Welcome to the new Meadow Brook Wedding Feature series! We’ve chosen some absolutely lovely couples to spotlight, along with their special day at The Hall. Want to really delve deep into a Meadow Brook wedding? This is the series for you.
Once upon a time…
From a proposal at Disney World to a wedding at an American castle, nothing really sums up Stephanie Pini and Austen Pratt’s wedding than that phrase. These lovebirds met at Oakland University in pre-calculus class. They both admit they were “not doing too well”, so they began studying together. Study sessions turned into dates, which evolved into a relationship. Austen then proposed to Stephanie in front of Cinderella’s Castle, which absolutely suited this couple of Disney fanatics.
Adding to the fairy tale, both Stephanie and Austen worked at Meadow Brook Hall! Stephanie was an event specialist that got a full time job as an events manager after graduation, and now plans other people’s weddings and events for a living. Austen worked at our Writing Camp, and has also given tours and does security.
It’s probably no surprise to anyone, then, that Meadow Brook Hall was the setting for their nuptials and reception. Stephanie said that Meadow Brook is like “home” to her. “Meadow Brook has been a place where I had always aspired to work and now that I do, it’s become like home!”
Combining their love of Disney and Stephanie’s affinity for Lilly Pulitzer, their wedding was a “Cinderella meets Lilly Pulitzer theme”. The colors were Tiffany blue, coral, gold, and white, a pop of color we don’t see too often here! (Most couples tend to stick with neutral colors.) Instrumentals of Disney songs accompanied the ceremony, and Stephanie made her grand entrance with her father in a horse and carriage.
After a ceremony in the front circle of The Hall, guests mingled during cocktail hour on the Loggia Terrace. Some guests elected to take self-guided tours of the mansion during the cocktail hour while bartenders created custom drinks at bars on the terrace. The wedding party took photos on the bridge in the front circle and all over The Hall’s many distinct gardens.
After the guests were seated in the Garden Tent, the wedding party made their grand entrance. After a specially prepared dinner of grilled chicken and Greek salad, the Grizz (Oakland University’s mascot) roared in to kick off the dance party! If guests got tired of dancing, they could take photos in the photo booth or chow down on ice cream, cookies or soft pretzels.
Vendors:
- Photography: Stintography
- Floral: Floral Designs by Lori
- DJ: Michael’s Entertainment
- Video: Mike Staff Productions
- Horse & Carriage: Top Hat & Tails
- Decorative Rentals: Luxe Event Linen
- 8′ Tables: C&N
- Photo booth: Shutterbooth
- Hotel & Shuttle: Hilton Auburn Hills
