Michael & Ally’s University of Michigan Wedding at the League
Ann Arbor | Michigan
A Gorgeous University of Michigan Wedding in Ann Arbor
A perfect Michigan day in Ann Arbor with garden party inspired florals, rich pops of color and laughter filling the halls of the Michigan League celebrating the love of Ally & Michael.
The morning started off in a familiar way. The sound of heels clinking on vintage wood floors. Light streaming in through stained glass windows. Students huddled up in comfy chairs.
If you're a Boilermaker like Kayla, Ally, & Michael, that description is likely to make think that this wedding was at our beloved Purdue Memorial Union.
Nope. But man, it sure looked and felt like it! These two Purdue grads are Michigan transplants while Michael finishes up his graduate program, so celebrating their love story at the Michigan League, which looks and feels like the PMU in miniature, was the natural choice. They got to have a little bit of a feel of home, while showing off their new home base to their favorite people.
When we arrived, the day was already in full swing. The groomsmen were goofing off in the hallway while the ladies were SWOONING over Al's uhMAZING floral choices and getting a little emotional over her something borrowed (her mom's earrings from her own wedding day!!!!)...and dying laughing over duck tape and lidocaine spray. IYKYK. And are you KIDDING with that BHLDN stunner of a dress?! BHLDN takes our breath away every single time, and Ally's Miles gown is no exception. Absolutely stunning (both the dress and the bride in it!).
Ally & Michael have been dating since high school (!). In fact, Michaels mom was their Sunday school teacher, and she remembers when they were in elementary school thinking Ally was an absolute doll...and telling her husband that she hoped that one day Michael would marry someone with her character and charisma. If only she knew!!
When you've been together as long as these two have, the first look hits different. Yes, it's the excitement of seeing each other on your wedding day for the first time (other than their breakfast date together, be still our hearts), but more than that, it's the culmination of a decade+ of getting older, maturing, growing in love and respect for each other, intertwining lives and friendships and goals all coming to a head in this one singular day; the day that all of that hard work finally cements itself in a legal partnership.
So, yeah, you could say emotions were high in this sweet first look in the garden. And boy was it SWEET.
After their private and intimate first look, we bopped out into the quad for their family photos. With families this big and this fun, we always try to knock out at least the majority of family photos before the ceremony without the pressure of tending to other wedding guests. It's a logistical choice, but it's also an experience choice.
Family is SO important to Ally & Michael, so doing family photos this way allows them to get these family heirlooms in a stress free way, while also giving them time to take in the day ahead of them and spend some time just chilling out and being together before the rest of the day unfolds.
Also, this is a friendly reminder that it is never (ever) worth the stress or ruining the vibe to try and get babies to smile, because these photos? They're real life, and they're hilarious, and can you even imagine how much fun it's going to be for these sweet babes to recreate these photos at their OWN weddings in 20 years with Aunt Ally and Uncle Michael?! Priceless.
Ally is a colorful QUEEN, so it was a no brainer to mesh all of her favorite hues together in an inspired garden party palette, full of colorful blooms with accents of deep ocean blues and rich greens. We canNOT get enough of mix and match ensembles, and these two and their crew pulled it off SO WELL. The colors complemented each other perfectly. and were the perfect pop against the late summer hues that campus is full of.
Also, can we just get a round of applause for this hype crew?! All day long, these sweet humans were checking on their couple. Bringing drinks, running errands, giving little hugs and words of encouragement. Your people really do set the vibe for your day, and this squad kept the vibes immaculate.
Remember that bit about these two knowing each other since Sunday school? Cementing their vows in a beautiful sanctuary in honor of that was a no brainer. A mix of tradition and personal touches came together in a sweet and symbolic ceremony in the beautiful Student Parish on campus.
After sending their guests on their way to drinks & apps, the four of us went out adventuring around the city to hit up some of their favorite places for their couples portraits. Since their ceremony was earlier in the day, Michael & Ally hadn't had much time to just soak up each others presence yet, so it was so important to us to escape for a little bit to capture them in a way authentic to them and their relationship, but also to give them some time to just be together as husband and wife for the first time.
Those beautiful hues & blooms that Ally chose? They couldn't have been more perfect for the rich wood background of The Michigan League, and set the stage perfectly for their party celebrating their marriage.
A round of speeches from both sets of parents, the maid of honor and best man, and the announcement of the scavenger hunt winner (how fun, right??) started the night off perfectly before one of the most delicious wedding dinners we've ever tasted, a hilariously "them" cake cutting complete with custom cutting utensils, and first dances that had people both dabbing at their eyes and laughing at the same time.
The party truly didn't stop all night long (other than quick breaks over to the popcorn cart, because HARRY'S!!!!), and it was the most perfect way to end the celebration of these two, thier love, and all that's to come.
Congratulations, Mr & Mrs Wadas!!! We love you SO MUCH and couldn't be more grateful we got to support and love on you on your best day ever. We're confident that the very best is yet to come with a love as strong, confident, and playful as yours.
