Jen + Brandon’s spring Eastern Market love story was so much fun. When I first met with them late last year, I felt like I’ve known them forever! We spent the evening running around some favorite spots – including a wall that perfectly matched Jen’s dress! Oh man, I cannot wait for their wedding!

Jennifer, Yoga Teacher & Health Care Worker

Brandon, General Manager at Fastenal

Met:  that’s questionable! but we started actually hanging out circa 2009

How they met:

We aren’t really sure of the exact details about how or where we met. We grew up two streets away from each other and always went to the same schools. We know we crossed paths when we were kids because we had some of the same neighborhood friends and even rode the same bus. We didn’t really start hanging out with each other until high school and started dating during Brandon’s senior year, we’ve been together ever since!

Their engagement story:

Because we have been together for so long, Brandon knew he had to keep his proposal plans low key or I would suspect him. He smartly made all of the arrangements, filled with decoys and distractions, to do it during a weekend trip that we already had planned to Chicago, all for a concert I was just dying to go to, to see Childish Gambino. On our drive there, we got a call from my best friend that we were supposed to be staying with, saying that she had a “gas leak” and that we all had to clear out of her apartment. Brandon told me he made arrangements at a hotel downtown “conveniently” during my nap in the car. We pulled up to a hotel on the Chicago river and “somehow lucked out” getting a room on the top floor. He made a reservation for dinner at the top of the John Hancock building, and even though I thought I finally had a clue as to what was going on… I was wrong, he didn’t propose there. We were going to a bar on the beach to meet friends after, but took some time walking around by the water first. It was there on the beachfront of Lake Michigan that he got down on one knee & proposed! Our friends who live in Chicago all toasted us after and we spent the rest of the weekend celebrating our love in the city!

Song that reminds Jen of Brandon:

I’d like to say “Starlight” by Muse or “Home” by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, but it’s actually something more like “Hooked On a Feeling” or “Come and Get Your Love” because the only songs my lovable nerd actually knows the words to are in the ones in the Marvel-universe (lol!)

Song that reminds Brandon of Jen:

All music reminds me of Jen! She’s my music queen & loves all the genres, but the songs that stand out most of course are by Beyoncé

Their wedding vision in three words:

Industrial, Botanical, Community

Their wedding colors:

mustard, ivory, champagne, and sage

• City their wedding is taking place in:

Detroit! (we wouldn’t have it any other way<3)

spring Eastern Market love story

Janel + Michael | a sunny Detroit engagement photo session

Allison + Joe | a glam Detroit engagement