Check out what Jenilyn & Michael had to say about their Union Mills Homestead wedding!
What will you remember most about your wedding day?
The fact that my groom did not want me to walk down the aisle by myself. My father recently had a stroke and was not well enough to make the trip to attend our wedding, so neither of my parents were there. I didn’t want to have anyone else walk me down, although there were plenty of people who would have jumped at the opportunity to do so. My groom (Michael) gave me the strength to realize that I have been on my own since I was 18 yrs old and I am a strong woman who can walk myself down the aisle, just as I have come to be where I am in life. So down the aisle alone I walked when he stepped out of line to meet me halfway. He said he did this so I knew he would always be there with me when I felt alone. I remember hearing our guests gasp and then sounds of sobs when they realized what he was doing.
Favorite wedding photo and why:
Not my absolute favorite, but the one that made the biggest impact on me. This was the photo of us standing in the field with the rainbow behind us. This was so special and touching to me because I worried so much leading up that day about the weather and I prayed and also talked with my grandpop (who passed 2 months prior to me meeting Michael and I feel played a huge part in sending us together, as I asked him just before he passed to send a good man to me who I can love like he did my grandmother). When I saw that picture…I cried because I felt it was his sign telling me that everything was going to be ok and I was doing the right thing marrying Michael. I felt my grandfather with me so much during the planning of this wedding and with that rainbow…he let us know he was there that day as well!
Most stressful thing about planning your wedding?
Trying to stick to a small budget, but include everyone. We paid for the wedding entirely by ourselves and in the midst of it we decided to also by a house! This was so stressful but with Michael working overtime and me working a second job as a floor nurse on the weekends, we were able to pay for it completely on our own and without using credit!
Most enjoyable thing about planning your wedding?
The cake tasting for our cake at the Rehearsal dinner! It was the most delicious cake ever and we have made frequent trips back to that bakery since then!
If you were able to do it all over again, would you do anything differently?
Absolutely nothing! Everything in our eyes was just perfect!
Any words of wisdom for brides/grooms who are currently planning their day?
Don’t let vendors overwhelm you. And make sure you have a contract, my caterer did not have a contract so I communicated with him solely via email and kept all communication in one email string. So when his finalized quote was way off, I referenced a communication in the email string and he came down on his quote by a few hundred! I also would advise to not stress out about little things. We all have this picture of a perfect wedding….but it’s not gonna happen! Let it go and move on. You can’t control everything…for example our officiant was so nervous (he was a family friend and wanted it to be perfect) that after we got to the alter he forgot to tell our guests they may sit down. Our guests diligently stood the entire time and laughed about it in the end. And the pictures are hilarious…we laugh and wonder what each person is thinking when we look at them!
Wedding location: Union Mills Homestead
Theme or style: Rustic elegance. Our theme is very intimate and is really connected with how Michael and I are. We also have some police and nurse themes thrown in here and there since that is our profession.
Bridal Shop: David’s Bridal
Dress Designer: David’s Bridal
Bride’s shoes: Justin Brand Cowgirl boots
Hair stylist or salon: Up Do’s by Theresa Davis
Makeup artist or salon: Done by Lindsey Funk
Groom & Groomsmen suits / tux: Tuxedo House – Timonium Md
Invitations & Stationery: Made by the Bride
Florist: Inspire Wedding Flowers
Desserts at reception: Made by important women to the bride and groom
Music/DJ – ceremony, reception, cocktail hour, etc.: Jeanie Smith – BeatMix DJ
Caterer: Kountry Kafe
Honeymoon: San Fransisco Ca. for 1 week and then Kauai HI for another week.
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