Allison + Mike “I remember pastor walking in and saying “I have never had this happen before where both the bride and groom are so calm.” Which I responded with “When it’s right, there’s nothing to be nervous about.”” Mike
Kick-Ass Local Vendors : Ceremony: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church | Reception: Pearl Street Grill & Brewery | Photography: Ayres Photography | Hair + Makeup: Bliss Salon | Bridesmaids Dresses: Bridals by D | Florist: Hock’s Flower Shop | DJ: Toy Bros
The Proposal “We headed down to my family’s cabin in Ellicottville for Memorial Day weekend. With the temperatures in a weird place – not hot, but not cold – my Dad had started a fire inside so we didn’t get too cold at night. Unfortunately we fell victim to heat rising and were wide awake at 6 am Saturday morning because it was just too hot to sleep. Mike suggested taking a walk in the woods (which should have been a clue – he usually isn’t out of bed until 10 am on a Saturday!) so we headed out with our dog Parker to take a walk around the property. When we arrived at the location deemed the “romantic lookout” by my sister and I (long before Mike), we stopped and looked at the beautiful views. Mike told me how much he loved me, and the next thing I know he is down on one knee, asking me to marry him. I very quickly said “YES!!!” It was the perfect plan – he didn’t tell anyone he was planning it, so it was a big surprise (which is exactly what I hoped for). He then arranged for his Dad and our closest friends, along with my family, to join us at the cabin later that day to celebrate. Being able to have a private moment with Mike then be able to celebrate with those closest to us the rest of the weekend was so perfect. I couldn’t ask for anything more. Oh, and the ring – stunning! He did great!” Allison
“I proposed at Allison’s family cabin in Ellicottville. She had no idea it was coming. I was so excited and nervous I couldn’t sleep all night. At around 6am we were both awake and I asked her if she wanted to go for a walk. As soon as she said yes I quietly tried to get out of the cabin as fast as I could so no one else in her family would wake up and ask to come along for the walk. I had to grab the ring out of my bag next to our bed without her seeing and slipped it into my coat pocket. As we were walking around the land, I was trying to pick the perfect spot to stop and ask the question. We stopped at a ravine, I turned to her and told her I loved her and couldn’t imagine life without her. I got down on my knee and asked her to marry me. She said yes even before she looked at the ring. We rushed back to the cabin to tell her family. Little did Allison know that I invited my family and our friends to come down to celebrate the engagement together . Allison’s mom was still asleep so we decided not to tell when she woke up but wanted to see if she would notice. Allison kept shoving her hand in her mom’s face until 5 minutes later she noticed. My dad and our friends arrived and we celebrated all day. It was the perfect day.” Mike
Wedding Details “Our first official date was at Pearl Street so it was so special to celebrate our wedding there (see picture from the restaurant – this is exactly where we sat!) It was important to take time to walk around Pearl Street together before the reception started to take in everything we had been working so hard on for the past year and a half. So many of our decorations were made by us, our family and our friends, as well as a lot of personal touches we incorporated, that it was amazing to see how everything came together. It was everything I had hoped for and so much more! Seeing everything come together, seeing all of the people you love there supporting you – it is a truly amazing feeling!”
Favorite Moments “Spending the morning getting ready with my bridal party and my Mom. I was so relaxed because nothing in my life has felt more right than marrying Mike. I was able to laugh and have fun with some of the most important people in my life. Seeing Mike at the altar – and not being able to do anything but smile! Knowing that I was walking towards my best friend that I very shortly would be able to call my husband was the best feeling in the entire world.” Allison
“Getting ready to walk down the aisle with my Dad. I am the youngest of three girls, and the last to get married, so I was convinced that both my Dad and I would be crying as we walked down the aisle. But the comfort of having him by my side as I walked down the aisle was all I needed. We were in perfect stride the whole way! Of course, seeing Allie walk down the aisle. She never looked more beautiful than in that moment. I spent all my energy trying not to cry the whole time she was walking towards me and I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her. I knew in my heart that I was making the right decision by marrying her. Our first dance as husband and wife was really special, including the special guest appearance from our niece and flower girl, Paisley. We wanted the dance floor to be full the entire night – and it certainly was! We had so much fun dancing and celebrating with the most important people in our lives. We had a blast twirling around with our nieces and nephew, singing at the top of our lungs with our friends, and dancing to Mustang Sally with my family!” Mike
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