Rentals had the perfect rentals to compliment our design direction that Maddie Laidig Designs was able to come alongside of. As you look through, you will see the pattern of the plates through the velvet framed menus and hummingbird place cards, the slatted wood bases of the tables with the welcome sign. Each detail was woven through each element of the editorial – the ceremony, reception, bar, stationery, and the bride and groom. We hope this editorial provides inspiration to engage deeper into color palettes, textures. – Stephanie Abbitt

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]This color palette was an exciting adventure to work with. We chose black, brown, yellow, peach, pink, tan and cream. The base colors were inspired by the manor and the additional colors were inspired by romantic, spring tones. – Stephanie Abbitt[/field]
[field title=”The Venue”]Greencrest Manor is a hidden gem, tucked away in Battlecreek, Michigan by tall trees that also line the driveway to the property. The story of its origin is one of endearing love – a couple who dreamed of bringing a little bit of France to this beautiful land. Every corner of this property is filled with beauty: gardens bursting with color and fragrant florals, a distinguished she-shed to hide away in, winding paths hugged by blooming hydrangeas. We chose each vignette carefully to display the versatile aspects of this venue. – Stephanie Abbitt[/field]
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The Manor and the design was filled with floral inspiration and patterns, our Berta gown showcased the same. The bride adorned a second gown from Marie Gabriel Couture, a soft and romantic style in juxtaposition to the ornately detailed Berta gown. – Stephanie Abbitt

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Pairing spring florals that were both soft and delicate with textures and blooms that pulled in the mature brown tones of the manor was crucial to create a cohesive look to the editorial. LB Floristry used over 35+ different varieties of flowers, blooming branches, and vines to bring the vision to life. In addition to many of the flowers being sourced locally, all the designs were created without the use of floral foam, to reflect the natural garden setting and promote sustainability whenever possible. [/field]
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BBJ La Tavola

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Allison Francois Photography

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Quiet Luxury Design Done Right at Greencrest Manor

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[field title=”The Inspiration”]This was a collaborative workshop for florists, planners and photographers. The teams worked together to create a beautiful collection.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]whites, green, black[/field]
[field title=”The Venue”]Greencrest Manor, located in Battlecreek, Michigan is a French styled chateau with lush gardens and estate views.[/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]The bride wore a stunning Monique Lhuiller gown with the perfect amount of flair. Styled perfectly by Gabrielle Hurwitz this seamlessly blended with the look of the flowers and estate. [/field]
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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]The elegant white flowers worked to enhance the lush ivy walls played off the gardens with ferns and roses. [/field]
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Event Planning

Events By Sorrell LLC

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Chic Garden Party Wedding with Vibrant Colors and Modern Details

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Kelly and Nate’s chic garden party wedding featured bright summer colors like baby blues, bold yellows, and light pinks. [/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

Following a gorgeous ceremony at Grosse Point Academy Chapel, the guests relocated for the reception at the Country Club Of Detroit. For the wedding reception, Kelly and Nate had a vision for a chic garden party with vibrant colors. Their outdoor reception space featured a classic black and white dance floor and romantic string lights. It was the perfect backdrop for their first dance. Dinner was served in the large indoor ballroom where guests sat at a mix of round and rectangular tables. After the speeches, the party moved back outside to dance under the string lights. The band kept the dance floor engaged all night, and the cigar bar with custom matches was a crowd favorite, too.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]Kelly and Nate first met on Hinge before the pandemic. They consider themselves so fortunate to have met before their lives and the world really changed forever. Through the ups and downs of navigating the world’s changes, Kelly and Nate’s love grew stronger and stronger, ultimately leading to Nate’s proposal. Nate proposed to Kelly at her family lake house on Burt Lake. It has been in her family for over thirty years and holds so much family history and wonderful memories. He took Kelly completely by surprise with the timing of the engagement but he made sure to talk to her parents and brothers beforehand, which is something that was extra important to Kelly. He proposed during a weekend when Kelly’s entire family was all at the lake house together. It was the perfect way to kick off their engagement celebrations altogether. They set off to plan the ultimate wedding celebration with their closest friends and family![/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]On her wedding day, Kelly wore a modern a-line wedding dress with a beautiful, long train. Kelly’s stylist even gave her a short haircut the morning of the wedding! She styled her fun new cut with a beautiful pearl pin tucking one side softly back. Her family heirloom earrings were the perfect pearl accents, too.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Kelly’s bridesmaids wore mismatched floral dresses and carried organic bouquets of colorful flowers. [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]The groom wore a tux with a white dinner jacket, and his groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos, which created the perfect contrast among the men.
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]The couple’s signature cocktail featured edible flowers, which was a huge hit with the guests. Each guest had a heartfelt note at their seat, showing just how much Kelly and Nate valued their company at the wedding of their dreams.
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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]For the wedding reception, Kelly and Nate had a vision for a chic garden party with vibrant colors. Their whimsical floral arrangements featured bright summer colors like baby blues, bold yellows, and light pinks. Their outdoor reception space featured a classic black and white dance floor and romantic string lights.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Kelly and Nate had a beautiful and tasty citrus cheesecake that they cut into and shared. The guests enjoyed a large dessert table filled with miniature tarts, eclairs, and more.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]No detail went unnoticed on their wedding day. Kelly designed the invitation suite and signage herself, which was such a special touch, and she had them printed by Paper Refinery. She incorporated whimsical floral elements and blue touches throughout, which made everything cohesive and unique to their big day.[/field]
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Breanne Rochelle Photography

