Wedding Day

Waldenwoods Banquet & Conference Center

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

The Craig Story 

The beginning of our love story dates back to the very first day of freshman year of college. On day one I noticed Gideon. He caught my eye and I thought he was cute, but I immediately gave up on hopes of dating him once I learned he was a football recruit. I figured he was too good for me because in my mind only the best get to date the football players. I certainly thought I was not and would never be in that category. So the cute guy named Gideon faded into the background. Throughout my freshman and sophomore years, despite my thinking he would never want to date me, we befriended each other. He was always the one to make me smile and laugh in class and would go out of his way to make sure I was noticed and included even amongst the group of fellow football players. I was a respected friend and I just found myself always wanting to be around him. Oh, plus the small compliments he would throw my way occasionally would never go unnoticed and would make me blush more times than one. I would come home so often from school and talk to my mom and friends about Gideon that they insisted that I liked him or that he liked me and I would always tell them very, very adamantly that there was no way he liked me and that we were just friends and that was that. At the end of my sophomore year, Gideon, after so patiently waiting for the right time, began to slowly express further interest in me. He was the biggest flirt ever and we spent finals week essentially talking (and flirting) over text. Finally, after working up the courage, I took the greatest leap of faith and offered for him to come over and hang out, play poker, and eat good food (of course I had to bribe him with food!) I wasnt expecting much despite secretly hoping for a yes and Gideon not only agreed but followed through and we spent an amazing night together as one big family. I had such a wonderful night and everything felt so right, so natural with Gideon. It was like he had been a part of my life already for so long the way he interacted with my family and rolled with the punches. I was left after that wanting one more chance to spend with him, just us, to see (and confirm) if these feelings were legit. With much counsel from my mom, my friends, and even a heart nudge from God, I knew I couldnt let Gideon go back to Alaska without a date. Mustering all the courage I had left, I asked him if he wanted to join me for brunch at my favorite brunch spot. Was I planning on going to get brunch regardless of his answer? No. Was I trying to downplay the fact that this very well could be considered a date? Yes. We technically hadnt spoken at all about dating and I didnt want to press anything, officially. My friends insisted that if he paid for my meal it was a date and sure enough, he pulled out a $100 bill and insisted he take the check. So we had our first unofficial date as friends and parted ways on that note. We thus began navigating long distances and I found myself willing to stay up till 1,2,3 AM just if it meant I got to text him. The flirting continued (mostly on his end might I add) and I again, after a few weeks, on May 26, 2023, worked up the courage to ask him what all this flirting was and where this was headed if it was set to head anywhere past friends. After discussing our relationship expectations, he then asked me to be his girlfriend. It was one of the happiest, most exciting days of my life, even when it did happen at 2:30 AM here in Eastern Time haha. And the rest from that day is history. After many late nights, 4000 miles of distance, and lots of love, hugs, and kisses in the midst of it all, God has brought us to the place that I have dreamed of for a lifetime. His perfect plan unfolded in perfect timing. And so very quickly did the when you know, you know make all the sense in the world. I knew deep down from day one that I felt a magnetic pull to Gideon. And I knew from the first date together that I wanted to be a part of his life. Being with Gideon felt like home to me; I felt loved and respected in his eyes. I could see my future in his eyes. The day Gideon asked me to be his wife was everything I could have dreamed of. All the days, months, and years spent dreaming of the moment the man I love most asks me to take his last name and join him in marriage came to fruition on August 25, 2024. I cannot wait to marry the man I love and have the great honor of taking the Craig last name!

Madeline's Story

It all began when we both started our journey at Madonna University. I was a freshman seeking my criminal justice degree and Madeline was as well. This was all in the mist of the Covid-19 era where are faces were hidden and the one quality that she took notice to was my camo gator which in her mind corresponded to me being a conservative and respectful man. This was the very first instances we noticed each other and so began the journey to where we are at right now, and the future of spending the rest of our lives together. Through all this time till we started dating, it was Gods plan to bring us closer through the shared time together with classes we both had. This is where I continued to admire Madeline and stayed patient till I had the chance to ask to date her and call her my girlfriend which would end up being one of the greatest days of my life. Before I left to go back to Alaska at the end of my sophomore year of college, Madeline offered for me to come over and eat dinner and play poker with the family. Poker happened to be a part of our then conversation and that’s why it was offered to me in that way. This time I really got to meet Madeline's family and this is where the love that I have for each and every one of them began. The dinner was amazing and the time playing poker as a future family (this not known at the time) was amazing and made me want to do something else before I left to go back home. That week I was hoping and praying that I would get another moment to have with Madeline and God answered these prayers. A few days later, Madeline asked me if I wanted to grab brunch. Little did she know, I would have moved anything on my schedule during that day to have that moment with her before I left. We ended up going to a brunch location by the name of Anna's House in Westland, Michigan. This time we learned more about each other and got to really know each other outside the classroom. Deep down I knew so bad that I wanted to start dating Madeline. Over the summer while I was roofing in Homer, Alaska, we were texting and continuing to get to know each other more and more. When May 26, 2023 came around, this would be the day that would start the journey towards engagement. This day was the day we had very important conversations about each others relationship values and what we stand for. From this moment, I asked Madeline to be my girlfriend and mutually we decided that we wanted to improve the status of our relationship from friends to boyfriend and girlfriend. From this moment we grew with each other within our relationship and continued to incorporate God in as well. We are both believers that God will show us the way to our futures if we keep him close and at the center of in our relationship. This belief is what has continued to have shaped us and our relationship and has inspired many great moments that we have shared together. All this ultimately brought us to August 25, 2024 where I asked Madeline Rose Snipes to be my wife and make me the happiest man in the world for the eternity that we will be together as husband and wife. September 14, 2025 Wedding: Now Loading!

Gideon's Story 

Our Story

Photos

Bridesmaids

Kami Oweis

Emily Cameron

Gabby Craig

Kylie Maggard

Mady White

Groomsmen 

Ian Gruetman 

Joseph Stobinski 

Timothy Shorten 

Briggs Cook

Samuel Snipes 

Wedding Party

Q + A

Getting to the Venue

Upon arriving at Waldenwoods Banquet Center and entering through the gate, please follow the paved road and take a slight left when the road forks. The road will seem narrow and "off the beaten path." Follow this path—it is slightly steep and curvy—until you approach a wooden sign on your right that says "Madeline and Gideon's wedding." Turn right and follow the path into the parking lot. The first big white "Vermont-looking home" on your right is Cromaine Hall, where you can find our wedding! Outside by the lake for our ceremony and in the beautiful hall for the reception.

Madeline & Gideon

Madeline & Gideon

Things to Do

Greenfield Village

Detroit Zoo

Kellogg Park

Tanger Outlets Howell

Brighton Recreation Area

Bavarian Inn Lodge