Perfect Match: WeddingDay’s Exclusive Grand Rapids Cover Shoot

Photos ByVanderHoff Studio

Written By

Date

September 28, 2026

The Vision

Appropriately named "Perfect Match," this editorial embraced a fresh take on wedding design by blending timeless elegance with bold personality. Planner Samantha Wiser of Seamless Planning envisioned a celebration that stepped outside the traditional Midwest wedding aesthetic, drawing inspiration from the immersive, themed events gaining popularity across Europe. "I wanted to create something that felt different from what we traditionally see in the Midwest wedding space," she shares. "The overall concept was to bring in a funky, editorial energy without losing the sophistication of a wedding day." Samantha collaborated closely with our incredibly talented team, encouraging each vendor to put their own artistic spin on the vision—even sourcing 100 tennis balls from Facebook Marketplace to complete the playful theme! The result was a vibrant editorial that proves weddings can be elevated, stylish and full of personality all at once. Samantha explains, "One of the biggest things I hope couples take away from this shoot is the reminder that when you hire vendors you genuinely trust and allow them creative freedom within your vision, the end result can become something even better than you originally imagined."

The Venue

Nestled along the scenic fairways of Pigeon Creek Golf Course, Pigeon Creek Event Center provided the perfect backdrop for our playful yet polished editorial. Opened in 2023 in West Olive, Michigan, this modern venue offers a bright, minimalist interior that can be transformed to suit any wedding style, while its picturesque outdoor spaces create equally memorable settings for ceremonies and cocktail hours! Set against the tranquil pond and sweeping golf course views, our ceremony vignette highlighted the venue's outdoor setting before the celebration continued inside the light-filled reception space, where the design elements stood out against the neutral and modern backdrop. Beautifully captured by VanderHoff Studio, the venue's versatile layout showcased its ability to host celebrations that feel both elevated and effortlessly personal.

The Florals

"For florals, I really wanted to keep the palette clean and intentional with mostly greens and whites to balance some of the more playful elements throughout the shoot," Samantha shares. Trusting the creative vision of Posh Petals, she gave the team the freedom to interpret the concept, resulting in arrangements that felt both artistic and effortlessly cohesive. Modern, sculptural Bells of Ireland and elegant calla lilies served as standout blooms, while abundant hydrangeas added softness, fullness and texture throughout the design!

The Décor

Every design detail in the shoot was thoughtfully curated to transform the tennis-inspired concept into an elevated wedding aesthetic. “I wanted the color of the tennis balls to serve as the foundation of the design,” Samantha explains. “Since the venue featured crisp white walls, I knew the vibrant chartreuse tones would create a bold yet sophisticated contrast.” That vibrant hue became the common thread throughout the editorial, complemented by refined rentals from Charm Décor House—including an elegant chandelier and rattan lamps adorning the serpentine table—that added warmth and an editorial feel without overshadowing the theme. Tennis rackets paired with lush florals in baskets anchored the scene, creating a playful yet polished statement that tied the inspiration together beautifully. One of the most memorable details came together at the last minute, when Samantha filled glass fish bowls from Posh Petals with tennis balls, creating a textural element that quickly became one of her favorite additions. The creative details continued with clever grape-adorned drink skewers that subtly resembled tennis balls! Adding another layer of artistry to the celebration, Abundance Live Wedding Art painted a moment from the ceremony throughout the day, providing a unique form of entertainment while preserving the special scene in a priceless piece of artwork that can be cherished for years to come.

The Looks

The two gowns from JaeLaimee Bridal perfectly blended contemporary bridal fashion with playful, tennis-inspired details. "The first gown immediately stood out because of the dramatic train paired with a built-in slit and structured detail that almost resembled a tennis skirt," Samantha explains. "It tied perfectly into the sporty, themed elements of the shoot while still feeling classy and high-end." For the reception look, we embraced the growing trend of outfit changes with a chic scarf-style gown that delivered a fashion-forward editorial moment while remaining effortlessly bridal. The groom complemented the aesthetic in a tan suit from SuitShop, paired with a rich green tie that echoed the fresh color palette. The Pretty Committee completed the bridal look with soft, glamorous beauty styling, pinning the model's curls into a romantic half-up, half-down hairstyle with delicate face-framing tendrils. Fresh, natural makeup, a neutral lip and fluttery lashes enhanced her features while allowing the fashion and overall design to remain the focus!

The Stationery & Signage

The stationery and signage by Evermere Collection transformed the tennis-inspired concept into a collection of personalized details that felt playful, polished and completely unexpected. “Their creativity brought the concept to life in ways I never could have imagined,” Samantha raves. Throughout the design, the chartreuse, green and white color palette carried into every piece, from the invitation suite featuring tennis ball-inspired monograms and a ticket-shaped welcome party invitation to ceremony programs shaped like tennis rackets. At the reception, menus designed to resemble tennis courts and tennis ball-shaped place cards added another creative touch, but the true showstopper was the custom seating chart! Featuring vintage tennis rackets and accented with vases filled with tennis balls, the display became a memorable focal point that perfectly captured the shoot’s goal of blending whimsical inspiration with an elevated wedding aesthetic.

The Cake

The cake by Artfully Meraki was a whimsical work of art that perfectly complemented the shoot's elevated yet playful aesthetic. The two-tiered, all-white buttercream design featured delicate live wildflowers alongside hand-painted floral details and sculpted greenery textures, creating a garden-inspired masterpiece with a modern twist. Adding a subtle nod to the tennis theme, two discrete tennis balls were incorporated into the design for a fun surprise detail!