A Simple, Romantic Wedding at Tullymore Golf Resort in Stanwood, Michigan

Basketball brought together newlyweds Kara Yadach (25 and a marketing specialist) and Brad Chandler (27 and in athletic administration) when the two were just teenagers. "I was a freshman and he was a junior," Kara explains. "Brad had to stay after school for practice and help with the scoreboard for the girls' games. That's when I first noticed him." However, it wasn't until years later when the two finally began dating seriously while Brad was studying law in Toledo. The proposal came one evening while Brad spontaneously began playing Kara's favorite song, 'Sarah' by Fleetwood Mac in the living room. "He told me to sit and listen -- that's when I noticed he was singing and replacing the lyrics with 'Kara'," she says. "I was confused, but laughing, and before I knew it he was down on one knee." For their northern Michigan wedding set in late June, the couple knew a low-key affair was both needed and necessary. "The idea of a big city wedding wasn't for me," the bride says. "I wanted to get married beneath the scenery of a well-kept golf course surrounded by green trees and blue skies." Soon, the two settled on the Tullymore Golf Resort in Stanwood due largely in part to its proximity to Brad's cottage. "The venue set the scene as soon as guests began driving down the long entrance to the club house," Kara says. "There's plenty of green grass, fresh flowers, charming street lamps and a small bridge that stretches across a creek." A muted color palette of gray, green and white complemented the overall look and feel of the romantic, yet rustic, reception. Flowers included white mums and hydrangea along with peonies and plenty of Baby's Breath -- a versatile flower which helped to create the bride's ethereal floral crown. "I don't like bright or wild colors, so I knew I wanted something natural and earthy," Kara says. "I just wanted the flowers to be soft, lovely and romantic." Guests were seated thanks to potted succulent escort cards while rustic touches -- including wooden coasters -- dotted the space. "We wanted our wedding to reflect our relationship -- easy, natural, simple and romantic," the bride says. "From the flowers and decor to the food and the music, each element reflected us in some way. It was so exciting just to see my vision of the day come to life."