A Casual At-Home Wedding in Linden, Michigan

Jennifer Osebold (30 and a new homes sales consultant) and Nick Eckardt (27 and the owner of TruFit Fitness Studio) met at the gym where Nick was teaching a class that Jennifer frequented. "I thought he was the sweetest guy and I knew I had to ask him out," says Jennifer. "One day I had finally worked up enough courage to do it, but before I could ask, he asked me! I was relieved that I didn't have to make the first move!" On a trip to Chicago to visit Jennifer's family for Thanksgiving, Nick popped the question at the skating rink in Millennium Park. "We then spent the rest of the evening celebrating and Nick even booked us a beautiful suite at a hotel downtown. My sister, who had come to the park with us, had packed me a suprise overnight bag. She was also able to catch the moment on camera, so we will always have a memory of the beautiful way he proposed," says Jennifer. For their wedding Jennifer and Nick decided to keep things casual and fun, choosing Nick's family farm in Linden, Michigan as the spot to say "I do." The rustic setting was the perfect fit for the day, with acres of green pastures and tall old growth trees creating a beautiful natural backdrop for both the ceremony and reception. And because the site was a working farm, guests could visit with all of the animals, a big hit with the couple's younger guests. Jennifer and Nick decided to keep the decor simple, introducing burlap accents, wildflowers and upcycled milk jars into the day to play up the setting. Nick's aunt planted flowers in the months leading up to the ceremony so they would be ready for the couple's August nuptials. "I wanted a barn, country themed wedding but was on a tight budget," says Jennifer. "This worked out perfectly and our guests have told us they had never seen a more unique, beautiful spot for a wedding."