2025 Michigan Wedding Planner Recap: Luxury Editorial Shoots & Stunning Celebrations

Jaime Weinfeld
Dec 29, 2025
7 min read

As the year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on a season of growth, creativity, and unforgettable celebrations here at JW Designs. As a Michigan wedding planner, our focus has always been on the stories behind each event, the trust our couples place in us, and the magic that happens when thoughtful planning meets heartfelt moments.

This year wasn’t just about the number of weddings we produced — it was about creating experiences that felt personal, joyful, and timeless. From intimate gatherings to full-scale wedding weekends, every celebration reminded us why we do what we do.

Weddings That Felt Like Home

One of the most special parts of this year was working with couples who wanted their weddings to feel deeply personal — celebrations that reflected who they are, where they’ve been, and what they value most.

As a Michigan wedding planner, we had the joy of crafting weddings that featured:

Thoughtfully curated design details that told a story, not just followed a trend
Intentional timelines that prioritized presence, not pressure
Family-forward moments, from private vows to heirloom details woven throughout the day
Vendor teams who felt more like collaborators than contracts

Many of our couples came to us feeling overwhelmed by decisions, budgets, or the sheer volume of opinions that come with planning a wedding. Seeing them end their wedding day calm, joyful, and fully immersed in the celebration was one of the most rewarding parts of our year.

Industry Events & Community Highlights

Beyond weddings, 2025 included meaningful moments within the Michigan wedding industry and our local community. We had the opportunity to:

Connect with engaged couples at curated tasting and showcase events
Collaborate with trusted venue and vendor partners across the state
Share our planning philosophy and expertise with fellow planners and photographers through educational gatherings

Events like private tastings and workshops reminded us how powerful community is — not just for business growth, but for raising the standard of service couples receive.

EDITORIAL HIGHLIGHTS

This year, we had the joy of bringing several creative projects to life through multiple editorial shoots and community collaborations, each designed to push boundaries, showcase elevated design, and inspire the industry.

Wedding Day Magazine Spring Editorial Shoot: Green Grapes & Figs

One of our favorite creative moments this year was producing the Green Grapes & Figs editorial shoot for Wedding Day Magazine, a design-forward concept inspired by the lush green hues of the garden and their natural symbolism in the wedding world. The vision blended old-world opulence with a fresh perspective, layering rich textures, fruit details, and intentional color to create a look that felt both luxurious and abundant.

Set within a historic Grand LV, we leaned into natural light, unique textures, and grand windows to anchor the design. Deep green and plum tones were woven throughout the tablescape, florals, and stationery, symbolizing abundance and the fleeting beauty of a wedding day. From cascading satin gowns and billowing ceremony draping to overflowing florals and statement pieces, every detail was curated to feel immersive, thoughtful, and timeless.

This shoot was a true collaboration among talented creatives and reflects our design philosophy — intentional, elevated, and rooted in storytelling.

Venue: The Grand LV

Producer: Wedding Day Magazine

Photographer: Little Shutter Bug Photography

Hair Stylist: Blushing Beauty Co.

Makeup: Buk Studios

Cake: Mini Snack Convections

Gown: CBTK Bridal

Suit: Suit Shop

Draping: AAYS Event Rentals

Rentals: Blue Sky Event Rentals

Stationary: Noteworthy By Design

Florist: Flowers by Anna

Chalk Art: Abundance Mobile Art Studio

Elevate & Celebrate Workshop

This spring, we designed and hosted the Elevate & Celebrate Workshop, a thoughtfully curated experience born from a genuine desire to showcase and celebrate the incredible talent in our industry. The day combined a fully designed editorial shoot with in-depth lectures led by respected industry leaders, alongside intentional collaborations with some of our favorite vendors.

The experience felt modern, opulent, and deeply collaborative, offering attendees both creative inspiration and practical, actionable education. It was incredibly rewarding to see planners, photographers, and creatives connect, learn, and leave feeling energized, supported, and inspired. This editorial was later featured in Wedding Chicks, a publication renowned for highlighting elevated, design-forward celebrations.

