Letter from the editor
Planning a wedding can be the most exciting, but most stressful time of your life. There are so many details to consider, such as flowers, the color scheme, the venue and vendors. I got married in 2022 and I often think about the year-long planning period that came before the big day. I think the part that took the longest was thrifting for brass candlesticks and gold picture frames that I used as decor throughout the venue. I had planning journals, spreadsheets and so many lists that kept me on track. The weeks leading up to the wedding felt like a full time job. But then the day came, and everything seemed to effortlessly come together.
In this wedding guide, we highlight a local couple, provide a list of local resources for a rehearsal dinner and chat with an expert about current floral trends. Our local couple gives shout out to her local vendors such as her venue, bridal salon and catering. Read on to be inspired by their story and the other resources we gathered together for this guide.
Happy reading,
Mary Genson
Assignment editor
Current Magazine
Table of Contents
- Letter from the editor
- Local couple highlight: Jenna Hoppe-Keith and Adam Keith
- Local Spring Floral Trends for Weddings
- Where to have Rehearsal Dinner in Ann Arbor
- Wedding and Engagement Ring Trends
Local couple highlight: Jenna Hoppe-Keith and Adam Keith
How did you meet?
We met at Heidelberg Restaurant & Bar in July 2020. It was just Adam and Jenna at the bar, and Adam decided to strike up a conversation with Jenna about her questionable choice in beer. The rest is history 🙂
When did you get engaged and who popped the question?
We got engaged in November 2024 while traveling in Colombia. Adam carried the engagement ring around in a backpack the entire trip, which Jenna thought was odd since he never carries one. He waited until the very last day to propose.
Did you have any pre-wedding events? (bridal shower, bachelor/bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinner, etc.)
No bridal shower or bachelor party. Jenna had a small bachelorette party downtown Ann Arbor, and we had a casual rehearsal dinner at The Black Pearl (Ann Arbor) with close family. We don’t love being the center of attention, so we kept everything simple.
Where did you get married and why did you choose your venue?
We got married at Zingerman’s Greyline Event Space in downtown Ann Arbor. We wanted something close to home, and we loved the location, layout and overall style. Our coordinator, Jason Reed, was also fantastic, easygoing and great to work with, which was exactly what we were looking for.
Did you have a color scheme or style in mind?
Cobalt blue, gold, and white. We were going for a modern, glam, non-traditional look rather than a classic fairytale style.
What did you wear?
Jenna wore the Martina Liana 1294 dress from The Love Club Bridal (formerly Beloved Bridal). It was on the sample rack, and Jenna had been eyeing it for months. Shout out to Brittanie at Unveiled By Brittanie (Saline) for doing the alterations. Hair done by Bailey at hJEM Beauty (Ann Arbor). Make-up credit by London Beauty (Ann Arbor). Turned out perfect!
What did the groom wear?
Adam wore a navy blue suit from Van Boven (Ann Arbor). He looked great!
Did you have a bridal party? If so, what did they wear?
No bridal party. We actually walked down the aisle together, which felt very “us.”
What did you serve for food and dessert?
We used Zingerman’s Catering and had chicken, salmon, steak and eggplant, along with a variety of seasonal sides. For dessert, we served chocolate cake with raspberry ganache and almond flour cake with butternut cream, shout out to Bella e Dolce Cakes (Novi) and sweet treats from Katie Keith at Sweet Creature Creations. We also had appetizers and late-night snacks (Zingerman’s Catering).
What were your favorite details from the big day?
Our ceremony: it was short, simple, and meaningful. We played “Back in Black” by AC/DC following the “I-do’s”.
Our flowers: These turned out so awesome. Shout out to University Flower Shop (Ann Arbor).
Our wedding invitations: Our invitations had our caricatures drawn on them, artist credit: Jac Hawk. He also was a vendor at our wedding drawing caricatures for our guests.
We also had a magician! Shout out to Alexander the Magician.
Did you go on a honeymoon?
We went to Hawaii in the fall.
Do you have any advice for couples getting married this year?
Don’t feel like you have to follow traditional wedding norms! It’s your special day- do what YOU want 🙂
Local Spring Floral Trends for Weddings
By Mishal Charania
Spring florals are in bloom and local flower shops are ready to supply seasonal flowers for every occasion. As event coordinator and lead buyer for University Flower Shop and three years of experience at the shop, Cecelia Snyder has seen a variety of trends ebb and flow regarding spring florals specifically in Ann Arbor.
