Where do I begin with Shannon + Michael's Jewish wedding at the Michigan League Ann Arbor? Their meet-cute story is the sweetest. They met online and it was so funny Shannon + Michael talked about their first meeting in their vows. Meant to be! Not only were Shannon + Michael really fun to film at the Michigan League in Ann Arbor...we got to work alongside with one of our favorite wedding planners (Melissa Marie Events) and wedding photographers (Matt and Ashley Photography).
First Look Photo Session at the Michigan League Ann Arbor.
photo credit: Matt and Ashley Photography
I asked Shannon + Michael to share more about their Jewish wedding at The Michigan League in Ann Arbor.
Wedding Style We wanted something that was elegant and special. The building we got married in was built in the 1920s and so we carried a "nod to art deco" throughout.
Tell us about your wedding We both did our graduate work at the University of Michigan and met and fell in love, and live in Ann Arbor, so it was an easy decision to get married on campus. When we walked into the Michigan League, it just felt right. Plan A was to get married on Ingalls Mall, right outside the League, overlooking the graduate school, however, mother nature had another idea in mind. Our ceremony took place in the ballroom and honestly, it was perfect. We chose sapphire blue and gold as our wedding colors. While they give a nod to Michigan, we chose them because they created the ambiance that we were looking for.
We are both Jewish and so we wanted to incorporate cultural and religious elements into our wedding. We were married by a friend, who is also a Rabbi, which helped make our ceremony beautiful and light hearted and teeming with the traditions that mean the most to us. Both of us identify as Reform and so we wanted to focus on the egalitarian nature of our relationship and incorporate as many traditions as possible. We were married under a chuppah or wedding tent, we did circling before we went under the chuppah, the Rabbi, and family/friends read the seven blessings, we signed a Ketubah (or Jewish wedding contract), placed each other's rings on our right index fingers symbolizing the fastest connection to the heart, were wrapped in a tallis (prayer shawl), while we received a blessing from our parents, and of course, Mike broke the glass at the very end. In addition to the vows said in both English and Hebrew, "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine", we wrote our own vows to share. Saying our own vows terrified me, but it was so important to Mike and it honestly was very meaningful.
After the ceremony, we wanted our family and friends to enjoy excellent drinks, food, and dancing. Our cocktail hour was graced by the four string quartet that played at our ceremony while our signature drink, the French 75, was served with specially sourced, local alcohol from a distillery we love. Our guests had access to a variety of hot and cold appetizers while the ballroom was "flipped" for the reception.
During our cocktail hour the ballroom was transformed. Our amazing cake was front and center as everyone walked in. We had a mix of round and square tables draped in alternating blue and gold linens with gold chiavari chairs. Our florist made gorgeous centerpieces with pale colors and lots of greenery. We also had a photo booth and a DJ. Our DJ brought in uplighting as well; which really gave the room a different feel. After an incredible dinner we did traditional dances and then the party really started.
Michigan League Ann Arbor Wedding Film
Wedding Cinematography: 97 Films
How did you two meet? Let's call it a modern day fairy tale. We were both living and working in Ann Arbor and almost met a few different times. We finally met via Coffee Meets Bagel. Our first date was at Jolly Pumpkin over sour beer and truffle fries. I think Mike planned for 90 minutes if it was a good date. We left the restaurant like four hours after we arrived.
How did he/she propose? We have been fortunate enough to travel Nassau, Bahamas each year we have been together. A year before Mike proposed, we were walking on the beach and I told him that I would love to bring our moms the next year because I thought they would love it so much. Fast forward one year later, we were walking on the same beach, moms behind us, and Mike went down on one knee and proposed. It was so beautiful and special and we got amazing pictures to look back on. And to Mike's credit, he proposed in an aloha shirt (his signature style) and bathing suit.
What was your color palette and your style vision? We chose sapphire blue and gold as our wedding colors. Our florist incorporated beautiful spring flowers of lighter colors and lots of greenery into our chuppah, bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces. We went for a "nod to art deco" as our unifying theme. In the end, everything came together more beautiful and perfect than we could have imagined.
What unique elements or DIY details did you include? The person who did our invitations and programs made us a customized, one-of-a-kind monogram that is ours to keep. The monogram was art deco inspired and was carried through so many elements of the wedding. It was one of the first "design" decisions we made but it inspired so many others.
What was your favorite moment? It was such a perfect day that it's hard to pick just one. Being under the chuppah with Mike really stands out to me. I remember just feeling happy and grateful in those moments. To be surrounded by family and friends, and incorporate so many traditions, and people into our ceremony, was so special.
Describe your wedding day It was just more than I ever imagined. After all of the planning and celebrations leading up to it, it felt like the perfect way to make this commitment to one another. I felt calm and excited all day, and so grateful to our family and friends who celebrated with us. And, I just felt so happy and thankful and full of joy to be marrying Mike. When I met him, I felt like I had known him forever, and on May 19 I was beyond ready to marry him.
What is one piece of advice that you could give brides-to-be? Remember why you are doing this in the first place and let that be your guide.
Is there anything else you'd like to share? Hiring Katie was one of the best decisions we made!
Our family, friends and vendor team made our day so memorable. As you are planning your wedding, surround yourself with people who truly know you, get you, and want to celebrate with you.
Wedding Details
Bride Dress Designer Stella York
Groom Suit Designer Men's Warehouse
Bridesmaid Dress Designer Sorella Vita - Sequin Nouveau
Bride Shoe Designer Nina (ceremony) and Kate Spade Keds (reception)
Bridal Party Gifts Bridesmaids: monogrammed zip ups from Sippin Seaside and bracelets and earrings from Premier Jewelry; Groomsmen: Engraved pocket watches from Things Remembered
Ceremony & Reception Venue Michigan League
Photographer Matt and Ashley Photography
Planner Melissa Marie Events
Florist Red Poppy Floral Design
Cake Sweet Heather Anne
Officiant Rabbi Dan Horwitz
Ceremony Music Go4Baroque (four string quartet) for our ceremony and cocktail hour
Hair & Makeup Kiss and Make-Up
Ketubah (Jewish wedding contract) ketubah.com
Linens Linen Hero
Chairs Chiavari Chairs Wedding LLC
Invitations and Programs Chena Design
Welcome Bags Cherry Republic
Thank you Shannon + Michael for sharing your story and allowing us to capture one of the best days of your life! Are you getting married? Wahoo congrats!! Send me an email [katie@97films.com] or fill out the contact form and let’s chat about how AMAZING your wedding day will be and how I can capture every single detail!
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