1. Real Weddings

Julie & Donald: A Formal Wedding in Dearborn, MI

The historic grounds of the Henry Ford Museum set the stage for Julie and Donald's romantic Dearborn wedding. The Bride Julie Hobbs, 33 The Groom Don

The historic grounds of the Henry Ford Museum set the stage for Julie and Donald's romantic Dearborn wedding. The Bride Julie Hobbs, 33 The Groom Donald Julian, 37 The Date October 10 When Julie Hobbs' best friend invited her to a Red Wings hockey game, she got the chance to meet her friend's brother-in-law, Donald Julian. He cracked me up, says Julie. Sparks flew. Donald, a major in the Marine Corps, was stationed in California, so a friendship grew through telephone calls. Six weeks later, Julie visited the West Coast. The trip pretty much sealed the deal, she says. I thought, 'Okay, this is what I've waited 33 years for.' For a year and half the two dated long distance. On their three-year anniversary, the couple visited Julie's family cottage in northern Michigan. We were sitting on the couch and the rain stopped, remembers Julie. This beam of light came through and hit us. Donald seized the moment and proposed.

The reception was held at Lovett Hall Ballroom, a space that Henry Ford once used to hold lively dances.
The bride donned an ivory Demetrios gown and her great-grandmother's ruby ring from the 1800s. In keeping with the style of Donald's uniform, the bridesmaids wore coordinating navy-blue dresses. During the ceremony, Julie's sister, Terri Maurer, sang; and a special prayer was given to honor Donald's children, Chelsea and Christopher, who were on hand as junior bridesmaid and groomsman.
The Cake
The Formalwear
The couple was married in historic Greenfield Village, a site established by Henry Ford to portray America's industrial progress. We chose the location for several reasons, says Julie. Donald worked there through college, my sister got engaged there, and the fact that it had so much history was really appealing to us. A candlelight ceremony took place at the Mary-Martha Chapel, with wreaths of autumn leaves adorning the pews.