Life Bridge Church - Taylor Campus

Rehearsal 

Life Bridge Church

Wedding Day

Wedding

Rockwood Community Center

Reception

Our Wedding

April and Steve first met on a snowy evening in December 2013 at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nextmetro30?ref=br_rs" target="_blank">NEXT</a> Christmas Party (a 30s singles group) at <a href="http://metrocitychurch.tv/" target="_blank">Metro City Church</a> in Taylor.&nbsp; April almost didn't even go because the roads were so bad, but decided to at the last minute.&nbsp; It was Steve's first time attending a NEXT gathering and he had driven from Monroe in a Mustang on the treacherous roads.&nbsp; There was an ugly sweater contest, but only a few people participated.&nbsp; April had borrowed a sweater from her sister that had a Christmas tree on it and lit up, which she had gotten at a second hand store.&nbsp; Steve picked up a ridiculously furry sweater with feathery cuffs.&nbsp; As fate would have it, April and Steve were finalists and first met on stage.&nbsp; April ended up winning the contest and the gift card prize.

Steve met several new friends that night and started adding people on Facebook from the NEXT group page, including April.&nbsp; They started talking and eventually sitting together in church, sometimes going out to lunch afterwards with others from the group.&nbsp; Their first date was to <a href="http://www.casscitycinema.com/" target="_blank">Cinema Detroit</a> that April had randomly won tickets to.&nbsp; Shortly after, they went out to dinner together on Valentine's Day, even though April was sick with a terrible cold.&nbsp; They soon realized they were perfect and complete opposites, with even their first and last name initials the reverse of each other! &nbsp;They officially became a couple on March 16, 2014.



Despite living 30 miles apart and working opposite schedules, Steve and April have had many adventures together such as riding with the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1469571913359486/?fb_dtsg_ag=AdzIhsUNsbWNnY17dLNm5a5JoDB0Ke8KDdLuGPDLLNg7qQ%3AAdzjAQ-EFvBgSpFUriyv1419C6ByjlNpbKAxqaKtqXHW0w" target="_blank">Taylor Bike Crew</a>, attending the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Big.Ticket.Festival/" target="_blank">Big Ticket Festival</a> up north almost every year, and traveling to Kentucky and Florida.

How we met...

Steve proposed to April on New Years Eve 2018 after a nice dinner party at Whiskeys on the Water in Wyandotte.&nbsp; He got down on one knee in the snow near the Detroit River at Bishop Park, in his gortex pants in 5 degree weather.&nbsp; :-)

The proposal...

Our Story

Things to do between the ceremony and reception

Southland Center (shopping mall 23000 Eureka Road, Taylor, MI)

<a href="http://www.shopsouthlandcenter.com/" target="_blank">Southland Mall</a>





Southland Center&nbsp;is exactly halfway between <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_24_in_Michigan">U.S. Highway&nbsp;24</a> (Telegraph Road) and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_75_in_Michigan">Interstate 75</a> freeway, presently anchored by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macy%27s">Macy's</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JCPenney" class="mw-redirect">JCPenney</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Best_Buy">Best Buy</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoe_Carnival">Shoe Carnival</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forever_21">Forever 21</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulta">Ulta</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%26M">H&M</a> and a 12-screen <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinemark" class="mw-redirect">Cinemark</a> movie theater.&nbsp;

Heritage Park (12111 Pardee, in Taylor, between Goddard and Northline)

<a href="https://www.cityoftaylor.com/Facilities/Facility/Details/Heritage-Park-3" target="_blank">Heritage Park</a>Features: ball diamonds, soccer fields, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20111006164228/http://www.cityoftaylor.com/content/pavilion-rental-2010">pavilions</a>, grills, picnic tables, restrooms, playground, historic buildings, shops, catch and release fishing pond, 1/3 mile walking path, path system, old growth nature area, park benches, picnic area, playground,&nbsp; plus a <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20111006164228/http://www.cityoftaylor.com/pettingfarm">petting farm</a>. The park is home to the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20111006164228/http://www.cityoftaylor.com/content/youth-athletic-programs">T</a><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20111006164228/http://www.cityoftaylor.com/content/youth-athletic-programs">aylor South Little League</a>, the Junior League World Series and the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20111006164228/http://www.cityoftaylor.com/content/youth-athletic-programs">Taylor Soccer Club</a>.

