We are excited to bring you our first Bridal Spotlight post as part of our

 Iris Hills Bridal Spotlight series!

Carrie said “I do” as friends and family sprawled across the lawns from the lodge to the log barn, overlooking the picturesque landscape known as Iris Hills. With a country chic theme in mind, Carrie incorporated pearls, lace overlays along with a natural wood finish in most all of the decor.  Burlap runners lined tables and walkways. Cream linens, flowers, and twinkling bistro lights made her vision become her real life reality.

Carrie met Joe in September 2009 after being introduced by friends. A few weeks after they started dating they went to a Traverse City, wine tasting. On their way home, Joe pulled the car over and told her, “ I need to kiss you, I can’t wait any longer.”

She knew at that moment. She was in trouble  !

The next 5  years seemed like a time-lapse. Life was happening, as Joe and Carrie evolved their lust to love and although they cemented their vows long before the I do’s, it wasn’t until March 10th, 2015 that they were ready to announce it to the world.

 Carrie’s wedding was beautifully constructed and organized. As a guest writing this post, it was easy to think of what my first question would be. I needed to know how she stayed so organized and where her inspiration came from!

Carrie’s answers were as well constructed as her wedding prep.

“I had been planning our wedding in my head long before Joe even proposed! I had a notebook that I was constantly writing ideas down in, (colors, flower ideas, food ideas, etc.) That notebook had every detail in it with a special page and tab for each one. I did not have a wedding planner, I planned pretty much every detail of it on my own. Of course, my family and friends helped me to make it all come together, and Gerri at Iris Hills was a huge help in bringing my vision to life! I didn’t have a Pinterest board but I would search through Pinterest and screenshot ideas on my phone that I was interested in.”

Carrie will forever be a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic. She chose her wedding date to be September 19, 2015, as it would be around the same time she and Joe started dating. This didn’t leave much time to put that notebook to use! Luckily with all her pre-planning and organizational skills, Carrie was mere phone calls away from locking down her dream wedding.

As time grew closer, everything started falling into place. “It wasn’t until the night before the wedding that I ran into my first and worst fear. Rain. We had a big storm and a ton of it! I was terrified that everything would get ruined and it was going to be a wet mess on my wedding day.” As the night sky broke into daybreak, the misty air began to separate and the suns ray’s starting peeking through the clouds. The grass glistened and the birds were practicing their morning hymns. It was going to be a beautiful day.

“My bridesmaids and I were up early and on our way to see Noelle Welch and her staff at Salon 22 in downtown Ludington.”

The bridesmaids utilized the staff for their up-do’s, took advantage of some last minute eye lash extensions and sipped mimosas while watching Carrie get primped for the big day.

“Spending time with my bridesmaids while getting ready is something I will always hold close to my heart. These girls have been my wing women for so long, I am thankful I got to share this moment in my life with them.”

As they arrived back at Iris Hills , the flower bouquets sat waiting for admiration. A mixture of white & purple hydrangeas, roses, and carnations, mingled with baby’s breath and seeded eucalyptus.  They were wrapped together with burlap, string pearls and pearl tip push pins.

“I wouldn’t have been able to pull all of this off without the help of my family, and new family! A blessing to us was Crista Winteringham, (cousin to my sister-in-law), she coordinated all of our flower arrangements, from the bouquets and boutinniers, to the table arrangements.”

Crista’s eye for detail and understanding sense of style showed through each arrangement and bouquet.

In typical Carrie fashion, she already knew what she wanted when it came to her wedding dress. It had to have lace, a low back, a pretty train and be something timeless & traditional. With her notebook in tow, Carrie was off to her first appointment at Bridal Gallery in Grand Rapids, MI.

“They had a large selection of beautiful dresses that matched what I had envisioned. It only took me 2 no’s, to get to my YES! I remember looking at myself in the mirror and instantly realizing this dress was made for me. It fit perfect, I felt beautiful!  It was ” !”

Carrie’s bridal gown was breathtaking. It was unique in color but traditional in style. It screamed, “I’m confident– with class.” It made the already beautiful ceremony transform into an “old world” feel.  The woman standing before us looked like a painting. She was sophisticated and modest with an aura that screamed, “look at me.” Carrie’s dress was strapless, with a low cut back, full lace overlay and, a train that flowed beautifully.  It ombred from classic white in color to a light taupe. It was truly a memorable dress and surely one-of-a-kind.

The ceremony carried on with out a hitch. ” I didn’t expect to be as emotional as I was. All day while I was setting stuff up and getting ready I kept getting teary eyed. Having my Mom and Grandma help me into my dress, my Dad looking at me for the first time, walking down the isle towards Joe, holding his hands while looking into his eyes and saying our vows to each other, are all moments I will cherish forever. It was so special knowing that all the waiting and anticipation was finally over and I was getting to marry the love of my life.”

The reception area was immersed in Southern Style. The dinner menu featured pulled pork, mac & cheese, brown beans and green beans. The pork was smoked on site by Fred Thomas of Heaven on the Hoof. The aroma alone was enough to make your mouth water!

As guests finished dinner, Brian Woodhouse from “Bargain DJ” cranked up the music and the night flowed along seamlessly. Everyone watched as Joe and Carrie showed us what love was all about.

Curious on how Carrie felt post-wedding day? Read on!

Q.How did you feel after the wedding day was over?

It was a mixture of being relieved and excited. All the stress and planning was finally done. We could finally relax and start our lives together, but I was also sad that the excitement and anticipation was done.

Q.Looking back at your wedding, is there anything you would’ve done differently? What advice could you give to future brides & grooms?

Looking back, I wish I had asked for more help along the way. Because I planned the whole thing myself, I felt I had to oversee everything that was going on, instead of being able to sit back, relax and enjoy the days before my wedding. I wouldn’t have stressed over the small things and I wouldn’t have gotten so worked up about minor details, which in the end– didn’t even matter.

My advice to future brides and grooms is to accept all the help you can get, so that you are able to enjoy your special day and not be stressed out about stuff! That, and make sure to stop and take in the moment while it is happening because it goes by so fast!

Q.Is there anything you wish you had spent more time or money on?

Again, I wish I had spent more time enjoying the moment. The whole day flew by and looking back now, I wish I would have relaxed a little more and taken the time to enjoy all the details I spent so much time designing.

Q.Is there anything you wish you had spent less time or money on?

I wish I had spent less time sweating the small stuff, like if the flowers looked symmetrical and if the table runners were straight. Stuff like that. It was a big deal to me but no one else noticed and in hind sight that stuff didn’t matter.

Q.What’s your number #1 tip for future couples on their wedding day?

Take the time to really enjoy every moment! It goes by so fast and you will be busy going from one thing to the next. Take the time to talk to everyone that comes, because before you know it– the night has ended. Try and just slow things down.

From all of us at Iris Hills, we feel blessed to have been able to celebrate Carrie and Joe’s wedding day together. We wish them all the happiness. Cheers!

Carrie and Joe reside in Ludington, Michigan with their son Parker and daughter Avah.