The Nikah ceremony begins. There is a 5-minute grace period, but do not test it.
5:35 PM
Cocktail Hour
📍 Tandale Nature Barn
▼
Cocktail hour begins. Bride, groom, moms, and witnesses will step aside to sign the wedding license at the designated spot.
6:45 PM
Reception Entrances
📍 Reception Hall
▼
Grand entrances into the reception — wedding party first, then moms together, then bride and groom. First dance, cake cutting, welcome speech, and photo dash to follow.
7:10 PM
Dinner
📍 Tandale Nature Barn
▼
Dinner service begins.
7:35 PM
Speeches
📍 Tandale Nature Barn
▼
Toasts and speeches during dinner.
7:55 PM
Dessert, Mingling & Guest Greetings
📍 Tandale Nature Barn
▼
Dessert opens. Leena and James make rounds to greet guests. Relax, visit, enjoy.
8:45 PM
Open Dance Floor
📍 Tandale Nature Barn
▼
Open dancing. July 4th weekend — celebrate.
10:50 PM
Sparkler Send-Off 🎇
📍 Tandale Nature Barn
▼
The grand finale — guests line up with sparklers to send off the newlyweds. Don't miss it.
Getting There
Travel & Lodging
Everything you need to get to Brighton and settle in. Book hotels early — July 4th weekend fills up fast.
📍 Tandale Nature Barn
Main Venue — Fri & Sat
2605 S Old US Highway 23 Brighton, Michigan 48114
25 acres of certified wildlife habitat. Three outdoor ceremony sites — waterside, woodland, and open-air cathedral. 5,400 sq ft barn, on-site parking, golf cart shuttle.
About 30 minutes from the venue. Good option if Brighton is sold out — you'd need to drive or rideshare to the venue (shuttles only run from Brighton hotels).
📅 Book Early
July 4th weekend is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year throughout Michigan. Hotels in Brighton and Ann Arbor fill up fast — book as soon as possible.
🚌 Shuttle Info
Shuttles run from Brighton-area hotels to Tandale both Friday and Saturday evenings. Check the full shuttle schedule on The Knot for pickup times and locations.
Brighton & Surrounds
Explore
Make the most of the July 4th weekend. Brighton sits at the edge of Southeast Michigan's lake country.
🌊
Kensington Metropark
3,000 acres around Kent Lake — swimming, trails, fishing, and boat rentals. One of Southeast Michigan's most beautiful parks.
~15 min from venue
🏕️
Brighton Recreation Area
4,000+ acres of trails, swimming beaches, and inland lakes. Great for a morning hike before events.
~10 min from venue
🚣
Pinckney Recreation Area
A chain of inland lakes connected by water trails — canoe and kayak rentals available. Quiet and scenic.
~20 min from venue
🎆
July 4th Fireworks
Multiple communities host fireworks on Saturday the 4th. Brighton's lake views make for spectacular watching — check local city events for locations.
Brighton area
🍽️
Main Street Brighton
A walkable downtown with independent restaurants, wine bars, and cafés. Good for a relaxed dinner or post-event drinks.
~10 min from venue
☕
Coffee & Breakfast
Biggby Coffee and local cafés along the downtown corridor — fuel up before the day's events.
Downtown Brighton
🛍️
Brighton Boutiques
Specialty shops and boutiques along Main Street. Worth a browse Thursday evening or Sunday morning before heading home.
Downtown Brighton
🍳
Zingerman's Roadhouse
Full-service American classics in Ann Arbor, great for a lazy Sunday brunch. 2501 Jackson Ave. This is the Roadhouse, not the famous deli.
~30 min
🥪
Zingerman's Deli
The legendary original on Detroit Street — world-famous sandwiches and an incredible cheese selection. Go early, lines move fast.
~30 min · Ann Arbor
🎓
University of Michigan
Stunning campus in summer — walk the Diag, see Michigan Stadium, visit the Natural History Museum.
~30 min · Ann Arbor
🎨
UMMA
The University of Michigan Museum of Art — excellent permanent collection, free admission, right on campus.
~30 min · Ann Arbor
Live Updates
Current Updates
Any changes or announcements for the weekend will appear here in real time.