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Orange Florals Are Endless At This English Countryside Inspired Wedding

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]White, orange, pink, yellow, green[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]This formal wedding at the Country Club of Detroit brought to life a unique garden party, inspired by the concept of English countryside estates. The day offered a timeless feeling, as the sweet colors of sky blues and bright oranges wove throughout their colorstory. Hailing from Detroit, Christine wanted to be sure they incorporated historical elements of the city in their wedding day. They chose to hold a traditional Catholic ceremony at a prominent downtown cathedral. The Neo-Gothic style architecture provided elegantly checkered marble tiles for the procession, as well as plenty of spaces for the couple to pose for photos afterward. A simple champagne tower kicked off the reception atop a blue tablecloth. Whimsical floral designs cascaded along tables, walkways, and around the entrance to the reception tent in a sea of orange. The evening felt airy and bright, with linens, chairs, and decor all working together in neutral cream tones that felt reminiscent of an afternoon in the English countryside. [/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]John and Christine first saw each other from across the bar on a night out in Chicago. The two struck up a conversation, as they shouted over the house music. That evening they exchanged numbers to set up their first official date a few weeks later. As their relationship blossomed, John and Christine set off for a vacation to Miami, a respite from Chicago winters. John proposed during that trip on the beach at sunset.[/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]Christine tried on many, many wedding dresses in Chicago, New York City, and Michigan but finally decided to purchase the last wedding dress she tried on at Ultimate Bride in Chicago during a Carolina Herrera trunk show. “It was so hard to decide on a style – every dress was so beautiful! The Carolina Herrera dress design and fabric were classic, with a slight twist of modern elegance.”[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Christine’s bridesmaids wore mismatched, blush gowns from Jenny Yoo.[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Groom (John): Black tuxedo and white dinner jacket from Suit Supply in Chicago; Suit Supply in Gold Coast has been a favorite of the bride and groom for many suits and special attire over the years!

John’s father, Mike, wore a white dinner at the wedding to John’s mother, Annamerie, so it was very special that John wore a white dinner jacket to the wedding reception.[/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]Guests were served a Michigan salad featuring fresh fruits, walnuts, and grilled chicken breast with raspberry vinaigrette. For a meal, guests had the option of seared filet mignon, honey & soy glazed halibut, or roasted cauliflower steak. Christine and John also toasted their guests with a champagne tower. After dinner, they served espresso martinis.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]”We were inspired by the grounds at the Country Club of Detroit, the gardens and the greenery that make the outdoors so beautiful. Christine and John loved the idea of a romantic, garden, whimsical, and classic celebration outdoors. They drew inspiration from many English countryside/estate weddings and classic, timeless weddings they’ve seen previously.

Christine is from Grosse Pointe, MI, and wanted to incorporate historical Detroit elements into the wedding celebrations, which included the cathedral, vintage car, venue, welcome party venue, rehearsal dinner venue, and more. The flowers were INCREDIBLE and created the perfect romantic, warm, garden-style ambiance that was from the bride and groom’s dreams.”[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Christine and John served a tiered vanilla cake with lemon and raspberry mousse. The cake was decorated with fresh flowers and the couple’s monogram. The cake was provided by the Country Club of Detroit.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]First Dance Song: Always Remember You This Way (Lady Gaga, A Star is Born)[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]Christine and John love the outdoors and were passionate about having an outdoor, tented wedding in Michigan. Michigan is beautiful in the summer, and the couple was thrilled to host their guests at the wedding reception during the golden hours of summer.

“There was a little rain on the wedding day, which we agreed was necessary for good luck! The rain created a BEAUTIFUL sunset with golden, romantic colors that made the evening even more special!”[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]”We made our own welcome bags for our out-of-town guests that included some special items native to Detroit, MI! We dropped all of the bags off at each of the hotels our out-of-town guests were staying at in Detroit, MI!
o Beige tote bag (Essential Screen Printing, Detroit) w/ Jade Social monogram
o Bag tags from Minted, with monogram from Jade Social
o Welcome Bag contents: Detroit Cookie Company cookies, Better Made chips, Kar’s Trail Mix, monogrammed hand sanitizers (Minted), water bottles, little bags with Liquid IV and Advil packets
o Custom Wedding Weekend Details Cards from Esty (details about the welcome party, wedding ceremony, transportation, reception, after party, etc.)”[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]”We decided to have a very large, 250-person wedding so that we could have all our family and friends from Chicago, Grosse Pointe and the Detroit area (Christine has a very large Irish Catholic Family from Grosse Pointe, MI!), California to New York, England, and beyond! It meant so much to have our friends and family with us on our wedding day, and we so appreciated everyone traveling to Michigan from across the Atlantic and from coast to coast to celebrate!”[/field]
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BBJ La Tavola

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A Classic Wedding Day Full of Sentimental Details at Greencrest Manor

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Pale Blue, Cream, Forest Green[/field]
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Abby and Quinn wanted a classic wedding day full of sentimental value to keep things feeling nostalgic all day long! The personal details were abundant – for example, the bride wore her grandmother’s garter that’s been passed to all of her cousins, her dad gifted Quinn his wedding band (a custom Claddagh ring from Ireland, similar to Abby’s father and mother’s own Claddagh rings) as a way of giving his blessing, and her godfather and uncle played the bagpipes at their wedding mass. He’s a member of the Philadelphia Pipes and Drums (they service Philadelphia police officers and fire fighters), and since Abby’s deceased grandfather was a Philadelphia police officer, bagpipes are a significant symbol in their lives. After mass, Abby and Quinn rode in the same Ford Model A that her parents used on their own wedding day! Guests then headed to a reception full of dreamy design notes that evoked a classic feel: a black and white checkered dance floor, soft shades of blue mixed into the all-white color palette, and lush greenery and clustered chandeliers dangling from the ceiling. An all-night dance party and classic Chicago-style hot dogs made for the ultimate party vibes for the evening!

