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Page 2 • 2017 Wedding Guide
2017 Wedding Guide Publisher
Managing Editor Composition
Advertising Sales
Proofreader
Content, Design & Layout
Elizabeth Gorske
Eric Young
Sharon Ehlert & Merhia Adrian
Joyce Clark, Anthony Kachiros & Carla Reeves
Kimberly Landenberg
Tiffany Nutt
Love goes viral
Lifestyle-centered photos bringing vitality to wedding memories
Page 4
To video or not to video
Page 11
On the cover
Christy & Patrick Roche | April 2, 2016 Based out of Midland, Collier Studios has been serving the Great Lakes Bay region for more than 10 years with candid and creative wedding photography. Contributing photographers: Amber Henry Photography, Andrejka Photography, Amy Straka Photography, Collier Studios, E.C. Campbell Photography, Gary Gee Photography, JRose Photography, K. Neff Photographics & Lighthouse Graphics Photography
BY TIFFANY NUTT
AU GRES — Recently engaged couple Lisa Marshall and Devin Huber have set their wedding date as Aug. 12, 2017. Their proposal story was not only in a previous edition of the Arenac County Independent but also saw airtime in cities like Grand Rapids and Philadelphia, and was shown on the show “Live With Kelly” shortly after the fact.
LIGHTHOUSE GRAPHICS PHOTOGRAPHY
The couple met at Delta College when Devin was finishing up his degree and Lisa transferred there in 2013, according to Lisa. “That was his last semester at Delta,” Lisa said. “It was my first semester because I had transferred from Saginaw Valley State University — so it was my first, his last.” “He had cancer so he was missing school, so that
is why he was still in school at that time,” she continued. The couple’s first interaction took place when they shared an English class at Delta. After talking for over an hour, they hit it off and stayed in contact. The couple dated for about 2 1/2 years before getting engaged, Lisa said.
See VIRAL, 15
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2017 Wedding Guide • Page 3
5 points to discuss with
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Daniel L. Blamer, EA
your wedding photographer
Master Tax Advisor Franchisee
1. Price
After deciding how much of your budget will be put toward wedding photos with your significant other, talk with your photographer about price point. While this may be awkward for some, it is crucial before you agree to have someone take your photos. Depending on what you want out of your photos, the price will fluctuate according to variables like date/time, number of photos, quality of photos, etc. Decide what is most important to you and go from there.
2. Vision
While many photographers can take quality photos with the equipment that is available, everyone has a different image when they think wedding. Photographers should ask what you want but don’t assume they will have the same idea in mind. Have a list of photos you want and print out examples if you feel it necessary.
3. Experience
Ask your photographer what experience they have shooting outdoors, in low light or in quick situations. If possible take the time to look at their photos of other weddings before meeting with them and ask questions pertaining to those shots. If you find a photo you love on their site, tell them about it. Likewise, if you see something that doesn’t align with your vision, tell them.
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Do some research about what kind of equipment they use and how many shooters will be there. It may be beneficial to you to have multiple shooters in order to get simultaneous moments throughout the evening. Do they take video and if so, is that extra or included in the price? Do you want your photographer to be noticed or to be in the background? What do they have for backup equipment?
5. Details
Ask what is required of you. Will the photographer bring cords or other seemingly unimportant equipment? Do you need to feed them or will they eat before? Will they be able to take charge of people to get family group photos or should a designated crowd control person be on standby during that time? When will you take group or bridal party photos? Start with these points and you’ll be on your way to wedding photo bliss!
