1. Real Weddings

Kara & Jason: A Traditional Wedding in Grand Rapids, MI

Kara and Jason were set up by a mutual friend and went on a blind date to Kara’s favorite Mexican restaurant in Grand Rapids. The couple hit it off, a

Kara and Jason were set up by a mutual friend and went on a blind date to Kara’s favorite Mexican restaurant in Grand Rapids. The couple hit it off, and dinner led to drinks, followed by many more dates. The Bride Kara Vanderploeg, 35, department manager for Michigan State The Groom Jason Scheeneman, 33 and a department analyst for Michigan State The Date November 8 Eight months after that first date, Kara was at home on her lunch break when Jason showed up. He had come straight from picking up an engagement ring and, right in the doorway of Kara’s house, he proposed. He was so nervous he forgot to get down on one knee—and Kara was too nervous to notice. For their wedding, Kara’s sister, an event planner, helped with the details.

Each guest got a crossword puzzle all about the newlyweds, who love word games. Everyone also took home chocolate Yooper Bars embossed with a picture of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The couple’s three flower girls carried pomanders of woven grapevine that were spruced up with dusty pink roses and sprigs of hypericum berries.
Instead of plain cards, gold picture frames held the table numbers and upped the elegance at guests’ seats.
Linens totally transformed the ballroom for the champagne brunch. Chocolate-brown pin-tuck linens covered the reception tables while the chairs were decorated with champagne-colored lamour and ivory lamour ties.
Tan buttercream swirls and brown ribbon decorated each tier, and an arrangement of fresh roses, cymbidium orchids and hydrangeas served as the topper.
Jason’s boutonniere featured a rose and a cymbidium. The muted colors coordinated with Kara’s bouquet and the wedding day palette.
The escort card display was mostly a DIY project. Gold shantung silk and brown ribbon were wrapped around foam core and framed. Pearl pins kept the simple escort cards on the board.
The Cocktail Hour
Kara carried a bouquet of roses in shades of pink mixed with light-green hydrangeas and seeded eucalyptus. The varied hues led to a decidedly romantic look.
Guests received paper cones filled with pink rose petals to toss at the bride and groom after the ceremony. Kara and her family made the cones with the same paper as the programs and decorated them with the signature wax seal.
Hand-stamped gold wax seals with the couple’s monogram made the ceremony programs look like the work of a pro, but Kara, her mom and sister actually made them. A brown satin ribbon completed their polished look.
Two large centerpieces decorated the altar where Kara and Jason exchanged traditional Christian vows. A hand-painted runner and sweeping chiffon fabric on the pews personalized the aisle.