The Wedding Story of Keren Thoms and Aaron Schaer

Photos ByJR Magar Photography

Written By

Carri Fras

Date

December 10, 2016

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Who knew that meeting in school and sharing courses and volunteer work for a year would end in a lifetime spent together? That is exactly how it happened for Keren and Aaron Schaer. The Victoria B.C. and Michigan natives met on a “Gap Year” program in Israel between high school and college. While visiting Keren’s family in Victoria, they planned a weekend trip to Salt Spring Island. After a day spent exploring the island, Keren convinced Aaron to stay indoors and out of the dark and rain rather than walk through the cabin’s sculpture garden and trails as he insisted. While cozying up in sweatpants with wine (sounds romantic to us!), Aaron proposes. “I don’t even remember the words he said once he pulled out the ring (it’s hard to surprise me),” Keren recalls. “I appreciate that he did it when it was just the two of us. I wanted to call everyone and tell them but we didn’t have cell reception at the cabin, something that looking back I can appreciate as well. The next morning we went on a hike and Aaron re-proposed to me at the top, this time I was listening to every single word he was saying and soaked it all in.”

The newly engaged couple knew two things - they wanted their wedding outdoors and they wanted it in Ann Arbor, the beloved city they were living in. So they set their sights on finding the best venue and let everything else fall into place. Zingerman’s Cornman Farms in Ann Arbor, Michigan encompassed everything the couple was looking for. It’s beautiful outdoor space was filled with gardens and animals and, while outside the city, it was accessible to guests. Karen explains, “There was diversity in the areas for each portion of the day and everywhere you looked there was a picture worthy moment.”

How did Keren navigate the planning process? “I asked a lot of questions to my friends who had recently been married. I found they gave me the best advice,” she says. The couple’s vendors were discovered online or through friends and they couldn’t have been happier with the results. In terms of inspiration, the bride-to-be relied heavily on Pinterest but the venue also served to inspire. It’s natural setting was the perfect backdrop for a romantic color pallet they desired - a delicate mix of greenery, blush tones, ivory and peach. The couple also tried to do as many DIY projects as possible. Thanks to some good friends they were able to accomplish almost all the projects they set out for themselves, including the centerpieces, place cards, cake topper, decorations, bridal suite and gifts.

THE FLORAL

MADE Floral set the soft and romantic tone with Peonies, Spray Roses, Ranunculus, Stock, Wax Flower and Lisianthus. The sweetness and simplicity of the design is seen in the bouquets and small clusters of flowers and strands of greenery strewn throughout the tables and delicately wrapped around the wooden chuppah.

THE DRESS

Inspired by an online Martina Liana dress, Keren found a bridal salon that carried that line and happened to be hosting a trunk show that month. After dropping off Aaron and his friend at a bowling alley and heading to the show, it all happened pretty quickly. The first dress she tried on was the one!

THE CAKE

Zingerman’s Bakehouse created this simple design. Can we say how much we love the this look? The cake toppers are oh-so-sweet and serve as a unique way to incorporate their beloved companion (coming from a dog-lover here)!

what we love

Love was truly in the air at this wedding. Karen explained that at a Jewish wedding, you do a Horah dance. Well, there’s was over an hour long and the bride had to make it stop because she couldn’t feel her feet! She recalls, “I still have people telling me about the energy and how they never experienced that before. The venue was gorgeous. I think that part of the wedding stood out as well.” The couple’s wedding hashtag was, in fact, #schaerthelove. We say, well said!