{SBB Bride of the Week} Marina

M A R I N A

+

A L E X

{June 17th, 2023}

{Photos by: Jaymi Joy Photo}

WOW!

Does our bride, Marina, look amazing or does she look AMAZING?!

For her summer wedding, Marina chose a stunning, fitted gown by Allure Couture! She had custom off-the-shoulder straps created to make it all her own and we’re loving the soft tulle veil by Bel Aire Bridals!

{Photos by: Jaymi Joy Photo}

For her beautiful florals, Marina worked with JM's Flowers by Jazz who, per usual, did the most amazing job!

{Photos by: Jaymi Joy Photo}

Marina and her soon-to-be husband, Alex, took a moment before the ceremony to share a special first look together!

{Photos by: Jaymi Joy Photo}

Marina and Alex were married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony at Sundance and the Secret Garden in Millburg, Michigan!

{Photos by: Jaymi Joy Photo}

After the newlyweds were hitched, it was time to head inside and celebrate!

We are obsessed with the decor - retro mixed with glam! And the disco balls?? LOVE!

{Photos by: Jaymi Joy Photo}

How did Marina and Alex first meet? 

“Alex & I met when we were just 17 years old. We both snuck out with our best friends out of their respective houses and met at Northwest Indiana's finest dining establishment, Round the Clock! 😅 My boyfriend at the time & I had recently broken up & when I saw his car in the parking lot, I refused to go in. Alex came out to convince me to come inside & said he would hold my hand & pretend to be my new boyfriend, but I stubbornly refused. We ended up all loading into my car, driving to Chicago in the middle of the night, getting lost, getting locked out of my car, & just having a ridiculous but wonderful night together.

I didn't think anything more would happen after that night, but we got in touch a few days later & we've been basically inseparable ever since!”

How did Alex propose?

“For my 30th birthday, we rented an Airbnb in New Buffalo with some close friends & family. The first night there, we all went down to the beach to watch a beautiful sunset after an otherwise gloomy day. Alex proposed there, at the beach, with some of my favorite people around me.”

Was it a surprise or did she know it was coming?

“I knew the proposal was coming soon, but didn't know exactly when it would happen! I'm the planner in the relationship so I would have known something was up if he took over making plans for something.” 

After that, it was time to say “yes!” to the dress!

“The dress buying experience was honestly overwhelming. I first started out at a few boutiques in Chicago & tried at least 5 dresses at each place. There was nothing really that really felt like the right dress & I was getting frustrated due to my expectations of the process not becoming reality! I went to Something Blue Bridal with the decision that I was NOT leaving without a dress & found "the one" there!”

How did she know her dress was "the one"?

“There wasn't a "Say Yes to the Dress" moment where I just knew my dress was "the one". I was very much overwhelmed by all the options & had to narrow it down to 2 dresses & choose between the two. Luckily I had the support of my mom & my good friend to make my final decision!”

What was Marina’s favorite part of the wedding planning process?

“Alex & I really enjoyed the process of doing tastings together for the food & desserts. It was the most tangible part of the planning process that helped us better picture our actual wedding day.”

What about her least favorite part?

“The rest of it? Haha! I never realized just how stressful the entire planning process would be - months or years of planning for a single day & there was always something more to be done. I think my actual least favorite part was the seating chart.”

Looking back on her special day, does Marina have a favorite wedding moment?

“My favorite moment was when we could let loose with all of our favorite people on the dance floor. Wedding formalities were out the window & I just remember the absolute joy I felt seeing everyone we love together celebrating with us.”

What is the best piece of advice she can give brides-to-be who are currently planning their own big day?

“If you can find the room in your budget, HIRE A PLANNER! I thought I could do it all, but we hired Kristen as our day-of coordinator a few months before the wedding & I cannot say enough how it was the best decision for us! She helped us with important things we would have completely missed & took on all the communication with vendors. It took so much stress off our plate & made the process more enjoyable.”

Congratulations, Marina + Alex!!

Check out more of their super beautiful wedding pictures by Jaymi Joy Photo in the gallery below!