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]Intro / How we Met / background context:
Have you ever heard of the old saying of “When You Know, You Know”? People may question the concept of fate or if a couple has known each other long enough to confidently say “I have met the one” – but Quinn and Abigail may beg to differ. Abigail and Quinn knew within 4 weeks of dating that they had met their future spouse and when asked by their family and friends “how do you know?” they both responded with “When You Know, You Know. Right?”

Abigail and Quinn’s relationship was built off of the similarities of their families, their values, the way they were raised, along with their mutual friends and common interests. Abigail and Quinn dated for 1.5 years before getting engaged and over that time, a relationship was not just built between the two of them, but also between their two families. Abigail’s family of 7 (mother, father and 4 siblings) and Quinn’s family of 6 (mother, father and 3 siblings) built an incredibly unique friendship and bond based on the same similarities that built their own relationship. “We realize it could be considered an anomaly for in-laws to get along so well and to genuinely want to spend time with each other – for that reason, we feel so incredibly blessed!”

Engagement Story:

Abigail and Quinn were engaged on January 2, 2021 in Park City, Utah. They were in Park City for a New Years wedding, which served to be the perfect distraction as an engagement was the last thing Abigail would have expected that weekend. On January 2nd, Abigail was under the impression that they were going snow-mobiling for the day followed by a spa treatment (a Christmas present from Quinn). The morning of, Abigail and Quinn along with two of their friends drove out to a scenic destination in Park City where a beautiful Barn sat. As they approached the Barn, all that was on Abigail’s mind was “wow, how beautiful of a setting and barn is this for snowmobiles” (ha!) and Quinn was quiet as a church mouse, but you will come to find out that it was for fair reason… Upon approaching the barn, Quinn instigates taking a picture with Abigail in front of the scenery, at which point he turns to her with eyes filled with tears, gets down on one knee and pops the ultimate question. This was an indescribable moment filled with tears, hugs, laughter and love shared amongst Abigail and Quinn alongside their best friends who witnessed it. But it does not stop there…. upon getting engaged, Abigail and Quinn facetimed their families to share the good news and were greeted with another incredible surprise as their two families were together! Quinn’s family traveled up to Michigan to be with Abigail’s family for the entire week in advance of their engagement to celebrate New Year’s together and to be together for this special moment. It was the cherry on top of it all![/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]As I went into dress shopping, I had a very clear vision of the type of dress I was looking for – I was looking for a ball gown style dress that was bright white and very crisp (no jewels or lace), with a sweetheart or off the shoulder neckline. I did not waver from this & my vision stood true as my wedding dress was the 3rd dress I found on. I knew instantly this was the one, but was still debating on going to my other dress appointments. However, while I had my dress on, a song came played in the bridal store that held sentimental meaning to Quinn and I (and still does to this day). I knew this was a sign, tears started to flow, and I easily committed to saying yes! I kept the dress on for another hour or so and tried on accessories, and came upon the most stunning veil that added the perfect whimsical touch I was looking for through cascading embellished flowers that filled the bottom of the veil. Come to find out that this veil was also made by the designer, Lela Rose – yet another sign that this was all meant to be![/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]My favorite color is blue, and I wanted to incorporate blue into the wedding design and décor as much as possible. But given that our wedding was black tie, I wanted to ensure that the shade of blue and overall style of the bridesmaid dresses were very chic, classic, and timeless. I looked for bridesmaid dresses for months until I came upon Bella Bridesmaids who carried bridesmaid dresses by the designer Amsale that fit exactly what I was looking for; a crisp ice blue colored dress with a thick twill fabric but also offered varying necklines to accommodate different style preferences of the bridesmaids. [/field]
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[field title=”Florals & Decor”](From the design team):
We knew from the moment we met Abby and Quinn that the floral and design of their special weekend needed to match their incredibly contagious zest for life. Abby’s specific color palette featured airy white with whimsical greens and touches of sky blue. For personal florals, we kept them understated and simple with babies breath clutch bouquets in order to allow the clean-lines of the bridal party dresses to truly sing. The church was already so stunning, and simply needed small touches of fresh babies breath on the ends of each pew. By far, the biggest design element of their weekend was the fantastic ceiling installation inside the Celebration House at Greencrest Manor – we knew that they wanted a “WOW” factor that would blow guests away and create an enchanting atmosphere to promote an evening of pure celebration! We paired vintage crystal chandeliers with organic draping greenery, sheer white fabric touches, and dreamy white cascading blooms to create a canopy of magic above a bold checkered black-and-white dance floor. The tabletops brought this design element down low for guests to enjoy – with fluffy babies’ breath garland, mixed flickering candlelight, and textural blooms. For tabletop rentals, we paired clean and crisp white linens with modern gold-rimmed charger plates, brushed gold flatware, french blue goblets, and menu cards with calligraphed ribbon detail for place cards. With this particular design… the tiniest details made the biggest impact! Because their larger guest count exceeded the limits of the reception space, we ran a clear-top tent alongside the back to house multiple bar areas and ancillary guest seating. [/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”][/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]The bride’s godfather and uncle, Bobby Smith, played the bagpipes at their wedding mass. He is in the Philadelphia Pipes and Drums (they service Philadelphia police offers and firemen). The bride’s deceased grandfather was a Philadelphia police officer, so the bagpipes are a significant symbol in their life.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]After the wedding mass was complete, Quinn and I walked outside the church and there was an old Ford Model A out front of the church. My parents got married in this car and we took an identical picture to their picture on their wedding day in the car! [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]The bride’s parents gifted the couple their wedding champagne flutes that have Claddagh rings etched in crystal. Quinn’s wedding band was a gift from the bride’s dad – a custom made Claddagh ring from Ireland. Her dad’s wedding ring and her mom’s ring are both Claddagh rings. This was her dad’s way of giving Quinn his blessing before he proposed. Every sibling in the bride’s family has a Claddagh ring![/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]The bride wore her grandmothers garter that has been passed down to all cousins. [/field]
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Southern Charm and a Pop of Color at Etre Farms!

