Stephanie & Gabe

Ceremony Location: Holy Cross Hungarian Church, Detroit MI

Reception Location: Laurel Manor, Livonia MI

Wedding Colors: Dark purple & silver

# Guests: 160

Emergency Kit Items Used: My vehicle ;) , scissors

Another toasty but great summer day began with Stephanie and her girls getting dolled up by a family friend Debbie doing the bridesmaids' hair, and Kristen from Bridal Beauty On Location doing Stephanie's hair plus makeup for she and her mom. Stephanie's hair was mainly down and it looked just gorgeous; I love it when brides choose this over an up-do if they normally wear their hair down most other days!

This couple opted for our 8-hour reception package while a family friend handled the ceremony at Holy Cross Hungarian Church in Detroit. So, our day began a couple of hours prior to reception start time at Laurel Manor. When we arrived, Heather from MPE Events and her crew really transformed the space in to something spectacular! Half of the centerpieces were birch tree branches holding purple roses and small votive lanterns, and the other half were purple roses submerged in varying heights of cylinder vases which we surrounded with small votive candles. They had hung an ivory backdrop with deep purple swag behind the head table, and strung twinkling lights across the front. Adding to the ambiance were purple uplights around the entire room, and table numbers in lead crystal frames. MPE also did the chair covers with deep purple satin sashes, and all of the florals for the ceremony and reception.

Stephanie & Gabe's favors were personalized shot glasses with assorted candies inside, each in a cute box tied with purple ribbon. We also set up the place cards, and a small children's activity table complete with a tea set and a basket of various activity books and crayons. The children at this reception, however, seemed to enjoy the dance floor most of the night!

When the reception room doors were opened, guests were treated to cocktails, and a lovely table of hot and cold appetizers. Famous and fan-tabulous photographer Amanda Williams of Amanda Williams Photography, and videographer John Kerfoot of Tri-Foot Productions arrived with the bridal party after off-site bridal photos and our night began!

Guests enjoyed a plated dinner and then cake by a family friend Kathey Fox for dessert. Later, DJ Aaron of A-Team Productions got everyone out of their seats and on to the dance floor!

We did have a little bit of drama later in the evening, but it was on purpose! In order to celebrate their Hungarian heritage, the couple opted for something similar to a dollar dance but with a little more background. Stephanie and Gabe danced with guests as their maid of honor and best man collected the dollars on plates. At some point. our bride was "kidnapped" by a male guest and was held ransom, while Gabe and his groomsmen enjoyed a shot at the bar and got a game plan together. The money from the dance was taken from the plates and used to "buy back" the bride. Once she was rescued and brought back in, the groom broke the plates and together the couple swept up the broken pieces. Reading more on this part of it, I found the following from this source:

"This tradition has its roots in two superstitions; that chips bring happiness and the newlyweds show a will to cooperate by jointly sweeping the chips away and their marriage will therefore be harmonious"

With all of that excitement over, guests then danced the night away and enjoyed the rest of their time together.

Thank you so much for finding us, Stephanie & Gabe, and trusting us with your day! Congratulations and good luck!