Elizabeth Park (Jefferson Street, Trenton, MI)

<a href="http://www.trentonmi.org/index-Page.asp?Page_ID=13&amp;SubPage_ID=51" target="_blank">Elizabeth Park</a>Features over 1,300 feet of riverwalk for fishing and river watching. In addition Elizabeth Park also offers activities such as softball, cycling, in-line skating, hiking, cross country skiing and ice skating.

Bishop Park (2840 Van Alstyne St, Wyandotte, MI)

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Park/Bishop-Park-200254770007108/" target="_blank">Bishop Park</a>Bishop Park is situated along the Detroit River and is contiguous to theWyandotte Central Business District. The 12.2 acre park is the second largest of the 13 parks in the city. The park offers excellent fishing opportunities from its large fishing pier. The park also features a concession stand (hours vary) with an open air wood deck picnic area, umbrellas, restrooms, two large picnic shelters, playground equipment and basketball courts.

Details

Photos

Mike is Steve's younger and only brother!

Mike

Ashley is April's sister who has also been her roommate (both in childhood and as adults) and even her co-worker for a short time at Dunham's.&nbsp; She is the mother of her twin nephews Deklan and Dredan.&nbsp; She will be hosting a bridal shower for April at her house in May.

Ashley 

Dawn is one of April's best friends who she has known for almost 20 years now.&nbsp; They were&nbsp;roommates in 2009-2010 before April bought her house. &nbsp;April was also a bridesmaid in Dawn's 2015 wedding.&nbsp; Dawn designed the wedding invitations for April & Steve and is hosting April's bachelorette party.

Dawn

Matt is one of Steve's&nbsp;best friends!

Matt

Jenienne&nbsp;is&nbsp;another&nbsp;of&nbsp;April's&nbsp;best&nbsp;friends&nbsp;who&nbsp;she's&nbsp;known&nbsp;since&nbsp;junior&nbsp;high/middle&nbsp;school.&nbsp;&nbsp;April&nbsp;was&nbsp;also&nbsp;a&nbsp;bridesmaid&nbsp;in&nbsp;her&nbsp;Star&nbsp;Wars&nbsp;themed&nbsp;wedding&nbsp;last&nbsp;year.&nbsp;&nbsp;Jenienne&nbsp;is&nbsp;helping&nbsp;Ashley&nbsp;with&nbsp;the&nbsp;bridal&nbsp;shower&nbsp;and&nbsp;will&nbsp;also&nbsp;be&nbsp;accompanying&nbsp;April&nbsp;to&nbsp;her&nbsp;dress&nbsp;fitting&nbsp;appointment&nbsp;and&nbsp;helping&nbsp;with&nbsp;other&nbsp;wedding&nbsp;preparations&nbsp;such&nbsp;as&nbsp;decorations&nbsp;and&nbsp;favors.&nbsp;&nbsp;She&nbsp;is&nbsp;also&nbsp;the&nbsp;one&nbsp;who&nbsp;helped&nbsp;April&nbsp;find&nbsp;her&nbsp;wedding&nbsp;dress!

Jenienne

Brad is Steve's brother-in-law and husband of the bridesmaid Lisa!

Brad

Derek is Steve's cousin and daddy of one of the flower girls!

Derek

Lisa is Steve's younger sister and the mother of one of the junior bridesmaids and the ring bearer.&nbsp; She is also helping with food preperations for the reception. &nbsp;April is excited to be gaining two&nbsp;sisters-in-law and looks forward to spending more time with&nbsp;her and Stefanie.

Lisa

These adorable girls are the children of Steve's first cousins, also cousins to each other.

Olivia and Hannah

These two cousins were flower girls together and are now a few years older (and taller!) and will be April's junior bridesmaids.&nbsp; April looks forward to having them as nieces!

Rylie & Catelyn - Jr Bridesmaids

These two cuties are Steve's nephews.  Alex is the official ring bearer, with his little brother Liam as his sidekick.

