Windmill Island Gardens

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

The day after Thanksgiving in 2019 God brought us together in an unconventional way - by virtue of a popular dating app. We connected instantly from the first night and we both knew after that we were meant for each other. Finally, on New Years Eve, that very same year, I asked Kayla to be my girlfriend on a cold, snowy evening on a big hill overlooking the skyline of Grand Rapids. This was the day before 2020, then the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world shortly after this. It was a tremendous challenge doing a long distance relationship on top of Kayla being a full time student and dealing with inconveniences of her own such as the cancellation of a major study abroad program and adapting to online classes. I was in the process of rebuilding my business and had the audacity to travel across three different states to visit Kayla when it was technically unlawful during the lockdowns (hey, at least gas was cheap!) We persevered through all of these challenges with resilience, faith and encouragement. In the days since then, we got engaged on a beautiful autumn day on October 17th 2020, Kayla graduated from Central Michigan University in May 2021 and moved in with me a few weeks later. We now live together after nearly 2 years of traveling back and fourth, sleeping in hotels and dormitories, living off of more takeout food than we care to admit and rising against tons of statistical odds that claim long distance doesn't work. Here we are today, engaged and planning our wedding, we are so thankful for everyone who has supported us along this journey and most of all, all the glory goes to God!

Our Story

Photos

Summer Russman 

Ben Vandenberg

Kaitlyn Simmons

Christopher Clark

Shae Olson

Dominick Nushart

Jamie Sherwood 

Nick Nowak

Tatum Oxford

Chris Schaefer

Emily Cobb

Kevin Hopkins

Wedding Party

Q + A

We do not have a hotel block, however, there are plenty of hotels in the area to accommodate your stay. If you need any help, please contact us and we would be happy to help! Thank you &#128522;

Travel

Things to Do

Registry

Joseph & Kayla

Joseph & Kayla

Registry