Jenna and Turner's Glamorous Black and White Wedding at Saint John’s Resort

Love Story

When Instagram's algorithm plays cupid, and a chance encounter at a hockey game turns into a love story spanning continents, you know you're in for a wedding tale that's nothing short of magical. Join us as we dive into Jenna and Turner's glamorous black-and-white affair at Saint John's Resort in Plymouth, Michigan!

It all began with a serendipitous swipe on Instagram. Jenna recalls, "Turner claims I popped up on his explorer page on Instagram and saw we had 1 mutual friend that he played hockey with at the time. He reached out one day asking if I’d like to come to a game and I thought at the very least, this could be a funny story!"

But fate had other plans. Jenna continues, "After the game, we ended up at the same bar and physically bumped into each other by coincidence, and ever since I still haven’t felt a magnetic connection like that."

Despite the distance between Plymouth, Michigan, and Edmonton, Alberta, their love only grew stronger. "We continued to stay in touch and eventually visited each other’s hometowns!" Jenna shares. "Quite a distance between us but it drew us even closer. Over time we gave into the friendship and have continued to fall deeper in love with each passing day. I’ve never formally thanked Instagram for our love story but thanks Insta!!"

Five years into their relationship, Turner planned a proposal that perfectly captured their adventurous spirit. Jenna reminisces, "Turner’s hockey career has taken us to amazing places, one being Stowe Vermont. While there on his All-Star break in early February, he suggested a horse-drawn sleigh ride through snowy woods… I hate the cold but I figured when else will we be able to do this?!"

The magical moment unfolded midway through the ride. "we hopped out for a quick photo and as he kneeled I couldn’t help but start to cry," Jenna shares, her voice full of emotion. "I don’t exactly remember his words other than the last bit, will you be my wife. It was the most beautiful moment in my life!"

The couple's engagement announcement on social media captured the essence of their love story. "My caption on our engagement post was 'Forever & Ever' and that's what we ended up hanging in our reception space!" Jenna adds, highlighting how their journey from that snowy proposal in Vermont led to their stunning wedding day.

Jenna and Turner's vision for their dream wedding was crystal clear from the start. "I love The Great Gatsby but am not a fan of gold," Jenna explained, "so I really wanted a black/white/silver glamorous feel, but also romantic vibes." This elegant color scheme set the tone for a celebration that was both sophisticated and deeply personal.

The couple's style choices perfectly reflected their vision. Jenna describes, "Our bridesmaids wore black silk long dresses carrying a cluster of white roses, our groomsmen wore black tux’s with black bowties and 1 white boutonnière. We had disco balls dripping over the dance floor as well!" The result was a stunning visual harmony that captured the essence of their glamorous yet romantic theme.

Inspiration for the wedding came from a desire to create an interactive and lively atmosphere. Jenna shares, "All the photos that I saved had so much movement going on whether it be dancing or a fun photo booth moment so I knew I wanted to incorporate something for guests that was interactive and kept the vibes up!" This led to some creative and last-minute decisions that added unique touches to the celebration.

One such addition was particularly special. " I decided last minute, without Turner’s knowledge, that an ice sculpture would be the perfect touch!" Jenna exclaims. "I got our baby Theo engraved in the ice with a luge for guests to take a sip out of!" This surprise element not only delighted Turner but also became a hit among their 150 guests.

The couple's attention to detail extended to even the smallest accessories. "Also our light-up bracelets had to be bright white! When everyone put their hands in the air it looked like stars :)" Jenna adds. This magical effect contributed to the dreamlike atmosphere of the evening.

Amidst all the joy and celebration, one moment stands out in Jenna's memory as particularly poignant. "I'll never forget walking into our reception space for a sneak peak and wanting to break down," she recalls. "Something about all the time, preparation, and money spent for this one day to look how it does in your head and then seeing it come to life is unexplainable." This emotional moment encapsulated the culmination of their careful planning and the realization of their dream wedding.

Morning details

The day began with a flurry of excitement and attention to detail. The couple designed their invitations and other stationery through Minted, setting the tone for their sophisticated soirée.

When it came to rings, Jenna shares, "We knew silver was the only option but decided on platinum specifically. I love diamonds, what girl doesn’t, so I knew I wanted a boujee band but I also wanted a simple band that would be blessed at our ceremony. Both Turner and my bands were engraved by our jeweler with a message we didn’t reveal to each other until we received them."

“Turner’s gift to me the morning of was a pair of diamond dangle earrings. Mine to him was an engraved watch and cufflinks!” the bride adds when asked about the special jewelry they wore.

Bride getting ready

The process of finding the perfect dress was surprisingly swift for Jenna. She shares, "Elizabeth Lee designed my dress but I added a slit to it… I love a leg pop moment!" The dress, found at Becker's Bridal, was only the second one Jenna tried on. "My sister still stands by the whole store stopping once I came out in it," Jenna recalls with a laugh. "I don’t exactly remember that but trust that’s probably what it felt like! When ya know ya know!"

