Abbey and Joel met through mutual friends during their very last semester at college. A few years later, Abbey and some friends ran in the Chicago Marathon of 2019, and Joel decided to propose to her when she crossed the finish line. Since all of her friends were already there, Joel invited everyone to their favorite waterfront restaurant to celebrate!
Because of the pandemic and not wanting to rush their planning, Joel and Abbey actually waited six months before planning a single detail of their wedding. The couple both happened to spend vacations going up to Northern Michigan since they're from the Detroit Metro Area, so they knew they wanted to get married there as well. "We love Traverse City the most because it is on the water and has great food and wineries," Abbey shares. "Sharing this part of Michigan with our friends and family was really special."
We are obsessed with both of Abbey's gowns! Knowing she wanted an A-line dress, Abbey made a long trip to get it. "I traveled to Bridal & Formal in Cincinnati, Ohio to find it, since this is where my older sister found the perfect dress for her wedding a few months prior," Abbey explains. "After saying 'yes' to the dress, we shared a special moment where we both put on our dresses together at the store." We think the lace detailing is the perfect look for the rustic vibes at their reception!
Since sharing northern Michigan was the focus of their wedding, Abbey and Joel made sure all their vendors had a similar connection to and love of the area. "All of our food, wine and activities had a noticeable and intentional local focus. We had classic summer activities planned for the entire group on the days before and after our wedding day, which made everyone feel connected to our cherished northern Michigan memories," Abbey gushes.
What We Love
Abbey worked closely with their florist to help develop a color scheme and theme that would look beautiful with their venue. The rustic charm of their reception scene is absolutely beautiful. We love the contrast of the light pink elements with the silver table details! All of the floral pieces make the whole reception seem full of life, especially with the vineyard extending into the distance.
Advice from the Couple
Abbey and Joel advise, "Enjoy the process! Sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned, but everything works out the way it’s
supposed to, so just have fun!"
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