November 22, 2008
When two people grow up in the same town,
go to the same school and their last names
are Kalin and Klank, there's a pretty good
chance they?ll become acquainted. "In 8th
grade homeroom, we sat alphabetically. Then
in sewing class, we were paired alphabetically
to share a sewing machine," recalls Kelly Klank
about Matt Kalin. "He was my boyfriend back
then, too." During high school and college,
however, they went in different directions as
priorities and interests changed. "I still had
a crush on him all that time, though," admits
Kelly. "I'd always have my friends fill me in on
what he was up to."
Fate brought them together again a couple of
summers ago as their old circle of friends met
for dinner one evening. Matt and Kelly found
themselves sitting next to each other but it
wasn't for alphabetical reasons this time. "We
started seeing each other again and it was later
that summer when we went with a group of our
friends to Cedar Point that I knew I wanted to
spend the rest of my life with him," says Kelly.
"Even after spending three days straight with
him, I couldn't wait to see him again."
The following May, Matt proposed to Kelly on
Silver Beach in St. Joe. "It was getting cold and
cloudy and it looked like a storm was coming,"
remembers Kelly. "I had no idea he was going
to propose, I was just complaining about the
weather. All of a sudden he dropped down on
his knee and asked me to marry him."
They chose November 22, 2008 for their
wedding date, which left just six short months
to plan. "It was a little stressful at times but
once we booked the church and the reception
hall, everything else just fell into place," says
Kelly. That was especially true with her wedding
dress. Kelly and her mom had gone to Lynette
Bremer Designs in Valparaiso on the one day
the store was closed. "The owner just happened
to be bringing back some gowns from a photo
shoot as we were leaving so she asked me to
hold this particular gown while she unlocked
the door. That dress that fell into my arms was
the one I fell in love with," says Kelly.
Although elegant and formal describe the
ceremony and reception, Kelly and Matt put
their special touches on different elements
to make it a unique and fun experience.
For example, the couple's monogram was
displayed on the aisle runner, in flowers on the
church door, on the limousine and also on the
dance floor at the reception. After all, it was
with those two names that it all began back in
8th grade! The reception featured a traditional
sit-down dinner for the wedding party and their
guests while the children could choose their
favorite food from the kids' buffet. For added
variety, there was also an espresso bar and a
candy bar.
The couple followed their perfect wedding up
with the perfect honeymoon in the Bahamas.
?We had so much fun playing in the infinity pool,
swimming with dolphins, getting massages
and eating a lot of great food. All of it was just
amazing,? beams Kelly.
Zion Evangelical Church
St. Joseph, MI
Reception Location:
Lake Michigan College
Grand Upton Hall
Benton Harbor, MI
Wedding Coordinator:
Michelle Scamehorn
Event Solutions
Decor:
Masterpiece Creations
South Bend, IN
Caterer:
Lake Michigan College
Mendel Center
Benton Harbor, MI
Favors:
Kilwin's Chocolate and Ice Cream
St. Joseph, MI
Photographer:
Meister Photography
Stevensville, MI
Videographer:
All Star Productions
Coloma, MI
Wedding Gown:
Justin Alexander
Lynette Bremer Designs
Valparaiso, IN
Bridesmaids' Gowns:
Watters
Lynette Bremer Designs
Valparaiso, IN
Hair Salon:
Lauri Gallagher
Allure Hair Design
Stevensville, MI
Nail Salon:
Jane Tym Nitz
Mane Street Salon and Spa
Stevensville, MI
Tuxedos:
The Tux Shop
St. Joseph, MI
Wedding Rings:
Black Rose Jewelry
St. Joseph, MI
Flowers:
Crystal Springs Florist
Benton Harbor, MI
Invitation:
Taylor Rental
Menus/Programs:
www.abunchofbliss.com
Wedding Cake:
The Flour Shop Bakery
Stevensville, MI
Reception Band:
The Connexion Band
Chicago, IL
Rehearsal Dinner:
Tosi's Restaurant
Stevensville, MI
Transportation:
Royal Excursion
Mishawaka, IN
Honeymoon:
The Cove Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas