THE DETAILS

Date: September 29, 2018

Ceremony Venue: Private Residence 

Reception Venue: The Vineyard at 12 Corners

Color Scheme: Greens, Ivory, Burgundy, Gold, Dusty Blue

Design Inspiration: Classy, with a minimalist, slightly boho vibe

 

 

THE HIGHLIGHTS

So many gorgeous moments to highlight from Maggie + Eli’s outdoor, late September wedding celebration. The family lake house ceremony setting for the I Do’s was naturally personal for their immediate families and were overjoyed to share it with all of their guests. Champagne sipping and string instruments welcomed guests on their arrival. Truly remarkable views of Lake Michigan from the backyard, with a beautifully decorated traditional chuppah that brought focus to the altar. The reception took place not far from there at 12 Corners Vineyard with non-stop, 360 views of plump grapevines just as harvest season was approaching. Outdoor fall weddings in a vineyard – it’s one of the best combinations, especially for guests used to city living.

Fall vibes were all over the design – with outdoorsy farmhouse tables being the foundation, the classy gold chiavari chairs and flatware, and unforgettable coziness of lush greenery, rich burgundy and dusty blue tones. Hundreds of candles in varying pillared heights lay scattered down dining tables paired alongside gold mercury votive candles. The romance as guests sat down for the reception was unparalleled. So intimate, even with as large of a guest count as it was. The night time hour introduced comfy fleece blankets and Adirondack chairs around a firepit and a photobooth station. There really was never a dull moment for guests to experience something fun.

Generally being big fans of flowers, they wanted each nook and cranny of the venue to have consistency and a polished finish. The tent ceiling was no exception, including a 5ft diameter floral chandelier suspended over the dance floor – where guests danced the night away.  Other pieces that continue catching our eye are the flower crowns for the bridal party ladies, trendy signage be it the ones with acrylic form or the printed paper products showing loads of personality, and the sea glass name cards for the 36-guest head table! Including dates at the head table seating arrangement has been a popular selection. We love how much it adds a grandiose look to such an important table and brings functionality too. 

 

VENDORS

Photo: Kati Mallory

Design, Logistics + Wedding Planning, Day of Coordination + Rentals (farmhouse tables, wine barrels, specialty linens, lounge furniture, firepit): 1928 Planning Co.

Floral: Flowers By Anna

Lighting Design: Schades of Light

Other Rentals: Taylor Rental (chiavari chairs, gold silverware, ceremony tent, ceremony chairs)

Baker: Sweet Mandy B’s

Entertainment: Style Matters DJ, Hipstr Photobooth

 

 

Out with the old and in with the new.

Well that may not always be the case. Some wedding trends stay around longer than others, and while we can anticipate there to be a slew of new trends making a fresh appearance in 2019, we will continue seeing some previous trends (and these ones, we love!) Either way, keeping on trend or not, find inspiration below to help you define your signature wedding style.

 

 

A STYLE OF THEIR OWN WITHOUT GIVING UP TRADITION

The Sweets

Although we have seen a shift towards the big wedding cakes heading out, most didn’t want to give up a cake tradition entirely. In 2018, these newly revamped cake styles were displayed on a bold linen, a light and bright dessert table or combined with every kind of sugary goodness you could think of.

 

Evelyn Vaughn (Photo)

Bit of Swiss (Baker) :: Christa Hitchcock (Photo) :: 1928 Rental: (Farmhouse Table) 

Froelich’s (Baker) :: Brick and Pine (Photo)

Bit of Swiss (Baker) :: 430 Studios (Photo)

 
 
The Guest book

Most couples are ditching the traditional guest book and coming up with their own personal touch to remember the guests that were able to attend their big day. Many of the guest books we saw in 2018 were ones that could be displayed in homes or incorporated into more of their daily life, rather than a traditional bounded book that might not be looked at much again after the wedding day.

 
 
Ceremony Locale

Grandma just doesn’t understand why you aren’t getting married in a church, but once she sees this, she will be very pleased! Having an on site ceremony is very convenient for your guests (and for you!) There isn’t extra driving to manage, no awkward down time in between ceremony and reception, you can re-purpose ceremony decor easily into the reception space and when all is said and done, more time to party!

Journeyman Distillery (Venue) :: Brick and Pine (Photo) :: Snapdragon Designs (Floral)

Private Residence (Venue) :: Jillian Bowes (Photo) 

First Look

The decision on whether bride and grooms should see each other pre-ceremony is always up for debate and in depth discussion. Besides asking yourself “is this for us?” this is a wedding day component that some are tweaking just a bit. Many are wanting to atleast have a “special moment” prior to the wedding, whether they are catching a glimpse of each other, holding hands from around the building corner or reading love letters to each other. As wedding planners, we have seen an increase in couples doing first looks for a variety of reasons: easier logistics and getting most photos checked off ahead of time so they can join in on the fun and cocktails after the ceremony!

Lauren Crawford (Photo)

Gingertown (Photo)

BIG BLOOMS

Bold Florals

Who doesn’t love a bold floral with greenery? (especially in super adorable wooden boxes) Greenery along with big-bloomed flowers are an impactful way to dress up dining tables as well as giving you a full luxurious bouquet. Can’t find room in the budget for these designs on 20 reception tables? It’s also worth filling in blank space at your ceremony or  draped from a ceiling.  It’s fresh and beautiful!