“I think it’s a lot of color trends right now, people are really focused on color palettes, like magenta, fuchsia [and] chartreuse color palette is emerging for, I would say, a lot of 2027 weddings,” Snyder said. “Looking at other florists in other areas of the country and seeing what they’re creating, a lot of florists right now are doing a lot of monofloral. It started popping up last year, and we don’t think it’s leaving it’s gonna probably stick around. So, having a bouquet that’s just all dahlias or just all poppies or peonies is super popular, and having structural designs as well, has been super popular, and it’s definitely been very popular in a corporate space, and is slowly making its way towards retail and weddings.”
By structural designs, Snyder is referring to bouquets crafted specifically for vases with a more defined shape rather than a garden-style, wildflower-inspired design, for example. Either style can be done well for a given space or event, depending also on the flowers utilized in the arrangement.
University Flower Shop works with suppliers from all over the United States and the world, while prioritizing ethical sourcing and quality. According to Snyder, peonies are a heavily utilized popular flower for spring bouquets but Snyder also has some personal recommendations including daffodils, tulips and muscari. Snyder notes that for some popular flowers, such as peonies, the price is going to be significantly higher due to where the flowers are being sourced from.
“It’s really hard to get certain flowers that are local and seasonal. So when people ask them and then hear the price, they’re very shocked about it, and kind of knowing where your flowers are coming from is super important,” Snyder said.
For weddings in particular, Snyder has seen green florals stand out as a choice for arrangement requests in the local area, delving into an elegant look and feel.
“It’s a lot of white and green, kind of a more modern style of a lot of organic, monofloral looks,” Snyder said. “A lot of White Calla Lilies are really popular, all year round. We have a lot of colorful color palettes, but I would say most of the time it’s leaning towards that green and white color palette.”
University Flower Shop and other local flower shops provide services to help curate custom bouquets and arrangements, in addition to having pre-made bouquets using a variety of palettes and flower choices to invoke feelings of spring.
“I think when a lot of people hear spring, they think pastels and colorful so that’s where that color palette will lead to,” Snyder said. “We’ll oftentimes show people flower choices they have, guide them through the process of what they’re interested in. […] But if it’s in the winter, and somebody comes to us [says] ‘we want spring’ we’ll typically lean towards a pastel color palette with some organic shapes, like a lot of circles and [use] delphinium […] they have a very springy, unique shape to them, because they’re a bit more airy and delicate. I think it’s how a lot of people identify spring.”
Where to have Rehearsal Dinner in Ann Arbor
By Antonio Cooper
Wedding season is near, and what better way to kick off the season of love than by highlighting venues that offer excellent rehearsal dinner space? Your rehearsal dinner is the first step to having your happily ever after. And in the Ann Arbor area, between the walkable cityscape, vibrant downtown area and a host of tasty restaurants, your options for a rehearsal dinner are plentiful. In this article, we will highlight venues you should consider while searching for your rehearsal dinner space.
110 S Main St, Ann Arbor
734-222-9841
- The Bubble Room – (20-60 guests)
- The Cellar Room – (16-20 guests)
- The Bordeaux Space (formerly the Vine) – (16-20 guests)
- The Barrel Room – (16-20 guests)
Vinology is one of the wine capitals of Ann Arbor, offering an endless roster of wines that range in region from France to Spain. For your pre-wedding dinner, their venue offers four private rooms, each curated by their in-house Event Coordinator in collaboration with their executive chef and beverage manager. According to the venue, the price of this experience varies on the time booked, ranging from $1,250 – $3,500.
2501 Jackson Ave, Ann Arbor
734-663-3663
- Patio Atrium – (up to 100 guests)
- Common Room – (up to 70 guests)
- Common Room & Patio Atrium Combined (up to 175 guests)
- Roadhouse Park – (up to 55 guests)
- Atrium Meeting Space – (up to 30 guests)
- Garden – (up to 50 guests)
Zingerman’s is one of Ann Arbor’s biggest entities, having a community of businesses that range from their famous Deli to their quaint coffee company. However, for your private dinner, the Roadhouse serves a unique private dining experience, including exclusive Zingerman’s catering. With five separate spaces to choose from, a weekend night for this experience comes with a food and beverage minimum of $8,000.
In addition to Zingerman’s Roadhouse, the Zingerman’s Greyline is a venue that can be rented out for a wedding, reception, elopement, shower or rehearsal dinner.
226 S Main St, Ann Arbor
734-994-2773.
