Abby and Avalon | Black Sheep Shelter | Michigan Lesbian DIY Spring Wedding
Some love stories just move fast and when they do, they do it with intention, tacos, late-night pillow talks, and a whole lot of time spent on I-131. Abby and Avalon’s story is the kind that feels inevitable from the very beginning. The kind where you meet on Bumble, blink twice, and suddenly you’re planning a life together (and loading up a U-Haul in true lesbian fashion).
From the moment I arrived at Black Sheep Shelter, it was clear this day wasn’t about perfection it was about meaning and togetherness. A DIY spring wedding tucked into the Michigan countryside, built with care, creativity, and community, and centered around one very simple truth: Abby and Avalon are wildly in love.
How They Met
Bumble!! They matched in August of 2021 and talked for a couple of weeks before finally meeting up. Their first date was on a Monday. The second date? Tuesday. By the following Wednesday, they were officially together and had already seen each other 7 out of the last 9 days. Clearly it was a connection and spark that couldn’t be denied.
Avalon was living in Grand Rapids, Abby in Kalamazoo, but distance didn’t stand a chance. That fall was spent driving up and down 131, squeezing in every possible moment together. Taco dates turned into brunch dates, which turned into adventures, which turned into long, quiet nights talking about everything and nothing at all. By Thanksgiving, Abby had unofficially moved in. By February, it was official.
When You Know, You Know
Less than a month into dating, on top of a Ferris wheel, they both realized they had met the love of their lives. The kind of knowing that doesn’t feel rushed, just obvious. By summer, they were buying rings and dreaming out loud about proposals. After attending eight weddings and traveling nearly every weekend together, they each planned a proposal of their own—without knowing the other was doing the same. Only a week and a half apart. Both complete surprises. Both absolutely beautiful. Ironically in matching outfits for both occasions.
The Wedding Day at Black Sheep Shelter
Their wedding day felt like an extension of their relationship: intentional, warm, a little playful, and deeply rooted in love. A Michigan spring DIY wedding that didn’t try to be anything other than exactly who they are. There were handmade details, soft spring light, and the kind of calm that comes from knowing you’re standing exactly where you’re meant to be. Black Sheep Shelter provided the perfect backdrop: natural, welcoming, and full of quiet magic. Abby and Avalon knew they wanted an cozy and outdoor feel for their celebration where all of their chosen family could come celebrate together. Jeff and Melissa’s venue was the perfect choice, and just made sense since Avalon also works there as a wedding coordinator!
What They Were Most Excited For
“To marry my best friend, to see how beautiful she is at our first look, cry, be happy, and celebrate our love with the people we love.”
Abby
“To marry the love of my life, legally committing to her, surrounded with the people who love us most. And our private vows!”
Avalon
A Day That Felt Like Home
Abby and Avalon’s wedding wasn’t about tradition for tradition’s sake. It was about choosing each other again and again, surrounded by people who have watched their love grow from Bumble messages to Ferris wheel realizations to forever. A lesbian DIY spring wedding in Michigan that felt honest, emotional, and completely theirs. And truly? That’s the best kind there is. This wedding was the kind that reminded me why I love what I do so much. These two are like rays of sunshine personified and from the moment I met them it was clear we’d become best friends. When going through the planning process Avalon told Abby “I really wanna be friends with our photographer” and I told my husband after my consult with them “I just met the COOLEST couple, I’m determined to become bffs with them”. It’s one of the best parts of what I do, making connections with amazing people who I can now call chosen family too.
To see more weddings like this check out these blog posts!
Emily and Niki | Backyard Elopement | Michigan LGBTQ Wedding Photography
Tory and Sage | Camp Pinewood | Queer Wedding Photographer
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