Erica + Joe | White Barn Wedding at Etre Farms | St. Joseph, MI

The two were raised high into the air above the crowd. As Erica looked out over the celebration, her eyes met with Joe’s. Laughter and joy exploded from both of them as their friends and family joyfully carried them around, high atop chairs in the traditional horah wedding dance. The scene felt almost symbolic: a clear picture of Erica and Joe’s loved ones lifting them up in support in the same way they had supported them throughout their relationship all the way to this very moment. Slowly, Erica and Joe were lowered back down into the crowd, fully ready to embrace the music, emotion, and energy of the evening. They were finally married, and it was time to celebrate.

Tiny steps were heard throughout the halls of Etre Farms as the morning of Erica and Joe’s wedding began with a flurry of activity. Garak, Erica and Joe’s fur baby, was the guest of honor as his birthday happened to fall on the same day that his favorite person in the world was finally going to get to marry her favorite person in the world. While Garak and Joe spent time with the groomsmen out on their private putting green, Erica and her girls enjoyed the treats and libations Etre offers to their couples, a perfect beginning to the morning. In lieu of traditional bouquets, Erica chose to accent her terracotta aesthetic in the bridesmaid’s dresses with parasols, an exquisite touch that brought an elevated level of class to an already stunning day. Erica and Joe’s vows could only be described as “bespoke” as they recounted their story up until this point with the hope of looking forward to the future they would create together. The ceremony space was marked by the decorated ceremonial Chuppah, symbolizing the beginning of the “home” Erica and Joe were establishing on a beautiful, sunlit August afternoon. Cocktail hour was marked by decadent treats served throughout Etre’s campus, and soon the grand ballroom would be filled with cheers as the bride and groom made their grand entrance. The sunlight softened as evening approached, allowing Erica and Joe one last moment to step out, take in the day, and enjoy a hand-crafted espresso martini. The dance floor erupted as Erica, in her second dress of the evening, arrived on the dance floor, welcomed by the traditional Jewish “Horah,” signaling to the rest of the crowd that the party had finally begun.

Erica and Joe, your kindness truly knows no bounds. Moments with you truly feel brighter, and after spending your wedding day with you, we’ve come to realize that any and all who enter your lives feel the same. Words like “loyal” and “thoughtful” were praised over you from friends and family, not to mention your incredible capacity for making others feel both loved and accepted. Ironically, we’ve seen that impact in our lives already from just being around you for a few days, so we can only imagine the impact you will have on others in the days, weeks, months, and years to come in your beautiful marriage.

All our best!

J + A

All photos are property of Josh and Andrea Photography LLC.