Real Weddings: Danielle & Mike, Part II

Sent to Shore Bride by the bride, Danielle Ziulkowski, this gorgeous French-themed wedding was created with a mixture of D.I.Y. projects and the help of vendors and family friends, for a more personal touch.

Danielle and her husband Mike were married on May 7, 2011, on the couple’s nine year anniversary. They exchanged vows at Nativity of Our Savior Roman Catholic Church in Portage, Ind., in front of 160 of their closest friends.

Danielle and Mike’s wedding party was made up of 14 of their siblings and high school and college friends. The group enjoyed a ride on the Chicago Trolley to take photos at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, the dunes, and at a gazebo in the neighborhood where the couple purchased their first home.

Afterward, the couple celebrated at Aberdeen Manor Ballroom in Valparaiso, Ind., where guests enjoyed marble cupcakes with chocolate mousse filling and pink champagne cupcakes with strawberry filling, made by Chesterton Cake Shoppe and decorated with white French butter cream frosting, edible purple glitter and purple fleur-de-lis.

Danielle and Mike both were born and raised in Portage, Ind. and graduated from Indiana University before buying a home in Burns Harbor, Ind.

These beautiful photos were taken by Bonny Hildebrand of Focus on Photography. Shore Bride would like to thank Danielle for sharing her beautiful wedding photos and story with us this week!

CREDITS

The Happy Couple: Danielle Gingerich and Mike Ziulkowski

Ceremony Location: Nativity of Our Savior Roman Catholic Church

2949 Willowcreek Rd, Portage, Ind.

219.762.4858; nativityofoursavior.org

Reception Location: Aberdeen Manor Ballroom

216 Ballantrae St, Valparaiso, Ind.

219.465.7130; aberdeenmanor.com

Photographer: Bonny Hildebrand of Focus on Photography

Valparaiso, Ind.

219.476.1855; bonnyhildebrand.com

Flowers: Laura Lute, family friend