March Greenhouse Wedding at Downtown Market

Opening up my 2019 wedding season with Ariel and Travis’ beautiful March wedding at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. I have to say that this was the perfect wedding to start out the season, Ariel and Travis are just the sweetest and everyone was just so excited that they were FINALLY getting married. The day before their wedding was actually their 10 YEAR anniversary of dating so the overall feeling was just finally and so much love between their families and friends.

My part of the day started off with meeting the ladies in the conference room at Downtown Market for Ariel to get dressed and have her first look with Travis. It was so nice doing a first look, I think it definitely calmed both of their nerves but also made it so easy to do portraits before the ceremony. The first look was right in the greenhouse where the ceremony would be taking place, so it was just super special. After the first look we did some portraits of Ariel and Travis and moved onto the wedding party portraits (which were SUCH a hoot!)

I asked Ariel how her and Travis met this is what she had to say, “Travis and I met in high school through some mutual friends who were (at the time) dating.  Our first date was awkward and I never expected to see him again afterwords. We were forced on a 2nd date (by the same friends) where we finally started to hit it off. Six months later on March 8th 2009 we were officially dating.”

I had to ask her about Travis’ proposal, “After taking me out for a ridiculously good dinner, Travis took me back to where we ended our first date on Lake Cadillac. There he got down on one knee and proposed to me on a very cold, snowy, and beautiful February night. I believe my response was "about dang time."
Later I found out that both of our families knew and kept it a secret for two whole weeks before he proposed!”

Ariel and Travis’ ceremony was so sweet, they did a planting/watering unity ceremony. Which actually has a pretty funny story, they money tree that they originally bought ended up being left at the house they were staying at. No biggie right? Well, when someone went back to get the plant, they accidentally grabbed the plant from the house not the one they bought. LUCKILY, the greenhouse at Downtown Market sells their plants and a new one was purchased. It really goes to show things happen at weddings, but Ariel and Travis were both cool as cucumbers and just let things happen. Just watching the pure joy on their faces after being announced husband and wife was just so beautiful.

After the ceremony we had a little break for guests to check out the market and for the reception space to be finished. All three formal dances were amazing and so beautiful, the food was amazing and those cupcakes were to die for! One of the most fun parts of the night was watching another couple get engaged in the greenhouse, it was so cool to be able to be the first to congratulate them!

Thanks again Ariel and Travis for having me be your photographer. It was such a wonderful day and I wish you both the best in your marriage and relationship.

Here’s the awesome vendors that made Ariel + Travis’ wedding possible:

Photography: Sydney Marie Photography

Hair: Cheeky Strut

Makeup: JGS Beauty Co

Florist: The Bouqs Company

Venue: Downtown Market

Caterer: Vault Catering

Bakery: The Salted Cupcake

DJ: Opus Events