Photo Credit: Green Holly Weddings
Michigan State, Stargazer Lilly's and one unforgettable flood.
These are just some of the moments that made for a most memorable wedding on Erik and Alexs's big day.
I had so much fun working with this fun couple, who were all smiles at each and every dance lesson.
We will take an inside look at their special details, including the songs they chose, their first dance experience, as well as their helpful advice for soon to be brides and grooms.
But first, lets get to know them a little better...
MEET ERIK AND ALEXS
Alexs has worked for General Mills for the past five and a half years in convenience sales, and Erik has been with State Farm Insurance for the past year and a half (and is looking to take on an agency of his own in the near future.)
They love attending sports games and are big Michigan State fans. So much so, that they have season tickets so they can support and cheer on their favorite football team.
During their long distance relationship, they got to spend a lot of time traveling together (Mexico, Vegas, Florida, Chicago, Hawaii, etc) They now enjoy staying close to home and exploring our beautiful state of Michigan (biking, festivals, breweries, etc).
They also spent the first year prior to the wedding, buying their first house, and having fun making it a home by doing DIY projects together.
HOW THEY MET
They're relationship began when they first met in Pittsburgh, PA through the Michigan State Alumni Association.
They were both new to town and looking to make new friends.
Their paths would first cross at a tailgate for the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Detroit Tigers baseball game.
“Turns out THAT game was on June 24th 2012 - five years later we would get married on June 24th 2017. :)”
THE PROPOSAL
Erik proposed on the day before Christmas Eve in 2015.
Alexs was living in Knoxville, Tennessee at the time and was already in Midland, Michigan for the holiday.
Her mom had planned a Christmas Party for that afternoon and she was feeling disappointed that Erik wouldn't make it there until later in the day because he had to work that morning and then drive up from Ohio (where he was living).
“My mom made a big fuss about being sure we had our hair and makeup done first thing so we’d be ready for the party.”
Erik surprised Alexs by showing up around 10:30 AM in a three piece suit (and bow tie!) and got down on one knee by their front door.
The "Christmas" party Alexs's mom was organizing was actually their engagement party, which included all of their closest family and friends, who were ready to spend the rest of the day celebrating with them.
When asked how Alexs felt in that moment she said...
"I had decided a long time ago that Erik was the love of my life, and he told me he felt the same way.
We had talked about marriage and looked at rings together. In that moment, I felt so sure that saying "yes" was the best decision of my life. There were also a lot of happy tears. ALL. DAY. LONG."
THE WEDDING
Erik and Alexs planned their wedding for eighteen months.
They found inspiration for planning their details from Alexs's engagement ring.
“It has little leaf embellishments, which ended up creating my “enchanted forest” vision. My dress also had a similar embellishment and everything else fell into place from there. ”
Photo Credit: Green Holly Weddings
They chose to tie the knot in Alexs's parents backyard in Midland, Michigan.
“I was six years old when the pond was dug and I’ve always grown up with the dream of getting married there. ”
Photo Credit: Green Holly Weddings
Accent colors of gold, green and pink were used to decorate their day, with beautiful flowers that were picked from Alexs's mom's garden.
She also included stargazer lilies, which were also the flower that Erik bought Alexs on their first date (not knowing at the time that they were her favorite.)
Photo Credit: Green Holly Weddings
One of the details that made their ceremony special was having Erik's college roommate, (Matt,) merry them.
“He did an AMAZING job. He made it so personal and really took the responsibility to heart.”
Photo Credit: Green Holly Weddings
Another moment that made the day special was, Bernie Nelson, a Nashville singer-songwriter and author, who performed a very special song called "I'd Love You Anyway."
Bernie went to high school with Alexs's mom and she got to hang out with him while she was living in Tennessee.
“When I asked him to sing the song, he said it would be his honor. :) :) :)”
Photo Credit: Green Holly Weddings
Alexs talks about an unexpected surprise on their big day...
"A FLOOD. It was the second worst flood in Midland, Michigan history. The river crested during our reception (even though it was supposed to crest the night before).
There was no parking in front of the hotel (as there should have been) and the water was nearly up to their front doors.
We ran two pumps over night at my parents house to try to move water so we could park people and still have the ceremony there.
Logistically it wasn't easy - AND THE FLOOD DIDN'T HELP - but we made it happen and it was beautiful!
It was dramatic and to say the least, unexpected, but I never heard anyone complain and I'm so grateful everyone cared so much for Erik and I to help us make it happen."
Photo Credit: Green Holly Weddings
Here are a few of the moments that they said highlighted their ceremony...
"The sun coming out during Bernie's song!
