I can’t even begin to describe how sacred Michael and Aubrey’s orthodox wedding ceremony was from the singing, the sound of the harp, the golden iconography, the smell of the incense and even the surprise bagpiper (a nod to Michael’s Scottish heritage.) Such beautiful and rich tradition ended with a night full of cultural dances and laughter.

Adam and Anne’s South Haven church wedding ended with a laid-back reception at the historic Bangor Elevator with a spread of BBQ mixed with traditional Polish foods.

Matt and Alyssa were married in the backyard of Alyssa’s childhood East Grand Rapids home. A tented reception at sunset overlooking Reeds Lake, with a great live band, finished off the evening.

There was something really wonderful about this wedding. I’m a small town girl myself so perhaps it was the quaint church where everyone settled in closely in the creaky wooden pews or maybe it was the kindness I felt from everyone — a genuineness that comes naturally to rural folks.

They were married in Charlevoix at Dunmaglas Golf Club — owned by Katie’s family at one time — and the walls of the barn reception were decorated with quilts made by the bride’s grandmother and her sisters. When I first talked to Katie on the phone she told me she wanted her wedding to feel like “a fun party with lots of laughter.”