brian + lindsey

Once Brian and Lindsey were introduced, they knew very quickly that they would get married. But they were in no hurry to actually go through with it.

“Being the practical guy that he is,” Lindsey explained, “Brian said that we shouldn’t even talk about getting married until we had been together at least five years.”
Once the couple’s five-year anniversary passed, Lindsey became nervous. The pair even took a trip to the beautiful Tahquamenon Falls—the perfect place for a proposal!
“I was hoping he would ask me to marry him on the trip, but I had given up hope after we had been there for a few days and he still hadn’t asked,” Lindsey said. But on the final day of the trip, Brian asked Lindsey to spend the rest of her life with him. A very happy Lindsey agreed.

In September, Lindsey walked down the aisle of Trinity United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids and made her way toward Brian, surrounded by 180 of their family members and friends.

All eyes were on Lindsey as she donned a stunning detailed Justin Alexander ball gown from Fantastic Finds in Lansing. She carried an elegant white and green bouquet from Eastern Floral, which was adorned with a brooch that had belonged to her late grandmother. After taking the vows of husband and wife, the newlyweds were led to their limo by a bagpiper to celebrate Lindsey’s Irish heritage.

The celebration continued at the Goei Center, a venue that Lindsey said she and Brian “immediately fell in love with” because of its hardwood floors, classic brick walls and unique koi pond.

The two “love birds” enjoyed a reception that played off that theme in a subtle and classy way. The colors navy blue, apple green and white, framed a variety of bird-themed
decorative elements, like a large birdcage with silver birds,
and branch centerpieces with birds hanging from them. Their dessert menu even advertised “Sweet Tweets” for guests.

Emily Rae Photography captured all of the little details of the wedding so Brian and Lindsey can savor them for years to come and share their memories with those who could not make it to their big day—like Brian’s grandparents from Florida who could not make the trip due to health reasons. But even they got to share in the joy of the day: “We talked with them via Skype at the wedding,” Lindsey shared.

She and Brian were thrilled that their love could bring together so many people in celebration. Their favors of homemade apple butter and strawberry jam were labeled with the fitting phrase: “spread the love.” And they plan on spreading the love they’ve found for many years to come.

Photography: Emily Rae Photography, Grand Rapids, MI
Reception Location: Goei Center, Grand Rapids, MI
Flowers: Eastern Floral, Grand Rapids, MI
Wedding Gown: Fantastic Finds, Lansing, MI
Catering: Applause Catering, Grand Rapids, MI
Beauty: Design 1, Cascade Location, Grand Rapids, MI