Call 989-820-7564 to make Reservations
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Page 4 • 2017 Wedding Guide
Lifestyle-centered photos bringing vitality to wedding memories BY TIFFANY NUTT
Buy A Wedding Gift They Will Love! Green
Hardware
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Mon.-Sat. 8 am - 8 pm Sun. 9 am - 6 pm
GRAND RAPIDS — After graduating high school at Fairview Area Schools, Jaelynn Rose Handrich was at a loss when it came to a career path. “I didn’t really have any other leads on what I wanted to do or what I was supposed to do with my life,” Jaelynn said, noting she excelled more in creative arts than in academics in school. “So I was kind of lost, then I bought my first camera.” Her first pictures were taken of her brother and his girlfriend at the time. “I put them on Facebook as something (for) fun,” Jaelynn said. “I got a lot of positive feedback from it, so I kind of just decided to take a step and start a business.” Starting out with taking photos of any subject, she began taking more photos of families and couples, and Jaelynn has now started to focus mainly on wedding photography. “Just recently, about six months ago, I decided to
take the step and get into wedding photography,” she said. “So that is mainly what I specialize in now.” “On my website and on The Knot, where a lot of my couples find me, I first lay out that I am very natural, comfortable, very lifestyle-centered.” While she is not against posed photos, she encourages her clients to be themselves to make for the best photos. Apart from basic direction, she lets her subjects interact how they want, which makes for natural photos, she said. “I just give them a basic structure of how I want them, where I want their hands, and then I just tell them to take the lead from there, be comfortable — if you want to laugh, laugh,” she said. “If you want it to be serious, if it’s a real intimate moment — I’ll capture all kinds of stuff like that.” Her specialty is creating a vision and carrying it out through the lens. “I strive to tell them that if there are certain combinations that you
want me to get (I will), but I think that a lot of my couples trust my vision to get what they want,” she said. While family group photos are essential, she said having photos that reflect who the couple is together is also important and how they really want to remember the day. With her 5D Mark 2 camera, Jaelynn utilizes multiple lenses to ensure quality and a range of pictures. “I do shoot with all prime lenses, because it does give it — kind of a weird word, but milky background — very blurry (and) it makes the couple stand out,” she said. Depending on the size of the wedding and request of the client, J. Rose Photography does have the option for a second photographer. While she is the main force behind the camera, Jaelynn likes to have an assistant with her to make adjustments to clothing, hair and anything else that might be off in the frame. “I always try to have an assistant with me at the
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2017 Wedding Guide • Page 5
wedding. It is very nice to have a second set of eyes,” she said. “Especially with details, especially when you’re working with large bridal parties.” Wedding photography has come from more posed styles to more lifestyle-centered photography, which is what she
specializes in, Jaelynn said. A widely known wedding tradition is that the groom does not see the bride until she emerges when walking down the aisle toward her future spouse, but more people are doing a more intimate first look that fits into the style of JRose
Photography. “I always encourage couples to do it because it allows you to have — usually I block out 30-40 minutes with them for a first look — it allows you have a little bit of time to focus on each other and just have that calm and intimate moment before your ceremony takes
place,” she said. “I would say that is the number one,” she continued. “I definitely think that more of a lifestylecentered wedding is trendier nowadays. A lot of weddings in the past have been super posed.” She went on to talk about past weddings of family members who had
posed photography because that’s what was done at the time, but in recent trends, more outdoor, intimate shots that have drama but are soft are seen more regularly. “A lot of shots that are more popular are super filled with emotion — one that you’re doing your ‘ugly laugh’ with your partner is just more popular nowadays than the classic ‘stand by each other and smile’ photo,” she said. Coming from a time where she felt like she had no direction in life to doing something she enjoys and excels in, Jaelynn said some of the reasons she continues to enjoy her work are that primary positive feedback, her faith and meeting new people. “Once I started photography and got a lot of positive feedback I started taking it seriously that
this is something that I could do,” she said. “Besides just being a human too, that God put on earth, I think it gives me purpose and I think it is a good way for me to show his creation and his idea of love between people to other people.” “I love weddings, I love the idea of marriage and what it stands for,” she continued. “I love meeting different families and seeing the different specs of the families and certain traditions. Sometimes I stay after sessions and talk about their life and hear different stories of the families. It’s just a really good way to connect with people too. I guess that is first and foremost — connecting with people.” More information about Jaelynn’s photography styles can be viewed on her website at www.jrose photography-jrp.com.
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Page 6 • 2017 Wedding Guide
Western Michigan Charlevoix
Castle Farms
E.C. CAMPBELL PHOTOGRAPHY
WHIMSICAL | HISTORIC | SPACIOUS
Stephen’s NO FRILLS ~ NO LACE THE GUY’S STORE FOR TUXES Did you know? In addition to many styles, colors and fits, we have suits available for rent or purchase. Modern and slim fit available. Our pricing is all-inclusive! Groom’s tux is free with 6 adult rentals. One ring bearer up to size 10 is always 1/2 price! We proudly represent the lines from
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119 N. Second Ave. • Downtown Alpena See the entire line available or enter measurements for a registered wedding at: www.stephensalpena.com Stephen’s Menswear stephens@119n2nd.com Register your wedding by 3/31/17 for special deals and pricing!