An epic bridal sun hat, a dress to inspire your next wedding Pinterest board, and a classic white barn venue that can do no wrong – today’s inspiration is truly a Southern belle’s dream! With floral magic from Niloo Rosi Design, Ann Travis Events brought the team’s “luxury with a side of country” vision to life. To see all the pretty this styled shoot has to offer, a visit on over to the full gallery by Shanell Photography is an absolute must!

This beautiful luxury barn is a new venue in Saint Joseph Michigan. When looking for a location to host my next retreat, this venue caught my eye. With its beautiful all white structure and luxury yet country vibes, It spoke “southern” to me.

Our goal for this retreat was to have a sense of southern charm, So this worked out beautifully. Adding a pop of color in the floral to stand out against the all white space, and compliment the gown was a must. The dress was our main focus and really set the tone for the whole design.

A local dress designer, based in Detroit Michigan, took our vision and designed the gown. Having a local dress designer truly was such an amazing add on to this whole retreat. From the floral to dress, everything turned out pretty and truly had that southern refined charm we were hoping for. Having more than one dress has become such a fun trend and so with that we wanted to add that little extra special element with the shoot. Having the couple change and exit on a sailboat was the perfect ending to a beautiful day.

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Shanell Photography

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Bringing the Indoors Out for This Nature Inspired Summer Wedding

These two Michigan natives celebrated the beauty of their home state in summer with every thoughtful detail. Their sun drenched ceremony surrounded by lush ferns and guests donning parasols made for the most ethereal setting. After the “I do’s”, it was time to head over to one of the most gorgeous tented receptions we’ve probably ever laid eyes on. Ann Travis Events and Katie Wachowiak quite literally brought the indoors out, decorating the space with sconces, custom wallpaper, comfy furniture, and a greenery adorned rattan lantern installation that made for a major “wow” factor. See it all at the full gallery – taken by Jake Anderson!

Michigan lovers through and through, Emily and Mike first met at University of Michigan when they discovered their dorm rooms were across the hall. A friendship soon formed and built over the semester before they decided to make things official. Years later, Mike surprised Emily by popping the question on a hiking trip with their new puppy. Emily, of course, said yes! Emily doesn’t remember everything Mike said, but remembers it was perfect.

For their wedding day, the couple took inspiration from their home state where their love grew and its beauty. Thought and care went into every small detail. The tented spaces featured comfy furniture and walls, complete with sconces, to have the feel of a home built overlooking the river. Custom wallpaper was modeled after the wallpaper in the original home on the property and used on the reception walls and the unique ceremony planters.

The escort cards highlighted different types of Michigan ferns – another homage to the property which is filled with beautiful ferns in the summer. With a greenery and rattan lantern installation suspended over the space, the dance floor was a huge statement piece.

Behind the band was a custom backdrop with framed hand-pressed flowers on a trellis background to further the nature theme. Their adorable pup Maizey also made an appearance, with a hidden painting on the back of the cake and their signature cocktail named the Maizey Mule.

A Charming Michigan Venue That Resembles the English Countryside

Once upon a time … Rachel & Bryan transported their guests to the whimsically romantic world of Greencrest Manor! Modern Day Collective planned a day of pure magic for the happy couple within the English-style gardens of the vine-enveloped venue with the most delightful of details. Think floral arrangements & bouquets that resemble freshly picked wildflowers and charming blue toile de jouy-inspired linens! And, you can’t miss the “happily ever after” cake moment under a gazebo that’s straight from a fairytale! Enchant yourself with all the magic that Clary Pfeiffer captured in the full gallery!

From Clary Pfeiffer Photography… After 6 years of dating, planning a wedding was something we became so excited for. We are old souls at heart, we love history and have an affection for antique and vintage things. We knew that we wanted our wedding to be a reflection of who we are. The very original plan was to elope in Ireland…but 2020 had other plans. We thought of just eloping on our own so many times, but we knew we wanted an intimate celebration with our family and closest friends.

