Backyard Michigan Wedding from Elizabeth Grace + Flourish Event Design

Oh my goodness – that dress. Those flowers. The pies. The barn! Everything in this sweet Michigan wedding is completely drool-worthy. I could spend days raving about it all. Flourish Event Design planned this backyard bash to perfection. The soft palette they chose plays against the rustic barn SO beautifully. The invites were designed by the oh-so-talented Elizabeth Grace. And how sweet is it that the groom’s parents got married in this exact same yard 35 years ago? Seriously, raving for days. I’ll let the fabulous pictures from Synechdoche do the talking now, so make sure to check out Lindsey’s blog for more!

There’s much more in the Gallery!

After proposing to me at his family’s cottage on Lake Michigan on the 4th of July, Evan and I were quick to agree on a style and feel for our wedding – an intimate, casual, fun celebration for our closest family and friends. We had recently relocated from Washington, DC to Chicago where Evan was starting his MBA at the University of Chicago and didn’t feel particularly connected to either location. We were toying with the idea of a destination wedding while on a trip home in Ann Arbor when it hit us – a backyard wedding in Michigan.

All the details fell into place. Evan’s parents had been married in that same spot 35 years earlier and the sprawling yard, gorgeous old barn and extended property were perfect for a wedding. We even had the priest who married them and baptized Evan conduct the ceremony. With our planner Lindsey Nartker, we wanted to create an atmosphere that was casual, laid back and fun without overdoing anything. I was inspired by the rustic country feel of peaches, tangerines and plums, and pastoral touches of feathers, wood accents and flower pods.

Evan’s mother gifted me her antique diamond and sapphire bracelet as my ‘something blue’ – a gift that was given to her just days after Evan was born nearly thirty years ago. Elizabeth Grace designed the invitations and adorable pie flags. Many of the little touches throughout the wedding were made or hunted down by us or our families.  I commissioned my father to paint the many welcome signs; family members went antiquing to pick out the vintage vases and milk bottles; and the frames were purchased at a resale shop with new glass added. I loved the look of chalkboards and used them as well.

I really am not a fan of wedding cake, so we pulled together a pie buffet. Evan is a huge University of Michigan football fan so a custom pie topper pulled the look together. Our wedding day was everything we hoped it would be. The rain passed, friends and family gathered, and Evan and I feel so fortunate to have the love and support of everyone for our wedding and new lives together. I think one of the most special moments was our walk around the property after the ceremony with our French Bulldog puppy, Harley. It was so special to reflect on what happened. We could not be happier.

Photography: Synecdoche / Event Design: Flourish Event Design / Event Planning: Flourish Event Design / Flowers: New Creations Flower Company / Ceremony & Reception / Private Location / Invitations: Elizabeth Grace / Dress: Carolina Herrera

23 Comments about “Backyard Michigan Wedding from Elizabeth Grace + Flourish Event Design”

1. a says:

   March 31, 2011 at 12:17 pm

   GORGEOUS Dress! Just amazing!!!
2. HiLLjO says:

   March 31, 2011 at 12:21 pm

   YAY! Wolverines!!! I'm a Mich. native so I will have something to talk about all through til Sunday now!
3. Alison says:

   March 31, 2011 at 12:52 pm

   What a gorgeous wedding. Blissfully happy couple, perfect dress, pies... What more could you want?
4. Courtney says:

   March 31, 2011 at 2:19 pm

   AMAZING! I live in Ann Arbor and have my entire life (however I am a Spartan fan). This wedding is wonderful and gave me great inspiration for my Traverse City Michigan Wedding in 2012! Thanks!
5. Tiff says:

   March 31, 2011 at 4:44 pm

   I'm in love with the cake topper!!!! Where did you get it?
6. JS says:

   March 31, 2011 at 5:21 pm

   Each individually detail is stunning by itself, but together create such a beautiful and cohesive vision. Gorgeous textures, color pallet and couple, of course!!!
7. Libby says:

   March 31, 2011 at 5:49 pm

   Beautiful blend of textures and subtle colors on a picture perfect backdrop! Congratulations!
8. SD says:

   March 31, 2011 at 6:47 pm

   Can anyone tell me the exact style name of the bride's dress? Or at least the season it is from? It is absolutely beautiful and I love it!
9. Westchester NY Wedding Photographer says:

   March 31, 2011 at 8:50 pm

   Sooo lovely! I adore this wedding, especially the pies!
10. andrea says:

    March 31, 2011 at 8:54 pm

    adorable puppy and adorable baby! congrats on a lovely, sweet wedding!
11. Claire says:

    March 31, 2011 at 9:59 pm

    Love that veil! I've been searching high and low looking for one like that but haven't had any luck yet. Where did she get it?
12. Becky says:

    March 31, 2011 at 10:08 pm

    Love this wedding - got me even more excited for my MI wedding in two months. Such beautiful and creative elements
13. Alex says:

    April 1, 2011 at 7:17 am

    I particularly love the hand-painted sign and the frames with the table assignments. Some steady hands at work. Beautiful! And the puppy is precious!
14. Rachel says:

    April 1, 2011 at 7:20 am

    The veil is from Ultimate Bride in Chicago, and the dress is from there as well, its Cecilia - Fall 2009.
15. Alex says:

    April 1, 2011 at 8:20 am

    In re the cake topper, google "Michigan Wolverines Wedding Cake Topper" and you'll find it.
16. Amy says:

    April 1, 2011 at 1:22 pm

    In love with her dress! What is the name of it?
17. Lindsey says:

    April 1, 2011 at 1:27 pm

    Your pictures are great!! Where did you order the parasol umbrella's from? I am getting married in September and just yesterday was looking for some to order. Congratulations!
18. Kami says:

    April 18, 2011 at 12:09 pm

    So fun and adorable! I love ever bit of this wedding!
19. Marissa says:

    April 25, 2011 at 2:41 pm

    BEAUTIFUL WEDDING!! What was the venue location in Michigan??
20. Mallory says:

    April 25, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    @Marissa, the wedding was at the grooms parents house. Gorgeous, wasn't it? A perfect Michigan wedding.
21. Becky says:

    November 5, 2011 at 11:18 am

    DOES HIS PARENTS WANT TO RENT OUT THEIR BARN FOR A WEDDING??? WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A PLACE FOR OVER A YEAR NOW! ANY SUGGESTIONS???
22. Mallory says:

    November 7, 2011 at 10:50 am

    Hi Becky! I'm checking with the bride and groom with you about his parents barn. I'll let you know what I hear!

1 Links to “Backyard Michigan Wedding from Elizabeth Grace + Flourish Event Design”

1. Blog Love | Miss Hopeless Romantic says:

   April 8, 2011 at 10:12 am

   [...] I love how homemade this rustic outdoors wedding feels, also loving the cute little Frenchie! [...]

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