A Romantic, Spring Wedding at The Hagerty Center in Traverse City, Michigan

A Hope College hockey game and an obnoxious Christmas sweater are to blame for bringing together newlyweds Katherine (24) and Zach (27). The couple met after Katherine noticed Zach banging on a steel drum (in a women's Christmas swather, nonetheless) in the front row of the rink's bleachers during a rivalry game. "He was cheering obnoxiously loud and I was sitting two rows behind him," the bride says. "My friend and I kept wondering who the crazy guy was." Later that night, a mutual friend introduced the two at a party and they've been inseparable ever since. The proposal came two years later when the couple was visiting Grand Rapids for the annual ArtPrize. "Zach casually suggested we drive twenty minutes to Holland and spend a few hours on the beach. We walked to the stairs on the beach and I was enjoying the view when I realized Zach was getting down on one knee. I was in such shock that I couldn't speak a single word." Afterward, we headed to dinner and Zach told the maitre'd, 'Reservation for Zach, please.' She replied with 'Ah, yes! For two!' and opened these large double doors. Behind them stood all of our family members and friends prepared for a surprised engagement party. It was more perfect than I could have ever imagined." For their spring wedding in northern Michigan, the couple exchanged vows at the Central Methodist Church in downtown Traverse City before celebrating at The Hagerty Center downtown. "The building sits right on Grand Traverse Bay," the bride says. "It was perfect since Zach and I love the water -- some of our favorite memories involve the beach." A soft color palette of mint, coral and gray lent an overall romantic feel to their vintage-inspired day. "I carried a bright bouquet that was wrapped in two pieces of blue cloth; each bits of clothing from two very well-loved people in my life that have passed," Katherine says. "The first was a bit of shirt worn by my grandfather and the second was a piece of clothing from my best friend Ali. I wanted them both holding my hand, giving me strength as I walked down that aisle." Guests dined on pesto Parmesan whitefish and sipped locally-made L. Mawby's Blanc de Noir before enjoying acoustic performances by the groom's brothers and the Maid of Honor. "The totality of the day really reflected us," the bride says. "We made each decision together, carefully and intentionally making choices which had meaning behind them. The best compliment we received was that guests really felt the love that day."