BY TIFFANY NUTT
Castle Farms’ background is in the dairy industry, according to Events Director Sarah Hegan. “The castle itself was built in 1918 as a dairy farm,” she said. “It was a farm for the Sears and Roebuck Company — so Sears as we know it today. It was built to actually model their farm equipment that was available in the catalog so people could see how it works, and they made different things that they sold offsite like cheese and ice cream and things like that.”
The property fell into disrepair after the passing of the president of the company in the early ’20s, Sarah said. “For about 40 years it just sat here,” she said. “And then in the ’60s a local artist bought it.” After its life as an art gallery, the grounds were purchased and made into a venue space for concerts. The space then went up for auction, which is when the current owners, Linda and Richard Mueller, took the property in a new direction, according to Sarah. “In 2001 she transformed it into a wedding venue,” she said. “Her and her husband manage it pretty closely,” she continued. “They aren’t here day to day but they were the ones that had the vision for it. Linda, during the summer, is usually out gardening herself around here. She really likes being involved in the gardens.”
- Historic grounds. - 5 spaces throughout grounds: East Garden Room, West Garden Room, Knight’s Castle, Queen’s Great Hall and Queen’s Tavern. - Queen’s Courtyard and Knight’s Castle can be used as ceremony spaces in summertime. - Versatile spaces to fit a variety of themes. - Open year-round but some outdoor spots are closed during cold months. - Bridal suite connected with each space. - Located 2 miles from downtown Charlevoix. - Tables, chairs, setup and tear-down all included. - Venue coordinators available. For more information, call 231-237-0884.
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2017 Wedding Guide • Page 7
Southern Michigan Benton Harbor
Wedding Service Directory
Blue Dress Barn RUSTIC
• Blue Dress Barn is the founder and leader of the barn wedding venue movement. • Celebrates its 14th season in 2017. • One the largest wedding barns in Michigan, holding 250 people inside for dinner and dancing. • Owned and operated by award-winning husband and wife team Kirby and Amy Briske, whose artistic details set them apart. • Hand-crafted wrought-iron chandeliers adorn the soaring 25-foot gambrel roof. • Traditional ceremony site available and new grasslands ceremony site offering casual bench seating in a meadow. • Bridal studio and
|
VERSATILE
retro man’s camp for bridal prep. • Open from May to October. • Located 15 minutes from St. Joseph and Lake Michigan.
|
CHIC
PHOTOS
BY
AMY STRAKA PHOTOGRAPHY & AMELIA BRISKE
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Page 8 • 2017 Wedding Guide
Having a planner helps with wedding stress BY TIFFANY NUTT
WEST BRANCH — Stress is often associated with the wedding process, from finding the perfect dress to creating the seating chart. If only there were a professional who could take away that stress of planning a wedding … Oh, wait. “My goal is to take the stress away from the bride and groom and the parents,” said Jessica Zettle, owner of The Glass Slipper. “I just want them all to enjoy it.” With more than 20 years of planning and decorating experience, Jessica knows the ins and outs of planning a wedding and encourages any couple to invest in the help. “Honestly and truly, after my own wedding, I enjoyed planning it all so much and everything that came along with it,” she said. “I was actually in school to be an accountant and it just didn’t seem as that good of a fit to me.” After realizing her career path needed a detour, Jessica took a course and became a wedding planner and decorator. Her first experience was a wedding at the Ogemaw County Fairgrounds. “That was back in 1997 — yeah, I remember all of it,” Jessica said. “It’s
changed over the years, that is for sure. It’s definitely a different kind of industry than when I first started.” She said she cannot stress the importance of having a planner enough. “It happens too fast and I would say of anything that I do that’s so important — such important things — every aspect of the wedding is so important but to have someone there to make sure that everything goes the way you see it so that you can actually relax and enjoy it,” she said. “To let someone else handle it — ‘Did the cake arrive? These are the pictures I want’ — I’m checking them off, I’m making sure people are where they are supposed to be on time, any last-minute ‘oh my goodness, a button fell off my coat’ (moments) — anything like that,” she continued. Jessica’s services range from months of planning to day-of coordinating. One benefit of having a professional planner is that they know what not to do just as much as what the best thing to do is, according to the shop owner. “I guide them,” she said. “I’m at a wedding almost every Saturday in the summer, and so I can foresee when something could
Award Winning Restaurant
Jessica Zettle and her family pose for a photo. AMBER HENRY PHOTOGRAPHY
be a bad idea.” The most import thing she does on the wedding day is keep time for everyone involved. If anything gets off track, it affects other things, so it is good to have someone there who knows how to handle mishaps. “I had one girl who wanted me in Ohio,” Jessica said. “By the time she would have paid for all the fees and traveling and
hotels — I just guided her to someone I knew down there and said, ‘It will be less expensive for you, and I know this person and they will take great care of you.” “If something is going on, my bride will never know it for me,” she continued. “I will internalize and keep it where I need to until later on. If she needs to know about it, then great, but if not, she doesn’t need to know.”
