What a beautiful way to start a new year, a wedding in downtown Holly Michigan. The kindest couple scheduled a sweet little coffee shop signing with me and we chose to use Battle Alley in Holly Michigan to meet up at. 

They gathered their closest friends and family and we even did a first look. The bride wore a beautiful wedding gown and the groom was dressed in dashingly in a suit and winter coat. 

As the family watched on the bride entered the cutest little side street decorated with shops and bistro lights she tapped the shoulder of her groom and he turned to see her and the emotions all spilled over. They embraced each other shared a few words and we began their wedding ceremony. A short and sweet little wedding ceremony was performed and then we signed the marriage license to make it legal. 

It was a beautiful way to start the new year 2023! 

This weekend I stood with the sweetest couple who are so clearly meant for each other. But as many couples often do, they had nerves going into the ceremony. The groom especially told me that he often get's nervous and standing in front of a lot of people is not going to help. 

We talked about how to write the ceremony in a way that gave them the fewest speaking parts and I offered advice on how to settle into the moment and really focus on each other and that I'll be there offering reassuring smiles. 

As we moved through their wedding ceremony I could see both of them ease into the moment and really focus on each other. They would look at me and I would give them that reassuring smile and they did it, they made it through their ceremony with joy and happiness. 

While signing the license afterwards I heard the groom say, the ceremony was actually the calmest he had felt all day. The anticipation of the moment can be so much more overwhelming than the actual moment. Plus, holding your partners hand is such a reassuring feeling, it really does help. 

To all the couples who are nervous about their wedding ceremony I have this advice. Read your ceremony beforehand, make sure it is right for you, don't be afraid to change it until you love it. Then read it again, really know your ceremony and what to expect. Reassure yourself that its 20 minutes and you don't have to look at anyone except your partner if you want. 

Sarah and Justin gathered their closest family and friends to host their wedding at the Grand Belle in Holly, Michigan. The groom wore the best grey converse and the bride had on her perfect white sneakers. Sarah's lace covered wedding dress suited the venue perfectly. 

The venue the Grand Belle just outside of downtown Holly, Michigan is a beautiful refurbished barn and grounds. The ceremony takes place just in front of the barn on the grass lawn. With the wedding party entering the ceremony from the huge barn doors and then taking a walk down the grass covered aisle to land at the perfect spot just under the big maple trees. 

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One of my absolute favorite things about their wedding was their grandmothers who served as their flower girls. Let me repeat that...GRANDMOTHERS AS FLOWERGIRLS! As a person who just adored my own grandmother I would relish the opportunity to relive my wedding and have her be my flower girl, she would have loved that! 

The lesson here is to hold your family front and center can be a beautiful thing, creating the most amazing memories of your wedding day, not just for the two of you, but for your family as well. Support from your community whether it be family by blood or your choosing is nothing we take for granted. 

Congrats to Sarah and Justin! Thank you for choosing me to be your wedding day Officiant.