DIY Howell, Michigan Wedding

I am always giddy to see what Abdi of Three Photographers has in store for us each time I hear from him. To curb my excitement, let’s get straight to the point. Christina and Mike’s farm wedding was a vegan fete filled with delicious handmade touches. And if you had any doubts about brides wearing glasses, Christina’s stylish look may very well convince you how gorgeous they look!

From Christina: Choosing the venue was a natural choice – Mike’s sister’s family lives on the beautiful farm and we knew right away it would be the perfect setting for both the ceremony and the reception. They live out in the country in Howell, Michigan. The only thing we had to rent was the tent (the barn was too small for the number of guests we had, though we did use it for the bar/hangout area) and tables/chairs.

Given the setting and our own aesthetic sense, we had a vintage-rustic wedding in mind to fit the mood of the horses, chickens, barns and fields of goldenrod that were our backdrop. We wanted to make sure the feel of our wedding was joyous and celebratory; we wanted every one of our guests to have fun.

We had a rustic countryside look to the wedding, with vintage personal touches like woodland-creature salt & pepper shakers, a tandem bike and hand-painted signs. The color palette was a mason-jar blue, goldenrod yellow and burlap brown. Most every detail of the wedding was DIY; we handmade the invites, bouquets, boutonnieres, signs, bunting, programs, cake-topper… almost everything!

See Also

A Vibrant Destination Wedding on Kona Beach in Blue & Gold

Any advice for brides planning their weddings now? Think of the things that you and your bride/groom love and go from there – and don’t let anyone tell you what you’re “supposed” to do and not do! People want to see the you in your wedding. You won’t regret a thing if you stay true to yourself. Also, buy a short dress – hemming is a racket.

Wedding Songs:

The wedding party came down the aisle to an instrumental (and very pretty) “Vitamin C” by Can. My entrance song was Erik Satie’s “Gymnopedie”, and the recessional was “Alone Again Or” by Love (also instrumental). Our first dance was “I Was Made to Love Her” by Stevie Wonder (chosen by my fiancee).

Wedding Vendors and Venue (Howell, Michigan + Brooklyn, New York):

Ceremony and reception location(s): family’s farm / Flowers: purchased at Whole Foods / Photographer: Abdi of Three Photographers / Wedding Dress: B. Ella Bridal / My veil was custom-made by Tia Mills / Wedding shoes: Seychelles / Bracelet: Banana Republic / Wedding bands: Stout Woodworks on Etsy / Hair and Makeup: done by a friend / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Groom’s suit: tan jacket from Banana Republic, pants from American Apparel, an etsy-bought bowtie, and crow cufflinks / Groomsmen: gray pants and grey vests, with bowties (which happened to match the napkins) and rolled-up sleeves / Music: ceremony and cocktail hour by The Fiendish Thingies (contact Ray Thompson, 248.508.1957); ambient dinner music provided by Kindle (contact Jason Worden, 248.259.4332), and post-dinner dance music by the Zydeco Hepcats (contact Mike Zeigeler, 586.871.6465) / Caterer: all-vegetarian menu by Katherine’s Catering, and we couldn’t have been happier / Wedding Cake: made by bride’s mother Denise Babinski who is a pastry chef; two carrot cakes on the side and for the main cake, a french vanilla with butterscotch custard filling. She has no website but anyone interested can contact her: 586.216.3738. They also had vegan salted chocolate cake pops made by my friend Allie Jenkins, a young budding pastry chef (989.715.2091) / Wedding favors: caramel apples provided by local Blake’s Orchard/ / Wedding invitations: made by the groom, who drew and watercolored the invitations (and programs), which were inspired by their running comic Snacks the Bunny, inspired in turn by their rabbit Ferdinand. / Videographer: friends

Abdi of Three Photographers is a Blue Label member