The Glass Slipper
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Northern Michigan,
Mission Point
2017 Wedding Guide • Page 9
Mackinac Island
Eastern Michigan,
Lupton
SIMPLE | HISTORIC | ELEGANT
• Seasonal 18acre island retreat, open from May to October. • 239 rooms/suites available at the venue. • Located on the southwest end of the island, which is between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. • Three ceremony spaces: Tranquility Point, holds around 15 people. Gazebo, holds 275 people. Front lawn, holds an unlimited number of people. • Six reception
spaces: Cypress Room, indoor, holds 100-250 people. Summit Room, indoor, holds up to 110 people. The sound stage, indoor, holds up to 400 people. The Colonial Room, indoor but has patio, holds up to 50 people. Promenade Deck, outdoor tented space, holds 5060 people. Courtside Patio, outdoor, holds up to 75 people. • Spa and salon, available for bridal beauty accommodations.
Valhalla Lodge
AMBER HENRY PHOTOGRAPHY
LOCAL | INTIMATE | RUSTIC
ANDREJKA PHOTOGRAPHY
• For more information contact wedding Sales
Manager Katie Brew at 906-4308137.
• Valhalla Lodge was built in 1962. With a recent addition in 2002, it totals 13,000 square feet. • New to the wedding venue list but hosts a variety of events.
• Can accommodate up to 175 people. • Wedding party may stay on the grounds in one of the lavish rooms. • Used mainly in summer but is a weather permitting
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Lewiston Office: 989-786-7350 Mio Office: 989-826-3494 1-800-828-0278
event space. • Located 9 1/2 miles east of Rose City on Rose City Road. • For more information call General Manager Jim Velasquez at 989-240-1176.
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Page 10 • 2017 Wedding Guide
The best online wedding planning tools BY TIFFANY NUTT
So you’re engaged. Now what? After the shock wears off and you’ve celebrated with your fiance and family, it is hard to pinpoint where to start the planning process. Fear not, there are helpful tools for the organized to the oblivious.
If you have no idea where to start, visit www.weddingwire.com. With its large database of vendors, articles and planning templates, even the most unorganized couple can start out on the right foot in the planning period. Its mobile app offers a way to keep your checklist in your pocket as well. This company also allows you to make a wedding website with details for guests, RSVP and registry links
1. Wedding Wire
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and — of course — an option to upload engagement photos. Did I mention that it’s free?
Do you get excited from checking off items on a to-do list? This service is for you. While Trello is used for all kinds of collaboration, planning a wedding fits right into this type of organization. Trello allows its users to create online boards that consist of lists and cards. You or a team that you create can see the lists and it is free to sign up. All you need is basic information and an email address. Visit www.trello.com for more information.
2. Trello
It is one of the most well-known online stops for purchases, but did you know Amazon has a wedding registry option?
3. Amazon
Out of the nine benefits that Amazon lists on its website, the most impressive are free shipping, universal capability and bonus offers after items are purchased from your list. Visit www.ama zon.com/wed ding/home for more information or to sign up.
Second only to the bride’s dress, the most important attire to find is the bridesmaid dresses, which can be tricky if your ladies are out of state or have conflicting schedules. Weddington Way offers a way to look for dresses according to your specifications like length, color, fabric, etc. The company was established to take the drama and stress out of searching for a dress to please
4. Weddington Way
everyone. To sign up and make a virtual showroom, visit www.wed dingtonway.com. All or a combination of save the dates, invitations and thank you cards have to go out at some point, but who really wants to address them, lick and send them off? OK, it’s not that bad, but when it comes to planning a wedding, every little thing helps. Postable allows you to choose a design, enter a sentiment and addresses (manually or through a spreadsheet) and send them to your guests. Postcards start at $1.25 while cards start at $2.50. If you choose to send them out to your guests — which is the whole idea — you pay for postage.
