The Wedding Story of Erica and Justin Lemson

After being together eight years, it was hard for Justin to slip anything past Erica. It was while spending time on Justin’s grandma’s property, however, that Erica got the surprise of her life.  She says, “When I opened my eyes, I saw a slice of wood with ‘Marry me?’ laser cut into it. I started crying and turned around to find him on one knee with a gorgeous ring he picked out himself that was perfect for me.”

It was a logical next step for Erica to begin the planning process by going straight to her Pinterest board she had started a few years prior, but what inspired Erica the most was personalizing her vision.

For this couple, their venue was absolutely perfect. “It was on a grassy, shaded bluff overlooking Lake Michigan,” Erica explains. ”There was a trail leading down to a beach, and a log cabin as well as a lakeside cottage. The day of, it rained in the morning and left this magical, misty fog that gave the whole day a sort of mystical, Lord of the Rings atmosphere.
 

Erica desired to keep her wedding local and to support local businesses and friends. She says, “The baker was a friend and former coworker. Hair and makeup were both friends. The flowers were a flower shop about one minute from my house, etc.”

The couple’s very outdoorsy nature was also expressed in the decor. Erica says, “The whole wedding had a very ethereal, enchanted forest sort of vibe. We love bluegrass music, so we had a band setting the tone at the ceremony as well as the beginning of the reception.” She adds, “I’m a photographer, so I wanted to incorporate that somehow. I decided to do a Polaroid guestbook which turned out to be really fun.”

Erica also D.I.Y.-ed quite a few items. She says, “Ninety percent of the signage was made by either my sister-in-law or my maid of honor. I printed out photos of us, then wrapped string lights around a tree and attached the photos. I made all the bridesmaids bouquets myself, out of lily of the valley my grandma and I picked from her garden the day before.”
 

 

Advice From the Bride

This bride says, “Stop and smell the roses. If something's stressing you out, deal with it and move on. It's not worth wasting any time on, especially on your big day. I remember waking up in that cabin, looking out the window at the lake and just feeling overcome with gratitude, love and joy. That feeling stayed with me all day long, and I wish that for every bride! Soak up every moment and be present.”

 

 

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