Venue: Venue3Two

Rentals: Blue Sky Rentals

Catering: Gandia Catering

Models: Point Modeling Agency

Florist: Rhiannon Bosse

Hair & Makeup: Erick Makeup

Cake: Sweet Details

Dress: Timeless Bridal & Beckers Bridal

Shoes: Bella Belle & Gianvito Rossi

Watch: Rolex

Paper Products: Chloe Rowe Studio

Co Hosts & Lead Photographer: The Fourniers

Harmonie Club Editorial Sip & See

This year, we were thrilled to design and bring to life the editorial shoot for the Harmonie Club Sip & See Event, a vendor-only gathering that highlighted the venue’s incredible versatility. The shoot featured three distinct looks: moody autumnal, a Bridgerton Soiree, and a modern take on black and white. We were thrilled to design and bring to life the editorial shoot for the Harmonie Club Sip & See Event, a vendor-only gathering that highlighted the venue’s incredible versatility. The shoot featured three distinct looks — moody autumnal, a Bridgerton-inspired soiree, and a modern take on black and white — showcasing the wide range of design possibilities this elegant space offers.

It was a joy connecting with fellow creatives, sharing inspiration, and celebrating the endless ways the Harmonie Club can be transformed for unforgettable weddings and events.

Venue: The Harmonie Club

Rentals: Blue Sky Event Rentals

Florist: Stem Event Design

Linens & Chairs: Fabulous Events

Dress: CBTK Bridal & Magnolia Lane Bridal

Suit: Mature Look

Jewelry: Giorgio Conti Jewelers

Hair & Makeup: Salon 6

Photographer: Viridian Ivy Images

2025 REAL WEDDINGS IN REVIEW

Alongside editorial projects, we were honored to celebrate with our amazing couples, bringing personalized, unforgettable weddings to life that reflected their unique stories and our shared passion for design and detail.

Isabel & Tommy

intimate elegance with personal touches

Isabel and Tommy’s wedding at the Rosedale Community Center was an intimate celebration filled with meaningful personal touches and subtle Asian-inspired details. A clean backdrop of white flowers was accented with pops of red, honoring the groom’s culture, while each guest table featured photos of friends who sat there, celebrating cherished connections and the blending of families. Thoughtful details were woven throughout the day — from collections of bobbleheads and their pup appearing in family photos and on custom napkins, to guests enjoying custom-made Asian-inspired treats. The focus remained on people and celebration, with one of the best bands in town keeping the energy high and creating an unforgettable party atmosphere.

Venue: @northrosedalepark

Planner: @thejwdesigns

Photo: @bellagala

Hair + Makeup: @ontheglowbridal

Dress: @davidsbridal

Floral: @viviano_flower_shop

Catering: Trizest

Bar: @withatwistbartending

Bakery: @iversensbakery_

Rentals: @youreventpartyrental

Band: @persuasionband

Christina & Christian

a coastal celebration steeped in heart and heritage

Christina and Christian’s Upper Peninsula wedding blended simplicity with vintage details. The ceremony took place in the bride’s hometown church, while the reception unfolded at a beachfront hotel with breathtaking water views. Guests enjoyed yard games, memory-filled photos, and a high-energy DJ, with the day centered entirely on people and connection. A standout personal touch, the bride’s secondhand gown was lovingly custom-beaded by her maid of honor to incorporate her favorite metallic gold, making the celebration even more memorable and unique.

