Aly +James

traverse city, michigan

meet Aly + James


Planning, Design and Paper Products: All Buttoned Up Events
Photography: Amy Carroll
Floral: Sweetwater Floral
Rental: 307 Events and Special Occassions, Gigi and LaClede
DJ: AB
Ceremony + Reception: Aurora Cellars
Catering: Catering by Kelly
Bar: Tonic & Lime

Aly didn’t do anything during the planning process alone, James always made it a priority to be a part of every meeting, call and detail. They truly were a team and I know they will continue that throughout their marriage. When it came to the day of, they enjoyed every moment together. They were so in love with each other and that was my favorite part about their wedding. 

They (along with their families) had a huge UofM/Michigan State feud. Lauren went to Michigan State for college and Karl played football at UofM. They carried this rivalry through to their signature cocktails offering “The Bo Bourbon” for him and “The Munn Mule” for her with straws according to their team colors. At the end of the day though, Lauren surprised Karl by wearing a UofM garter for his garter toss and he loved it. 

They wanted their wedding to be flowing with greenery so we carried that all the way through the venue in every space. From the incredible, over the top greenery arch at the ceremony, down the staircase leading guests to cocktail hour, through the transitional space with the champagne place card table with a canopy of greens overtop, to the gorgeous head table in the reception space, to the soft greenery placed on each place setting. It truly was carried throughout the entire space. They also wanted it to be very romantic with warm copper tones and candlelight. We carried the copper element through by first of all, creating a gorgeous custom invitation suite all packed in a perfectly shiny copper envelope. We then brought in a warm copper charger and even rented copper mugs for a true moscow mule. We had heavy candlelight throughout the entire ceremony and let the head table be the star of the show in the reception space, covered in candlelight. We dimmed all the other lights and let the lights at the head table shine bright throughout the whole space. 

back to portfolio

the dream team