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\nVanessa Tong<\/a> and Aaron Johnson II<\/a> met at Central Michigan University in the School of Music. \u201cShe was a vocal performance major and I was a percussion performance major, so we had a lot of the same classes and lived in the same dorm hall together,\u201d Aaron remembers. Music<\/a> became the bedrock their relationship was built on.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \nThe summer of 2020, Aaron\u2014now a singer-songwriter and musician\u2014planned a road trip to St. Petersburg, Florida<\/a>, to shoot some music videos for an album he was gearing up to release.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n\u201cWe got engaged August 13. I planned it in such a way that we were able to use one of the music video shoots as the perfect proposal setup<\/a>,\u201d he shares. \u201cWe were filming for my song ‘Always Winter<\/a>,’ so we were both dressed nicely. For the final scene, we were on a beautiful beach just before sunset. I told Vanessa to stand off at a distance and wait until I tapped her shoulder to turn around and sing the final lyrics with me. To her surprise, on the videographer\u2019s cue, she turned around and found me on one knee, shaking and quivering as I was asking her to marry me.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nThe couple planned a few different wedding celebrations, and it only made sense that music be the basis of each and every one. \u201cMusic is our love language<\/a>,\u201d the duo shares. \u201cThe vision behind our wedding celebrations is to combine music and cultures in an intimate, creative, and meaningful way. At the same time, we want to honor our heritages and celebrate new traditions as we begin our new journey together as husband and wife.\u201d One such new tradition? An uber micro-wedding<\/a> ceremony and picnic brunch they hosted with just a handful of loved ones before their larger wedding. Though the celebration was small, the design and details made a huge impact.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \nTo honor their own multicultural<\/a> backgrounds, the couple worked with a diverse group of vendors to bring their micro-wedding to life. \u201cWe both come from multicultural families. My heritage is a combination of Chinese, French Canadian, and Native American,\u201d Vanessa says. \u201cWe wanted to work with people who can appreciate the cultural differences and even share the same values with us. Our photographer, Chinling Thomas, was born and raised in Taiwan; she specializes in multicultural celebrations. The cake artist, Maggie Herron<\/a>, is Indonesian. We also opted for modern cheongsam<\/em> and hair accessories from East Meets Dress<\/a> for our bridesmaid\u2019s look.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nScroll down to see each and every unique detail of Vanessa and Aaron\u2019s music-inspired wedding, planned by Emma Targett and Rebecca Targett of Meriwether Social<\/a> and photographed by Beyond Jade<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> \n\u201cAs we planned our music-themed wedding, we researched a lot to get inspiration,\u201d the couple shares. \u201cThe number of music-inspired weddings online was relatively low. It took us a lot of time to finalize a mood board<\/a> for our wedding day story. Throughout the process, we had to learn how to translate our vision to individual vendors for a consistent wedding look.\u201d They chose a color palette of lavender gray, light blue, and antique rose as a jumping-off point.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> \n\u201cAaron and I loved the idea of getting ready<\/a> together before our pre-ceremony waterfront brunch,\u201d Vanessa says. \u201cIt gave us an opportunity to enjoy a quiet, intimate, and romantic moment.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> \nFor her first look of the day, Vanessa wore an A-line<\/a>, scoopneck dress<\/a> by Allure Bridals with layers of gossamer tulle, and a raw-edge cathedral veil<\/a>. She wanted a relaxed, romantic look for the Parisian picnic brunch they had planned.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \nFor her beauty look, \u201cwe envisioned a natural look that emphasizes the eyes and uses light contouring,” explaisn the bride.\u00a0“Considering the sophisticated wedding dress style and my soft hair texture, I decided to wear my hair half-up, half-down<\/a> in loose waves adorned with jeweled pins.\u201d She also dabbed Young Living<\/a> lavender essential oil on her wrists, neck, and chest. \u201cLavender has a calming effect and scent,\u201d she says.\n<\/p>\n Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> \nAaron prepped his skin with a range of products by Goodfellow<\/a> and slipped into an ultra slim black wedding suit<\/a> by Michael Kors<\/a>.\u00a0He donned a unique pocket square boutonniere<\/a> that matched the bridal bouquet.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> \nThe festivities began with an intimate Parisian-inspired picnic brunch on the lush lawn at Waldenwoods<\/a> as classical covers of the ‘Bridgerton’ soundtrack<\/a> wafted in the air.