adam & tarah carnahan {married july 10}

tarah and adam were married july 10th in plymouth, mi at the home of adam’s father and wife. the whole event took place in their backyard, and the weather was wonderful! tarah’s dream wedding came true as her countless ideas folded into place. because the day was so uniquely theirs, i asked tarah and adam to write a little blurb for this post…

All of the details of the wedding incorporated a home-spun feel while trying to maintain a shabby-chic look. Many of the flags were cut by friends and family reusing their old linens and then strung together by my wonderful bridesmaids. Instead of a guest book, guests were asked to write a “recipe for love” on cards made by Brooke, my sister, and I. I am going to pair their responses with pictures from them in the photobooth so that we have something fun and memorable to look back on. We obtained as many local items as we could to contribute to the sustainability of the local economy, getting produce and flowers from local farms, beer made by our friend Chase, wine from a vineyard near Adam’s mom’s house in Northern MI, cake made by Tarah’s friend Nicole who is in pastry school, the appetizers from our favorite restaurant in Grand Rapids, Marie Catrib’s, and we bought many plates and silverware that we can donate to a great organization in Grand Rapids that finds housing for families that are temporarily homeless.

Adam’s favorite part of the day :  The ceremony and seeing Tarah walk down the aisle, which he said is the only time in his life where he was completely awe-struck :)

Tarah’s favorite part of the day: When our family prayed around us during the ceremony because I felt like we were so supported and loved as we were beginning this journey… the first kiss was pretty good too!

The goal of the day was to get married and that we did, but we also wanted our guests to feel relaxed and have fun in a unique, home-spun, shabby-chic backyard reception. We had so much fun seeing and catching up with old friends and so much fun on the dance floor. We didn’t want the night to end!

jacob and janay, the ring bearer and flower girl, are so stinkin’ cute! jacob is actually a cousin that tarah and i share! tarah’s uncle don is also my uncle don :)

Hour d’oeuvres were from Marie-Catribs: mother earth and homemade crackers, potato, veggie pancakes with cucumber yogurt sauce
Menu: Sun-dried-tomato pesto shish kabobs, bourbon glazed petite filets with onion frites, Israeli cous-cous, and local squash and zucchini
Desert: Shortcake bar- sugared biscuits with strawberries, peaches, or cinnamon apples with fresh whipped cream, and cookies made by tarah’s mother (the best i’ve ever had!!)

click here to view photos from adam and tarah’s engagement session in may :)