The way Lois tells it:
I was visiting friends from college just after graduating a few months earlier. We decided it would be fun to go barhopping, starting off at a personal favorite, Gardella’s Tavern. Seated around a large table I proceeded to ask if anyone wanted to see a photo of gangrene that I had taken at work. (I was working as a podiatry assistant at the time.) Austin was the only one brave enough to take a peek and the rest is history.
The way Austin tells it:
All right, Lois is going to say that we met for the first time at Gardella’s. That’s not the case, we had previously met on two occasions. The first time was at a party at a mutual friends house. I’d had a few too many drinks and despite my best effort’s, did not leave a lasting impression. The second time was at a barbecue, where I was so mortified of our first interaction that I avoided talking to her entirely. The fateful third time was at Gardella’s tavern in downtown grand Rapids, where Lois shared a picture of a necrotic toe she took at work. I knew in that moment I would spend the rest of my life with this woman.
Their unique favorite touch was adding wedding photos of their parents and grandparents to the mantels throughout the estate as a way to honor their families and those that have already passed on. They’re amazing florist Sarah of Sarah’s Florals also added a few blooms to the mantles.
The couple decided on pie instead of cake and Lois’s father graciously made a homemade cherry pie for them to enjoy and another one to freeze for their anniversary. He also drove his classic car from Michigan to drive her to the church and drove them to their hotel afterward.
Vendors:
Ceremony site
Holy Name Parish
Reception site
The Endicott Estate
Flowers
Sarah’s Florals
Hairstylist
Charlotte & Co, BriAnna & Ann
Makeup artist
Charlotte & Co, BriAnna & Sara
Photography
Bold as Love Photography
Music
Event Perfect Entertainment
Cake
Petsi’s Pies
Honeymoon
Provincetown, Ma
Comments from the bride:
Sometimes less is more. We tried to think realistically about what we wanted at our wedding, what we wanted to be done professionally, and what we could do ourselves. For example, our centerpieces were spray painted liquor bottles that we had collected from friends over the pandemic, and our invitations were very simple, created on Canva and printed at Staples. In the end you won’t notice much except the love in your partner’s eyes, and your family and friends coming together to celebrate with you. Remember to take it all in, it goes by so fast!
