One of the main things we love about Amy + Jeff’s winter Michigan wedding was their choice to embrace the season, but not let things get too drab. A perfect example? Amy carried a lush bouquet, by Elements of Elegance, which featured cheerful orange kumquats! We majorly love it. There were also plenty of pines, plaids, golds and creams to go around and make the intimate setting feel nice + cozy.
A big effort was made to keep the day as genuine + meaningful as possible. Amy + Jeff helped each other get ready and decided against a traditional wedding party. And how sweet is it that the ceremony took place in the courtyard of a bakery owned by a close friend? So many lovely touches that seem to so clearly represent the two of them!
Thanks so much to Shutter Sam Photography for sharing these beautiful photos with us today + big congrats to Amy + Jeff!
Jeff surprised me with a trip to a local reindeer farm for our wedding pictures prior to the ceremony. I have a huge love of animals and he researched a place that would allow us to photograph there. We had a huge winter storm the night before and the trees and ground were covered in white snow. It looked like a fairytale. Add in some reindeer for good measure and it was something out of a movie.
Don’t these two look amazing? Amy snagged her dress from Modcloth! (For similar a style, check out the See You Swoon Dress + Ivory Fireworks Dress.) We love that she paired her frock with a cozy faux fur and that Jeff rocked an awesome patchwork-inspired scarf to stay toasty, too!
Cozy blankets + throws are a must at a chilly, snowy celebration!
Processional: Ends of the Earth – Lord Huron
Recessional: Midnight City – M83
First Dance: Anyone Else But You – Moldy Peaches
Don't worry about everyone else's expectations. The day should be about you and your partner. Managing expectations will only work against you. Stay true to yourselves as a couple and everything else will fall into place.
photography: Shutter Sam Photography // venue: Ceremony and Cocktail Hour – Cakabakery; Reception – Speak EZ Grand Rapids, Michigan // event planning, design + venue florals: Heyday Event Lab // floral design + bride’s bouquet: Elements of Elegance // flower crown: Hey Gorgeous Events // wedding dress: Modcloth // hair accessory: Pixel and Hank // hair: Sarah Allchin with Brindle and Blonde // make up: Julie Strating // videography: Neil Kirby The Planit // invitations: Aaron Lee, Independent Designer // catering: Speak EZ // cake: Cakabakery // officiant: Andy Dragt The BranchÂ
Beautiful wedding!
I like how this couple embraced the aspects of a winter day. I love the bride’s bouquet. I’m wondering if they had a nature-based (pagan) wedding ceremony? It would have been a perfect choice for the apparent theme. Congrats to them.
Reindeer wedding shot… Not something you see often!