Kati Mallory (Photo) :: Flowers by Anna (Floral)

Kitty Lee (Photo) :: Black Dog Flower Farm (Floral)

Kati Mallory (Photo) :: Flowers by Anna (Floral)

Simplicity GR (Floral) :: 1928 Rental (Wine Barrel)

SETTING UP THE UNIQUE FACTOR

Everyone likes to have a little fun and give their guests the ‘wow factor’ at their wedding!  Looking for something unique? How about mini beach balls instead of birdseed or bubbles? Everyone loves a photo booth, especially this one on wheels!  A game of cornhole anyone? If the venue allows, let’s end this night with a sparkler send off!

 

THE DETAILS

Date: October 21, 2017

Venue: The Veranda at the Whitcomb (Reception), St. Joseph Catholic Church (Ceremony)

Inspired Theme: Kate Spade 

Color Scheme: Deep Red, Black, White, Gold

Design Inspiration: Bold flair, bright design, classic elegance

 

THE HIGHLIGHTS

Bride, Sarah has a beautiful eye for design and from our first conversations she expressed wanting to see the wedding style incorporate black and white stripes along with deep red accents. Designing weddings is one of our favorite services we can offer couples (check out our gallery!) but it isn’t every day that we have a bride come to us with such a bold take on wedding design. To not be afraid of color, patterns and texture – we were instantly excited to get those creative juices flowing. The theme quickly became coined as “Kate Spade” inspired and we found ways to create that same flair you’d see in the K.S. brand: exaggerated striped linens, pops of bright florals with little-to-no filler, gold and glitzy accents; the works. 

We’ve never seen a reception space be as transformed as this one was. The gold chiavari chairs lend a huge hand in Sarah + Casey’s desire for a touch of classic elegance into the otherwise bold design. The ceiling lit up with cafe bistro lights and glowing lanterns when the sun set over Lake Michigan. Are you dreaming of those sunsets like we are, as we right this in snow fall?

S + C wanted to create a mingling dinner atmosphere, so guests visited different food stations and tried something for every taste bud: build your own mashed potato bar, mac + cheese with brisket, taco station with guacamole. YUM.

The planning of the bar service and dessert are just as important. They chose signature drinks “The Casey” and “The Sarah” as well as desserts for days: cherry pie, cake pop bites, apple cider donuts, s’mores station. YUM, YUM.

Regardless of your design style, be it neutral or bold, there is something to be said about the details they incorporated to make their wedding design theme strong and cohesive from each element to the next. 

 

THE VENDORS

Photography: Bobbi Photo

Design, Coordination, Rentals: 1928 Planning Co.

Lighting: Schades of Light

Floral: Stella Event Design

Reception Chairs: Taylor Rental Party Plus

Baker: Christine’s Confections, CK Catering

 

 

There are so many opinions when it comes to the best way to plan a wedding, especially now with all of the Pinterest ideas at your fingertips. Pinterest is a super helpful tool to help you plan a wedding but it can also be an added stress to your long wedding to-do list. Here are some ups of planning a pinterest wedding:

POSITIVES:

Your options and inspiration guides are endless

If you are having any sort of design issue, you can quickly search for inspiration on pinterest, you will never run out of design ideas for your wedding.

You can easily share your ideas

Pinterest lets you share your boards with your family and friends, which gives them access to all of your dreams and visions for your big day. You are also given the option to give your friends access to pin to your board, if you choose, allowing for ultimate collaborating. This is also a great tool to use when collaborating with your vendors. As wedding planners, it is so helpful to be able to view someone’s vision of their wedding. Wedding Planners love to pin too, we love to help give our brides ideas and guidance!

Your one stop shop for weddings

 Most pins lead you directly to the website or give you ideas of where you can buy or how you can make the item you pinned. When you find your dream dress, it’ll take you to the shop who sells it, find a cute DIY escort card design, directions will be linked right there when you click on it.

Private vs Public Boards

Another great feature of pinterest is that you can choose to have your board be public or private. This is helpful, if you are pinning a lot and you do not want everyone to see all of your pins, choose the private setting, or if you want to share your planning and ideas you can make it public.

We all love pinterest and it comes in handy for a lot of different aspects in our everyday lives, but everyone has to admit there are some downsides. Here are some downsides to planning a pinterest wedding:

NEGATIVES:

Lacking Originality

Even though it feels like pinterest is filled with millions of new, creative, and original ideas, it is highly likely you will hear your female guests say “I have seen this on pinterest”. Pinterest trends tend to be seen over and over again.

Too many pins

As stated above, your options are endless, this can also be a bad thing. Sometimes when pinning ideas for your wedding, you can get a little over excited, pin 200 ideas in 20 minutes. Then you look back and become more stressed because now you have to narrow down all of your favorite pins to a realistic amount of crafting ideas that you and your wedding planner or bridal party can handle.

Planning a Pinterest wedding can be a great way to keep your ideas stored in one area and share them with others in your family or bridal party. Ideas can easily become overwhelming, so making sure that we are pinning only serious visions and ideas is the key to keeping your Pinterest wedding simple and easy.

You can tell we’ve had a busy year with our lack of blogging! Don’t worry – we haven’t forgotten to post our favorite blog of the year! Enjoy our look back as we revisit a wonderful season, full of gorgeous, sweet couples and show-stopping wedding design. Best of 1928 Planning, take 2016!

 

 

Most Unique Venue

Katie + David’s Union Pier Hideaway

venue-davis

Photo Credit: Mark Federighi Photography

Location: Rentable private property in Union Pier Michigan

Why we love it: We have scrounged the land for private home rental properties that allow weddings in Southwest Michigan. The properties are few and far between, but Katie and David found a hidden gem. The house was under constructions when they decided their location, sent out their invites, and began months of planning. Their trust and hard work paid off and their backyard soirée was complete with a canopy tent, the best local food trucks, and loads of private partying all night long! Best of all, their friends were able to stay onsite all weekend at one of the three houses on the compound.

