It is a bittersweet week here at the ADIM office. We have two very exciting events coming up on Saturday, and on Sunday I will be returning to Ann Arbor to get ready for school. I’ve spent the last three months planning parties with these ladies, and in the meantime, thinking of my future (okay, extremely distant future) wedding. Let’s see what they have to say about their very own special days.

Where did you get married?

Alicia:  Emily and I both got married at a venue in Northern Michigan on the shores of Lake Leelanau… Crooked Creek Ranch. My best friend’s uncle has owned the property for years, so 11 years ago (wow, it’s been a long time!) when we were looking for a venue this was the original barn location in Northern Michigan and with a charm that we loved.

Emily: Pieter and I got married at Crooked Creek Ranch on Lake Leelanau. We both wanted a barn wedding, surrounded by natural property, but when we found that Crooked Creek is also on the water, it was the cherry on top. With me being an avid equestrian and Pieter being a Merchant Mariner, this blend of ‘barn meets water’ was truly the perfect backdrop to say our vows. 

Kerry:  Our wedding ceremony was at Ciccone Vineyard and the reception was at the Hagerty Center here in Traverse City. These two locales allowed our guests to experience two of our favorite things about Northern Michigan: the water and the wine 🙂

Alicia: Just like we tell our couples to enjoy the moment because the day goes by so fast that you have to make a conscience effort to slow it down, close your eyes and make a point to remember, my wedding day flew by! I have so many little memories of our wedding day that make it special, but probably my favorite, and one that most may feel is the most traumatic, was when it started raining in the middle of our wedding ceremony. We were playing Russian Roulette with the weather (I guess that’s what happens when you are a planner) and since the rain plan was my call I chose to risk it. We thought that we were in the clear as there was a little baby storm cloud in the distance and started the ceremony on time, outside, under a beautiful apple tree. After I saw my handsome groom at the end of the aisle, and my dad and I were standing at the altar, the rain started. I could see the water spots on my flower girl dresses and the rain on Kyle’s jacket collecting. My dad politely interrupted our officiant, as only a concerned dad could do (afterall I was squeezing the crap out of his arm and whispered “let’s go”) and like a good old fashioned church revival, all 133 guests picked up their chairs and moved into the back up tent which we had on stand by a stones throw away. Our friends and groomsmen moved the musician’s equipment, my dad and I stood under an umbrella and we waiting patiently and our ushers carried our pergola to the cover of the tent. God bless my wedding coordinator, Polly, she was probably dying as she watched what was happening, but to me it was incredible. All of these special people in our lives, whom we invited to celebrate with us, to host and take care of, were doing life with us. We could not control the rain but no matter what happened we were still going to get married and as community gathered that rainy day in May, we all did life together.

Tana: So many favorite moments- having all of our friends and family join us and be able to experience Northern Michigan, getting down on the dance floor with the ladies of ADIM, being able to celebrate the day with trusted colleagues who are also dear friends, our amazing ceremony performed by Rabbi Chava Bahle, I could go on and on but it was the very best day (now only second to the birth of our son).

Emily: Celebrating with everyone! Honestly, it was terribly cold during our September wedding and I think it encouraged everyone to get on the dance floor to stay warm. It was such an incredible feeling to be surrounded by the laughing, smiling (and sometimes singing) faces of everyone that you love so very much. Friends and family came from all over the States, and even as far as the Netherlands, to support and celebrate Pieter and me. I will never forget that perfect day of being all together.

Kerry: I loved being surrounded by our incredible friends and family. The day was filled with so much love all around…but my favorite moment was probably our “first look” where Jeff and I did a sneak peek before our ceremony and we were able to share a few special moments just the two of us before we spent the rest of the day celebrating!

Image via Jen Kroll Photography

What advice do you have for newly engaged couples who are planning their wedding?

Alicia: Well that’s obvious… hire us! Just kidding… kinda. In all seriousness, the advice I give to everyone I talk to, whether we plan their wedding or not, is to “enjoy the process.” I wish that as a young bride that I would have enjoyed being engaged more than the planning and one way to do that is to hire a planner and a team that will support you and your vision throughout the entire process, not just the wedding day. Also, when you make a decision, rest soundly in that decision and move on to the next item on your to do list. If you are working with a planner, trust them and the items they lay before you. If you are planning the wedding yourself, the only way to move forward and keep on task, aka: manage your project, is to keep order and build upon each decision. Set reasonable goals and give yourself enough time to complete each task.

Tana: Don’t sweat the small stuff. While a lot of details and planning- and a couple late nights/early mornings- went into our day, by the time Friday rolled around if something wasn’t done or had been bothering me, I didn’t care. To have all of our friends and family in town enjoying Northern Michigan and celebrating with us, that’s all that really matters.

Emily: Enjoy the process!! Planning a wedding can be stressful at times but I truly believe that if you stay organized and stop to smell the roses along your route, you’re going to enjoy the experience. Don’t get so caught up in the black and white details that you aren’t able to realize what special and meaningful elements you’re selecting as your backdrop. Call on your family and friends for help and don’t forget to ask the experts! There’s a wealth of knowledge out there and don’t be afraid to call on those who can help you when you need it.

What do you believe is the key to a happy and fulfilling marriage?

Alicia: Being married is the hardest, most difficult, most rewarding and incredible thing I have ever done. The key to creating a happy life with your significant other, whether married or not, is to embrace change. Life is full of twists, turns, ups, and downs. It’s not about how you weather the storm, it’s how you ride the waves; together. And its ok to reach for the swim floaties one day and do a hand stand on the surf board the next!

Tana: Patience, compromise, alone time and wine haha! In all seriousness, I love my husband but there are days when we drive each other absolutely bonkers (I’m blaming it on the fact that we’re both the first borns in our families and are very strong willed and not first to admit we’re wrong). We’ve found that it’s helpful that we each have our own hobbies and spend time away from each other just as much as we spend time together. We moved into a new house this spring (before we were a bit cramped in our condo) and the fact that he has his garage and I have the house is a blessing. Also, being able to get outside and enjoy our deck, a couple libations and conversation after the little guy goes to bed is a good thing and is certainly relaxing.

Emily: Respect and support. 100%. You cannot have a successful marriage if you don’t respect and support the person you’re with. Respect their dreams, their endeavors, their passions and their goals. Support them in their accomplishments, successes and especially when they need to be uplifted. You’ve chosen this person to be by your side forever and by being a supportive team, you’ll forever be the strength you need in each other. Laugh along the way and don’t forget to be friends. Make sure to take breaks together  from life’s hectic turns to enjoy the life that you’re creating together. I firmly believe that the reason Pieter and I are such a great team is because we are always each other’s support system.

Kerry: Laughter. When you find someone you can laugh with and you truly enjoy one another’s company, you will be able to navigate life’s highs and lows and have a fun time throughout the journey! Planning regular date nights and taking in new experiences together is also important!

 

Image via Jen Kroll Photography

While I love the times I get to joke around and laugh with these women, they are, to the core, the most caring and loving people and I cherish the times I get to see that side of them. As a girl with a bit of a black soul (Tana is with me on this one), the ADIM team somehow has convinced me to love love.

Not a goodbye but a see you later,

Libby

Oh, and don’t forget, GO BLUE!