WEDDING IDEAS

Danielle’s lush bouquet was filled with burgundy peonies, Black Magic roses, and burgundy mini calla lilies.

Danielle’s two bridesmaids wore black, silk shantung, V-neck dresses with Empire waists. The back featured a tie sash with a cutaway. The junior bridesmaid wore an A-line dress with spaghetti straps and an inset sash at the waist. Their bouquets of burgundy peonies and Black Magic roses popped against the dresses.

The couple exchanged vows in a traditional Catholic ceremony at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, where Danielle’s and Augustus’ grandfathers had attended church in their youth. They were honored to have the same officiant who’d baptized Augustus and his three brothers and had also married his parents 30 years earlier.

Small, square glass vases filled with Black Magic roses, burgundy dahlias, creamy white hydrangeas, and eucalyptus berries accented the center of each table.

The four-tier square cake was covered in ivory fondant and decorated with black satin ribbon and jeweled appliques to mimic the bride’s gown. Guests indulged in layers of chocolate chiffon cake flavored with brandy, filled with a Kahlua mousse, and frosted with vanilla buttercream.

Danielle & Augustus in Detroit, MI

Photos By: Jessica Johnston Photography, Ann Arbor

Event Planning: A Knot So Ordinary Event, Commerce Township
Location: The Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit

After a few years as friends, Danielle and Augustus decided to take a chance on love. And their first official date was…dinner at Cracker Barrel (the halfway point between their schools, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan) on Valentine’s Day 2003. After that first meal, they were inseparable and spent every Valentine’s Day at their halfway spot.

The Bride Danielle Longo, 25, advertising account coordinator
The Groom Augustus Makris, 27, tax attorney
The Date October 20

Three years later the couple took a much-needed romantic getaway to Mackinac Island. They spent the weekend biking around the island and relaxing on the porch of their bed-and-breakfast. On their last night they hiked to Sunset Rock, overlooking the Mackinac Bridge, to watch the sunset. As the moon started to rise, Augustus told Danielle all of the things he loved about her and then dropped to one knee and proposed.

-- Tia Albright