Food trucks: Rolling Stone Bakery and Greenbush Brisket Van

 

Tarah + Ryan’s Botanical Garden Party

martin-venue

Photo Credit: Gingertown Photography

Location: Fernwood Botanical Garden

Why we love it: We loved the opportunity to help plan this gorgeous wedding! This Botanical Garden, located in Buchanan, Michigan, spans over 100 acres. Tarah and Ryan were able to utilize this beautiful nature preserve for their ceremony and tented-reception. Everywhere you walked was a picturesque backdrop – we can’t get enough!

Rose + Ron: Goin’ to the Chapel

morris-venue

Photo Credit: Jennifer Mayo Studios

Location: The Morris Estate (Chapel)

Why we love it: A simply breathtaking estate located in Niles, Michigan makes this a favorite backdrop for intimate ceremonies. The Chapel has been a part of local history for many decades, yet the prestine resoration of the venue speaks volumes. Crisp white interior and exterior, allow couples to stay simple with their decoration, or choose from The Morris’ lengthly decor upgrades available on-site.

Apple Blossom Acres

venue-abg

Photo Credit: Absolute Photography (top left), Apple Blossom Chapel and Gardens (others)

Location: Apple Blossom Chapel and Gardens

A Chat With The Owner:

Being 1928’s first time at this super unique venue (and loving every minute of it!) we wanted to share with  you some insight to the property from the owner, Kathy Doornbos, who over the last nine years, has poured so much energy into developing a venue, unlike any other our company has seen in West Michigan.

Apple Blossom Chapel and Gardens is located in the middle of a 20 acre, secluded property in the countryside near the little town of Fennville, Michigan. As you enter the private road and inch your way onto the property, you see nothing but beautiful landscape  – including a pond, gazebos, multiple flower beds and lush grass gardens, and a variety of mature trees (including Kathy’s favorite spot on the property: a 100 year old apple orchard!). It truly is a photographers dream – never having to leave the property with all of the multiple feature areas and nooks and crannies at your fingertips.

On-site chapel ceremonies were the original vision – either as an intimate elopement site or a full chapel filled with 32 guests. After wanting to expand the experience, a few ago, they added a solid floor patio in the middle of the garden setting for tented affairs.

Their property is available for small intimate events year around and garden ceremony and receptions May through October.

 

Best Cake & Dessert

desserts-collage

Photo Credit: Stephanie Gamble Photography (top left), Rhino Media Productions (top right), Jillian Bowes (bottom center), 430 Studios (bottom right)

 

Erin + Bobby’s Gold Foil Dusted Cake

Baker: Dee’s Specialty Cakes

 

Jessica + Jason’s Navy Floral Sweetheart Cake

Baker: Baker’s Rhapsody

 

Ashley + Kyle’s Donut Display

Baker: MacKenzies Bakery

 

April + John’s Cupcakes For Days

Baker: Mimi’s Cupcakes

 

Jamie + Jack’s Towering Naked Cake

Baker: Dee’s Specialty Cakes

A Chat With The Owner, Dee: 

Naked cakes have become very popular for both rustic decor and for those couples that are not huge fans of icing. Naked cakes come in three different styles.

Bare Naked has no icing other than the filling layers.

Naked cakes have icing on top but not on sides.

Dirty Naked cakes have a crumb coat of icing – a very thin layer that allows you to still see the cake in some places.

PRO TIP: While a hot day won’t harm your naked cake, there is no icing to keep the cake moist.  It is best to plan on serving the cake earlier in the evening to avoid a dry wedding cake (or serve alongside an Ice Cream Sundae Bar similar to Jack and Jamie!)

 

Best use of 1928 Rental Collection

Photo Credit: Jill Tiongco Photography (top right) | Jessica Eileen Photography (top left)| Rachael Osborn Photography (bottom left) | Ben Pancoast Photography (bottom right)

 

1928’s Love Seat Vignettes

From our rental collection: Our tufted grey love seat has seen its fair share of photoshoots this year! Pictured above is bride Chelsey at Willow Harbor Vineyards. We love how so many couples incorporated this gem into their sweetheart table and photo opportunities prior to their ceremony!

Jessica + Eric’s Eclectic Journeyman Lounge

From our rental collection: Our mid-century lounge set includes a sofa, love seat, two chairs, and coffee table. Bride Jessica added teal-toned pillows and some bud vases to the mix to tie in the set with their eclectic Journeyman Distillery Wedding!

1928 Specialty Linens

From our rental collection: 1928 offers a wide range of specialty linens, from napkins to table cloths; we can provide you with the perfect pieces to complement your color scheme. This year we were especially proud to show off photos from Jen and David’s gold sequin runners and cloths, as well as photos of Rob and Ryan’s earthy farmhouse tables paired with fern linen runners. We can’t help but to mention our friends, Schades of Light who also provided the dreamy chandelier and swagged cafe lights from these two weddings too!

 

Most Original Escort Cards/Seating Chart

Photo Credit: Sydney Marie (top left) |  Gingertown Photography (bottom left) | 430 Studios (top right)| Jillian Bowes (bottom right)

 

Sheena + Adam

Why we love it: We see A LOT of of cork escort cards over the course of a season. Most of them lay horizontally and the cards often slide out if not securely glued in place (or roll over if the bottom isn’t shaved down). We love how Sheena and Adam turned the cork vertically and and added a flower on top to indicate meal choices! So clever!

Tarah + Ryan

Why we love it: We are constantly encouraging our clients to find creative ways to secure their escort cards to a display. Seems like a strange request, but we cannot count the number of weddings where our interns have chased down wind-sent name cards! Groom Ryan built this seating chart with a wooden frame and magnetic fencing to create one incredibly original escort card display. Each card had a magnet glued on the back – and these puppies stayed put!