5. Postable
We cater to you with over 26 years of experience. Full menu and a la carte options. We offer a fully customizable menu and a caring staff to make your day special and worry-free! Call for a free consultation and pricing of your menu. We can’t wait to help make your wedding everything you have dreamed of!
H&H
Bakery & Restaurant
P.O. Box 75 Pinconning, MI 48650
989-879-4121
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2017 Wedding Guide • Page 11
Make your day perfect with the help of Salon 3:6. We will travel to you on your wedding day. Our expert knowledge of hair will make you and your bridal party the envy of everyone!
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To video or not to video When your big day comes, how will you choose to remember it?
Pros Having video taken at your wedding captures the feel of the entire day, and allows more emotion to be shown rather than solely still photos.
+
Videography can allow for more time with guests by allowing you to watch footage of loved ones after the wedding. It also gives you something to show future family members or guests who could not make it out.
+
-
Cons
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Hiring a videographer can be an expensive hit to your budget, which might count against your photography fund.
-
Being followed around by a camera could be intrusive for some people who may not know the videographer well. It can be distracting during the day as well as during the ceremony.
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A word from a professional “With any vendor that you’re working with — videographers, DJs, caterers — you just have to have a mutual respect. You know that they are there to do the same job that you are, which is to give the bride and groom great service.”
— Amber Henry, photographer
Cody Buck
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• Full Kitchen • Walk-In Cooler • Beautiful Pinewood Bar • Large Commercial Refrigerator • Ice Machine • Two Commercial Stoves/Ovens • Microphone/Speaker System (Upon Request) • Kitchen/Cooking Utensils • Tables & Chairs • Stage Area (Can Be Removed)
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS #2022
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Page 12 • 2017 Wedding Guide
Ott to be BY TIFFANY NUTT
MIO — Not being able to remember a time without her significant other, Hailey Ott — formerly Bills — has built her life with husband Chris Ott and two daughters, Keira, 3, and Kaya, 1. “Over knowing each other forever,” Hailey Ott said. “Actually the first time we hung out was February — Valentine’s Day — I was 17.” After building a relationship, then a life together, Hailey and Chris were engaged
October 2015, setting a wedding date of Dec. 17, 2016, allowing for time to plan without a stressful timeline. Multiple factors played into their decision to have a winter wedding, Hailey said. “We both like it and all our family is together,” she said with a laugh. “It’s homey, it is a cozy time of year.” Going along with the winter theme, there was lots of glitz and glam adorning both the wedding ceremony and Hailey in her fit-n-flare wedding dress. “It’s winter wonderland,” she said. The event took place over the December weekend at a dining and golfing venue in Gaylord, Inn the Woods at Michaywe. One of the reasons the couple chose this venue was its affordability; it allowed them to stay within the set budget, Hailey said. “And the food is delicious,” she said. “Everything is there.” “When we decided on winter, Michaywe was just perfect,” she continued. “They decorate outside, there are lights everywhere and it’s all woodsy.” The wedding photographer they chose is a family friend, which also allowed them to keep within their budget. A family friend also did the flowers, she said. “The band, family friend too,” she said. “So that was taken care of in-family.” While Hailey and family gathered all the decorations, The Glass Slipper, a wedding
shop in West Branch, handled the day-of preparation. “They are actually building us a wall upstairs where the ceremony is going to be at, so I don’t have to walk outside to walk inside,” she said before the wedding. Continuing on the family-oriented theme, the couple spent their time after the wedding with family and friends in Gaylord. When thinking of advice to give a stressed bride, Hailey jokingly advised to go to the courthouse, but then went on to say planning is key.
