Granite Ridge Couple: Lauren and Mike

It was my distinct pleasure to chat with future Granite Ridge couple, Lauren and Mike - who had celebrated their 11 year anniversary not long before they spoke with me. I felt lucky to connect with them, and I was happily struck by their love, humor and sense of adventure – but mostly I was left inspired because theirs is a true partnership that is clearly founded upon friendship and deep respect.

Tell me a little bit about you two

These two met at my alma mater, the University of New Hampshire, through mutual friends. Lauren had been attending as a student, while Mike had recently graduated from a different college but moved back home, which was near the school. “We really got to know each other as friends before we dated, so when we did start dating the transition was super easy.” The pair kept their relationship going despite several moves, including moving separately into their family homes to save, moving together to Colorado and then moving back to NH.

 Both Mike and Lauren now work together at the beauty supply distribution company she co-owns with her brothers, called Sullivan Beauty. When they’re not working, the two love to spend time together doing just about anything, especially being outdoors, going off-roading on their side-by-side UTV or going road-tripping. “People never believe us when we tell them that whenever we take long road trips, we never turn music on because we are talking the entire time!” Mike treasures everything about Lauren, but mostly her “ability to endure my non-stop humor.” Lauren is equally as enamored, “He is the funniest person I’ve ever met, but more than that he is so genuine and such a good person. We have a blast together no matter what we do, just being together is the best and Mike makes everything better.”

How did you guys get engaged? 

 “We had been together for so long, so naturally everyone had been bugging us to get engaged for a long time.” Mike had initially intended to make his proposal a lavish affair, but when they bought their current home, he realized how much they had fallen in love with the mountainous land their home was situated on, as couple. He decided it would be the perfect setting for their engagement. While they were preparing for Christmas festivities with their family, he lured Lauren to a particularly beautiful vista on their property by saying he had spotted some wild animal. On a whim, he set up his phone to capture the scene, not realizing how precious that video would come to be down the road when they were able to relive the moment with friends and family. “Despite being together for so long, the shock value was still so intense – it was a huge moment for us both.” Mike popped the question to Lauren in that lush little spot and the rest is history!

What is your vision for your wedding?

“Even before we picked the venue, we had the mindset of having our wedding be more of a relaxed party that just celebrates our 11 years together.” The pair wants everyone feel comfortable and to have a good time. “We feel like Granite Ridge helped that vision become clearer. 

What vendors are you excited about working with? 

“We honestly have enjoyed our chats with every single one of them.” They thrilled to be working with a GR favorite, Bread and Butter. Both Mike and Lauren explain their experience with the Bread and Butter team as “epic.” They also love their photographer, Rachel Buckley – who they describe as “phenomenal and easy to be with.” Apparently, she drove through a blizzard to meet the pair for their engagement shoot at the barn and she was “a trooper.” The couple is also so excited for their DJ, DJ John. “We are both pretty eclectic in our music tastes and he has been so good about tailoring the playlists to us and our styles.” The bar will be managed by Mainly Bartenders  while the affair will be filmed by No Umbrella Weddings. Flowers will be provided by the lovel Broadturn Farm. The bridal party will be getting pampered by The Hair Station and the makeup company, Aisling Organics.

What made you choose Granite Ridge? 

Because the pair are such outdoor enthusiasts, they always intended to have a wedding that was more rustic. Before they had even gotten engaged, Lauren had found a posting from Granite Ridge on Pinterest and was struck by the beauty of the place. Fast forward a year, when they did get engaged, she went on a mission to find the location. Of course, Lauren found us and Mike quickly agreed that it looked like the perfect place to get married. They made their appointment to visit, fully intending to book it shortly after. In Granite Ridge, Mike and Lauren found a place that was not just beautiful to look at, but a place that could create more of an experience for their guests. They loved the fact that it’s a private location they could have for a long weekend. They also loved the shuttling system, as they wanted to make it the night as stress-free as possible for their friends and family. Either way, it’s clear these two were meant to be here and we cannot wait to share in this amazing day!