\u00a0The idyllic scene was completed by an array of pillows and poufs and a fringed white market umbrella. A vignette under a nearby tree included a vintage violin as a nod to the couple\u2019s musical foundation.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> \n\u201cCool blue floral napkins channeled the perfect spring day, and a hemstitched runner<\/a> in the same dreamy blue ran the length of the low picnic table, puddling gently on the ground at each end,\u201d the couple shares. \u201cCrisp white Wedgwood china<\/a> featuring a royal blue border, layered on top of warm woven chargers, added to the romantic European-inspired celebration.\u201d Place settings featured scroll-style place cards, cut glass goblets, and flatware brushed in a champagne finish.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> \nRather than a large cake for the small celebration, the couple opted for miniature painted cakes, three inches in diameter. They were painted<\/a> with textured florals by Maggie’s Pastries<\/a> and filled with lemon curd, raspberry compote, and buttercream. \u201cIn order to highlight the musical aspects of our wedding, we included French macarons<\/a> decorated with musical notes,\u201d the couple says. The notes popped against the vanilla bean dusty blue cookie.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> \nTo pay homage to the bride\u2019s Asian culture<\/a>, the bridesmaid wore an updo style with two golden pearl hair pins.\n<\/p>\n Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> \nThe ceremony was set on the farmhouse terrace, with classic soft honey crossback chairs<\/a> evoking the French countryside. Lavender topiaries in raffia baskets and oversize brass lanterns marked the aisle. \u201cA gorgeous gold antique mirror<\/a> with delicate edging served as a welcome sign and also reflected the crystal blue lake of Waldenwoods,\u201d the couple describes. \u201cA classic acoustic guitar from the groom’s personal collection offered a reminder of the wedding’s musical roots.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> \nVanessa\u2019s bridesmaid changed into a more formal yet modern cheongsam<\/em> with light pink blush and gold tones for the ceremony, and carried a tambourine as a hoop bouquet<\/a> to echo the wedding’s theme. The instrument was wrapped with Italian ruscus and petite blush-toned flowers.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> \nThe bride changed for the ceremony as well, into a Maggie Sottero<\/a> dress<\/a> with art deco-inspired beading and an illusion V back. \u201cI have never felt so beautiful before,\u201d she says. \u201cIt fit perfectly and made me feel like a queen.\u201d She paired it with Bella Belle<\/a> shoes<\/a> and a jade ring. \u201cIn Chinese culture, jade is a symbol of life, harmony, and renewal,\u201d she says. She processed into the ceremony to an arrangement of one of her groom\u2019s original songs.\n<\/p>\n Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> We wrote our own vows simply from our hearts, recounting fond memories and making deeply heartfelt promises.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> \n\u201cWe wrote our own vows simply from our hearts, recounting fond memories and making deeply heartfelt promises,\u201d Vanessa shares. \u201cFor a unity ceremony<\/a>, a traditional Chinese noodle-eating ritual was chosen as a symbol of longevity and a tribute to my Chinese heritage.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> \n\u201cInstead of a first dance<\/a>, we performed a first song for our guests,\u201d Vanessa says. \u201cWith Aaron playing keyboard piano and me singing, we put our own spin on the classic \u2018Can’t Help Falling in Love\u2019 by Elvis.\u201d It was one of the many ways the duo turned convention on its head to create their own traditions. \u201cThis really reflected our relationship since Aaron has written a lot of music as an expression of his love for me,\u201d the bride says.\n<\/p>\n Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> \nAfter \u201cI do,\u201d the newlyweds headed inside for an intimate reception. The decor harkened back to their earlier brunch. The cool blue floral from the picnic napkins became the floor-length tablecloth of their sweetheart table<\/a>, and romantic place settings centered around vintage gold-rimmed glass plates<\/a> inherited from the bride’s great-grandmother. Ivory candles in glass pillars and lush florals anchored the table.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> All that matters is you and the love of your life making a life-long commitment to each other\u2014and that\u2019s beautiful.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Photo by Beyond Jade<\/p>\n <\/span> \nAfter a customized dinner, the evening ended with Champagne as Vanessa and Aaron poured a bottle of bubbly over a tower of cut glass coupes<\/a>. \u201cOnly celebrated people can celebrate people well,\u201d the couple reflects. \u201cAt the end of the day, plans will go wrong and details will be interpreted differently in the heat of the moment. All that matters is you and the love of your life making a life-long commitment to each other\u2014and that\u2019s beautiful.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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