Venue: @terracebayhotel

Planner: @thejwdesigns

Photographer: @pamelamacintyreweddings

Officiant: Church Pastor

Florist: @sbblooms

Caterer: @terracebayhotel

DJ: @cloud9specialevents

Hair & Makeup (HAMU): @brookelaurenbeauty

Rentals: @terracebayhotel @thejwdesigns

Candelabras: @delicatedishes

Aimee & Jon

sophistication, whimsy, and whiskey

Every detail of Aimee and Jon’s wedding was thoughtfully curated, creating a sophisticated celebration wrapped in lush blooms and rich hues of purple, mauve, ivory, and rose gold — the bride’s favorite — punctuated with touches of sparkle and candlelight. The day reflected their personalities and passions, from signature whiskey cocktails and a whiskey-themed guest book to custom-painted napkins and swizzle sticks featuring drawings of their pups by their daughter, each pup whimsically named after a favorite beverage. Playful elements, like a D&D dragon groom’s cake, balanced heartfelt moments, including a custom painting of the bride’s late father on the memory table, moving many guests to tears.

Planner: @thejwdesigns

Venue: @thecommunityhousebirmingham

Photo + Video: @ezzostudios

Hair: @capelliwashington

Makeup: @tema_artistry

Florist: @lovestoryeventsmi

Bridesmaids Dresses: @azazieofficial @azaziebridal

Bridal Gown: @weddingshoppemi

Caterer: @thecommunityhousebirmingham

Cake/Dessert: @homesteadcakelady

Officiant: @ryanplanningplus

DJ: @ruschentertainment

Photo Booth: @ruschentertainment

Live Music (violin/cello duo): @crasherzent

Rentals: @lovestoryeventssmi @thejwdesigns

Custom Suit (Daughter Izzy): @mannoclothing

Groomsman Attire: @mannoclothing

Groom’s Attire: @mannoclothing

Stationery + Signage: @theprintedevent

Transportation: @empireluxurytransport @nationaltrailsbus

Valet: @inhousevalet

Hotel: @thetownsendhotel

Tia & John

a woodland fairytale come true

Tia and John’s woodland fairytale wedding was nestled in the forest on a crisp fall night. Every detail was thoughtfully designed — from whimsical custom signage honoring the homelands of the bride and groom to a seating chart inspired by beloved books adorned with climbing florals. Candlelight and lanterns guided guests, while rich fall tones, purple, and yellow enveloped them in warmth. Dinner honored the bride’s Hawaiian heritage and family recipes, and the evening culminated in a spectacular night sky with a custom laser and sound show, DJed by the groom himself.

Planner & Designer: @thejwdesigns

Venue: @woodlandweddingsmi

Photo + Video: @ftpweddings

Florist: @vormittagfloral & @jwdesigns

Caterer: @gandiascatering

Bartender: @hydeeventsandrentals

Cake/Dessert: @sweetdetails.gr

Officiant: Hand in Hand Wedding Ceremonies of Mi

DJ: @dj_moonlanding

Makeup: @luxlooksbylulu

Hair: @solidaritycollective2522

Bridal Gown: @memoriesbridal

Invitations + Save the Dates: @theprintedevent

Bus Service: @affordablelimogr

Alaina & JT

a party to end all parties

Alaina and JT’s wedding was a celebration built for fun, full of dancing, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Intentional and playful details included custom playing cards as party favors, drink koozies featuring their pup Euchre — who even appeared during the ceremony — slippers for dancing, t-shirt cannons at the grand entrance, and glowstick scrunchies. The bridal party kicked off the festivities with a midday bar hop to a local brewery, and the maid of honor surprised guests with a saxophone player joining the best DJ in town, keeping the dance floor alive all night long.

Planner: @thejwdesigns

Venue: @thehighfivegr

Photographer: @augustnysoncreative

Videographer: @tenthirtyfilms

Florist: @celebration.florals

Caterer: @distinctive_catering

Cake/Dessert: @sweetdetails.gr

Officiant: Roy Collette

DJ: @djcaseyrusch @ruschentertainment

Hair & Makeup (HAMU): Rumors Hair & Nail Salon

Photo Booth & Audio Phone: @mammothparty

Shuttle: @dadds_magic_bus