Laura + Cody

Why we love it: These place cards, famously known as Paper Belly Bands, wrap around the napkin (and stay put in the wind!) and greeted each guest once they arrived to their table. Laura and Cody’s bands killed two birds with one stone – where not only did guests easily find their assigned seat, but based on the color of the font on the band, determined their meal selection for the evening. We call that a Win/Win: A clear, easily seen marker for the caterer and trendy seating card presentation!

Kelsey + Andrew

Why we love it: Designed and built by groom, Andrew, this dark stained escort card board was a well thought out rustic addition to their vineyard backdrop at 12 Corners. Bringing a masculine wood element to their otherwise glammed out design, the sturdy board was complete with hooks to hold escort cards for over 200 guests.

Stationary designed by Tied & Two, Etsy

Floral Topper by Overgrowth Floral, Grand Rapids

 

Best Entertainment

Kayla + Grant’s Moko Jumbie

Photo Credit: Lamarand Style Photography 

Why we loved it: Who gets the chance to watch a 16-foot dancer do the limbo at a wedding?! (We haven’t seen many in our seven years of experience!) Kayla and Grant had been vacationing to St. Thomas for a few years before getting married. In their time there, they met a cab driver turned Moko Jumbie (more commonly known a stilts walker) who they became friends with and would always visit on their stays. When he heard they were tying the knot in the states, he just had to be a part of their big day … and he was in a big way 🙂

For other wedding-worthy entertainment ideas click here!

 

Best Centerpieces

Chelsey + Zac’s Ethereal Tablescapes

ziegler-centerpieces

Photo Credit: Jill Tiongco Photography

Why we love it: Our planner Hannah worked closely with bride Chelsey to make each table unique, yet cohesive to the overall vision. Some tables had soft blue chiffon runners, others had blush sequin runners. All of the tables had gorgeous florals and garlands by Black Dog Flower Farm, and were adorned with pillar candles on mercury glass holders. The tables were full and centerpieces varied in height!

Chiffon table runners & gold charger rentals: The Rental Company of Holland

 

Jamie + Jack’s Redefined Rustic

solomon-centerpieces

Photo Credit: Jillian Bowes

Why we love it: Rustic barn weddings don’t always have to include burlap runners, mason jars and babies breath. We loved Jamie and Jack’s redefined rustic design – providing something so fresh and glamorous for their Blue Dress Barn fall celebration. Working closely with Stella Event Design for florals, each pop of color, and selection of flowers were carefully planned out – down to the barn wood boxes and stone urns used as floral containers, alternating on each table.

 

Best Floral Design

Photo Credit: Gingertown Photography (top left) | 430 Studios (top right) | Jillian Bowes (bottom right)

Tarah’s Bouquet

Florist: Beikmann Associates, Niles, MI

Why we love it: In a wedding world currently full of long-stemmed bouquets, we loved this cascading bouquet with a hidden stem for a fresh look! Not only does this gorgeous bouquet look like it is all flowers and no stem, but the flowers have the perfect touch of blue with the delphinium (a great cascader!). Beikmann Associates did a special treatment on some non-seasonal flowers (peonies and tulips) in order to get them to stay open long enough for the wedding – consider us impressed!

Kelsey + Andrew’s Rustic Accents

Florist: Overgrowth Floral, Grand Rapids, MI

Why we love it: Organic, whimsical, blush tones = must-have ingredients to a stellar floral design. Kelsey and Andrew used these pretties on their accent tables in the space – to spice up even the smallest spots in the venue.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to add design elements into areas of the reception like the bar, gift or guest book table, or in Kelsey and Andrew’s case, their cockail lounge area.

Laura + Cody’s Wooded Arch

Florist: Marco Alexzondra Floral & Event Design, Galien, MI

Why we love it: This private residence in Michigan City, IN was all sorts of dreamy. A permanent, towering wooded arch overlooking a hay field in its rural setting was naturally made the focal point altar for Laura and Cody’s intimate I Do’s. Assuming the arch would be filled with natural greenery as it is most times of the year, it wasn’t until a month before, when they contacted their florist with concern there wouldn’t be enough fullness in time for their June wedding. Enter, Marco Alexzondra, a true artist, who quickly inspired the possibilities and transformed the arch into a complete beauty – pairing florals used at their reception and bouquets and adding in tons of texture.

Heather + Eric’s Garden Party

Florist: Posh Petals, Grand Rapids, MI

Why we love it: Posh Petals took every nook and cranny of The Veranda and turned it into a floral opportunity. No flower went to waste with this crew! From adding greenery to every place setting to decorating our new gold-framed chalkboard, we loved the floral garlands spread throughout the venue to make it come to life.

 

Best Wedding Dress

Photo Credit: Bride Jen (left) Rachael Osborn Photography | Bride Chelsea (top right) Jill Tiongco Photography | Bride Ashley (bottom right) Stephanie Gamble Photography

 

Bride Jen

Designer:  Behati by Hayley Paige

Purchased from: Bella Bianca in Oakbrook, IL

Price point: $3,000 before alterations 

Bride Chelsey

Designer: Carolina Dress from the Gossamer Collection of Anna Campbell 

Price point: $3000-$4000

Bride Ashley

Designer:Designer is Ti Adora, purchased at Bianka Bridal in Grand Rapids

Price point: $1500 after alterations

 

Most Stunning Bride

Photo Credit: Bride Constance (top left) Brian Kinyon | Bride Mackenzie (right) Gingertown Photography | Bride Kristina (bottom left) Rachael Osborn Photography

This category was created to capture gorgeous brides that not only brought all aspects of their look together perfectly (thing makeup, hair, dress), but they emulate poise and beauty on the inside too!

