Dark Fairytale Dream | Rune & Stephen

Rune and Stephen described their wedding in three words as “Dark Fairytale Dream,” and yeah, they nailed it.

They chose the Portage Parks and Recreation Department because it gave them the best of both worlds. Nature. Indoor and outdoor options. A space that felt like them. Add in their color palette of red, purple, black, and gold, and the whole day had that moody, storybook vibe without feeling overly formal or stiff.

Getting Ready With The Nerds And The Chaos

Rune got ready in Mattawan with a crew that proudly owns the “we’re nerds” title. Gaming, theater energy, and the kind of friendship where you can pick up right where you left off. One of the most meaningful details Rune mentioned was honoring a childhood dog who recently passed, which brought a tender layer to the day right from the start.

Stephen’s side had its own flavor. Racing, gaming, and a lot of loud energy, the kind that keeps the room moving even when everyone’s still half-dressed and hunting for missing socks.

Also worth knowing for the overall flow of the day, Rune and Stephen both shared that they’re AuDHD, and overwhelm can hit fast. So the goal was simple. Keep things moving, keep it grounded, and build in little breathing moments so the day stayed fun instead of frantic.

A First Look Before The Everything Starts

Rune and Stephen opted for a first look, which was a solid move for a day like this. It let them connect privately before stepping into “everyone’s watching” mode, and it gave us space to capture portraits and wedding party photos without everything feeling rushed.

They also wanted some photos out front by the library park area near the venue, which was a great call for keeping the background clean and the vibe still nature-forward.

An Unplugged Ceremony With Handfasting And Cats

Their ceremony was outdoors and unplugged, which fit the whole “be present or be gone” energy.

They incorporated handfasting, which felt like the perfect ritual for their dark fairytale theme. It’s symbolic, visually cool, and it hits that sweet spot of meaningful without being performative.

And yes, their cats were part of the ceremony, which is exactly the kind of detail we live for. If you’re building a day that feels like you two, then your little furry roommates deserve their moment.

S’mores Hour, Speeches, And A Reception That Stayed Personal

After the ceremony, they rolled into what they called s’mores hour, which is objectively the best kind of cocktail hour. Cozy, interactive, and it instantly gets guests mingling without the awkward “stand around holding a drink” thing.

From there the reception kept the momentum going with entrances, food, speeches, and then the big sequence of first dances.

Their first dance song was “Follow You” by Echosmith, and it fit the vibe. Romantic without being sappy, sweet without being cheesy.

The Adoption Toss That Made Everyone Smile

Instead of a traditional bouquet and garter toss, Rune and Stephen did an adoption toss where they tossed stuffed animals for guests who are looking to adopt or who want to donate to a shelter.

That is the kind of twist that instantly makes a wedding feel like it has a heartbeat. It was playful, it got people involved, and it pointed the energy toward something that matters to them.

A Quick Planning Tip

If you’re someone who gets overwhelmed easily, build your wedding day like you’re designing a good day for your nervous system.

Rune and Stephen did a lot right here. They kept the guest count intentionally small, kept the timeline simple, picked an outdoor setting with breathing room, and chose an unplugged ceremony so the moment didn’t get swallowed by screens. Add a first look and a few “buffer” moments, and suddenly the day feels doable, not like a marathon.

Rune and Stephen’s Wedding Day Vendors:

Photography: Westley Leon Studios // Venue: Portage Parks and Recreation Department // Officiant: Mason Jasensky // Attire: Rune Original // Hair: Hair-N-Things Salon // Makeup: Connor Hall // Dessert: Sugar and Spice and Everything Cupcakes // Decor and Florals: DIY

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