This Michigan Block Party Celebration is Full of Vintage Detail: The Real Wedding of Jamie and Ben Crites

Photos ByMidwest Made Photography

Written By

Chrysa Keenon

Date

September 23, 2020

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Jamie grew up in the same town as Ben, and they shared the love of showing horses and cattle. “Everyone jokes that our first date must have been doing chores together at one of our farms (which is definitely true),” Jamie says. During college, the couple dated long distance before Ben popped the question on a cattle farm.

Jamie thought she knew exactly what style of dress she wanted by spending hours researching online. After she booked her appointment at her local bridal salon, she discovered a new style she loved even more. “The moment of truth came when I tried on the dress that I thought was going to be 'the one' and to my surprise, it wasn’t,” she says. “I was disappointed but decided to try on the other dresses we had pulled. On the third dress, I came out knowing it was 'the one.'”

The couple wanted to use their own family farms as a wedding venue, but to accommodate their entire guest list, they utilized the block in a truly unique indoor-outdoor reception.

What we love

Even though their wedding was in Michigan, the couple honored their Kentucky roots by completing the tradition of burying a bottle of bourbon at their wedding site one month before the ceremony. “This is a tradition in Kentucky that is said to bring good luck and no rain on your wedding day,” Jamie explains. “It couldn’t have been more true for us as it thunder stormed the night before and the morning of our wedding, but the rain stopped just in time for pictures that day and held off for the ceremony and reception.”

Advice from the couple

Jamie urges couples to design their big day as a reflection of their relationship. “The special details and moments will make the day even more magical and memorable than you ever thought it could be,” she says.