Bride Constance

Bride Constance had a major problem to troubleshoot the week of her wedding and she handled it with complete grace. If you didn’t hear her story, you would have thought everything was as perfect as could be on her wedding day – she glowed. Check out her perspective on the week’s events:

“Like most brides, I had a Pinterest board of wedding dress ideas for months before I went to try on dresses and once I figured out what shape suited my frame best I absolutely fell in love with a blush pink Lazaro a-line gown. I didn’t think I would find it, but when my mother and I went to Macy’s, there it was on a mannequin right in front of me! I said I had to try it on and didn’t even ask to see how much it was. Of course it was out of my price range, but I tried it on anyway and it was perfect. Unfortunately I really couldn’t afford it. I left the store and decided I would explore my options. After a lot of talking with friends and family and some research my aunt suggested I talk to a friend of hers who is a costume seamstress to see if she could make a similar dress. Long story short, we went down the custom-made route and I trusted my seamstress. But as spring turned to summer and the seamstress still hadn’t started on the dress for my September wedding we started to worry. She assured us that this was all a part of her timeline. By August there still was not a full dress for me to try on, but I was so busy with wedding planning and so blinded by my commitment to this plan that I stuck with her.

The Sunday before my wedding my mother and I went out to her house so that I could try on the dress. It still wasn’t completely done and what we saw was so far from our expectations. My mom launched into fix-it mode and called the Macy’s where I had tried on the original dress. They still had the floor model and would sell it to us for a discount. We got the dress on the Wednesday before the wedding and rushed to a tailor that could do emergency alterations. Three seamstresses at the tailor shop worked around the clock. On the Friday before the wedding I had to get from Chicago to Michigan for the rehearsal dinner and the second dress was still being altered. In the end we made a plan for my mother’s boyfriend to drive back to Chicago first thing on Saturday morning (the day of the wedding!) to get the dress and we had to just hope that one fitting would be enough. I was a nervous wreck the night before the wedding and could hardly sleep, but at 11am the dress arrived and fit! I give most of the thanks for the success of this VERY last minute change to my mother and her ability to jump into action when I was starting to shut down due to anxiety. As Shakespeare said, all’s well that ends well and I think this turned out quite well.”

 

Bride Kristina

Kristina was a complete showstopper at her wedding! This fitted gown with a scopped back photographed beautifully. We love her low, loose hair style and her make up was impeccable. Kristina was a joy to work with from the day we met her. She was in the middle of relocating states with her then-fiance and together they were planning majority of their wedding from Tennessee. This girl never once complained and always viewed this special day as a day of honor, and not one of tension. This is one of the most beautiful qualities we love seeing in our clients!

Hair: Rachel from Czar Salon & Spa

Makeup: Gina from Czar Salon & Spa

Dress Designed: Essence of Australia

Dress Boutique: Crystal Bride in Geneva, IL

Bride Mackenzie

Not only do we think this girl is STUNNING, but she managed to keep complete sanity on her wedding day with her growing family by her side – like the others in this category, we can’t say enough about her radiance on the inside and out. Being a hairstylist and make up artist herself, Bride Mackenzie new exactly the look she was going for – complete with creating her own head piece to complete the day of look. While most head pieces can be purchased upwards of $100, her supplies cost $40-$50 and made in an hour. We see over 100 gowns a year, but the entire team commented on this stunner. With the fitted shape and bohemian style top of her gown paired with her overall natural glam, we couldn’t resist!

Gown Designer:  Theia Couture, Natalia

Gown Purchased from: Flutter Bridal Boutique, Minneapolis, MN

Gown Price point: $1,500 before alterations 

 

 

Honorable Mentions!

Hayley + Joey’s Midsummer Night’s Dream

Photo Credit: 430 Studios

Why we love it: Wait, what’s not to love? Groom, Joey’s desire was to have a theme that depicted a Midsummer Night’s Dream – complete with twinkle lights strung in the open air Veranda @ The Whitcomb for their June wedding. The transformation was beautiful and significant. It was easy to draw inspiration from this wedding. In fact, we saw many other Veranda couples who sought to create a similar look after seeing this! Kudos to Burns Rental for creating the foresty look on the ceiling and architecture columns.

Such a remarkable year for 1928 Planning and looking so forward with what 2017 holds for our team! Hope you’ve enjoyed a recap of our favorite memories of 2016 and have found some inspiration of your own!

 

Cheers!

   

 

We love sharing stories of 1928 Real Weddings with our fans! Travis and Michaja’s August celebration was one we couldn’t skip out on. They were such a fun duo to work alongside in the planning stages and their venue selection was a first for us – actually a first in history! They were host to the first wedding reception held at 12 Corners Vineyards in Benton Harbor, Michigan. More to come on that cool place later! We’ll give you the inside tour of their big day – the venue, food, decorations, and all of the details in between.

The Accessories

With wedding colors of cobalt blue and black, their accessories paired perfectly. The bride easily found her something blue while complementing their wedding colors. We are shoe obsessed over here at 1928 – couldn’t resist sharing a few photos! Completing the groom’s look were stylish shades – working double-duty on the sunny August day.

Untitled

The Venue

The Vineyard at 12 Corners is one of Southwest Michigan’s newest tented wedding venues, and from a planner’s perspective, offers SO much for couples looking for a location that is beautifully backdropped, private, and in the heart of wine country. The property sits on 115 acres of land, surrounded by grape vineyards, an apple orchard, corn fields and so much more. What all does this mean for you? You have access to unlimited photo opportunities – not even needing to think about going off-site to capture something beautiful.

