A Playful Wedding at A Historical American Home in Michigan

The Location

Renowned architect Albert Kahn built the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House for Henry Ford's son, Edsel, his wife, and their four children in 1927. Located on the shore of Lake St. Clair and filled with family history (it's where the groom's grandfather grew up), this English Cotswold mansion was a striking venue for Nikki and Kiff's spring wedding.

The Style

On the last day of a shopping trip in New York City, Nikki tried on a silk Carolina Herrera A-line with a full tulle skirt and knew it was the one. The morning of their wedding, Kiff surprised Nikki with what one of her bridesmaids deemed the necklace from Pretty Woman, which she wore with a diamond bracelet and diamond earrings.

Kiff donned a royal blue custom suit by Trunk Club, a pink Hermes tie, and brown Paul Stuart shoes.

The Bridal Bouquet

Nikki carried a bouquet of ranunculus, peonies, bleeding hearts, passion vines, forget-me-nots, and delphinium made by Saipua.

The Bridesmaids

The ultimate theme of the day was loud flowers and loud shoes—and Nikki got the latter with her eight bridesmaids' pink Aquazurra stilettos, which popped against their gray Jenny Yoo strapless dresses.

The Groomsmen

The eight groomsmen matched Kiff in their royal blue Trunk Club suits and pink Hermes ties. They later entered the ceremony to "Gridiron Heroes"—the Detroit Lions' fight song.

The Ceremony Location

Situated on the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House property facing Lake St. Clair, the couple wed surrounded by friends, family, and flowers. Garlands of ivy hung from the ceiling of the ceremony tent while pots of foxglove lined the aisle, giving the illusion of a beautifully-filled greenhouse.

The Itinerary

Itineraries with times of each event and a map were displayed throughout the venue in order to help guests navigate themselves around the property.

Walk Our Story

Nikki and Kiff designed the walkway to the ceremony to show the story of their relationship—from that first CrossFit class to their engagement—through framed pictures and written descriptions. Guests loved seeing how the couple's whirlwind romance has blossomed and were eager to witness the start of their new chapter as husband and wife once they reached the end.

The Bride's Entrance

Watching Nikki enter the ceremony with her father to Pachelbel's "Canon in D" left Kiff speechless. "She looked absolutely beautiful," he says. "I couldn't believe that I was lucky enough to marry her."

The Ceremony

"The vows were my favorite moment during the ceremony," says Nikki. "I'll never forget feeling the magnitude of that moment." After the couple exchanged traditional vows, several friends and family members read stories and poems including "So Much Happiness" by Naomi Shihab Nye and a love letter by Bob Marley.

The Portraits

After enjoying glasses of wine in their first few moments as newlyweds, Nikki and Kiff took portraits on the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House's lawn following the ceremony.

The Music

Mel Ball and Colours, a live jazz band, played throughout the cocktail hour and reception. Later, DJ Graffiti played current hits for the guests to dance to during the after-party.

The Reception

Saipua created a large wreath of peonies, tulips, delphinium, and passion vine that hung above the installed wooden dance floor. The reception tent was filled with the scent of pine and flowers and covered in blue-and-white-patterned fabric—including the bride and groom's upholstered Anthropologie chairs, which now sit in their kitchen.

The Table

Round and rectangular tables were set and covered in plain white or blue-and-white patterned linens to evoke a sense of carefree playfulness.

The Centerpieces

Royal blue candlesticks and vases of ranunculus, bearded irises, lilacs, peonies, mock orange, and passion vine created by Saipua added pops of color against wooden tables and white linens.

Alternating Centerpieces

Other tables were anchored by large arrangements of flowering white branches.

The Place Cards

Guests found their seats thanks to small round tags with their names printed, resting atop the champagne flutes at each place setting.

The Place Settings

Each place setting featured a menu with a floral watercolor design that was tucked in a monogrammed hemstitch napkin and set upon a clear charger. Guests were served sea bass and chicken stuffed with sundried tomato and pesto, potato au gratin, and fresh vegetables.

The First Dance

After they met at that first CrossFit class, "Hey Pretty Girl" by Kip Moore played during Kiff's car ride home. It became their song once they started dating, and was naturally the perfect choice for their first dance.

The Cake

With the help of Sweet Heather Anne, Nikki designed a Detroit Lions-themed groom's cake for Kiff, complete with football players wearing their wedding date as jersey numbers. The sign next to it read, "Kiff, I love you more than you love Lions football. Love, Nikki."

Sources

Photography, Tec Petaja
Location, Edsel and Eleanor Ford House
Event planning and design, VLD Events
Catering, Continental Catering and Events
Flowers, Saipua
Videography, Two Penny Productions
Stationery and Calligraphy, Rock Paper Scissors
Cake, Sweet Heather Anne
Music, Mel Ball and Colours (cocktail hour/reception), DJ Grafitti (after-party)
Rentals and Tenting, Partytime-HDO Productions
Bride's gown and veil, Carolina Herrera
Hair and Makeup, Jon Lieckfelt
Bridesmaids' dresses, Jenny Yoo
Bridesmaids' shoes, Aquazzura
Groom's suit, Trunk Club
Groom's accessories, Hermes (tie); Paul Stuart (shoes)
Lighting, The Lighting Guy
Transportation, Carey International
Chairs, Anthropologie