Botanical Garden DIY Wedding | Tucson Wedding Photographer
Botanical Garden DIY Wedding | Tucson Wedding Photographer
Ariel & John
Never underestimate the power of a flyer with tear-away contact strips, people!! This is how Ariel and I found each other and how I ended up photographing her and John’s beautiful wedding! No joke! Ariel posted flyers around some artsy spots in Chicago, and I saw it as I was leaving the grand opening of a creative co-working space. I took a strip, sent her an email, and the rest is history. I am so glad we found each other too, because their wedding was so pure and amazing.
John & Ariel met on OKCupid. Having used dating apps myself, I know how incredibly frustrating they can be. But sometimes they work some serious magic. That’s what happened here. Ariel was getting pretty fed up with online dating and decided that the next date would be her last on the app. But as fate would have it, her next/last first date was with JOHN. They hit it off (and, perhaps more importantly, Ariel hit it off with his two kids), and they’ve been together ever since.
They combined their families with this beautiful ceremony and party at Friendship Botanical Garden in Michigan City, IN (right by New Buffalo, MI where Ariel grew up spending her summers and where her parents now live). They also DIY’d nearly all of their details, and they did a fabulous job if I do say so myself. Ariel’s sister was her maid of honor, while John’s twin brothers were his best men. One of their best friends officiated. John’s kids were the ring bearer and flower girl. They had a popcorn machine, a pizza truck, and dessert bar for sustenance. They had a beautiful white tent with cute little twinkle lights. And most importantly, they were surrounded by family and friends that love them. And, of course… a wild dance party to end the night. ;)