Multiple venues and multiple planned dates later, we found Greencrest Manor. Upon seeing Greencrest, we knew it was the perfect venue for us. Greencrest has the ability to transport you to another world, a world that definitely resembles Europe. The manor house itself is so stunning and the gardens are a dream. And I will never be able to say enough kind words about the team. They are so wonderful. They truly understood me and how all the little details were important to us.

I have a love for handmade paper, so I knew I wanted our invitation suite printed on paper with deckled edges. I had the suite designed by Blossom and Ivory. She did a beautiful job with the illustration of Greencrest Manor. Once designed, I had Porridge Papers print everything for us. They make beautiful paper by hand which gives it a wonderful texture and feel. We used the same paper for our vow books.

We both really cared about the details of our attire for our wedding and spent a lot of time thinking about each thing from head to toe. Finding a dress was a process for me, none of them seemed to be exactly what I wanted. Eventually I fell in love with the lace detail and layers of my Essence of Australia dress but knew I wanted to add an overskirt that I had custom made to go over. Between the two pieces, it was the perfect dream dress I wanted.

I reached out to Emmy London and we did a Facetime design session so I could get a bespoke pair of wedding shoes. She was so wonderful to work with. My shoes were so beautiful. And I love that I have the custom sketch of the shoes to keep forever.

Bryan had his tuxedo custom made for him by Tom James. They come to your house, take all of your measurements. You get to pick out fabrics and linings, it was a really wonderful process. The end result is amazing because he has a beautiful tuxedo that fits him perfectly. The company was also able to embroider our names on his cuff, along with our wedding date on his inside jacket pocket.

Family and history were a really big part of our special day. For my ‘something blue’, I wore my maternal great grandmother’s ring. On my fathers side of the family, we have a wedding tradition that has been passed down since the 1800s. We have a gold bracelet that all the girls wear on their wedding days. It was an honor to wear the same bracelet that many generations before me have as well. My God-daughter is my cousins daughter, she was our flower girl, and I got to share the bracelet story with her that day. Our wedding was also very special in that we chose the date to share the anniversary with my grandparents. They have been married for 60 plus years. My grandfather is also the one who officiated our ceremony.

We both share a love of flowers and gardening so flowers were also something we knew we wanted in abundance at our wedding. Lots of color, greenery and organic looking garden flowers. Jen who owns Greencrest is an amazing floral designer and she made the most beautiful bouquet for me. So much color and filled with lisianthus, dahlias and snapdragons. Greencrest set up such a beautiful and simple ceremony space right behind the manor house. We also knew we wanted to do a toss right after ‘I do’ as we headed down the aisle. I had velum programs made that doubled as envelopes filled with dried flower petals.

Right in the middle of Greencrest’s beautiful gardens, they have a conservatory. We knew we wanted to highlight it in some way. We considered having our ceremony in front of it, but then decided to bring our guests into the gardens after the ceremony for a champagne toast and cake cutting. We really enjoyed being able to thank everyone for coming right in this same moment. Our cake vendor, Bella Dolce, was the only vendor we kept throughout the process of our re-planning. I love cake and Erin makes the most delicious lemon rosemary cake with lemon curd and buttercream frosting. Our top tier didn’t get saved… I ate it within days of our wedding!

After cake cutting and toasts, our guests were able to enjoy the bar, infused water stations and head inside the manor for a wonderful food display. We knew we didn’t want the formality of a sit down dinner. With only about 45 guests, we wanted our guests to be able to stroll around the house and property, or have a seat on the patio. It was a wonderful atmosphere to just see our family and friends relaxing and having conversation. We did our dances right on the back patio of the manor. My good friend sang our first dance song which was also really special.

The cream on top of it all was having Clary photograph our wedding. Her and Travis are truly wonderful souls. And I stare at our wedding photos and can’t quite believe they are ours!

Our day was beautifully perfect in every way for us. Definitely worth the wait of so many cancellations and postponements!

Fall Foliage in Full Bloom at a Brand New Glass House Venue

Want to see an explosion of fall foliage like you’ve never experienced before? Look no further. Today’s full gallery captured by Arielle Peters Photography has everything an autumn-obsessed bride could dream of and more! After their original plans of a big wedding needed to be altered due to the pandemic, LB Floristry knew just how to make up for it – by transforming their intimate glass barn venue into an enchanting garden oasis, alive with the most beautiful autumnal hues!

From Arielle Peters Photography… The road to get to this day for Sam and Josh wasn’t as smooth as their original plans were! Their dream wedding consisted of them having a room full of hundreds of their favorite people at a nearby Michigan venue where they’d be able to dance the night away…

However, after finding out the hard news about not being able to host their wedding there because of Covid restrictions, they found the cutest new venue in Zeeland, Michigan, called Glass House Creative Community! This beautiful family owned space gives couples the PERFECT place to host their intimate gatherings! When yet another week-of hard decision had to be made due to the pandemic, Sam and Josh decided just to do their ceremony and no small dinner or dancing with their thirty closest friends and family.

When we found out these two had to compromise, yet again, on what they had already had to compromise on, we wanted to help make this the very best day ever for them!! So Leah, with LB Floristry, used all her floral genius and transformed the greenhouse into a magical wonderland that almost looked too beautiful to be real! Although 2020 was anything but normal or “ideal”, it gave us some of our favorite wedding days to date! Mostly because it’s brought the true meaning back to it all! Sam and Josh’s day wasn’t what was originally planned, but it turned out to be a day that did exactly what it was suppose to do, celebrate this beautiful pair and their unwavering love for each other!

