The Wedding Story of... Noelle & Andrew Bullard

The story of Noelle and Andrew began at the University of Michigan where they both attended school and found each other through mutual friends. Learning they had several classes together, they agreed to meet for weekly study sessions, but realized they were spending hours chatting rather than studying. After falling in love over study sessions in college, they also attended law school together. In 2010 the couple moved to Raleigh, North Carolina and embraced its warm weather and charm. 

 

 

 

 

Looking to take a break from their hectic schedules and Raleigh’s thick August heat, they planned a trip to the North Carolina Mountains. “We looked forward to spending a weekend unhooked from our regular life (Literally. The cabin Andrew booked for us didn’t get cell phone service and it was a long and twisty drive to any hint of civilization). That Saturday, Andrew was in the kitchen preparing dinner for us and called me in to help him choose a bottle of wine. He had put a few options on the counter for me and asked me to choose one. I chose the one that had a homemade label with our photo on it and said, ‘Noelle, will you marry me?’ while he dropped to one knee. Even after seven years of dating, both of us were so nervous that this moment had finally arrived that we cannot remember what he said.”

 

 

 

 

When she began the search for her dress, Noelle came to Michigan and South Bend but finally made her purchase in Raleigh at Victorian Rose Bridals. After trying on many styles, she says she kept coming back to Enzoani and particularly loved the use of lace. She decided on Enzoani Dakota, saying “It’s fresh and fun but also has a bit of a vintage feel too so the dress felt classic even though it was a modern silhouette.” 

 

Since Andrew is from Grand Haven and Noelle is from Edwardsburg, the couple wanted a wedding ‘back home’ close to their families and along the beach. “The first summer that Andrew and I were dating, we both headed to our hometowns for the summer. Since St. Joseph was just about halfway between both places, we used to meet there on the weekends and spend the day at the beach or walking around the town.” Finding the right photographer, Amy Carroll led them to their perfect location: Shadowland on Silver Beach.  

 

 

 

 

Using the lake as inspiration, they chose colors to complement the setting- navy, green, and pink. Displayed in a bed of sand were stones collected from the beach on which Andrew’s mother had written the names of guests. Michigan summers with a hint of southern charm were the basis for their choices from flowers to food. Buckets of dahlias were delivered from a farm in Hamilton and Shadowland sourced local foods. Making their own bouquets, they used large blooms and tucked natural cotton bolls throughout as a nod to North Carolina. They also created a signature cocktail using lemonade and sweet tea vodka which they called “Love is Sweet [Tea]”. 

 

While the guys began their day with a game of football, the ladies were pampered at the Boulevard Inn with hair by Jennifer Grace Unger and makeup by Erick Gerson. Noelle and Andrew met for a first look before boarding a trolley with the bridal party to take pictures on the beach. The ceremony took place at the John E.N. Howard Bandshell on the bluff overlooking the water. Harpist Meg Rodgers set the tone for the occasion, which was simple, sweet, and heartfelt.  

 

“The rest of the night was filled with great people, great food, and great music.” Guests played corn hole on the patio during cocktail hour and, after dinner and dancing in the ballroom, were able to watch the sunset on the beach and ride the old carousel. “It was so much fun to see how much the young and old guests alike enjoyed such a youthful pleasure.” Tying in to the history of Silver Beach and its past as an amusement park, the couple incorporated a popcorn bar. Flavors ranging from caramel apple to cheddar came from a shop in Frankenmuth, and guests were encouraged to mix up their own combinations.

 

 

 

 

Planning long distance meant that they didn’t meet many of the vendors until the wedding weekend, but Noelle says they were lucky in that once they chose a location, most other details fell into place. The couple also had a lot of support from friends and family who got involved in the DIY. Both families spent hours putting together floral centerpieces, moving supplies, and troubleshooting sudden problems (including leaks in the galvanized buckets that were used as vases). “We had a few small glitches, like any event does, but it was easily the best day of our lives,” Noelle said. “It was impossible to feel anything less than overjoyed when we were surrounded by so many helpful and loving friends and family.”