Two Weddings: One Week
Two nieces,

First stop, Kalamazoo, Michigan.

While Kalamazoo, Michigan probably isn’t on the top of the Google search for destination weddings, it certainly was a new destination for us. Our niece Courtney moved to Kalamazoo to join the Gymnastics team as a freshman at Western Michigan University. One year later, she dropped the team, but stayed for the new boyfriend, Keenan Boulnemour. So truly, Kalamazoo is the destination for romance.

Getting There

Where in the world is Kalamazoo? Located in the southwest region of Michigan, it has its own small airport. We flew into Chicago and rented a car and met our children Nick and Jolie at the airport. The sunset drive from Illinois through Indiana and on to Michigan was accented by the forest greenery alongside the highway, and two and a half hours later, we pulled up to our Airbnb in a residential neighborhood.  Immediately apparent was the Midwestern charm of wide tree lined blocks with purple irises and colorful houses.

The Backstory

How did Courtney and Keenan get to this day? Luckily, the officiant Randy Schultz, a dear and significant friend of the couple provided us with the backstory of their fateful meeting.

“Their first meeting was like many first meetings.. Totally unplanned. Keenan was helping out one of his buddies and went to the bowling alley to “hang out”. Courtney was also there with a friend of hers. Well, that is where these two met – Airway Lanes. It will certainly be a unique place to possibly revist on your anniversaries.

“In that day of ordinary life, the extraordinary happened. That first spark. From the first day they met, they literally talked to each other EVERY NIGHT for months. During this time the romance blossomed and they fell in love.”

It should be noted that both Courtney and Keenan were undergraduates when they met. Currently Courtney is a Speech Pathologist and Keenan has finished medical school and will be doing his residency in Kentucky to become a neurosurgeon.

The Ceremony

An extraordinarly beautiful sunny day in the suburb of Vicksburg, Michigan, the location for a Memorial Weekend wedding. The venue R&R Events actually was an abandoned car dealership transformed  into a combo of  farmhouse/industrial chic decor with high exposed ceilings with twinkling lights and chandeliers throughout the spacious reception area.

The ceremony began like all wedding ceremonies. Processions of bridesmaids and groomsmen. The bridesmades dressed in the softest sage gowns lined up diagonally next to the bride. The groomsmen, including Keenan’s fraternal twin brother, situated next to Keenan. All guests were anxiously craning their necks to see the first emergence of the bride wearing a lacey, glorious bridal gown. On either side of her were her father and mother, Paul and Rosalind. And, of course, Courtney wearing her dazzling trademark smile.

After an introduction from the officient, Keenan and Courtney recited the vows they composed for each other. I think this is my favorite part of the wedding because the vows are unique, heartfelt and revealing. Keenan’s words touched me. “That fateful night at the bowling alley. The day I returned home from college, with my curled-up mustache. And you, with your beautiful smile, eating your white cloud donut. Today is the day that we lay our cards on the table. I get to tell you all that you mean to me, and then spend the rest of our lives proving to you that I’m worthy of your love.”

His support for Courtney poured out and ended with a short poem

“I love you.
I love you in every way.
In every universe,
I love you more than words.”

Courtney’s vows contained specific humorous memories. “Seven years ago, it all started with a girl meeting a cute boy with a handlebar mustache.” They took their time starting out as friends with library study dates. “We enjoyed using the phrase, “I lava you,” until we felt ready to say the real “L” word.” She added, “I have spent the last 7 years loving all of you. I have been by your side and watched you grow as an athlete, a student, and a person. I can’t wait to walk by your side as you continue to grow and pursue your love for medicine.”

Their faces were radiant as they professed their love and commitment and sealed the deal with a kiss.

The Bridal party slips outdoors for the scenic photo shoot. The railroad tracks and the foresty surroundings were perfect for photos reflecting the bride and groom’s fun (zany) side.

 The Reception

Meanwhile the guests find their tables and enjoy appetizers, drinks and conversations waiting for the Bridal Party to rejoin the festivities.  The venue was perfect for the bridesmaid/groomsmen choreographed entrances, in that the garage door magically open to reveal  each couple’s skit/dance. But the coup de grace and one of the most epic entrances was the bride and groom starting with a standard dance. But wait for it. Didn’t Courtney go to West Michigan University to be on the gymnastics team? Courtney carefully and deftly gathered her puffy skirt with her left hand while Keenan gingerly spotted her in a magnificent back flip! Crowd pleaser! And a perfect moment to get the party started.

Dance, Dance, Dance

During the dinner, the maid of honor and the best man toasted the couple with just the right blend of sentiment and humor. Keenan’s brother and fraternal twin jokingly acknowledged that he preferred being his mother’s favorite son over being the best neurosurgeon in the world. He also said that they would be willing to trade Keenan for Courtney.

Let the dancing begin. Weddings are the perfect opportunity to dance your heart out which the guests “heart”ily” did. I loved watching the enthusiastic couples and group dances but again there was a standout moment. Keenan’s father being of Algerian descent regaled the crowd with some traditional Algerian steps mixed in with more contemporary moves. We all expected Courtney to have the dance moves, but Keenan warmed up and regaled the crowd with his talent! Athletic and on beat, he proved to be the star of the dance floor. A shout out to my husband and me, we “won” the dance off for the longest married couple, 43 years.

The night ended with a sendoff for Courtney and Keenan with the lineup of the guests outside. Instead of sparklers, we used fiber optic wands, perfect for a souvenir for my granddaughter.

Epilogue

Courtney and Keenan honeymooned in Hawaii and then moved to Lexington, Kentucky where Keenan has started his residency at the University of Kentucky. Courtney is working as a Speech Pathologist.

Is Kalamazoo worthy of being dubbed a “destination” for weddings? Well, we had a funny incident the last night we were there. We heard a pounding on the side of the house and on the front door and nobody would respond to our “Hello? Who’s there?” We did call 911 and the police knocked on our door 45 minutes later. I mentioned that we didn’t live there and it was an Airbnb. His eyes popped out. I thought maybe it was illegal. He clarified and said, ” I thought Airbnb’s were for  “real” destinations like the Caribbean. Rest assured, Kalamazoo is safe. We were fine. Kalamazoo was perfect in every way for this occasion.

Next stop, next wedding, Bend, Oregon!