5

The Ceremony

As guests arrived for the wedding ceremony, they were welcomed with a 12 Corners wine tasting experience. As they sampled wine created by the grapes surrounding them, they strolled through the vineyard. It was the perfect way of setting the scene for a stellar atmosphere and celebration to come.

The ceremony took place in the on-site apple orchard. Seating was arranged in a slight semi-circle formation. Regardless of the size of your wedding, semi-circle setups make for a more intimate setting and have been trending with our couples for the last few years.

1 As the ceremony began, guests were happily surprised with a dancing processional, filled with Travis and Michaja’s closest family and friends.  Such a fun group of people in attendance that we wouldn’t expect anything less!

2

4

The Decor and Details

Boy do we swoon over a unique reception layout! The guest list was set at 200 attendees. The reception layout was mixed with a variety of styled tables, including traditional round table seating, King Arthurs (8ft x 5ft), and rented Napa Farmhouse Tables from 1928. The Napa’s look like they were made for a venue like The Vineyard, and paired with linen tables, softened up the space just right.

7

Photo Credit: Josh Nowicki (above)

The centerpieces, miscellaneous beer growlers filled with baby’s breath and hints of white roses, were kept simplistic, knowing that the venue and atmosphere tends to speak for itself.

The additions of wine barrel cocktail tables and lounge furniture from 1928’s Rental Collection completed the look in the lounge space adjacent to the tent. This space is typically used for cocktail hour and as a space for guests to relax after dinner. Decorating and lighting this space is key – guests will spend so much time out there on a beautiful day!

8

6

 

The Chow and Cocktails

Cocktails:

We mentioned earlier that the wine guests enjoy at the wedding reception is made exclusively at 12 Corners. To round out their bar menu, were local brewery, Bells, (located in Kalamazoo) – featuring Oberon and Two Hearted Ale, and a specialty cocktail named “Love, Love, Love” composed of blueberry lemonade and vodka.

Chow:

Catering service was provided by CK Catering (the exclusive caterer at the venue). We highly encourage couples to work with CK – their menu options are so expansive and the food is always tasty. Dinner was served family-style – a popular option most couple’s select and a super casual way for guests to enjoy their meal without getting out of their seat.

9

The desserts were pies from local hot spot, Grandpa’s Cider Mill. As a late night snack surprise, the famous Ice Cream Truck made an appearance, allowing guests to indulge in a summer sweet treat and likely filled with guests reminiscing of the ice cream man from when they were kiddos.

3

We couldn’t have asked for a better introduction on 1928’s behalf to The Vineyard at 12 Corners. It was a beautiful day and beautiful couple and we hope sharing a little ounce into their celebration gives you a glimpse of potential ideas for your own!

 

Vendors:

Venue: The Vineyard @ 12 Corners, managed by White Space Events.

Coordination & Rentals: 1928 Planning Co.

Liquor: Liquor Locker and 12 Corners Winery

Lighting Design: Schades of Light

Baker: Grandpa’s Cider Mill

Florist: Stella Event Design

DJ: Kaleidoscope Events

Photographer: Blueline Photography

 

 

 

daniellesig-01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think I speak for most – between the weddings you and your beau attend each year and all of the ones you’re sure your guests attend, you are looking for something that says wow – something that embodies your signature wedding, something that will entertain your guests and make them remembering your wedding long after the night is over. We’ve seen some great ways to incorporate non-traditional wedding entertainment ideas over the last several seasons. Because of the impact we see that it can bring to a celebration, we felt the need to share! We just might help you get some ideas flowing of your own with just how cool and creative some of these are! Enjoy!

 

Interactive games

We love the reaction on a guests’ face when they see interactive games on display at a reception. This wedding entertainment idea can range so much: mad libs to play while waiting for dinner service to begin, i-Spy games for kids (or hey, adults too!), lawn games like cornhole and giant jenga, word search napkins to grab at the bar, honestly – the list goes on!

2

Photo Credit: Chandler Rose Photography (right, top left)

Food

We find ourselves blogging about food a lot – shouldn’t shock you. Bringing food to the forefront and focal point at a reception is what most are looking to do. Considering you will likely spend a good portion of your wedding budget in the food category, I’m sure you’ll want to make an awesome impression!

Try tasting menus to evolve the typical wedding reception meal, where each course is paired with a wine or beer selection. Consider renting a food truck for an added wedding entertainment feature during the reception. Those that we’ve seen typically debut after dinner is over, when the appetite starts to come back once dancing begins. Having a killer late night snack will leave guests with a full-foodie experience and that lasting impression that we mentioned. If going the food truck route – try the famous Ice Cream Truck, Mimi’s Cupcakes on Wheels, or The Hotdog Cart! If looking to stay in-house for food, ask your caterer what options they offer for late night (sliders, pizzas, french fries, sundae bars, s’mores!) – sorry it’s coming up on lunchtime here!

1

Photo Credit: Blueline Photography (right) | 430 Studios (bottom left)

Atmosphere

This is what it’s all about. One of my favorite parts of planning is helping build your layout of the venue, where each table and design feature is meticulously placed in order to maximize the guest experience. Wedding entertainment can mean a lot of things – and having the ultimate, inviting atmosphere is one of them. Atmosphere is not only about the venue you select to host the celebration, but about the guest comfort you create for them within the venue. Lighting is key to adding ambiance after dark (especially the work from Schades of Light!) Pair that with a lounge environment with comfy couches and chairs and you’ve got yourself a winner. Think about adding some other entertaining items, like a cigar bar, or the yard games mentioned above.