To complete her bridal look, Jenna carefully selected her accessories. "I added a veil and blusher, closed-toed pointed silk and pearl shoes. I also had a tiara," she describes, painting a picture of classic elegance with a modern twist. Her bouquet, a stunning cluster of white roses, was crafted by The Flower Alley in Novi, MI, perfectly complementing the wedding's sophisticated black and white theme.

Jenna was surrounded by her closest loved ones as she prepared for the big moment. "My bridesmaids got ready with me as well as my mom, his mom, my godmother and our flower girl," she reminisces. This gathering of important women in her life added to the joy and excitement of the morning.

The bridesmaids, dressed in elegant gowns designed by Birdy Grey, perfectly complemented Jenna's bridal look. Their black silk dresses, paired with clusters of white roses, created a striking visual harmony that aligned beautifully with the wedding's glamorous theme.

Groom getting ready

Turner and his groomsmen prepared for the big day in a suite at Saint John's Resort. Dressed in sleek tuxedos from The Black Tux, the groom and his party exuded classic charm and sophistication.

Ceremony

The heart of Jenna and Turner's wedding day was their beautiful ceremony, held in the Saints Mary and Joseph Chapel inside Saint John's Resort. This intimate setting provided the perfect backdrop for their exchange of vows and the beginning of their married life together.

Before the ceremony, the couple honored some special traditions that added depth and emotion to their day. Jenna shares, "The traditions we wanted to follow were mostly the gift-giving. I had a gift for each parent along with a letter. Those were emotional to get through but so incredibly special.” This thoughtful gesture set the tone for a day filled with love and gratitude. "We also gave gifts to our wedding party the night before," she adds, highlighting how they extended their appreciation to their closest friends and family.

As the ceremony began, the air filled with the ethereal sounds of Lana Del Rey's "Young & Beautiful," played on piano and violin. This hauntingly beautiful melody accompanied Jenna as she made her entrance, creating a moment of pure magic. “When he saw me coming down the aisle he immediately started crying. He said he couldn’t stop staring at me,’ the bride shares.

One of the most poignant moments of the ceremony was deeply personal for Jenna. "The blessing of the rings was a moment where time slowed for me," she recalls with emotion. " I tried to take that in as much as possible and really feel God’s love." This spiritual connection added an extra layer of meaning to their union.

As Jenna and Turner sealed their vows with a kiss, they were surrounded by the love and support of their 150 guests. The ceremony, with its blend of tradition, personal touches, and deeply felt emotions, was the perfect beginning to their new life together.

Photoshoot after the ceremony

Post-ceremony, the newlyweds posed for photos in front of Saint John's. "In front of Saint John’s there are beautiful tall green bushes that made my dress pop even more in photos!" Jenna exclaims. "It was a perfect clean and classic look that I was going for."

Wedding Venue & Decor

Saint John's Resort provided the perfect backdrop for Jenna and Turner's black, white, and silver color scheme. Jenna describes the personalized touches: "Personalized bar signs ad we had signature drinks (including our dog), personalized bar napkins, a logo that was lit up on the wall all night long, our cake topper was our silhouettes (including our dog)."

When asked how they decided on this particular venue, the couple shares, “Based on location and service. Impeccable service.”

Reception

The reception was a celebration to remember, filled with personal touches that reflected Jenna and Turner's unique love story. The couple's first dance set the tone for the evening, as they swayed to the romantic melodies of "Until I Found You" by Stephen Sanchez. This tender moment captured the essence of their journey together, from their serendipitous Instagram meeting to this pinnacle of their love story.

The culinary experience was nothing short of exquisite. "Filet and Chicken were options!" Jenna shares, highlighting the elegant menu choices. But it was the signature drinks that truly showcased the couple's personality. "Our signature drinks were His - Old Fashioned Her’s - Margarita and Theo’s - Vodka/Soda," Jenna explains, the last one being a playful nod to their beloved dog.

A highlight of the reception was undoubtedly the wedding cake, a masterpiece crafted by Bella e Dolce Cakes. This sweet centerpiece not only delighted the taste buds but also served as a beautiful focal point for the reception decor.

The success of the day wasn't just down to the couple's vision, but also to their fantastic team of vendors. "We got soo lucky with our vendor team," Jenna gushes. "We trusted their work and they did not disappoint." This harmonious collaboration between the couple and their vendors resulted in a seamless and unforgettable celebration.

As the night drew to a close, Jenna reflected on the day with a heart full of joy. "It truly was the most magical day which I know everyone says but it was an absolute dream," she says, her words brimming with emotion. And for Jenna and Turner, this dream come true was just the beginning of their happily ever after.