- Up to 100 for strolling events
- Up to 70 for receptions
The Pretzel Bell always stands out in the Ann Arbor area, located on the corner of the bustling Main Street. What makes the venue stand out is its high-quality food, from its stunning Pretzel Crusted Mac & Cheese to Cajun Salmon; this venue is a prime location for leaving your dinner guests in culinary bliss. For their private experience, The Pretzel Bell offers space for up to 100 guests. You can discover more information, like pricing, by emailing [email protected].
2900 S State St, Ann Arbor
734-332-9700
- Pomegranate Room:(up to 80 guests)
- Board Room: (up to 22 guests)
- Full AV
If you’re looking for a rehearsal dinner location with laid-back energy, intimate intent, and fantastic dinner and drink options, Mediterrano is the venue for you. Your special dinner should highlight the precious moments with your loved ones. At Mediterrano, you can enjoy dinner options crafted by their team of chefs and event planners, while going down memory lane with their AV service for presentations and slideshows. You can discover more information, like pricing, by emailing [email protected].
401 Depot St, Ann Arbor
734-769-0592
- The Courtyard – (up to 150 guests)
- The Mezzanine – (up to 70 guests)
- The Wolverine Room – (up to 50 guests)
- Full AV
Created for the wedding experience, Gandy Dancer offers private spaces with an exclusive event concierge, menu customization, valet parking, and their full AV service. We would be remiss to forget their standout menu, which includes a three-course dinner, serving items such as their Petite Filet Mignon, Lemon Chicken or Coldwater Lobster Tail. You can visit their wedding events page for more information.
322 S Main St, Ann Arbor
734-669-8826
- Wine Cellar – (up to 14 guests)
- La Dolce Vita – (up to 22 guests)
- The Gratzi Room – (up to 22 guests)
- Lloyd Carr Room – (up to 40 guests)
The Chop House has long remained one of the gold standards for Ann Arbor dining and for your rehearsal dinner. If you’re wishing for a refined, sophisticated rehearsal dinner with filling menu items bursting with flavor, then a trip to The Chop House is in order. You and your guests will enjoy options from their juicy 22 oz Cowboy Steak to North Atlantic Salmon. Their menu offers a variety fit for everyone, making their delicious trip a wedding dinner your guests will never forget. According to the company, the price for this experience will range between $1,500 to $3,000.
216 E Washington St, Ann Arbor
734-369-3153
- The Wine Cellar – (up to 32 guests)
- Garrotxa Room – (up to 25 guests)
- The Valencia Suite – (up to 14 guests)
- The Reina Room – (up to 8 guests)
Aventura is a beautiful expression of authentic Spanish atmosphere, cuisine and charming hospitality. For your pre-wedding dinner, make the intimate Aventura experience your dining choice, as each of their four rooms makes your private event as special as the wedding itself. The restaurant offers you the opportunity to customize your menu, curated with tapas for the entire table to share and mouth-watering desserts. Their alluring four private options range in price from $750 – $2,500.
121 W Washington St, Ann Arbor
734-994-0211
- Three Private Rooms: 35 each
Recipient of the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence for over 35 years and running, the Earle is a brilliant combination of location, being in the heart of the downtown area, menu, offering a wine list with over 1,200 selections of finely crafted spirits, and venue space, having three private rooms which hold 35 guests each. Availability and pricing depend on the booking date. However, you can reach out to The Earle directly at [email protected] to craft your perfect pre-wedding dinner experience.
Wedding and Engagement Ring Trends
Keith A. Largin DG, GIA
Lewis Jewelers
Custom Design Specialist – Creative Advisor
300 S. Maple Rd., Ann Arbor
Are you seeing a move toward bolder statement pieces or more understated designs in engagement rings?
The last 5 years has seen more of a movement to simple solitaire with larger diamonds. Due mostly because of the affordable lab grown diamonds.
What role are band styles playing in current trends?
More unique band designs are popular, ‘scattered” type look, fancy shape stones mixed, unique shape designs
Are couples prioritizing uniqueness over tradition more than before?
Yes, the over load of options due to the internet has people wanting to create their own.
How has interest in colored stones changed over the years?
Not really, maybe 10% of eng rings use color gems or fancy color diamonds and that has been pretty standard.
Is there an element of a ring that you think will always be considered timeless?
Having a “center” stone will always remain timeless, its deciding to accent it or not where the fun begins.
Do you have a favorite trend in wedding and engagement rings?
The trend back to the warmer color metal of yellow gold. I prefer it over the white metal option. Everything is always cyclical.