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Darling Details At This Greencrest Manor Retreat Wedding

An intimate respite from the busy world, Greencrest Manor is a European-style bed and breakfast that will take your breath away. From the cascading ivy to the sprawling gardens, every inch of this venue offers inspiration. Modern Day Collective dreamed up the most elegant of days in the fresh air, and we can’t help but fall in love with every last detail. From the romantic spring florals to the loveliest lace Claire Pettibone dress, beauty awaits you at every corner. The charm and style of the day is artfully captured in the imagery by Shanell Photography. Don’t miss the full gallery for a closer look.

From Shanell Photography… Hosting a unique and educational retreat had been a long-time goal, executing it successfully was amazing. With some of the best vendors in Michigan, we truly made the most beautiful retreat and shoot.

Greencrest Manor is a unique venue with a European feel. The grounds are filled with some of the most amazing floral and there is beauty around every corner. Offering a shoot for our attendees at such an amazing location was such a highlight.

The dreamy spring floral along with Claire Pettibone’s new dress design was our inspiration for the design of the shoot. From the floral to the couple, and even cake design everything was breathtaking.

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Intimate And Endearing Affair At Greencrest Manor

Set in the sprawling gardens of Greencrest Manor, this intimate celebration is sure to steal your heart. The incredibly talented team at Modern Day Collective worked with Kaylee and Lane to create a heart-centered day overflowing with love. Each detail is more beautiful than the last, from the bride’s father officiating the ceremony to the family style meal that made dinner feel even more personal. Clary Pfeiffer Photography’s unparalleled imagery is equal parts tender and touching. Fall in love with all the pictures in the full gallery.

From the bride and groom… We knew going into it that we would need to have a smaller wedding due to COVID, and it ended up being perfect. Not only was it so much easier to pay attention to the details while planning, but it was also so much more enjoyable on the day of — we were able to connect with everyone who came in a way that was much more meaningful.

One of my favorite memories of the day was probably the ceremony itself. My dad officiated our wedding, so it was very special to both Lane and I, and personal in a way that everyone could understand. It is definitely a memory I’ll cherish forever.

Because we planned a smaller wedding, I knew that I wanted an intimate dinner to be the main feature of our reception. Modern Day Collective helped bring that idea to life, and set up two long tables that our guests shared, while our caterer The Everyday Chef and Wife prepared a family-style meal that made the dinner even more personal.

The 9-Foot Floral Arch At This Michigan Wedding Will Make Your Day

You’re days about to get a whole lot brighter! Leave it to Camryn Brook Events to design a celebration that’s so jaw-droppingly beautiful we can’t help but smile. Just one look at this 9-foot floral ceremony arch in soft, summery hues is sure to sweep you off your feet. Angelica Marie Photography exquisitely captured the special moments, including the bride and her father in a horse-drawn carriage! Asymmetric floral arrangements by Evergreen Flower Company, echoing the feminine color palette of the day, gave an elevated elegance to the space that left guests speechless. You’re going to love every bit of this romantic wedding in the full gallery.

From Camryn Brook Events… Haley and John both grew up in the midwest spending most of their childhoods on a farm, so a wedding under the Michigan sky at Zingerman’s Corman Farms was the perfect setting to join their stories together.

On the wedding day, storm clouds came rolling in minutes before the ceremony started, so we had guests enjoy pre-ceremony cocktails inside while we waited for it to pass. We were so glad we made this last-minute decision! Haley wanted the ceremony outside since the grounds of the Farms are so beautiful and the floral designer created a custom 9-foot floral arch that was too special to be left behind.

As the evening concluded, guests made their way outside for a sparkler exit. As they left the party, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was playing. That was one of many favorite moments from their wedding day!

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Bold Reds, Bright Whites and Butterflies – This Midwestern Wedding Is a Rustic Chic Dream.

There’s always something about every wedding we publish on SMP that absolutely stops us in our tracks! For this one, it’s the stunningly bold contrasting color palette. I mean… that orange and red bouquet against her crisp white gown, it just doesn’t get any more beautiful than that. Sincerely, Ginger Weddings and Events designed every detail of their day flawlessly, from the intimate outdoor ceremony to the sailcloth tented reception. Katie Wachowiak made their organic-chic floral dreams come true with every lush arrangement. See all the pretty unfold at the full gallery – taken by Clary Pfeiffer Photography!

From the Bride… I have been spending summers “Up North” on Lake Michigan since I was a little girl and introduced Grant to this beautiful part of the country when he first started joining my family’s yearly vacations to The Homestead. Once we were engaged, we quickly decided Leelanau Peninsula was the perfect location for our wedding. We couldn’t imagine a better place to gather our friends and family and show off this special part of Michigan to Grant’s California relatives. After touring a few venues, we fell in love with Cherry Basket Farm’s historic white barns, picturesque fields, and delicious food from Epicurean Catering. In addition to having the ceremony outdoors, we really wanted to eat and dance the night away outside as much as Michigan’s unpredictable weather would allow.

