Mike & Aleah // Fun Burgundy Fall Wedding

After being together for more than 10 years, everyone just assumed that Mike & Aleah would never get married. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to get married. They’d talked about it and agreed that marriage was in their future – just in the future future.

As Christmas of 2015 was rolling around, Mike decided that the “future” had indeed arrived and it was time. He knew he wanted to propose around the holiday and he knew he wanted it to be a big surprise. When his job acquired a new piece of machinery that was delivered in a gigantic wooden crate, the lightbulb went off in Mike’s head. He asked if he could have the empty crate, and with permission granted, he set his plan in motion.

He loaded the crate in the back of his truck and snuck it home. He knew Aleah wasn’t around, so in her absence, he set to work on his plan. The crate was filled to the brim with packing peanuts and then he went thru several rolls of wrapping paper to completely wrap his extra large “gift”. Time winding down, he needed to get it out of the house. He loaded it back into his truck and drove it over to Aleah’s parent’s house for the evening. Her Dad was let in on the secret, but her Mom was kept out of the loop as she was notorious for not being able to keep a secret.

The next morning, Mike made an excuse as to why he needed to leave the house. He snuck back to her parent’s house to move the crate to it’s final destination: Aleah’s Aunt’s garage.

Christmas morning arrived. After celebrating at home as a family, they headed over to Aleah’s Aunt’s house where the rest of the family traditionally gathered together. Christmas of 2015 was unseasonably warm – temps reached up into the 60’s! The grill was fired up and people milled about through the house, the garage, and outside.

A secret announcement was spread through the family: something big was going to go down in the garage & you didn’t want to miss it! No one knew what was about to happen, but when Mike told Aleah that her Christmas present was out in the garage, everyone followed her out. Oblivious to everyone around her, Aleah was shocked at the sight of a gigantic wrapped gift sitting in her Aunt’s garage.

As she began to unwrap the box, she found a wrench with a note that said: “You are going to need this.” Mike had literally screwed the box shut. Aleah could only guess what this massive crate contained. And as she finally popped the lid, she found packing peanuts – hundreds and hundreds of packing peanuts. Laughing, she dug down thru them looking for something – anything!

Finally, her hands connected with a small, hard object. Pulling it out, she found a ring box. In that moment, she finally began to connect the dots and wonder if this was a proposal. Heart pounding, hands shaking, and with slightly misty eyes, she worked at the tape Mike had used to secure the box shut. Popping it open, she was shocked to find: nothing. It was empty.

Completely confused, she turned around to ask Mike what in the world this meant. And that’s when she found her best friend down on one knee, with the missing ring in his hand.
The next few moments are a blur. Mike said some fancy things, but Aleah didn’t hear one word. At the end of his eloquent speech, he asked, “Will you marry me?” and no one’s even sure if she audibly responded yes.

This past Saturday, on another unseasonably warm day, Mike & Aleah officially tied the knot. And now, when everyone assumes that they’re husband & wife – they’ll be correct.

Mike & Aleah – you guys are the best! I so enjoyed meeting your precious family, seeing the immense love that surrounds the two of you, and celebrating your beautiful wedding day. You both are obviously meant to be together and I trust that the next 10 years are even better than the last!

Mike and Aleah’s kids all filled special roles on Saturday for their parent’s wedding. I have to be honest – their youngest kind of stole my heart with her missing-tooth-grin and perfectly-twirly-dress!

Just a little bit of happiness bubbling over!

I loved the fall palette Aleah & Mike choose for their October wedding. Aren’t these girls gorgeous!

The boys cleaned up pretty nicely themselves!

The entire wedding day took place at The Radisson in Corning, NY.

Finally, husband & wife!

While we were outside taking portraits, Kristen & her staff opened up the ballroom & flipped the ceremony space into reception space! It was so elegant!

We might not have been in Pittsburgh, PA – but there was still a cookie table to make me feel right at home!

Mike & Aleah’s bridal party choreographed (and practiced) all of their entrances into the reception. It was epic.

But nothing was quite as epic as the Mother/Son Dance that Mike & his Mom shared! They started out on a slow song, but to everyone’s surprise, it then faded into a mix of dance music! Everyone was on their feet, clapping along, and not a single soul could contain themselves as everyone cheered the duo on!
You simply must SEE it to truly understand how epic it was! DJ Chris Washburn got the whole thing on video & it’s over on his Facebook page – definitely go check it out! 

Combined with their choreographed grand entrances – it simply set the mode for some truly epic dance moves all night long!

And I got to catch up with Drew & Katy!! Omigosh you guys – I love love love working with families over & over again. So, it was so much fun to see Drew (who is Aleah’s brother) and his now wife Katy!! I did their engagement photos, what feels like, ages ago!

Instead of doing a traditional garter & bouquet toss, Mike & Aleah decided that they wanted to include every single one of their guests. So, instead of only bringing up single guys & girls to the dance floor, they invited everyone up & then tossed a bouquet of lottery tickets!

Of course, we had to take a few moments at the end of the night to sneak out & enjoy the lights of Market Street! It was the perfect way to end the evening!

Huge shout-out and thank you to the amazing team of vendors, as well as friends & family, who helped make Mike & Aleah’s wedding day absolutely perfect!

Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Radisson in Corning, NY
Wedding Coordinator: Kristen Morseman
DJ & Uplighting: Chris Washburn of Washburn Entertainment in Ithaca, NY
Catering: The Radisson in Corning, NY
Bridal Gown Retailer: Bon Julies in Horseheads, NY
Bridal Gown Designer: Maggie Sottero
Bridesmaids Gowns: David’s Bridal
Hair & Makeup: Cassie & Emily of Lotus Beauty Lounge in Horseheads, NY
Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Cake: TK Delights in Brackney, PA
Invitations: DIY by the bride
Officiant: Mr. Scott Pautz
Photographer: Kara Abbey Photography in Irwin, PA