Sandra and Nico’s Planterra Conservatory engagement party featured a mix of old and new. During the celebration the families took part in cultural traditions near and dear to their heart, while the entertainment and other vendors provided a modern twist to the night. Though the two have been together for several years, this was the first time everyone they care about was in one place at the same time.
What made you choose the Planterra Conservatory?
“It felt like we weren’t in Michigan anymore once we entered, but outside under the lights and surrounded by nature. It was breathtaking when all the lights were off and all the candles were lit. It’s unlike any venue I’ve ever seen.”
What was your favorite moment from the day?
“Oh, wow. This is really hard to answer. It would have to be seeing the venue for the first time. Seeing my vision and all our efforts come to life. But then watching our family and friends fill in the room as they started to arrive was a moment I’ll never forget. Nico and I have been together for so long and that was the first time in our lives where everyone closest to us was in one room together. Watching how truly happy they all were for us, dancing all night, and celebrating us: it was beautiful.”
What drew you to your gown?
“I wanted something timeless – very 90s bride. Romantic and elegant, but also a tiny bit sexy at the same time. I think it took me over a year to find that dress and it was everything I imagined. A month before the engagement party I took it to get it altered at a different bridal boutique and as soon as I tried on my dress for her she placed that jacket on top of it, and just when I thought the dress couldn’t get any more beautiful, it did with that jacket. It all came together better than what I was picturing.”
Are there any details that are particularly special or have a story?
“The reason why this night was so special to me was because it was filled with details that were really special to me. The cultural traditions of our families gifting us jewelry and a priest blessing our rings, the graduation celebration, my speech to my parents, my dad’s speech to me, our slow dance – these were all details and moments that were very special to me.”
Tell us your love story.
“I met Nico when I was 15 and he was 17. I literally knew the first time I met him that we were going to be married. I’m very intuitive and the moment we met, it felt like I already knew him and we had been friends for years. It was just so easy. We had the same humor and banter and I couldn’t imagine having that much fun with anyone else.
Back then we were young and dumb and he didn’t want a girlfriend. Three years later, when we were both in college, we hadn’t spoken for a while and I was home for summer break at the gym when I saw him again. Truthfully, we both deny who went up to who first but since I’m the one typing this I’m going to say that he definitely is the one who initiated the conversation. We both caught up on life that day and fell right into where we left off.
He asked me to be his girlfriend on July 10, 2015. We’ve been together ever since and have been through much together, including law school, med school, bar exams, board exams, and 3 years of long distance. We have literally grown up together. He’s been my best friend for the past 8 years and I just can’t wait to move onto this next stage of life together.”
Creative Team
Videography – Xavier Nicole Films
Venue and floral – Planterra Conservatory
Dress – Belle Atelier (dress), Mimi’s Bridal Boutique (tulle jacket)
Hair – Riva Sharrak
Makeup – Sharlen, Makeup Artist, Blush and Glow Studio
Engagement cake – Sweet Bree’s Bakeshop
Graduation Cake – Paradise Cakes
DJ – Jimmy Flawless
Dinner entertainment – Oud Majed
Prints – Alyssa Mez Design
Marquee letters – Alpha-LIT Marquee
Desserts – Coldstone, Fusion Epicure (chocolate station), Eatible Tooty Fruity (fruit station)
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