Jaimie and Mitch: "Big Things Come in Small Packages"

Written by: Clare Spencer

Photography by: Frankie Photography

http://www.frankiephotographymi.com/

Words from the bride. When it comes to wedding planning advice, "Don't sweat the small stuff..." But when it comes to finding the perfect wedding gown, "Keep an open mind, what you think you love might not be right for you." The fact that Mimi's Bridal is the only boutique in the Ann Arbor area that carries Hayley Paige is why Jaimie made an appointment in the first place. She'd fallen in love with Hayley Paige's designs online and knew she had to try them on. Besides Hayley Paige gowns, Jaimie tried on other designers' gowns but it ended up being a Hayley Paige ballgown she chose for her big day. Not only that but it was the first gown she tried on.

"The dress was full, but light. It was simple and delicate. It was me!"

Her dress was 'Esther', a pin striped ballgown with a sweetheart neckline and a centered, V-shaped dip, and an uneven organza flounced skirt.

Jaimie and Mitch met their freshman year at Western Michigan University on move-in day. Mitch was helping some other girl move in who lived on Jaimie's floor and they were friends ever since. They only began dating four years later after they graduated in 2013.

On Valentine's Day of 2014, as a gift, Jaimie had given Mitch what she calls "Open When Cards." It's actually a very clever and cute gift idea. It was a variety of cards that on the outside said things like, "Open when sad", "Open when upset with me", "Open when you miss me", and so on. On the inside were pictures and notes to accompany the concept of the individual card. Let's move along to January 2015 and I'll explain why this super adorable DIY gift giving is so important.

So in January of 2015 Jaimie and Mitch went on a trip to the northern par of the Lower Peninsula. One evening after a romantic candlelit dinner, the couple moved outside to where the hotel had a fire going and s'mores for the guests to enjoy. As they were having some s'mores, Mitch handed Jaimie the card that said, "Open when you are feeling hopeful about our future." Inside it read, "Will you marry me?" And if you haven't figured it out yet, Jaimie obviously said yes.

The wedding was held in Glen Arbor, Michigan at a small Lutheran church that has, as Jaimie describes it, an "up north" feel. To go along with that feel, the reception was held at The Homestead Resort, in the Mountain Flowers Lodge which gave off the rustic and vintage vibe the couple was going for. Jaimie shared a really lovely and heartfelt tale from her wedding day:

"My brother served as an usher in our wedding and made a speech. Every year on my birthday my brother woke me up with a Hostess cupcake with a candle in it. During his speech he talked about how now that I am married he won't be the one to do that for me anymore and made a point to tell Mitch how important it is that he keep the tradition alive. Then, he surprised me by having one last Hostess cupcake brought out to me with a lit candle in it. It was a very sweet "send off" and "goodbye" from my brother."