Garden Party Wedding - Cake and Punch Reception - After Party in East Lansing - RSVP by May 25th
Eliot Dunsmore
Noreen Smith
Eliot Dunsmore
Noreen Smith
June 22, 2024
Our Story
Eli and Noreen first met, or rather knew of each other, in high school but they were far from friends. It wasn't until freshman year of college that Noreen joined the friend group that would ultimately bring them together. They officially became friends the fall of 2018 when they both were attending Mott Community College. They bonded over long car rides to Saginaw Valley where they would visit their mutual friend (and one of Noreen's best friends) Julianna almost every weekend. Noreen graduated with her Associates in General Studies at MCC after one year and was then headed to MSU in the fall of 2019. Now, instead of driving to Saginaw, Eli was driving to East Lansing to visit Noreen. Whether it was a simple 45 minute drive from his home or a 2 hour drive after working in Oxford, Eli made sure he was on campus almost every single weekend. They attended football games, parties, and festivals that fall as friends, but were getting closer each day. Then March 2020 COVID shut down all college classes and Noreen had to move back home. Living 20 minutes away, Noreen was constantly visiting Eli at his family's home and eventually "moved-in" for the summer. It was that June that they became official and were finally more than friends. They also adopted their first cat together, a black cat named Fou. Since then, Noreen and Eli have lived in two different apartments back in East Lansing, Eli was baptized into the Catholic faith with Noreen's dad as his sponsor, and Noreen graduated from MSU with a degree in Physiology. The couple found out they were going to be parents in the fall of 2022 and later got engaged in January of 2023. They welcomed their beautiful baby boy, Clyde, on August 9th 2023. The couple currently live at Noreen's dad home in Flint with their son and two cats and are savings diligently to buy their first home together. They are incredibly excited for this next step in their relationship and look forward to sharing many more adventures together.
RSVP
Please enter the first and last name of one member of your party below.
If you're responding for you and a guest (or your family), you'll be able to RSVP for your entire group on the next page.
Schedule
Saturday, June 22, 2024
Wedding Ceremony
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
11804 South Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc, MI 48439
Our theme is “Garden Party” Attire: Sundresses, floral prints, suits in lighter hues, etc. are all welcome but please no jeans with holes if possible!
While it may be summer outside, inside the church may get a little chilly so please feel free to bring a light jacket or sweater if you get cold easily!
Reception
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
110 Bush Street, Grand Blanc, MI 48439
There will be cake, ice tea, and a champagne toast served in the Fr. Bush Parish Center in the building directly next to the church almost immediately following the ceremony. There will be guides to help you make your way to the reception. While there will be light snacks at each table, no dinner will be served. We highly suggest grabbing lunch before the ceremony, grabbing something light between the ceremony and reception, or sitting down for dinner after the reception has ended - you can find some great options under the travel section!
After Party
10:00 pm
133 Evergreen Avenue, East Lansing, MI 48823
Your favorite party clothes!
MSU helped us fall in love, so it would only be fitting to have a night out on the town in East Lansing. While the after party is optional, we would love to invite any and all who can to join us bar hopping starting at the rooftop bar where the couple will be staying the night of the wedding - the Graduate Rock Bar - and ending wherever the night takes us! *This is an adult (21+) event*
Registry
FAQs
Question
When and how should I RSVP
Answer
Please RSVP online by May 25th. You can RSVP by choosing the RSVP tab on our website or coping and pasting the link below into your search engine: https://www.zola.com/wedding/noreenandeliot/rsvp
Question
What are the venue addresses? Are they wheelchair accessible?
Answer
While the addresses are technically different based on the building, the location is the same for the ceremony and reception. See below for the address! Both buildings are wheelchair accessible. Holy Family Catholic Church/Father Bush Parish Center 11804 South Saginaw Street Grand Blanc, MI 48439
Question
Am I allowed to take photos?
Answer
We ask please DO NOT take photos with your phone, camera, etc. during the ceremony. We have hired an exceptional photographer to capture our day and your faces - not the back of your device!
Question
Will dinner be served at the reception?
Answer
No, dinner will not be served as we have decided to have a simpler reception that feels right for us. There will be light snacks at each table for you to enjoy while you wait for the happy couple to join the party. There will also be cake, punch/coffee and at the end of the night a champagne toast. If you would like to get lunch before or dinner after please visit the "Things To Do" page as we have listed some of our favorite places to eat in Grand Blanc!
Question
What should I expect during a Catholic Wedding Mass?
