A Wintry Valentine's Day Wedding at Amway Grand Plaza and Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Although Kara Hartmann (23 and a blueberry farmer) and Jamie Laraway (27 and a blueberry farmer) officially tied the knot in Maui, Hawaii, the couple planned a second, fun-filled affair at Amway Grand Plaza and Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to ensure they could celebrate with all of their family members and friends. The couple chose an “enchanted forest” theme for the day, filling the Amway’s grand ballroom with fresh bunches of striking white flowers, pinecones, wispy willow branches, pheasant feathers and other rustic elements that helped transform the room into a wintry scene. Since the event took place on Valentine’s Day, a few pops of red were an absolute must. The couple infused the decor with the eye-catching hue, adding vibrancy and life to everything from Kara’s rose bouquet to customized koozies and the groomsmen’s ties. “We used birch trees, apple crates, mason jars with water and floating candles in them, burlap, cranberries, pinecones and cotton in the corners of the room,” Kara says. “That combination really made it feel like you were in a forest.” The couple took a playful approach to dinner, serving up global cuisine in an interactive station format that encouraged guests to mix and mingle. Kara and Jamie also did things a bit differently when it came to the evening’s entertainment, hiring a dueling pianos duo to play during cocktail hour and the reception. Needless to say, they were a big hit with guests. “We wanted very much for our day to reflect our lives together—our hobbies, lifestyle, etc.,” Kara says. “We incorporated what we loved most and made it special.” A tip from Kara: “Your wedding planning should be fun. It can be stressful, but you must remember everything will work itself out. We had a huge snowstorm the night of our event and about 75 people or so didn't make it, so we had all this extra food and room. But we still had a blast and enjoyed our night with everyone who did make it safely.”