Untitled

Photo Credit: 430 Studios (top) | Blueline Photography (bottom)

After party

Not a whole lot to justify here! After parties have been wedding trending and here’s why. It’s likely that your guests have traveled far to be a part of the festivities. It’s also likely that your reception venue closes shop between 11:00p – midnight. But does that mean your guests have to say nighty-night? Nope! It’ll give you just that much more time to celebrate with guests – who will appreciate the extra effort made too! Looking for the top after party locations in town? Check it out here!

 

We’ve got tons more ideas to share – just reach out to us!

daniellesig-01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For 1928 Planning, holiday weekends always bring us an extra level of excitement and when you add in coordinating a wedding for a phenomenal couple, well, you realize just how awesome of a career you have! Jackie & Andy’s Fourth of July wedding celebration at The Veranda @ The Whitcomb in St. Joseph, MI, stars in our latest Real Weddings edition – and we are eager to share!

READY

Just like you’d hope for in July, it was gorgeous weather for their outdoor wedding celebration. After spending the morning getting ready at The Boulevard Inn, Jackie and Andy shared their intimate first look at easily the most breathtaking view of the city and Lake Michigan from atop the Whitcomb Tower. We are always telling people how much of a hidden gem it is – it never disappoints!

BG

Being just a quick jaunt away from Tiscornia Beach, the bridal party took a ride in style on the Sunset Coast Trolley and headed towards the beach to take advantage of one of the most noted landmark’s the city has to offer: The North Pier Lighthouse.

BRIDAL

The rooftop ceremony was, believe it or not, a first for The Veranda. It made for quite a special time and one that 1928 was thankful to be a part of! After trouble securing a ceremony location on a holiday weekend, Jackie and Andy were encouraged by their photographer, Ben Pancoast Photography, to check out The Veranda’s blank slate rooftop and have their wedding ceremony propped right above the bluff that overlooks Lake Michigan. Remember when I said the views don’t disappoint? This here was no exception.

CEREMONY 1
Their summer inspired color scheme complemented the rooftop perfectly, with pops of bright coral in their decor, florals, and bridesmaids dresses. They even topped off each ceremony chair with a pair of signature sunglasses both as favors and to keep their guests comfortable during the sunny afternoon ceremony.

CEREMONY 4

Untitled

As the ceremony ended, guests made their way downstairs to enjoy an hour of cocktails, music and delicious bites while lounging on the rented patio furniture in the connected garden. The layout of the reception was so unique – filling the space with large King Arthur tables to provide larger seating capacity at each table. It was a great way to add some dimension to the venue and to fit a larger guest count.

RECEP 1

The charcoal gray linens and ruffled runners paired with bundles of free-spirit coral roses made such a statement in the monochromatic atmosphere of The Veranda. Throughout the venue, no detail was forgotten. They designed signage that matched the table number with photos of both Andy and Jackie at the age. Something we are sure the guests enjoyed looking through as they found their seats for dinner service.

RECEP 2

The night was filled with family-style dinner service provided by (the awesome!) CK Catering, and delicious mini pies and cupcake bites from Amanda Marie’s Bakery for dessert hour. As the sun set, guests enjoyed dancing, sparklers, and anxiously awaiting the Fourth of July fireworks display over Lake Michigan.

FOOD

RECEP 3

As dusk came, the much anticipated firework show began, displaying in ideal view for the wedding guests gathered in the garden and on the walkway of The Veranda. It was literally a picture-perfect ending to their reception and sent guests off on such a high note! Jackie and Andy enjoyed the fireworks from the Tower. It made for some remarkable photos and a few minutes of alone time with each other to take it all in as their reception came to a close.

FIREWORKS

For more details on Jackie and Andy’s big day and so much more, contact 1928!

Vendors for Jackie & Andy:

Day of Coordination & Rentals: 1928 Planning Co.

Catering: CK Catering

Baker: Amanda Marie’s Bakery

Florals: Crystal Springs Florist

Photography: Ben Pancoast Photography

Music: DJ – Music Unlimited | Harpist – Meg Rodgers

Transportation: Sunset Coast Trolley

Lighting: Schades of Light

daniellesig-01

 

 

 

 

 

 

1928 Planning has seen first-hand the impact that lighting design can have on a reception and believes that the finished product is invaluable. 1928 partners with local wedding lighting design company, Schades of Light to offer front-end communication to clients. We thought what better way for our readers to get to know Schades of Light than to have them guest blog for us and explain in their words the ultimate question: Do I Need Wedding Lighting?

Schades of Light Q & A

With Owner, Stephanie Schadler

dots

How did Schades of Light come to be?

In 2008, a mother of a bride asked if I would help decorate her daughter’s wedding. They had two bags full of lights and tulle fabric from a friend’s wedding and showed me how they wanted it hung. I thought, sure I can help out, this can’t be too hard and I got to work.  Well, five hours later, a few phone calls to family and friends and a couple of trips to the store, I was done!  After receiving payment I thought there has to be an easier way to do this!  So the following wedding season I bought my own supplies, setup a process of how to work efficiently and we’ve been at it ever since!

 

What local venues has Schades of Light provided services?

The Veranda @ The Whitcomb, The Boulevard Inn, Shadowland Ballroom, Blue Dress Barn, The Vineyard @ 12 Corners, Hidden Vineyard, and Harbor Shores.

4

Photo Credit: Jennifer Mayo Studios (top) | 430 Studios (bottom)

Why do you love what you do?

Every event is a happy one!  Each one is different and unique in their own way and I love getting to meet the bride and groom and their family.

 

What would you say is your favorite part?

Seeing the finished product! I love going back just before the wedding starts to see how everything came together.