With that in mind, one of the very first things we selected was a beautiful sailcloth tent for the reception. To put our own personal spin on the venue, I knew I wanted a mix of rustic elements combined with an elegant but bold color palette. I love how it all came together – from the farm tables, cross-backed chairs, and bamboo chandeliers to the subtle black striped napkins, butterfly details on the menus, and striking red floral arrangements. I would not have been able to bring my vision to life without an incredibly talented group of vendors including our florist, Katie Wachowiak. She created the most chic organic floral arrangements which felt like they could have been plucked from a nearby field.

When we arrived in Michigan for the wedding weekend, we hadn’t seen the farm in nearly a year. Since then the adjacent field had transformed from a manicured vegetable garden into a wild meadow. As the sun went down during our reception, the field gave off the most beautiful golden glow. It was the perfect, unexpected backdrop for our head table and golden hour photos. Working with our photographer Clary Pfieffer was such a wonderful experience. Not only does she somehow capture the feeling of a moment, but she is also the most wonderful person to be around. From the moment we met her at our engagement shoot, we were immediately comfortable in front of her camera and couldn’t stop laughing even though it was a very cold, windy day on the beach in Northern California.

As much time as I spent thinking about the various details of the day, the personal elements in our ceremony are what I’ll treasure most. When our wedding day finally arrived, I truly felt like I was in a dream. Grant and I both really wanted three things from our ceremony – to have that special moment of seeing each other for the first time when I walked down the aisle, to incorporate our families through a handfasting, and to write our own vows to each other. Without question, I can say that reciting my vows and declaring my love for Grant while looking into his eyes as he did the same for me were the most precious moments of the day. Jumping up and down on the dance floor screaming the lyrics to the last song of the night, Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, surrounded by the people we love most was a close second!

A Cottage By The Lake

There’s something about a summer cottage that feels so special. Maybe it’s the simplicity of a cottage itself, or the fact that you only have a few months of the year to use it. But every time I walk into one, I get that same cozy summer feeling. That feeling came right back when scrolling through photos of this blue and white beach house perched upon the shores of Lake Michigan. Take a look at this blue and white abode designed by Margaret Of York Designs and photographed by Paige Winn, and hopefully you’ll get that same feeling.

From Margret York Designs…This blue and white beach house is perched upon the shores of Lake Michigan and has panoramic views of the lake and lighthouse. Refurbished rattan, natural fiber rugs, playful wallpaper, and vintage flags are just a few of the elements that make it so charming. The clients wanted a color palette that reflected the lake and fabrics that could withstand the sun and sandy feet. The floor plan is any but traditional as the bedrooms are on the first floor giving the living space all the views. The white walls allow the fabrics and natural materials to have all the fun giving the summer home perfect pops of texture, blue, and turquoise!

Gilded Wedding Inspiration for the Autumn Obsessed Bride

Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons. – Jim Bishop … and so does this stunning style shoot from KR Moreno Photo. Ahh how we love Fall weddings, they’re filled with feelings of calmness, warmth and undeniable romance. Today we’re transporting you to everyone’s favorite season with this gorgeous golden-toned inspiration planned by Sincerely, Ginger Weddings & Events. Violet Rose Floral has us head over heels in love with her asymmetrical floral arch and heavenly arrangements. Keep on reading for all the must-see autumnal details…

From Violet Rose Floral… Perched at 1165 feet, The Rove Estate sits at the highest point in Leelanau County overlooking sweeping views of lush Northern Michigan nature. This family-owned Vineyard was the perfect venue to showcase just one of the many beautiful and unique venues that Michigan has to offer for wedding and events.

The color palette was inspired by a gold velvet linen from Fabulous Events which complemented the changing colors of the leaves as Michigan transitioned into the Autumn season. We wanted that to be the focus of the shoot so we chose flowers that primarily consisted of white blooms creating a beautiful contrast between the colors. Our couple read their vows in front of an asymmetrical floral arch, followed by a portrait session throughout the venues lush grounds. The bride wore a stunning Muse by Berta off the shoulder, soft ballgown with all over lace detail which proved to be the perfect combination of elegant and sexy.

The intimate reception dinner was carefully styled with wooden farmhouse chairs, fine flatware, and delicate menu cards designed by Ciara Claire that adorned each place setting. A lush floral runner was placed down the center of the table intertwined with candlelight for a romantic end to a beautiful day.

A Romantic Charlevoix Elopement in the Dunes

We rounded last week out with an elopement shoot and we’re starting fresh this week with a new beautiful elopement, and I’m not mad about it. Because both of them are feet-in-the-sand and totally focused on the love. Today’s shoot, styled and planned by Kelly Sweet and Shanell Photography, will pull you in and hold you there. From the stunning bride (could she be any prettier?) and her flowing dress to the sweet details and intimate dinner—there’s an entire gallery full of pin-worthy goodness!

From Shanell Photography… Shooting at the Dunes or having an elopement there has been a dream of mine for quite sometime, having it executed was simply amazing. This specific vision was not an easy task to execute and came with some obstacles, however having the best vendors and friends in the business helped to make this dream a reality.

Together my friend Kelly (from Kelly Sweet Photography) and I worked to plan and style this shoot, truly coming together for community over competition. With vendors she had relationships with and vendors I had relationships with, we made the most romantic and stunning elopement you could ask for!

From the flowy dream dress by Carol Hannah to the sandy dune filled beaches of Charlevoix, and stunning floral, every detail was perfection. The couple had the most amazing chemistry and couldn’t have been more stunning and great to work with. Each and every vendor came together and added their own special sparkle to this event.

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Michigan’s Finest Red, White + Blue Day Ever!

