I have been waiting a long time for this wedding! Not only are Melissa and Todd two amazing people, they are also a TON of fun and have some of the most genuine friends and family I have ever met.

One of the reasons that I was looking forward to their big day, besides the outstanding team of vendors we chose, was the location. If you haven’t been to the Horticultural Gardens on MSU’s campus, you are surely missing out. The arboretum has a few different garden areas, including the Japanese garden where the girls did their finishing touches and the English garden where the cocktails were served. The day was perfectly sunny and a little warm, so we made sure the guests stayed hydrated with bottled water during the ceremony. A must on a hot August day!

The ceremony in the round was the perfect mix of sentiment and celebration. Rev. Kirk Haas officiated, and Melissa’s brother surprised everyone by playing & singing the recessional song. It was incredibly heartwarming.

I loved the personalized ties for the guys and the perfect shade of purple on the bridesmaids! Melissa was STUNNING in the dress she purchased from my favorite bridal salon, Gina’s Bridal. Look at those shoes!

After the ceremony, Alison took Melissa and Todd out for some photos and I am in awe at how beautiful they look!

One of my favorite moments from the day was right before the reception began. I was standing outside of the tent with the happy newlyweds before the grand entrance and turned to look at them. The smiles on their faces and the smitten look in their eyes let me know that the day was a huge success. During the reception the dancefloor was packed! I swear I have never seen so many awesome dance moves. Pretty sure someone pulled out the running man, at least once. :)

I had a lot of favorite moments during the day, but watching Todd and the bridesmaids serenade Melissa was by far the funniest scene all day. The girls choreographed the routine flawlessly and Todd belted out the lyrics to Cover Girl, by New Kids on The Block. Yes, it was the perfect addition to an already entertaining day.

At the end of the night, I was able to just sit for a few minutes and really take in the day. Days like this really remind me why I do what I do. Watching something that we have worked so hard on for so many months, with so much emotion and excitement, and seeing it come together in the most perfect of ways, is rewarding. It all boils down to the people involved. The bride and groom, the mom and dad, the best friend, the vendors… nothing brings people together like a good ole-fashioned wedding. ::Sigh:: I love my job.

Melissa & Todd, You two already know how much I adore you, so I will skip the sappiness. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect match and can’t wait to see where life takes you. I know you will do amazing things together. Thank you for bringing me into your big day plans! XOXO

Make sure to check out the fabulous trailer below, by Owen Video! You will LOVE it.

Melissa + Todd | Wedding Trailer from Andy Owen on Vimeo.

Team of Pros:

• Wedding Planning & Design: Amanda of Bliss Weddings & Events
• Assistant Coordination: Courtney of Bliss Weddings & Events
• Photography: Alison of Bates Photographic, Delia Turner second shooting
• Video: Andy of Owen Video
• DJ: Sara of Platinum Mix Productions
• Officiant: Rev. Kirk Haas Secular Ceremony
• Cake: Family Friend
• Floral: Sebesta Design
• Linens: Bliss Weddings & Events
• Rentals & Venue: MSU Horticultural Gardens, CE Lewis Arboretum

The past few months have been absolutely crazy with events, two vacations and a ton of details in the midst. I promise to be back to the regularly scheduled program in the next week as things start to slow down. In the meantime, I will leave you with some eye candy from recent events. I hope this bribe little taste will keep you satisfied until we meet again. ;)

Photo 1: Bates Photographic Photo 2: Mike Staff Productions