Answer
A Catholic Wedding Mass typically takes an hour and follows the traditional rituals of a Catholic Mass with specific wedding ceremony rituals intertwined throughout. A mass program with the readings, songs, and prayers will be given to you upon entering the church. We invite all practicing Catholics to partake and receive Holy Communion when the time comes. If you are not practicing or Catholic, we ask that you do not receive Communion, but you may join the line with your arms crossed across your chest to receive a blessing if you so choose to.
Question
Is there a dress code?
Answer
While there is no official dress code our theme is "A Garden Party Wedding". Sundresses, floral designs, sandals (not flipflops), etc. are all welcome. We just ask please no jeans with holes or anything that may resemble the brides ensemble - meaning nothing white!
Question
Are kids invited? Do I have a plus one?
Answer
Kids are most definitely invited! If you are unsure who in your party is invited, please go to the "RSVP" page and look up your name - everyone who is invited in your party (even your plus one) will be listed!
Question
Which hotel should I stay at?
Answer
Whether you are coming from out of town the night before or wanting somewhere close to stay for the after-party, we have blocked rooms at The Hampton Inn and Suites Flint/Grand Blanc and The Graduate downtown East Lansing. See the "Travel" tab more details!
Question
Do I have to attend the after party?
Answer
No! The after party is something extra we felt we wanted to do to end our wedding night. It is entirely optional and if you do attend you do not have to stay the whole night.
Travel
Hotel
Hampton Inn & Suites Flint/Grand Blanc
The Hampton Inn and Suites Flint/Grand Blanc is extremely close to the ceremony and reception venue. We have rooms blocked on Friday night for out-of-towners or anyone who would like to stay close by the night before the ceremony. We also have a few rooms blocked for Saturday night as well for those who may want to stay in town but are not traveling to East Lansing for the after party.
Discount Code - Immediately applied when using the link below - Book by 5/22
Hotel
Graduate East Lansing
This is where the couple will be staying the night of the wedding following the after-party. It is not far from Grand River Ave and has a beautiful rooftop bar. We have rooms blocked out for Friday night and Saturday night depending on your traveling needs. The ceremony venue is located about 45 minutes away from the hotel.
Discount Code - Immediately applied when using the link below - Book by 5/22
Things To Do
Aubree's Pizza
A great sit down lunch option in the heart of Grand Blanc. They don't just serve pizza, but burgers, sandwiches and more!
Pita Way - Grand Blanc Mediterranean
Looking for lunch and like Mediterranean? Pita Way is a great place to stop before the ceremony to grab a bite to eat while not committing to a full table service restaurant.
Brick Street of Grand Blanc
A great option for those who want a more up scale dinner. Sit inside, outside, or in the bar section. This is where the wedding party will be having their rehearsal dinner too!
Italia Gardens - Grand Blanc
A classic and fan favorite for the couple with yummy authentic Italian food. Be sure to try a cannoli!
Gallery
Wedding Party
Noreen
Bride
Eli
Groom
Hannah
Maid of Honor
Hannah and Noreen have been best friends since kindergarten! Growing up consisted of camping and 4-wheeling. Hannah is also the godmother to baby Clyde.
Nate
Best Man
Nate is one of Eli's best friends. They have enjoyed many crazy and exciting trips together including driving to New York, Maine, and Toronto!
Syrina
Maid of Honor
Syrina and Noreen have also been best friends since kindergarten! Growing up together consisted of horse camp, lots of sleep overs, and birthday trips.
Connor
Groomsman
Connor is the bride's younger brother. He is studying mechanics at Ferris State and is a fun uncle to baby Clyde.
Julianna
Bridesmaid
Julianna has been Noreen's best friend since high school. They have gone on many exciting adventures together including Toronto and Puerto Rico. She is considered baby Clyde's "fairy godmother"
Clyde D.
Ring Bearer
The cutest little guy - Noreen and Eli's son! He is giggly and loves to smile. He will be 10 months old by the time of their big day.
Ella
Bridesmaid
Ella is Eli's little sister. She is currently attending University of Michigan and is in the UMich Marching Band! She is also a fantastic auntie to baby Clyde.
Brooklynn
Flower Girl
Brooklynn is the sweetest and is so excited to show off her flower girl skills! She is super smart and fun and refers to the bride and groom as "Clyde's mommy and daddy"
Clyde S.
Father of the Bride
David
Father of the Groom
Kristin
Mother of the Bride
Cathy
Mother of the Groom