Alaska Haus

Wedding Day

Arrival

Ceremony

Cocktails

Dinner

Evening Reception

Bride and Groom Send Off

Our Wedding

Our story...This man right here slow danced into my life over the last few years. We met at GriefShare 4 years ago after losing Ed and Jane just 10 days apart. Healing summoned us individually to navigate through our own time and way. A summer ago, Bill Boyd asked me out on a friendly non-date, date. I chose to go. For a few months afterward, we would easily, but sporadically, converse. Open communication came effortlessly. By January of this year, we began conversing regularly. He listened. I listened. About...well... anything and everything. The honesty was beautiful to me.In June, he asked me out again. We took a day trip to the lakeshore in South Haven. What a beautiful day with a perfect gentleman. Our talks intensified, strengthened, and deepened... even while a literal thousands of miles spanned the globe between us. By the time he returned from Australia, we found ourselves eager to go out again. We did. Before we knew it, (my kids already knew it...lol) our hearts were entangled. God orchestrated the unexpected through a friendship that had been blossoming for years in the midst of our losses. And now we have fallen in love at full speed. When you're our age and you truly understand the fragility and shortness of life... you just don't waste time. We see things differently through lenses that have felt the sting of pain as well as the sweet kindness of our heavenly Father who deeply loves us more than we ever realized. I am in such awe of His AND his love for me.A friend of a friend said this oh so true and beautifully perfect statement... "We are so happy. Joy after sorrow is so sweet." Never truer words.Fast forward two weeks... Bill was running errands (haircut, mtg with financial advisor, etc.) and asked me if I wanted to go to Russo's Italian Restaurant &amp; Market for dinner. Definitely.Once we were seated on the patio, he said we had some homework from his meeting, and he pulled out a folder with a financial paper and a 2nd page attached to it. He suggested that I start on page 2. I looked at him questioningly but promptly turned to page 2. At the top of that page, I read, "Homework Assignment." I proceeded to read all the bullet points on the page until my eyes landed on the following: "Final Question: Will you marry me?" I looked up at him and there he was patiently waiting with the ring in his hand anticipating an answer.YES! So much yes!That, my friends, is the nutshell version of the beginning of our journey together.

Joy After Sorrow is so Sweet

Our Story

Photo Journey

Edward is Mona's oldest son. He is married to Kristie and they have three children: Charlotte, Liam, & Thea.

Edward C Weske

Rachael is Mona's oldest daughter. She is married to Adam and they have three children: Tristan, Skyler, & Houston

Rachael L Plaskey

Jonathan is William's oldest child. He is married to Adrianna and they have two children: Ryder & Wrenley

Jonathan T Boyd

Charlotte, Liam, & Thea

Logan & Grayson

Tristan, Skyler, & Houston

Lucas, Alexander, & Emma

Ryder & Wrenley

Wedding Party

WHAT ARE THE DIRECTIONS TO ALASKA HAUS? <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/3WGYF2b4mjALs1Qd6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://maps.app.goo.gl/3WGYF2b4mjALs1Qd6</a>

Q + A

Nearby Hotels

Holiday Inn Express & Suites

TownePlace Suites by Marriott

Sheraton GR Airport Hotel

Downtown Grand Rapids

Amway Grand Plaza Curio Collection by Hilton

JW Marriott Hotel Grand Rapids

Little Further South - Near Yankee Springs

Bay Pointe Inn

Travel

Places to Visit

Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park

Relaxing lavender, gifts, bakery goodies, honey, and oh so much more! Every Xander Friend you purchase, they donate one to a child in foster care.

Lavender Life Farm

Outdoor Outlet Mall... several great stores and deals! WHile here, try some Italian yumminess at Russo's!

Tanger Outlet Mall

Yankee Springs has much to offer... including some great hiking trails!

Yankee Springs Recreational Area

Lots of fun can be had here for all ages!

Grand rapids Children's Museum

At the core of the Museum is the permanent exhibit, which allows visitors to experience highlights from President and Mrs. Ford's lives.&nbsp;

Gerald R Ford Presidential Library & Museum

The Museum's collection is constantly growing and changing. For over 100&nbsp;years, GRAM’s collection has been cultivated to include a&nbsp;diverse array of paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, and a&nbsp;growing collection in the area of design and modern craft that highlight centuries of human creativity. From a&nbsp;trove of over 7,000 objects, GRAM’s curators refresh the Museum’s Level III galleries every quarter, presenting visitors with new works and old favorites to experience and&nbsp;enjoy.

Grand Rapids Art Museum

A panoramic view of the breathtaking Thornapple River provides the backdrop for this expansive 18-hole course, featuring bentgrass fairways and impeccably groomed tees and greens. Winding along 7,000 feet of river frontage, your game guides you over gently rolling hills, through hardwood-lined fairways, and near three of the most enchanting, untouched wetlands found in the Midwest.

Thornapple Pointe Golfing

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Grand Rapids Lantern Festival @ John Ball Zoo

Favorite Restaurants

This is where Bill and Mona got engaged! Bill would highly recommend the gnocchi and Mona would definitely recommend the lasagna! Add some Prosecco and you will have the perfect evening!

Russo's Ristorante & Mercato

This restaurant has a plethora of options! Make sure to leave room for dessert and try one of their must have Pazookie's!

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

Great food. Great wine. Perfectly paired for you!

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant

Love going here for a quick meal and some yummy drinks!

Pure Mex Tacos & Tequila

This Chinese restaurant has great food and generous portions. Don't forget your fortune cookie!

First Wok

We haven't actually eaten at this closer location, but food at the Holland location is wonderful!

Fire Rock Grille

Three Brother's Pizza

Another favorite local pizza joint!

Paradise Pizza

Jets Pizza

Coffee!!!

A must visit place! Coffee is good... but you MUST get a homemade pop-tart while visiting here. They are the yummiest!

Mona and William

Mona and William

M&W

Wedding Day

2:30 PM–3:00 PM

Arrival

3:00 PM–3:45 PM

Ceremony

3:45 PM–5:00 PM

Cocktails

5:00 PM–6:30 PM

Dinner

6:30 PM–9:30 PM

Evening Reception

8:45 PM–9:15 PM

Bride and Groom Send Off