Emma and Wesley’s Rustic Wedding with Urban Vibes
We love Midwest destination weddings! Two hours away from Chicago, Millcreek Wilde is the perfect venue option if you want a wedding away from Chicago but close enough for everyone to get to! This rustic style wedding is goals. From the beautiful woodsy setting to the thoughtful touches, we are all about these vibes!
“This wedding was special to me because Emma was a childhood friend of mine who actually grew up as my neighbor for many years while I lived in Colorado. She ended up moving to Chicago to attend North Park University, which is where she met Wesley. To say I was thrilled to photograph her wedding day is an understatement!
Wesley and Emma were looking for a venue that was close enough to Chicago for friends and family to travel, but far enough to feel like a destination wedding. When they came across Millcreek Wilde in Watervliet, Michigan, they knew they had to book it. Millcreek Wilde is less than 2 hours away from the city, private and tucked away in the woods of Michigan, making it the perfect venue for any bride wanting the destination feel, while still being close enough to Chicago.
The venue owners describe it as the ideal place for the Colorado bride who also lives in the city and loves urban touches. Emma instantly connected because she grew up in Colorado and now lives in the city, so she knew this was the place!
Emma’s morning started with her and her bridesmaids getting their hair done at Beaux Cheveaux and makeup done by one of Emma’s close friends, Michelle. Could they get any cuter with their matching PJs from Plum Pretty Sugar? She even surprised her girls with gorgeous bracelets from Kendra Scott.
One of my favorite parts about the Woodley’s wedding day was the moment they shared together before the ceremony. Instead of a first look, Emma and Wesley decided to have an intimate moment together and hold hands while reading letter from the other.
Wesley and Emma had planned for an outdoor ceremony, but with the rain, they opted for an indoor ceremony. The venue sure didn’t disappoint since it catered to both indoor and outdoor wedding needs. Their ceremony was filled with many friends and family who traveled near and far just to see them tie the knot.
The couple wanted to keep their decorations simple since the venue’s rustic and urban touches really decorated itself. Her beautiful bouquet designed by Tara Florist, featured peonies, one of Emma’s favorite flowers. The girls’ dusty sage dresses from Show Me Your Mumu complimented the florals beautifully. Because the groomsmen were all from different countries, they represented that with the socks they wore! From the pig roast dinner catered by White Horse Farm Catering, to the personalized koozies, the Woodleys thought of every last detail that made their wedding special.
Before the dancing was underway, the couple sliced into a ginormous cupcake, baked by Cupcakes by Cara. Tim from Music Unlimited did a great job keeping everyone out on the dance floor moving.
The rain finally cleared out by the end of the night when guests went out to to enjoy lawn games. Emma’s siblings gifted the newleyweds with a customized corn hole game, which ended up being a huge hit!”
Wedding Pro’s
Photography: Ashley Dahl Photography
Venue: Millcreek Wilde
Wedding Party Attire: Plum Pretty Sugar
Wedding Party PJ Attire: Show Me Your Mumu
Bridal Party Bracelets: Kendra Scott
Catering: White Horse Farm Catering
Cake: Cupcakes By Cara
Hair/Makeup: Beaux Cheveux
Wedding Dress: Mikaella Bridal
Groom Attire: The Tie Bar
Groom Attire: Express Men
Live Music: The McMakens
DJ: Music Unlimited
Florals: Tara Florist
Paper Goods: Minted