Chelsea & Justin

06.09.18

Winery Wedding

"Our story starts on 11/11/11 (I know what you're thinking, it was fate right?!) when we met on our way to a concert in Chicago with my sister.
I'll be completely honest, I wasn't sold on the idea of dating on of my sister's friends, but Justin clearly had other plans, and by following summer, we were official.
Over the next couple years Justin and I were constantly on the go between going camping almost every weekend in the summer to going to every concert we could.
About 3 years in, we decided to buy a house and then on March 9th, 2017 our lives changed.

Justin decided to propose! Can you believe it!
So, back to March 9th, we had been out of power for 4 days from horrible storms and Justin asked me if I wanted to go out for dinner.
I jumped at the opportunity since we hardly ever went out. We decided to go to one of our favorite places, Honchos, in downtown Clarkston. If you've never been you need to! Anyways, when we get down there, there is a front row parking space, which is very rare, and he decides to not park in it. He proceeds to turn down a side street that goes to the park and manages to find one of the last parking spots, and I'm sitting there thinking what in the world is he doing? Oh, that's right, I know exactly what he is doing, he's going to hunt Pokémon in the park before we grab dinner. Yes, you read that right, Pokémon. My now husband is a self-proclaimed poke-master. So, we get out of the car in the freezing cold and he asks me to walk to the gazebo with him. In typical Chelsea fashion I give him "the look", let out a deep sigh, and tell him "no thanks, go catch your Pokémon so we can go eat."
After 3 or 4 attempts to get me to walk with him, and me refusing to every time,
he gets down on one knee and asks me to marry him.
I was in complete shock and instantly started crying as I tried to get a "yes" out.
Little did I know he had one of his friends there in the park hiding with a camera videotaping the entire thing.
It was perfect.

So, for the next 13 months we planned for perfect day and let me tell you, it was absolutely perfect!
Not all 13 months leading up to the big day were smooth sailing. So, if I could give any advice to a new bride going through this process it would be to not sweat the small stuff.
So, for example, I wanted all of my bridesmaids in the same shoes. Just a simple nude black heel. Well, after going back and forth for months and literally crying once a week, I finally decided to wave my white flag and put Shoegate 2018 to bed and just let them get a shoe that they thought was comfortable within my "nude block heel" specifications.
Also, don't take on more than you can. I'm a total crafter and love doing things myself. So, Justin and I ended up making all the dessert table stands, the floral arrangement stands, table numbers, all the escort cards and signage. So, to reiterate, do not sweat the small stuff. All it does in the end is cause unwanted stress and that is the last thing you need during this time. 

We got married in what we thought was the most gorgeous venue, Fenton Winery and Brewery in Fenton, MI.
They are kind of a one stop shop; they handle the catering (people raved about the food for days), they serve only their beer and wine (which is incredible), they provide the tables, chars and linens. Megan, the event coordinator can help you with any additional rentals you might want.
Our amazing photographer Brittany Carress of Brittany Carress Photography did such an amazing person, you'll feel like you've been friends for years.
Our DJ, Josh Baker, from Cinderella's Wedding DJ's is seriously the "master of ceremonies". He went above and beyond what we expected of him; he kept us all on time and organized.
Our stunning floral arrangements were created by The Flower Market in Monroe, MI; they were absolutely perfect and everything we ahd imagined.
Our unbelievably delicious dessert table was done by Tasty Layer in Burton, MI.
Who can resist peanut butter ganache bombs, raspberry ganache bombs, sugar cookies, lemon cake truffles, chocolate covered bacon, and cannoli's!
And of course, my PERFECT dress I found at Fantastic Finds with Donna's help. Donna made the experience so easy and fun.
She helped me find the perfect Essence of Australia dress; I couldn't imagine saying "I do" in anything else.
So, thank you from the bottom of my heart Donna and Fantastic Finds!

Love doesn't know space or time, nor does it look through jealous eyes, and in the words of the great Dr. Suess...

'We are all a little weird and life's a little weird.
And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, 
We join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.'"

- Chelsea & Justin

 Vendors
Venue: Fenton Winery & Brewery - Fenton, MI
Photographer: Brittany Carress Photography
DJ: Josh Baker - Cinderella's Wedding DJ's
Florist: The Flower Market - Monroe, MI
Dessert Table: Tasty Layer - Burton, MI
Bridal Dress: Fantastic Finds