Lexie and Ian’s “Best Day Ever!” was the perfect July send off! These two planned their entire wedding in two short weeks from Hawaii. Even when the threat of rain dashed their plans for an outdoor ceremony, they didn’t let it ruin their day. With a 14 ft. tall American flag welcoming guests into the reception, this military wedding was full of red, white and blue details. The loose greens and white blooms in the bouquets and centerpieces completed the simple yet elegant look for Lexie’s dream wedding! ~ All Grand Events

Lots more images from Allie & Co. Photography and more of Lexie and Ian’s story over on All Grand Events’ Blog right here!

Hope everyone has a lovely and safe Fourth of July!!

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Justin Alexander

Spring 2016

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A Glam Greenhouse Soiree

Sarah + Matt met about three years ago at Detroit’s St. Andrews Hall during a show Matt was playing in. Sarah was on a date with another guy and when Matt set eyes on her, he did everything he could to get her attention. Their relationship was long distance for much of their time dating and August 2016 Matt proposed in a hot air balloon ride. Their winter wedding was on another level!

From Erin Schmidt Photography… Her vision was described as wild romance, candlelit and tons of flowers and greens and it was exactly that and so much more. Sarah had thought of every single detail down to having hankies in every chair for the ceremony for guests to cry in!

Her dress was honestly the most stunning gown I’ve ever seen – horse hair skirt with a sheer long sleeved low back top by Hayley Paige. The girls started the day poppin’ bottles of champagne in their hotel room and ended the night under the stars of Planterra’s greenhouse. It was just perfection.

The King Proteas on every table wer breathtaking, hand-lettered place cards in every seat, and a seating chart with roman numerals made by the groom’s brother. Their ceremony began just after sunset with personal vows that had the room weeping. Followed by a swanky cocktail hour with their yummy signature cocktail. Lots of laughs, hugs and tons of people “cutting a rug” as the bride says. Just so many intimate details and so much love and design in their day.

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Hayley Paige

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Spring 2018

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This Wedding Brings Southern California Style to Traverse City

From the artful floral crowns crafted by Darling Botanical to the macrame backdrop at the reception, this Traverse City wedding is full of Southern California’s signature style. We love the effortless, boho vibe, but what we love even more is the playful nature of this adorable couple and their joyful smiles captured by Anna Lord Studio – they can’t take their eyes off each other!

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From Anna Lord Studio… Chaise and Michael’s wedding day was unbelievably intimate and filled with tears, laughter, and quality time with their closest family and friends. Their semi-destination wedding in Traverse City, Michigan, brought out some of their oldest and dearest friends from California, which made for an even more meaningful celebration. They both have such great taste, and it definitely reflected their modern, bohemian, and romantic style in their wedding details.

One of my favorite moments was when we were doing their portraits, they had decided to do the famous “dirty-dancing” move in the midst of this beautiful field with horses and rolling hills! Even beyond how fun that was, their love for each other is one of the sweetest and most caring that I’ve ever seen. They concluded their time at the venue by dancing on the deck of the barn under the beautiful night sky. It was a beautiful day!

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Although Cold Outside, This Winter Wedding Warmed Hearts Everywhere

This winter-loving couple braved the Michigan cold on their January wedding day with the talented Blaine Siesser Photographer in tow to snap a few photos, and let me tell you, it paid off! The beautiful Bride looked radiant in her Bill Levkoff gown against the snowy, white backdrop. Bonus: the cold gives you all the more reason to snuggle with your Groom! So if you’re dreaming of a winter wedding, head to the Vault for inspiration that will absolutely warm your heart.

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From the Blaine Siesser Photographer… Leading up to Krista’s wedding, I was excited! I knew her wedding was going to be full of love and so beautiful! With Alicia Caldecott from A Day in May leading the way with creative ideas and production expertise, this event was bound to be amazing.

Krista and Jed’s touching grace for each other and their warm hearts were the x factor that really made this one of my favorite events, too. They are a couple that truly values people, and they threw this party for their friends and family. They placed them as their top priority.

About six months before their wedding, Krista and Jed made the trip down to Detroit, and we had a blast taking photos all over the city at their engagement session. They are true adventurers, and exploring Detroit together was a great lead-in to their January wedding. A winter wedding is (always) an adventure too – you just don’t know what Michigan will have for you on any given Saturday in January. That day in Detroit was when Krista first told me she loved the winter! I could hardly believe her, but after seeing her wedding day, it is completely true. Considering that fact, she must have had her perfect wedding. It was 15 degrees with a wind chill and light flurries. Fleece shawls and Ugg boots adorned the bridesmaids while Krista kept warm with only her veil, bouquet, a tailored Bill Levkoff, and Jed’s hugs. He also lent her his jacket in between photos. After a first look at a family friend’s historic farm property, Krista and Jed stopped by the downtown district of Traverse City to take a few photos in front of the kissing wall (now since demolished making that photo even more special) and the theatre.

At the reception, Krista and her guests were greeted with the warm glow of endless candelabras on long tables. It was a perfect winter evening spent staying cozy warm at the Grand Traverse Resort with toasts, dances, and his and her custom cocktails. I was blessed to be there and to know this wonderful couple. If you ever see a couple walking the streets of any snowy winter city without a hat and gloves, you might have found this wonderful duo – say hello! Here’s to more wonderful winter weddings! Stay warm out there!

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