 3

Photo Credit: Ben Pancoast Photography (top) | 430 Studios (bottom right) | Woodnote Photography (bottom left)

Some couples don’t see a need to have lighting at a reception. Make your case. Why is it important?

In the summer months (our busiest season), couples often think that since the sun sets around 9:30p that they don’t really need any additional lighting.  Although the sun is setting late, only on a perfect sunny day will you have a lot of natural light. What about cloudy, overcast, or rainy days?

We try to avoid turning on any permanent lighting in a venue because although it is functional lighting, it just doesn’t have the ambiance that most couples are looking for.

Some couples will also say they have a lot of candle light planned for their tablescapes. What if it’s a windy day and the candles can’t stay lit?

Local venues that have a separate lounge area are usually dark, and by adding a few stands of cafĂ© lights it’ll make the space welcoming for guests and add a safety factor too.

 

For someone who knows their venue needs lighting but doesn’t know how to get started choosing what will work best, what would you suggest to them?

Gather pictures – either inspiration photos online or from another source so we have a clear idea of what they are looking for.  We show them pictures of the venue from other events with lighting options to give them a realistic view.  Most of the time the venue is empty when they view it and that makes it hard to visualize the space all decorated. That’s what we are here for – to help you see your ideas!

 2

Photo Credit: Dan Stewart Photography (bottom) |  430 Studios (top right) | Zachary Photography (top left)

What is your most popular service?

Paper lanterns. We offer a variety of color options to our clients that typically match their color schemes. It’s more of a casual look and complements most venues.

 

Where do you see wedding lighting design going?

A move towards simple elegance, using lights, fabric and chandeliers. We recently added a group of chandeliers to our services! We are super excited to begin offering them for the 2015 wedding season!

 1

Photo Credit: Jennifer Mayo Studios (bottom) | Bjlr Photography (top right)

Anything else you want to share your expertise on?

What we often hear are brides and grooms wanting to save money and purchase their own lighting decorations, install and tear it down themselves. It usually takes a lot more time than they think – time they could be enjoying their big day.  At the end of the night they really don’t want to worry about tearing everything down, especially after a few drinks! With our pricing, we include not only the inventory but the setup and tear down. You won’t have to lift a finger!

For more on Schades of Light and how they can be a part of your wedding day, contact us!

daniellesig-01

 

 

 

 

 

Real weddings are one of our favorite things to share! We’ve been SO anxious to reveal the details of Steve & Lauren’s beautiful wedding day, and guess what, that day has finally come! It was a warm, June afternoon and perfect for their outdoor wedding reception at one of our favorite venues, The Veranda @ The Whitcomb. We think you’ll be able to tell by the breathtaking photography that there was an abundance of beautiful decor, fun, and love in the air!

Sarkisian Collage (2)

Photo Credit: Luna Dulce Photography

One of the best hidden gems about The Veranda { probably not so hidden after this post ♥ } is having exclusive access to The Whitcomb’s Tower for one-of-a-kind, beautiful photography. The tower marks one of the highest points in the city and gives off breathtaking views of Silver Beach, the St. Joseph Lighthouse and Lake Michigan. Most often the tower is used as a first look spot for couples to see each other before the fast-paced day sets in. Steve and Lauren wanted a special place to capture their first seen moments and thought the tower would be the perfect spot. What do you think? Isn’t this an awesome find?!

Collage 4

To help create a soft and romantic ambiance in the reception space, they chose shades of taupe, grays, and creams to create a breathtaking, monochromatic look that complimented the architecture of the venue effortlessly. We adored the details of the wedding, with statement-making chiavari chairs {so pretty!}, mercury glass-embellished floral vases and candle holders as well as silver charger plates as a special feature on the head table {a must have and available to rent from CK Catering!} Let me just say how photos don’t do this look justice!

Sarkisian 6/22/13 Veranda

I can’t believe I’ve gone this far in our blog without mentioning the florals! Major shout out to Crystal Springs Florist for their creative floral arrangements! The reception table layout was super unique, mixing round tables, banquet tables and kings tables for a great, eye-catching look. The centerpieces had a ton of texture in them and being a shorter arrangement, guests were able to engage and chat during the reception without having tall centerpieces in the way. Guest tables were filled with an abundance of candles and once the sun went down, added the perfect amount of glow. It complimented the work of Schades of Light, who provided extra lighting design {cafe bulbs and paper lanterns} in the space.

Collage 5

The food, provided by CK Catering, was a major talking piece amongst guests. Steve and Lauren’s customized menu featured a lot of unique elements, like salt block scallops, cucumber salmon rolls, and mini tacos, and was a full of trending food arrangements like their late night snack {chicken satay and quesadillas} and the ultimate dessert station for their guests, filled with mini creme pie shooters, fruit tarts, chocolate-covered strawberries, cupcakes, and baklava! Are you as hungry as I am now?

Well they didn’t stop at the creativity of their menu because they also sported an awesome gentleman’s hour with a slew of craft beer selections and whiskey drinks topped with a crispy bacon garnish.

Sarkisian Collage (1) It really was the perfect weather outside and we enjoyed seeing their guests take advantage of the rented lounge furniture adding a little touch of comfort to the garden patio. It’s a great way for people to relax while watching the sunset over Lake Michigan or take a break from the packed dance floor! The night was finished with one of our most popular send off’s, the always picture-perfect sparkler exit! Their guests lined the outer walkway to surround them with lots of love as Steve and Lauren made their exit as Mr. and Mrs!

Collage 6

To Steve & Lauren: we enjoyed SO much getting to know you and working to coordinate your dream wedding. It was such a beautiful sight to see and be included in and we are so happy for you both!

Want to hear more from us? Contact us!

– Danielle