We can't wait to celebrate our wedding with family, friends, and all those who we hold close to our hearts. For those of you who may not know the other partner, or curious about how we met.....

The Story:

As the sun was getting ready to set on a quiet November evening, Mark's phone buzzed. A weary and tired Mark, who had just returned from a trip to Mexico and had a very long work week, glanced at his phone - it was a message from Lauren. "Hey, you feeling spontaneous? Wanna grab a bite to eat and have a few drinks? Exhausted, but open, Mark responded "Sure, what time?". Little did both of them know that would be the last first date either of them went on.

In a now rare, but then easy decision, they quickly agreed on a place to meet - One Eyed Betty's in Ferndale, Mi. Mark regaled Lauren with tales of his travels whilst Lauren fluttered her eyes and shared all the amazing cities she found herself living in over the years. After dinner, Mark offered to walk Lauren back to her car. On the walk back, Lauren realized that she had left her card IN the parking garage card reader. She confessed that she had seen him walking towards the restaurant as she drove by and was so flustered by his handsomeness that she forgot to take her card back when she pulled in to park.

Enamored by her beauty and the ease of conversation, they made plans for the following day. For their third date Mark reeled Lauren in even more by taking her to a show at the Fillmore and spoiled her with the full VIP treatment where upon arrival he was quickly greeted by the staff, who then ushered them in, gave them drinking tickets, and showed them to their box seats. Lauren countered the VIP treatment a few days later by bringing him to a Red Wings game a few seats back from the glass.

Fast forward three years, countless concerts and events later, Mark & Lauren decided that after several family vacations taking them overseas to France, and another across the U.S. it was time for a vacation of their own. During the last week of January 2025, Mark and Lauren took a Caribbean cruise that took them to Grand Cay Islands, Nassau Bahamas, Grand Turk Islands, and Dominican Republic. Lauren had suspected he may have had plans to propose on the Cruise, but Mark being Mark, he tried to play it off all cool so as to throw her off the trail and make sure she was totally surprised. With proposal plans changing on the daily, on the last island and excursion of the vacation, it was a now or never moment for Mark. After swimming with dolphins at a marine resort, he noticed a cage full of lovebirds that welcomed guests inside. They went inside and were given seeds to put in their hands. As Lovebirds flocked onto them and perched on their heads, arms, and hands, Mark knew this was the moment. He got down to one knee, pulled out a ring and caught Lauren in total surprise. After saying yes, the lovebirds flew into the shape of a heart, the dolphins did a choreographed jump and flip in the air, the Seals barked and clapped their flippers and the sharks splashed the water with their tales.

On August 30th, we join the happy couple as they celebrate their love with friends and family.

Photos