For the life of me, I can not understand why more destination weddings are not held on Lake Michigan. My only thought is that people have no idea how absolutely stunning Michigan can be, but we’re about to remedy that today. Betsi Ewing Studio captured Charlevoix’s beauty, and thanks to this wedding it was at it’s prettiest this day in May. Are you ready for the gallery?
From the gorgeous bride… Leland and I should have met in high school since both his best friend and mine dated, but somehow fate left it so that we did not meet till later in life. Post high school we both left Michigan, Leland to Montana and myself, well …several places. A few years ago we each came back to our old hometown and to our old hole in the wall bar where we finally crossed paths. We dated for a few months before we went to his family’s summer home in Charlevoix. There in Charlevoix watching the sunset on Lake Michigan was the first time he said “I love you”. Six months later we moved to Pennsylvania and two years later he proposed.
Due to the sentimental reasons and the charm of Charlevoix, it seemed the obvious choice. We knew we wanted to keep things beautifully simple. Our ceremony was on the sail docks followed by cocktail hour on the upper lawn. After cocktails we walked to the Belvedere club’s reception area where we dined on sliders and French fries.
My one suggestion to any bride would be to decide what is most important to you and go with it. Remember the day is yours and you will not get a second go at it. Make yourselves (you and your husband to be!) happy. Things may go awry, but in the end you marry the one you love and that is what it is all about.
Photography: BETSI EWING STUDIO | Floral Design: Bloom Up North | Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza | Cake: Scovies | Invitations: Graham And Olive | Ceremony Venue: Belvedere Club Sail Docks | Reception Venue: Belvedere Yacht Club | Brides Shoes: Kate Spade | Necklace: Du Puis | Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew | Makeup: Kendra Kennedy | Hair: Vogue Salon | Groomsmens Ties: Just Madras | Grooms Attire: O’Connell’s | Bridal Salon: The Wedding Shoppe | Groom's Shoes: Alden | Groom's Tie: J. Press | Hair Piece: Emilliner | Planning: Patrice King