Alex (& Liam)

Brigade of cute little girls with flower petals.

Olivia & Hannah (pictured left) - cousins on Steve's side of the family





Khloe (top right) & Jen (bottom right) -&nbsp;daughters of April's best friends (their mothers, bridesmaids Jenienne & Dawn,  actually grew up next door to each other!)

Olivia, Hannah, Khloe, & Jen

These&nbsp;are&nbsp;April's&nbsp;twin&nbsp;nephews,&nbsp;who&nbsp;are&nbsp;now&nbsp;9&nbsp;years&nbsp;old&nbsp;and&nbsp;full&nbsp;of&nbsp;personality.&nbsp;&nbsp;They&nbsp;will&nbsp;precede&nbsp;April&nbsp;down&nbsp;the&nbsp;aisle&nbsp;bearing&nbsp;signs&nbsp;so&nbsp;everyone&nbsp;will&nbsp;know&nbsp;when&nbsp;it&nbsp;is&nbsp;time&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;bride&nbsp;to&nbsp;&nbsp;make&nbsp;her&nbsp;appearance.&nbsp;&nbsp;:-)

Deklan & Dredan - Sign Bearers

Although Stefanie is not standing in the wedding, she still plays an important role.&nbsp; She is Steve's older sister and mother of one of the junior bridesmaids.&nbsp; She is also helping April with wedding preparations such as making the bouquets and assisting with decorations.&nbsp;

Stefanie

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

Taylor, MI, USA

<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/g3wCavZ36eQBLq8fA" target="_blank">Directions from ceremony to reception location</a>

Located in Monroe, Quality Inn & Suites is connected to the convention center, a 5-minute drive from William C.Sterling State Park and 8 minutes from The Mall of Monroe. This family-friendly hotel is 22.3 mi (36 km) from Huntington Center and 22.5mi (36.2 km) from Seagate Convention Center.

Quality Inn Monroe

Holiday Inn Monroe

With a stay at Comfort Inn and Suites Taylor in Taylor, you'll be in the business district and close to Heritage Park.  This hotel is within the vicinity of Automotive Hall of Fame and Ford Rouge Factory Tour.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 78 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators. Cable television is provided for your entertainment. Bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes and desks, as well as phones with free local calls.Amenities Be sure to enjoy recreational amenities, including an indoor pool, a sauna, and a fitness center.Dining A complimentary buffet breakfast is included.Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include a business center, express check-in, and express check-out. Free self parking is available onsite.

Comfort Inn and Suites Taylor

Located in Southgate, La Quinta Inn Detroit/Southgate is in the suburbs and convenient to Heritage Park and Southland Center.  This hotel is within the vicinity of Ford Rouge Factory Tour and Automotive Hall of Fame.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 100 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Wired and wireless Internet access is complimentary, while video-game consoles and cable programming provide entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and microwaves, and housekeeping is provided daily.Amenities Make use of convenient amenities, which include complimentary wireless Internet access and discounted use of a nearby fitness facility.Dining A complimentary continental breakfast is included.Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available onsite.

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Detroit Southgate

Located in Southgate, Comfort Suites Southgate is convenient to Heritage Park and Southland Center.  This hotel is within the vicinity of Ford Rouge Factory Tour and Automotive Hall of Fame.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 78 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have shower/tub combinations and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes and desks, as well as phones with free local calls.Amenities Be sure to enjoy recreational amenities including an indoor pool and a fitness center.Dining A complimentary buffet breakfast is included.Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include a business center, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available onsite.

Comfort Suites Southgate

Travel

The Henry Ford is a large indoor and outdoor history museum complex and a National Historic Landmark

The Henry Ford / Greenfield Village

Located in the heart of downtown Monroe in a circa 1911 Georgian Post Office building, on the site of General and Mrs. Custer's original home,this county museum houses one of the largest collections of 18th & 19th century artifacts relating to Southeast Michigan. Exhibits include Native American Woodland culture, Early French-Canadian settlers, Victoriana, the Civil War and Monroe County's veterans, maps, waterways,seasonal displays and many materials from local history, and the life and family of Gen. George Armstrong & Libbie Custer.

April & Steven

April & Steven

Registry