Wild & Woven: WeddingDay’s Exclusive Grand Rapids Cover Shoot

Photos ByPavé Wedding Productions

Written By

Date

February 1, 2025

The Vision

When Brooke Simmons, CEO of Forever and Always Event Planning, planned a wedding at Augusta Creek Venue, she became familiar with its character and charm. Inspired by the rustic and organic vibes that the venue possessed, Brooke dreamed up a realistic yet stunning shoot. “This combination inspired the bohemian-western theme for the styled shoot, which I felt would resonate with the local clientele,” Brooke shares. “Having grown up in the area, I understand the down-to-earth, humble nature of the people here—many of whom are farmers. They aren’t necessarily interested in elaborate champagne towers or ballrooms and black tie elegance. Instead, the brides I envision want a cute, boho vibe with a touch of rustic, western charm.” The result was a delicate balance between western and elegance that Pavé Wedding Productions captured flawlessly!

The Venue

Located in Delton, Michigan, Augusta Creek Venue was an absolute dream locale for our boho cover shoot! Brooke raves, “Augusta Creek perfectly embodied the rustic charm and woodsy feel that aligned with the ‘Wild and Woven’ theme. The natural wooden elements gave it that rugged, earthy atmosphere, while the clean, modern touches—from sleek furnishings to thoughtfully curated spaces—balanced the look.” The outdoor space is the perfect place to experience the harmony and peace of nature while the indoor space is the ideal spot to celebrate the night away with those you love most!

The Décor

One of the biggest challenges with this design was to give a nod to western elements without making it a Wild West style shoot, so the décor had to be carefully curated. First came the colors—muted terracottas, gentle sage green and soft rust—to tie fall tones to the natural and organic colors of the venue. Once the color palette was decided, Brooke assembled the décor with the help from three different rental companies. We especially love all the glassware and wicker details that help elevate this rustic look! “Rewritten Rental was my go-to for those beautiful bohemian rugs that truly brought my ceremony space to life, as well as the pieces that lined the aisle. Rentalex Events transformed my guest tables with their exquisite dinnerware, particularly the whiskey glasses that played a pivotal role in capturing some of my favorite shots during the shoot,” Brooke gushes.

The Florals

Brooke shared the color scheme and overall vision for the shoot with Marco Alexzondra Floral and told him to run wild! He filled the space with blooms that remind us of western scenes but with a touch of elegance. Utilizing various blooms with unique shapes and textures, Marco curated stunning centerpieces and arrangements that make the space seem fuller. We love all the rich and uncommon colors he used, too. And, of course, no bohemian-inspired shoot is complete without plenty of pampas grass!

The Stationery & Signage

With a complex and unique idea like this one, Brooke had to toss a challenge to the stationery company, Noteworthy by Design, to create pieces that matched the western theme with a touch of elegance. We think the team delivered beautifully! We are obsessed with the circular menus that are lined with twine and the cow print paper included in the invitation suite. Brooke’s favorite piece was the “Whiskey and Cigars” sign for Mulberry Cart Co.’s mobile bar, which was what inspired most of the other stationery elements!

The Looks

We are obsessed with the various looks our models wore in this shoot! One of the biggest details of both their outfits were their shoes, since you can’t do western without cowboy boots! The groom wore an orange suit (which he also paired with jeans!) to match our fall palette. The bride donned two full-length gowns from Annie Lane Bridal which both lent themselves to the bohemian theme with macrame-esque lace details. However, both dresses are just as elegant and stunning as the space, too! To end the night, our bride danced the night away in a fun short dress, complete with fringe and sparkles. Ashley Burns Artistries styled our bride's hair in a whimsical braided half-up, half-down look for the ceremony and then swept it up into a low and effortless bun for the reception. Jenn Martz Makeup Artistry gave her a subtle smoky eye with a bold lip for a touch of dramatic yet elegant flair. We love how the lipstick matched our blooms perfectly!

The Cake & Desserts

The western theme carries through in the two-tiered cake and cookies! “I wasn’t as picky with the cake/desserts,” Brooke admits. “I wanted Rachel with Equinox Pastries & Pops to have fun with the design and use her talent!” The only guidance Brooke gave was to play up the boho side of the shoot. We think she nailed it! The rich rust color of the bottom tier contrasts with the fun patterned top tier, but the macrame detailing steals the show. And we love the fun addition of cookies to this dessert table!