“Being organized is huge,” she said. “Like with times and everything. It’s really nice to have friends like Hannah for instance — she’s my sister — she (called) and (confirmed) everything.” Hailey added that her family was a huge help with the whole wedding-planning process, and she especially thanked her mother, Amy Travis, for her support financially. “When you have a team behind you, that helps a lot,” she said. PHOTOS
BY
GARY GEE PHOTOGRAPHY
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First comes love, then comes marriage BY TIFFANY NUTT
MIO — Being involved in the same group of friends during high school allowed Rylee Troyer and Donald Davis to be friends despite attending and graduating from different schools. Donald was in the Mio AuSable class of 2012 while Rylee was set to graduate from Fairview PHOTO BY K. NEFF PHOTOGRAPHICS
Lights, camera, matrimony BY TIFFANY NUTT
WEST BRANCH — Caitlin Warren and Christopher Baird have almost always been in each other’s lives. Since childhood their friendship was formed from their families’ friendships. “We grew up in the same neighborhood,” Caitlin said. “My mom would PHOTO BY GINGER WARREN
Area Schools in 2013. “I had a crush on him all through high school when he was dating this other girl and he came to Fairview,” Rylee said. “He was a very popular person. A lot of girls liked him so I just kind of hung back and didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to be that creepy girl,” Rylee said with a laugh. After going through a rough breakup, Donald invited Rylee on a cruise with his family and some friends, which is when they started to notice each other, he said. “We started talking after the breakup and I said, ‘Well, I have this extra ticket for a cruise…,’” he said. Realizing he was in fact serious, Rylee agreed to go on the trip, but they didn’t start dating until after some time apart. “It wasn’t until we were in college,” Donald said. Donald went to Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, while Rylee attended Central Michigan University. After some time dating, Donald decided to pop the question in the best way he thought possible, in a not-so-serious setting. “I’m kind of a jokester,” he said. “I like to mess around I guess.”
See JOKESTER, 15
babysit him, his mom would babysit me, so we have always known each other.” The couple didn’t start dating until after high school, which happened to be on Valentine’s Day. “We just saw each other around town one day, and started talking, started dating,” she said. “Our first date was Valentine’s Day 2011.” The couple was engaged Oct. 14 during a day trip around West Branch, which took them through a tunnel of trees during the height of autumn color, she said. “All the colors were really pretty, and there is a roadside park right in the middle of the tunnel and we pulled off (onto) that,” Caitlin said. “And we walked down these trails — it was really pretty — and it took us right down to the beach, and that is where he asked me.” After Christopher got down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage, Caitlin said yes. “I didn’t know it was going to happen on this particular day, but I know I already picked out a ring so I was hoping it was coming eventually, but it was still a surprise that it happened that day,” Caitlin said. The couple is keeping in the fall theme
See CINEMA, 15
2017 Wedding Guide • Page 13
Worth the drive, for the largest selection of liquor for your wedding! • Liquor • Wines • Craft Beers • Champagne • Kegs • Cigars • Wedding Party Gifts • Gift Baskets and More!
Lovewell’s Corner Store 1005 Wiltse Road, Lupton (corner of Sage Lake Road)
989-473-2472
Baking with Fresh Ground Wheat
Let us provide all your baked goods for your special occasion. Fresh Baked Pies • Bread • Cookies • Pecan Rolls Cinnamon Rolls • Cakes • Granola No Sunday Sales
989-826-5410
Owners: Robert & Becky Byler
City of Au Gres Chapel In The Park Reserve your wedding for 2017!! Beautiful settings, reasonable rates, nearby facilities for receptions and lodging accommodations Contact City of Au Gres at 989-876-8811 for reservations or information Email: cityofaugres@centurytel.net
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Jokester: FROM PAGE 13
Rylee was away for a business conference in the Detroit area over the weekend of this past Valentine’s Day, but the couple met at a restaurant to have a romantic dinner. “So I planned on going over there and picking her up, but I had all intentions of acting really upset, really angry, and just making her think that something was massively wrong,” he said. “But I couldn’t do it — I did act upset in the beginning — I just couldn’t go through with it.” After his prank plans fell through, Donald became nervous — with the ring in his jacket pocket — leaving the table repeatedly, still wearing his jacket, he said. “So I went off and talked to (the restaurant staff),” he said. “It was funny and the people there were really supportive, but I
Cinema:
FROM PAGE 13 with their wedding on Oct. 7, 2017. “We’ve always wanted a fall wedding,” she said. “I’ve always worked at the cinema with my mom. We both work there since — well, it’s been 15 years, they let me walk around
Viral:
