Lesley & Chad: A Black and White Wedding in Lansing, MI

For college sweethearts Lesley Brager and Chad Gillen, keeping a sense of perspective was essential to planning their relaxed, highly personal wedding. The pair met at Michigan State University, and Chad proposed while on a day hike to the dunes overlooking Lake Michigan. I said yes and promptly proceeded to drop the ring in the sand, Lesley says. The Bride Lesley Brager, 27, spa employment manager The Groom Chad Gillen, 31, district manager The Date June 25 Once the ring was found, the wedding planning proceeded without a hitch, thanks in part to the couple's organizational and prioritizing skills. The best thing that I did in planning was working through my day-of plans to the minute, Lesley says. I scheduled the things that were a priority -- like lunch with the mothers and bridesmaids and, most importantly, private time with Chad before all the activity started.