Dancing, Shenanigans, And A Whole Lot Of Hype | Kayla & Thomas

If you could bottle up the energy of a packed dance floor, the laughs from a rowdy friend group, and the kind of wedding-day hype that starts early and never lets up, you’d get Kayla and Thomas’ wedding.

They described their day in three words: dancing, fun, shenanigans. That was not an exaggeration.

They celebrated at Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, Michigan, leaning into everything they love about the place. The industrial vibe, the building, the food and drinks, and all those gorgeous spots around the property that feel iconic without trying too hard.

Why They Chose Journeyman

Kayla and Thomas loved Journeyman for the atmosphere. The building has that warm industrial feel, the cocktails are always on point, and the whole space makes it easy for guests to settle in and have a good time.

They also wanted the look of Journeyman to be part of their photos, especially that signature building backdrop and the putting green area near the ceremony spot.

A First Look And A Fully Present Ceremony

They chose to do a first look, which gave them a chance to breathe, soak in the moment, and get that “oh my gosh, this is happening” feeling before the ceremony started.

Then they doubled down on presence with an unplugged ceremony. Guests were asked to put away phones and just be there with them. It’s one of those choices that pays off in two big ways. The ceremony feels more connected in real time, and the aisle stays clean so the photos are all emotion and zero screens.

Pastor Rob Schallhorn led a traditional ceremony, and Kayla and Thomas personally dismissed guests into cocktail hour right after, which kept the flow fun and interactive instead of feeling like a hard “pause” in the day.

The Little Details That Mattered

One of the sweetest heirloom touches was Kayla’s great-grandmother’s ring, placed on her bouquet. It’s the kind of detail that feels quiet and powerful at the same time.

They also leaned into their favorite memories with their people. Kayla’s crew kept bringing up bachelorette stories, and Thomas’ side was still riding the bachelor-party wave. Basically, the whole day had that “remember when…?” energy, and everyone was here for it.

Forest Green, Rust, And An Industrial Backdrop

Their color palette was forest green and rust, which looked insanely good against Journeyman’s wood, brick, and metal tones. It felt bold without being loud, and it matched the venue vibe perfectly.

Kayla wore an Essence of Australia gown from Simply Yours Bridal, and the whole look fit the day’s feel: elevated, timeless, and ready for a party.

Toasts That Hit And A Dance Floor That Stayed Full

The reception was built for movement. The kind of night where the dance floor stays full because the DJ knows exactly how to read the room, and the guests came prepared to go hard.

There were heartfelt toasts from family and friends, including Kayla’s dad, her maid of honor, her little brother Cole, and Thomas’ best man. Those are the moments where you can feel the room lock in, laugh together, tear up together, and then immediately snap right back into party mode.

Quick Planning Tip

If you want your ceremony to feel more connected and your photos to feel more timeless, an unplugged ceremony is one of the easiest wins. No phones in the aisle, no guests watching through a screen, and way more real reactions in the moment.

Also, if you’re doing a receiving line or dismissing guests right after the ceremony, it helps to keep it moving and intentional. Decide where it happens, keep it close to the exit, and have your coordinator or DJ gently help guide the flow so it feels natural and not chaotic.

Kayla and Thomas’ Wedding Day Vendors: 

Photography + Videography: Westley Leon Studios // Venue + Catering: Journeyman Distillery // Planning: White Dahlia // Officiant: Pastor Rob Schallhorn // Florist: LB Floristry // Bakery: Froehlich’s // Invitations: Minted // DJ: Ben Decker // Transportation: First Charter // Rings: Impress // Bride’s Attire: Simply Yours Bridal (Essence of Australia) // Hair: Michelle Kelly // Makeup: The Makeup Team

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