was freaking out.” Meanwhile, Rylee was confused about his behavior and remembered being annoyed that he was so elusive during what was meant to be a romantic evening. “It’s Valentine’s Day and he’s acting like a crab,” Rylee said. After careful planning with the wait staff at the restaurant, Donald devised that he would give a waiter his phone to video the proposal when they brought out an elaborate dessert for Rylee toward the end of the evening, which is when Donald got down on one knee and popped the question. “So they brought a pot of chocolate and they usually bring out a plate of strawberries and stuff on it, but they had the ring in the middle,” Donald said. “So the guy comes from behind the waiter and he has my phone and she goes, ‘Are you videotaping me?’ and he said, ‘I’m trying to.’ And she was like, ‘Why?’ — not even noticing the guy bringing the plate with the ring on it.” “They brought the dessert plate and this
little random guy I didn’t even know had a phone and was videotaping me,” she added, noting how odd it felt at the time. After realizing it was not the work of the staff but of her significant other, Rylee realized she had a question to answer. “The guy finally put the plate down and I looked down, and Donny grabbed the ring box and (said), ‘Will you marry me?’ and he about threw the ring because his hands were shaking so bad,” Rylee said. “I’m like, ‘Yes!’” The style of the ring was chosen for its vintage look, which Rylee specified. “Other than that, he picked it out,” she said. The couple has plans for a summertime wedding July 29, 2017, at a resort in Gaylord. “We are family-oriented too,” she said. “So when we decided to go with this (venue) it was something that we could enjoy our day but yet we could also enjoy it with our families.” The couple is not only making plans for
Devin came up with the idea for the larger-than-life proposal. “So when we finished up wheat I took the plow and I thought I’d try it, and I started writing it out there,” he said. “I thought it turned out pretty well, so then I got a hold of a pilot, Bob Britt, one of our buddies, to see if he would take us up in a plane or not.” Devin wrote out the proposal July 25 but proposed later that week on July 27, 2016, after getting help from his pal. “I got that lined up — and I didn’t have a ring or anything so I had to run down and buy a ring that night to get it ready for the next night,” he said. “So then I got the ring, came back and we got it all said and done.” Adding friction to an already highly anticipated moment, the weather was not
the best for flying that Wednesday, Devin said. “It was actually starting to rain throughout the day — so that was nerve-racking, not knowing if we could actually take the plane and fly it ’cause the rain. The rain just let up, it broke and we hung around by plane for about 15 minutes then decided we could take off.” The flight path took them from Au Gres to West Branch and back toward Charity Island in the Saginaw Bay in the span of about 45 minutes, before returning to fly over the field where Lisa would be surprised with the question. “When we came across the writing — she was looking out the window at the farm — I could kind of tell from the expression on her face that she read what it said,” he continued. “And I unbuckled
while my mom worked. We don’t belong to a church or anything so I asked my boss at the cinema if we could get married in the cinema.” An old-Hollywood theme will be present at the couple’s nuptials at West Branch Cinema 3, Caitlin said. Caitlin and Christopher decided on things that were most important to them like good food, music and
FROM PAGE 2 The field in which Devin wrote out “Marry me” was an 80-acre expanse on his family’s farm in Au Gres. After getting off work, Lisa was tired but agreed to go on a plane ride with her now fiance and family friend Bob Britt, who co-piloted the plane. “I was actually driving the plane,” she said. “In the passenger side, I basically was. Bob was doing everything else.” While some view a proposal like this only as a pipedream, Devin made it a reality for Lisa after working in the fields one day. While harvesting wheat, and being inspired by the movie “Son in Law,”
drinks, she said. With the planning part of the wedding, Caitlin said things can get stressful but the best thing to do is ask someone who has done this before. “Ask your married friends,” she said. “They have been such a big help to me finding my DJ and photographer, because they have already been through that process.”
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a wedding but also a family. Rylee and Donald are expecting a baby girl in February after finding out she was pregnant in June, she said. “Try planning for a baby and a wedding,” Rylee said. “We got engaged and then five months later I found out I was pregnant.” “It’s kind of funny planning out that kind of stuff though,” he added. “We have a baby shower, a diaper party and then your bridal shower.” “Bachelorette party, bachelor party, rehearsal dinner, wedding,” she continued. “This next year is going to be absolute insanity.”
“If you can find your DJ, photographer — book early.” — Rylee Troyer
my seatbelt and got down on one knee and asked her if she would marry me or not, and she was speechless but she made out the word, ‘Yes.’” The pilot then flew low over the house, where unbeknownst to Lisa, friends and family were waiting for the good news. The wedding will take place at the barn on Devin’s family farm where he proposed. Both Lisa and Devin advised anyone getting married to plan and book venues or services as soon as possible. “I would say at least enjoy yourself for a little bit, but then get things done as soon as possible so you don’t stress out later on,” Lisa said. “I know we ordered my dress really early. Everything seems to be relaxing right now so it’s not as stressful.”
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