Names:  Derek & Katie     Wedding Date:  April 22, 2011    Wedding Location:  St. Cecilia’s Music Center

Katie & Derek’s Grand Rapids wedding was beautiful!  I loved everything about it!!

1 – How do you like being married? Is it all that you dreamed it would be?

Not much changed after the wedding besides my name. We were together for nearly 8 years when we were married and had a daughter so we were already at that married stage for a while before the actual nuptials. I do love calling him my husband, for some reason that just sounds way more intimate than boyfriend or fiancé. We became pregnant just a few months after the wedding and have since added another beautiful baby girl to our lives so a lot has changed in the past two years, but I couldn’t imagine our lives any different.

2 – If you could change anything about your wedding day, what would it be? Or did it go exactly as planned?

Our wedding went exactly as planned, well besides the crazy fire alarm issue and the fire department showing up, but hey we got some cool pictures because of that! The only thing I would change was to slow down the time. The whole day and night flew by and I wish we could of enjoyed it longer than we did.

3 – Do you have any funny stories or did anything crazy happen on that day?

Well the bar vendor accidentally broke the fire alarm switch off which set the fire alarm off nonstop for about a ½ hr before the wedding was set to begin. I was panicked that it would be going off in the middle of our ceremony. The ballroom on the upper floor was set up for the reception and I kept imagining the sprinklers going off and ruining the flowers and linens! Luckily the fire department showed up and replaced it right before the ceremony started and we got to jump on the back of the fire truck for some pictures so we made the best of the situation and it all worked out in the end.  (Here is one….in case you were dying to see it!!)

4 – What was your favorite part about your wedding? Any special vendors, details, etc?

The whole day went as I had dreamed. Walking up the stairs the first time to see everything set up in the ballroom made me tear up. All my hard work had paid off.  I am so glad we chose St. Cecilia’s to host our wedding and reception, we received so many compliments on the venue.  Designing Dreams did an awesome job on my flowers and center pieces.  Branns and Martha’s Vineyard handled the food and bar and I can’t say enough great things about them. Our guests raved about the food and drinks all night.  And of course our pictures to keep the memory were more then I could of asked for.  Kellie and Joe were so easy and fun to work with.  I remember at one point when we were taking pictures outside in the street my chapel veil took off down the road because of the wind and without hesitation so did Joe.  Haha….. there he was chasing my veil down the middle of the road, camera in hand.  He saved the day!

5 – What were your favorite images? Do any of them have any special meaning behind them?

They all have special meaning to me, everyone of them has a memory. I love the one of my daughters and my shoes together. Emma loved mine and her shoes so whenever I see that picture it reminds me of the conversations we had about our shoes. She was only 2 at the time so they were pretty hysterical. I remember her walking around our house for weeks before the wedding in those shoes. My favorite of Derrick and I is the one where we are sitting on the steps in front of St. Cecilia’s. It was a very comfortable and calming moment, I felt very relaxed at that time.

 

6 – Do you have any advice for soon-to-be brides that may help in their planning and enjoying of their wedding day?

Don’t give yourself too many options, you will constantly question what the right choice is. Go with your gut feeling and what makes you happy. I had a vision in my head of what I wanted and I only stuck with that picture. I was never stressed out or overwhelmed throughout the process. I can honestly say I enjoyed planning my wedding and I wouldn’t change a thing about the day.

7 – Did you go on a honeymoon?  Tell me a little about it!

We went to Punta Cana and stayed at the Now Larimar resort. It was gorgeous! The weather was perfect! My favorite part was taking a catamaran cruise to a private island for a beach BBQ. We spent the week enjoying great food, drinks and entertainment! We loved it so much we are going back next spring!!

8 – Anything else you want to add?

I highly suggest hiring someone to do your make-up the day. It was nice to not worry about having to get myself ready. Being able to sit in a chair with a mimosa in my hand was the best way to start the day. Erick Gerson was amazing and I use him for other events to this day!