Michaela & Jon

06.02.18

Vintage Farm Wedding

"Jon and I met sophomore year of high school at a Christian speech and debate league.
There was definitely a mutual interest underneath our friendship, but we were both extremely careful to not lead the other person on,
so we were secret admirers and family friends for over 5 years.
After two years of lost contact during college, we reconnected over a summer and slowly became best friends.
He finally asked my dad if he could date me and then he asked me out by the next summer to which I jokingly replied, "I'll think about.... Of course, I'll date you."
A long-concealed love blossomed into a mix of adventurous shenanigans and a blissful romance.
On December 30th, 2017 Jonathan caught me completely off guard as we were walking through Matthaei botanical gardens in Ann Arbor,
when I turned around to see him on one knee, ring box extended, asking "Will you marry me?"
Although it was the biggest decision of my life, it was also the easiest. 

We had a short time, 5 months to plan the wedding. Time was precious and finding a venue was difficult.
We ended up with a perfect venue for our outdoor ceremony/barn reception at Miller Farm Eaton Rapids Area Historical Society that had some dates still open for this year.
Doreen, the volunteer event coordinator there, is amazing, easy to get ahold of and informative.
Another time sensitive part was my dress. Luckily, I chose a Casablanca gown at Fanastic Finds,
which could be rushed within three months and made custom fit to my measurements.
I wouldn't have been able to get married this summer without those factors and
Fantastic Finds was very accommodating once they were informed that Casablanca offered those options for all of their gowns.
My husband and I were fortunate to know a lot of helpful people: mutual friends J. Mills was a retired Baker who did our cake,
my uncle S. Firman of Good Times Entertainment was our DJ, several family and friends gifted their musical talent for the ceremony,
Alita Jewel and Kayla Verbeek shot the most beautiful pictures and were the invisible artists behind it all (highly recommended) and
my mother and grandmother in laws previously owned a flower business and helped my mom and I with
boutquets, boutonnieres, corsages, and gazebo decorations.

My advice for upcoming brides would be to try and incorporate your family into helping with tasks
like lawn games during cocktail hour, guest book, host and hostess, passing out programs, cake cutting and serving etc...
I was timid about asking for them to help with "jobs" because I didn't want to "burden them" and just let them enjoy the wedding. But I was wrong.
They felt honored and overjoyed to be asked to help and felt special to be involved. It's a win/win. They feel important and you divide and conquer the tasks so it's easier to execute.
And make sure to sleep well and eat before you walk down the aisle. It's a long time until the reception and you will feel drained from all of the emotions, socializing, and events of the day.
Relax.
Your family and friends, vendors, and bridal party have got this.
No matter what happens if there's
you,
your man,
and a preacher,
you will have a successful wedding."

- Michaela

Vendors
Venue: Miller Farm Eaton Rapids Area Historical Society
DJ: Good Times Entertainment
Photography: Alita Jewel & Kayla Verbeek
Bridal Dress: Fantastic Finds