Aly

+

Kallie

{September 6th, 2025}

{Photos by: Alison Hein Photos}

Introducing our gem of a bride, Aly.

Aly wore a beautiful sleek column style dress by Stella York from Something Blue Bridal.

We cannot wait to show you her beautiful wedding pictures!

{Photos by: Alison Hein Photos}

Aly’s flowers were absolutely STUNNING!

They were fresh wildflowers from Alison Acres Farm located in Dewitt, Michigan!

{Photos by: Alison Hein Photos}

Aly & Kallie shared such a sweet first look before their ceremony!

{Photos by: Alison Hein Photos}

Aly & Kallie had a beautiful ceremony at Lake Bluff Preserve, in Frankfort, MI.

{Photos by: Alison Hein Photos}

After Aly and Kallie said their “I do’s” they headed to their reception which was at Lake Bluff as well!

{Photos by: Alison Hein Photos}

How did Aly and Kallie meet?

“The right dive bar at the right time. We had tons mutual friends, but never lived in Valpo at the same time so we never got a chance to meet. One Saturday night, I was visiting my best friend who bartends at Northside Tap and just chatting with a girl at the bar while we waited for drinks. As we were waiting, her cousin walks up and joins the conversation. Her name was Kallie and she looked familiar. We all talked for awhile, figured out how many mutual friends we already had, exchanged numbers with a plan for a date at Blockhead, and here we are 5 years later!”

How did Kallie propose to Aly?

“I naively thought we were just doing a photoshoot with our senior dog in the backyard of Kal's parent's house. In the middle of the shoot, Kal went inside to "put a bandana" on our dog and I even made a comment about how it better not be a cheesy bandana. A few minutes later, our dog comes running out of the house with not only a cheesy bandana, but a ring balloon attached to her. She ran right past me and Kal followed, dropping to her knee asking me to love them both forever. It was an easy yes!”

Was Aly surprised or did she see it coming?

“I knew the proposal was coming because she couldn't keep it a secret at my work christmas party, but I was absolutely surprised when it happened. My best friend is a photographer that is always up for a photo shoot, I was the one who planned it, it was midday on a Wednesday in February (I'm a summer girl), and we were at her parent's house. It might have crossed my mind for a moment when I was getting ready that day, but I would have chosen a different outfit if I actually thought it was happening.”

It was finally time for Aly to find her dream dress!

“It was really just an easy, relaxed, girlhood moment. I say "moment" because I fell in love at first sight. I only brought my MIL and my now cousin in law (the one from the night we met). I honestly thought I was going to end up ordering something more custom because the traditional wedding dress shopping process never appealed to me. I knew my wife would be wearing a suit and I wanted my mother in law to have her wedding dress shopping moment, so we started at Something Blue. Corrine understood my style immediately. She was so sweet and helpful in pulling dresses that matched with the elements of what I was looking for. She was actually the one that pulled my dress!”

How did Aly know her dress was "the one"?

“There were a few I really liked, but nothing was making me feel the way I thought I was supposed to feel. Until Corrine pulled my Stella York 8081. Before it was even fully on my body, I gasped. The way I looked in the mirror was the way I've always thought I should look in the mirror. Sometimes when I get dressed up, I just don't feel like myself. But when the dress was on, it felt like it was handmade for me. Even the size was perfect, I could have walked out and down the aisle with it that day. But when they went to place my order, they let me know the button up version I had tried on would not make it in time. However, the lace up corset version would. Another gasp from the 3 of us when we saw the photo of the laced up corset option. I'll never forget my MIL saying "Oh Aly, that is so you". She absolutely was the one for me. I already can't wait for the anniversary when we get to go back and take more pictures in her.”

What was Aly’s favorite part of the planning process ?

“My favorite part of the planning process was making the whole weekend so "us". We both wanted our wedding day to be intimate and intentional so we really kept our focus on those words during the planning process. It was important to us that as much of the decor could be repurposed as possible. The only items we rented were our tables and chairs. Everyone spent months online and in antique malls finding decor pieces that we could either give as gifts, or keep as forever pieces in our home. It is so special to see parts of our wedding weekend all throughout our home. “

What was Aly’s least favorite part of the planning process?

“My least favorite part of wedding planning was at the end when the crunchtime decisions had to be made and time was running out. There were just a few details that didn't get finished that may or may not keep me up at night (our nearly empty "wish you were here" table, for example). But overall, I genuinely enjoyed the whole experience because our focus was our vision, not what we thought was expected of us.”

What was Aly’s favorite moment of her big day wedding?

“Every moment that we got to step back and take it all in was my favorite. Our venue was a private property overlooking Lake Michigan. It was so barebones, just 3 houses with a fire pit at each and the tented deck. 120 guests, 80 staying on the property with us. It felt like we were in our own little world up there for 4 days. Starting with our welcome pizza party that the weather brought inside. I am from Maryland, so our extended family and friends have never all be in one state together, let alone under one roof. The morning of our wedding day, my sweet friend Amy (GirlWithPie) who travelled from Peoria, IL with fresh fruit to bake all of our desserts on site, wrapped up our desserts in the kitchen as I wrapped up writing my vows at the table. We opted out of having a cocktail hour so our guests went right into dinner and dancing while we enjoyed a private meal overlooking our reception on the top deck of the closest house. Seeing my childhood friends from Maryland eating dinner with Kal's childhood friends from Indiana and her cousins with mine on the dance floor all felt so surreal. I wanted the end of the night to feel like prom night when everyone goes home to change into comfy clothes before the after party, so everyone changed and we all came back out to spend the rest of the night partying comfortably. There were so many times throughout the night where we just took it all in. We felt so lucky, so loved all weekend. I know that's such a long answer, but how do you narrow your favorite weekend down just one favorite moment?!”

What is the best advice she can give brides-to-be who are currently planning their own big day?

“HIRE THE WEDDING COORDINATOR! Wether you do the full service, or just a day of, hire the coordinator. Especially if you are getting married far away from where you live, having someone that has connections options up so many more options you would have never had access to. I promise you that when you get the right one, they become everything and more. I really thought I was cut out for the DIY wedding life, and I thought I was the only person who could truly make my vision come to life. Then not even two months before, I was posting in every facebook group I could find for any available coordinators. I could go on for days about Michelle and her husband. She drove 3 hours to our venue, and stopped along the way at her favorite flower farm to hand pick buckets of willdflowers for all of our florals. On our actual day, she saved the day on multiple occasions without bringing any of it to our attention. She surprised us with small, intentional details that she remembered from our conversations, and met me on the dance floor for a song amidst the chaos she was managing.”
Congratulations, Aly & Kallie!
Check out the rest of their gorgeous pictures by Alison Hein Photo’s in the gallery below!