{SBB Bride of the Week} Sydney
S Y D N E Y
+
M I C H A E L
{April 12th, 2025}
{Photos by: Emily Christine Photography}
How cute is she!!
Introducing our beautiful bride, Sydney!
For her spring wedding, Sydney looked AMAZING in her flowy A-line gown by All Who Wander!
This dress, y’all! From the lace to the billowy sleeves, it’s SO good!
{Photos by: Emily Christine Photography}
Sydney worked with Angie with Beary Pop Up to create her beautiful flowers and wedding decor!
Her flowers were simply stunning!
{Photos by: Emily Christine Photography}
Sydney married her husband, Michael, at the Dunes Pavilion along the Indiana Dunes Lakeshore!
“The favorite moment of my wedding was standing across from my husband after just walking down the aisle to him. We held hands, stared each other in the eyes, and it felt that the entire world stopped and it was just him and me, together in that moment. I can close my eyes today and be transported back to that moment, and it's something I will remember for the rest of my life. Best moment of my life.”
{Photos by: Emily Christine Photography}
After the happy couple made things official, the room was quickly transformed into the reception so everyone could celebrate!
How gorgeous are those brick walls??
{Photos by: Emily Christine Photography}
Let’s get to know the newlyweds!
How did they first meet?
“We met on Bumble! We always joke that "our Bumble was meant to bee" because we are a dating app success story! We also met in January of 2020, so we had to get very creative with dates once the world shut down from COVID.”
How did Michael pop the question?
“On Friday, April 12, 2024, we woke up early in Las Vegas, Nevada and drove out to Red Rock Canyon. We planned to hike the Calico Tanks trail, which was the first hike we ever did together years ago. Although I wanted to turn around multiple times and head back to the car, Michael urged me onward, and I'm so thankful because it ended with the most beautiful moment of my life. After coming up over the final climb at the end of the trail, we stopped to take in the view together. We found a secluded spot to sit and talk about our relationship, reminisce on our memories, and appreciate where we have come. Michael got down on one knee and proposed. I, of course, excitedly said yes, and we hugged and cried happy tears. After sitting down and taking in the moment together, I noticed an engraving in the rock beneath us. It simply said M & S. I looked at Michael shockingly and asked if he did it, to which he replied no, and then we just stared at each other for a moment realizing the true fate of the situation. I got full body chills with the coincidence of it all, but I could not imagine a more perfect homage to our relationship, because we are truly carved in stone, forever meant to be.”
Was it a surprise or did Sydney know it was coming?
“We had picked out rings at Martin Binder, but I did not know when/where the proposal was going to happen! After the proposal, we decided on an exact one year engagement to the date, April 12, 2024 of the proposal to April 12, 2025 when we would be married.”
Which meant it was time for Sydney to find her dress! How was her dress shopping experience??
“So rewind, to the previous year, my younger sister got her wedding dress from Something Blue and I loved everything about the boutique! Their process, the staff, and the amazing inventory. So when I got engaged, I instantly knew I was going to Something Blue, and before I even stepped foot into the boutique, they were amazing! I have a BIG family (one of 5 kids) so I emailed Sandy to ask if my wedding dress shopping entourage could expand the usual limit. She said absolutely, no problem, we can accommodate your larger group needs. When we came to the appointment, we were met with the same welcoming, friendly staff and atmosphere that my sister had during her appointment. We were all SO happy to see that Izzy would be helping us again, as she was the consultant that helped my sister! We love her!! My family loved being apart of the dress picking process and using the clip system to select dresses.”
How did Sydney know her dress was "the one"?
“Since I was getting married in Indiana in April, I knew I wanted sleeves on my dress, but that was about it. My family took this information and ran with it! They each chose their own style and choice that they wanted me to try but with sleeves. Our consultant, Izzy, chose some amazing contenders as well, and I felt that she really listened to my opinions and wants. I felt a little nervous at first, but she was so calm and reassuring that I lost my nerves and began to just soak in the fun of the day! When we first walked around the boutique and selected gowns, I noticed a dress hanging on the end of a rack. It had sleeves (yes!), lace, and a beautiful plunging neckline. This was my only gown I chose myself. When we got into the fitting room, I first tried on two family picks, and they were beautiful but just not that "wow" factor I was going for. My third dress I tried on was the dress hanging on the end display that I personally picked, and boy did I pick right! I walked out of the dressing room with the BIGGEST smile on my face. I loved how this dress made me feel... I felt like a bride! My family reacted with smiles and tears! With it only being my third dress tried, and with others from my family that hadn't been tried on yet, I pushed forward with an open mind and tried on four more dresses, but felt myself wanting to put the third dress back on. So that's what we did, and oh my goodness, I cried happy tears! Putting this dress back on solidified that yes, this was my dress!”
What was her favorite {& least favorite} part of the planning process?
“My favorite part of the planning was making memories with my future husband. When we tried our cake samples, we sat around our bonfire on a beautiful, summer night and tried the different cake flavors together. For our cologne/perfume, we did a date night to Ulta and picked special wedding scents for one another, so now when we smell those scents and wear them for special occasions, we are instantly transported back to our wedding day. When we picked our song playlist, we sat on the couch with snacks and drinks and blasted music and reminisced with special songs from our years of dating. We did a romantic date night at our venue, the Dunes Pavilion, for our entree sampling. Our coordinator had the caterer serve us a multitude of entrees to try, along with desserts. They had a table set up just for us, and it felt so special to get an intimate meal shared together in the space we were to be married in.
My least favorite part was nothing, I think in another life I could be a wedding or event coordinator! I kept a notebook filled with information and important dates, lists of to-dos, and documents. I am a teacher, so organization is one of my strong suits, and I really enjoyed the planning process, even though it was a one year, fast engagement, it flew by but I felt that we had a handle on things!”
What is the best piece of advice Sydney can give brides-to-be who are currently planning their own big day?
“Do what YOU want to do! Do not worry about what family, friends, or others think. It's YOUR day! Do what is going to make you happy! Those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind!”
Congratulations, Sydney & Michael!!
Check out more of their stunning wedding photos by Emily Christine Photography in the gallery below!
