It's A Beautiful Day! Day-Of Wedding Coordination: Neely & Chris

Ceremony & Reception Location: The Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn

# Guests: 180

Wedding Colors: Peach, Champagne, Ivory, Vintage theme

Emergency Kit Items Used: Band-Aids, tape, birthday candles

HISTORY was the theme for this beautiful May day! And what better a location than Dearborn's Henry Ford Museum?!

Nelly & Chris were married in The Henry Ford's Anderson Theatre. The original plan was for the ceremony to be outside in the court yard, but rain from the previous day and a little sprinkle that day had made the ground a bit too soft for the event. For an alternate location, really, it was just as beautiful ~ The ceremony made even more fabulous by a surprise set up by Neely for Chris's former Western Michigan University band mates who performed during the recessional in the theatre balcony in a sort-of "flash mob" feel.

A bagpiper greeted guests as they entered, along with a trio of musicians from Rhythm Society Orchestra. This company ALSO provided a pair of awesome swing dancers who gave guests a lesson later!

Nelly really left no stone un-turned in the planning of her wedding. Every element was carefully selected, from the band, to the lighting, to the escort cards, even down to the charms I witnessed the bridesmaids pulling from a cake at the hotel~ And all came together just beautifully! (More info on the charm tradition here) The Henry Ford event staff turned the room from Museum to Wedding in no time flat. Very impressive! Absolutely everyone we worked with there was helpful, accommodating, and went above and beyond the call of duty! I know I tend to say that often, but everyone (including us) truly appreciates a positive experience.

Oh, and I must mention that BOTH the bride's and groom's birthdays were on their wedding day! How cool is that? For the occasion, we put white candles on the cake and lit them upon the grand entrance, as guests sung happy birthday.

Neely & Chris were such a great couple to work with; I was honored to have the opportunity to get to know them a little better throughout their planning stages. This was one wedding I had been very excited for for a long time, as I am sure the couple was also!

THANK YOU, congratulations, and best wishes! You two rock!

Escort card table and wishing tree "guest book" ....

Escort cards doubled as favors and were small compasses:

Some room shots...not everyone can say that they had a large plane hovering above their reception room!

Captain's table before flowers arrived:

Cake, pre-candles:

Each table's centerpiece was also surrounded by candles, and a few framed family photos. It was no mistake that all of the frames coordinated with the wood of the guest chairs and in the museum: