I love a small ceremony with your closest friends and family by your side. There is something about an intimate ceremony that allows the stress to float away and the focus to really be on the love and joy of the couple. 

The Oakley wedding venue is in Holly Michigan and has the the sweetest and kindest owners you'll meet. Their intention is truly to provide you the best wedding day experience possible. 

The Oakley in Holly has a beautiful greenhouse where they host intimate weddings and they have put together a great inclusive intimate wedding day package. Simply add on catering, bar and me and you are set! 

While I love a good elopement in the park, sometimes you want a little more for your wedding day and The Oakley in Holly Michigan offers just that.

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They landed at a beautiful space in Ann Arbor called Studio Studio where the serene white walls and elegant atmosphere lended itself beautifully as the backdrop for their intimate wedding day. As close family and friends gathered and were seated we began their ceremony, sharing bits of their love story along the way. 

The great part of having a intimate wedding is being able to see and hear everyone's reaction to their wedding ceremony. I could see the smiles and tears of joy, the emotion family and friends had for their love was a beautiful sight. 

And can we talk a moment about the wonderful wedding party they created to stand with them on their wedding day? They gathered their best people and asked them to stand with them. Remember, traditional roles no longer exist...do what serves you best on your wedding day. 

To stand with a couple on their wedding day is an honor, one I never take lightly. When hired as your professional wedding Officiant it is my job to command your wedding ceremony, to take charge of the moment so you can truly relax and enjoy your wedding ceremony. I do this commanding and taking charge gently and always with a warm smile. Rest assured your family and friends will be left wondering how long we've known each other because it will feel like a lifetime. Makenzie and Ryan were no exception. As I greeted their community on their wedding day I knew just how loved the two of them were and how wonderful their wedding day was going to be. 

Ryan and Mackenzie, congratulations to the both of you on handling all the changes of your wedding day plans with grace and smiles. I'm sure there were plenty of rough patches but you certainly did not let them deter your love and your happily ever after! 

​Photographer: Alora Rachelle

Nicole and Harry celebrated their wedding ceremony at their Nona's home in Michigan. When I pulled into the tree lined drive I was taken aback by how it felt as though I was driving in the Italian countryside. And this was just the beginning of what would be one of the most love filled intimate wedding ceremonies I would take part in that summer. 

When I arrived I was greeted by a very welcoming family who were all just so excited to be with each other and to celebrate Nicole and Harry. The groom, Harry walked me to the ceremony location and we reviewed the protocols on where everyone would be standing for the wedding ceremony. I was then able to say hello to Nicole before we began the wedding ceremony. Nicole is the kind of person that when you see her you feel welcome, you feel invited and seen. On her wedding day Nicole was all beauty and grace and the reflection of her families love. 

When the time came we all took our places in front of the trees for the ceremony. Nicole and her dad made their way down the aisle and together Nicole and Harry stood ready to begin their married lives. 
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We moved through their wedding ceremony sharing little bits of their love story along the way. They made the choice to write their own wedding vows, which I always encourage! And man were they good! They invoked their own love for each other and their hopes for their future is a beautiful way. 

That sunny and warm summer afternoon Nicole and Harry gathered under a tent with their families and celebrated their nuptials. 

Planning a intimate wedding in your own backyard offers so many wonderful options. you get to customize every aspect. And when keeping the guest count lower you can spend a little more on some of the things that matter most to you, be it flowers, food or decor or attire. Anything goes because it truly is your wedding day done your way. 

Congratulations to the happy couple and their beloved family. 

What if I told you small weddings are not only still a thing but they are a leading "thing"? That's right. Small weddings, intimate weddings, elopements, whatever title you wish to bestow on your small gathering of important people to support you on your wedding day...it is certainly still happening. 

Weddings in 2021 were all over the place, we had moments where we could not host the big weddings in the way we had originally planned and this lead couples to shift their wedding day plans, even their venue, guest list and destinations. While yes, many, many wedding couples held tight to their original plans and simply pushed the date forward waiting until restrictions lifted and they could go ahead as planned, some couples, they just didn't want to wait to begin their married lives. Whichever side of the wait not wait wedding world you ended up on, it's okay! I sincerely hope you loved every aspect of your wedding day. 

The number of weddings I have done so far in 2021 has more than doubled what I normally do. In a typical year I officiate around 100 weddings, weddings of all sizes and destinations. This year however, I have officiated over 250 weddings with the majority of those being small weddings right here in Holly. While I don't always know why couples have chosen do marry they way they do, I can tell you, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter why you chose to host a small wedding or to elope to an up north city and simply sign your marriage license to make it legal, let me repeat IT DOES NOT MATTER. What does matter is your joy, your sanity and your peace knowing you made the best wedding plans for you. 

I see the small wedding trend pushing forward and continuing to be a wonderful choice for many couples yet to come. There are so many reasons to choose small weddings. Less stress, less price, less time planning and more time living your married lives. 

I can tell you that I put the same amount of love and care into a small wedding or signing that I do into the larger weddings. Love will always be at the center of every wedding I officiate. 

Winter in Michigan is very unpredictable, weather wise that is. It could be snowing and freezing temps one and sunny and 60 the next, no joke! Remember Christmas last year, I was sun bathing on my deck! Knowing that the weather is unpredictable, how the heck to do you plan for a simple easy wedding ceremony without using a free outside park? I've got a plan for you! 

I offer a simple wedding service called a SIGNING, the fee is $100, we meet up and complete signing your marriage license, I offer you a very simple exchange of vows, you kiss and you are married! 

This signing service can be done at a local restaurant, like Andiamo in Fenton, host a lovely dinner for your people, or just bring along two witnesses and right at the table, we sign and I ask you "having come here today to get married, do you promise to love each other for all of your days together?" you say "we do" and then, I pronounce you as married! 

Dinner not your style? No problem! Let's rent one of the rooms at the Fenton Community Center, during the week they are very reasonable (think under $100 for an hour). Here we can perform a short sweet ceremony for you. My elopement ceremony is $250 and includes a great sweet wedding ceremony and signing your license with you and up to 20 guests. 

If you live locally, Clarkston, Fenton, Holly, Grand Blanc we can even utilize your home, that's right, I'll come to you and perform your wedding in the convince of your own home. If your are not local....think airbnb! 

We can make it happen, you don't have to break the bank to get married in Michigan in the winter! Email me and let's figure this out. 

Nichole, wedding Officiant

Michigan's weather can be tricky anytime of the year, but fall is very unpredictable. To plan a small wedding for the fall takes a little more care. Here are my suggestions for a successful fall small wedding. 

I still like to keep it simple and cost effective. Using local parks is a great idea as long as you think ahead and prepare. Parks like Seven Lakes in Holly have Pavilions and Picnic Shelters we can use - even if just as a back up plan. Parks like Bush Park and Millpond Park offer Gazebo's you can rent, giving some protection from inclement weather. If you take the extra step to rent the Gazebo you can even add a few decorations to make it perfect for you.

Keep in mind the small wedding ceremonies are only 15 minutes long so you really don't need to rent chairs. 

And food - well you can make a reservation at a local restaurant for afterwards or even bring catering to your home to again, keep the cost down. 

The other option is to rent a small venue like the Fenton Community center or The Laundry Room in Fenton, these spaces are affordable options for indoor settings. 

As we move into fall and winter weather remember your wedding can still be stress free and low cost! 

Link to Venue Options/Suggestions