Matt (Erik's college roommate) had us laughing and crying. He quoted Marvin Gaye "Ain't no mountain high enough, valley low enough, river wide enough, or Jesus, a flood strong enough - to keep these two from being together."
Erik also had a very subtle reference to a heat stroke he experienced last fall in his vows.
“It was a “near death” situation (his temp was 107.1) and he referred to a moment where he “told” me he could hear me. It was a sign of hope in a desperate moment. ”
Photo Credit: Green Holly Weddings
THE RECEPTION
The reception was at The H Hotel in Midland, Michigan.
Some of the unique details that made their evening special were handcrafted favors for their guests, which were made by Alexs's previous coworker.
“We joked five years ago that someday she would make my wedding favors, and she did a marvelous job. ”
The centerpieces were made by Alexs's mom, which were hydrangeas from her garden. She had grown the flowers the previous summer, then dried and decorated them with spray paint.
Photo Credit: Green Holly Weddings
Alexs also made a slideshow of all of her and Erik's adventures together, and they made their entrance into the reception to the Michigan State fight Song, which was very fitting for them.
Their wedding cake was a tiered white cake with cupcakes of various flavors.
Erik also made the cake topper, which was a stained glass block of the letter S for their love of MSU, as well as their last name, Scheffler.
“A very close family friend helped him make it! We are planning on turning it into a Christmas ornament someday.”
Photo Credit: Green Holly Weddings
Some of the biggest highlights from their reception that made the evening special were the toasts from Erik's dad, his college roommate (Matt,) and Alexs's mom. And to top it off - their first dance as husband and wife.
THE FIRST DANCE
Erik and Alexs danced to the song '500 Miles' by Haley & Michaels, which they could relate to perfectly since they dated long distance for three years.
When asked how they chose it, Alexs answers...
"It was on country radio a few times but never made a big showing. I've always thought the original version by The Proclaimers summarized our long distance relationship well, and this country version was more romantic."
Photo Credit: Green Holly Weddings
I'm always curious why couples want to take dance lessons for their wedding. Here was Alexs's response...
"Few reasons.... I grew up taking dance lessons and always loved dancing. Erik embraced Two Step lessons with me this winter so he had an interest too.
Second, we didn't want to just sway and feel awkward. It seemed like an opportunity to really surprise and WOW our guests.
And third, it ended up being a great date night! We laughed so much during our lessons and enjoyed practicing together in the evenings. Cost-wise, it wasn't much more than a dinner out, but so much more fun!"
Photo Credit: Green Holly Weddings
They took a total of five dance lessons and started two months prior to their big day. By practicing a few times a week, and every evening for the two weeks before the wedding, they danced beautifully in the spotlight.
Alexs says,
"I don't remember really seeing anyone while we were dancing, just Erik.
But there was a point about halfway through that our guests started to clap and cheer.
When I re-watch the video, I feel like they were truly engagement in the moment with me and my new husband."
“It brought a wow factor into our reception. My mom told me she thought it made other people more ready to dance and party the night away with us.”
Photo Credit: Green Holly Weddings
THE HONEYMOON
Erik and Alexs spent a week for their honeymoon in Northern Michigan.
“We decided not to leave the state when it’s so beautiful this time of year.”
ADVICE FOR OTHER WEDDING COUPLES
Here are Alexs's words of wisdom to other soon to be brides and grooms...
"Let it go. It's not worth being stressed. As a society, we are told that planning a wedding is supposed to be stressful but if you let yourself be consumed by it, you'll never enjoy your day.
Two weeks before, I vowed to just enjoy every minute of it and I did a pretty good job (even when the rain was pounding on my window Thursday night and I woke up to a flooded driveway!).
Also, keep getting stuff done. Finalize as much as you can in the weeks and months leading up to the big day because you will run out of time as the day gets closer."
Photo Credit: Holly Green Weddings
THE SONGS
Alexs shares which songs they used throughout their special day...
The family walked into "No More Cloudy Days" by The Eagles - "A personal favorite of mine and a summary of what our lives are like now that we have each other."
I entered to an acoustic guitar version of "I Will Wait" by Mumford & Sons - "Again, the long distance theme and us constantly waiting for each other - between airports, long drives, and the day we finally got to the same place."
Bernie's song - "I'd Love You Anyway" - "brought tears to my eyes the first time I heard it. Truly beautiful."
We exited to "Love Story" by Taylor Swift - "four years ago I gave up tickets to T-Swift to be Erik's date for his sisters wedding. We've been together ever since."
LEARN HOW TO DANCE FOR YOUR WEDDING
I welcome you to check out our local and online classes for beginners and beyond. We can accommodate your wedding dance desires, no matter what your skill level is.
Whether you would like a fully choreographed routine or one quick and easy lesson to learn a few simple moves, we have you covered.
