So you decided to get married in one of the most beautiful places in the country —Northern Michigan?! A secret but not so secret place so many midwesterners drive to when summer begins. From the quaint lake towns, endless dunes, and wineries as far as the eye can see, I can see why you’re choosing to have a Northern Michigan intimate wedding.
Melanie and David decided that they wanted to get married in Northern Michigan after their original plans to get married in North Carolina changed. They wanted their day to include a ceremony at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and an intimate private dinner at their lakehouse on Lake Charlevoix.
Read below to see how their late summer intimate backyard wedding began and how you can find inspiration for your own day. And if you want to know how to elope in Michigan, check out this blog here.
4 Different Moments from a Real Life Northern Michigan Intimate Wedding
Getting Ready at their Lakehouse
Melanie and David rented out a private lakehouse on Lake Charlevoix for their backyard intimate wedding for September up in Northern Michigan. They booked one large enough that all their family and friends could stay with them for the weekend and get ready and celebrate all in one place. Although the original lakehouse is no longer available to rent, you can find a similar one here on VRBO!
It made the day less stressful with less running around and there wasn’t any worrying about when guests would begin to show up. Melanie and David got ready separately but prior to their ceremony, they read private vows and exchanged gifts to one another on the balcony. The moment was incredibly special in between all the chaos of getting ready.
Once everyone was dressed and ready, guests made their way to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park for their late afternoon ceremony.
The National Park Ceremony
Now THIS was the place for the ceremony. After going back and forth on where they wanted to have their intimate wedding ceremony, Melanie and David decided on Sleeping Bear Dunes. A place where you’re surrounded by dunes, a private ceremony spot, and a beautiful location for portraits afterwards. If you’re curious about having your ceremony on the lakeshore, check out the NPS website here for more info. A permit is required for a ceremony.
(This also allowed other vendors to begin prepping for dinner back at the lakehouse prior to the couple and guests arriving.)
It was a bright and beautiful day but the winds off the lake kept them and their guests cool while they exchanged vows written by a long time friend! After walking down the aisle, we did family and friend portraits before running around the lakeshore for their couples portraits.
The Reception
Once we wrapped up couples portraits on the dunes, everyone made their way back to the lakehouse for the backyard reception for the night. The drive was about 40 minutes one way so it was a good time for everyone to cool off and take a few minutes to themselves.
Now when I tell you the backyard was transformed, it was TRANSFORMED. Melanie and her mom had spent months prior nailing down the details for the backyard reception and not a detail was missed. Her mom created the flower pieces and her sister had made the cakes.
Guests were able to snack on charcuterie during cocktail hour as well as smoke cigars and enjoy the bar while Nicole and Forrest from Forrest Food Studio prepared dinner.
Once dinner was served, guests enjoyed an array of goodies made family style under the twinkle lights. They exchanged toasts, cut cake and danced til the stars came out.
We ended their coverage for the day with couples portraits on the dock before they went back out on the dance floor.
Adventure Session
When Melanie and I were discussing their backyard intimate wedding, she mentioned wanting to do more portraits around Northern Michigan on their wedding day. After reviewing their timeline and travel times, we found it would be best to do a portrait adventure session the day after their intimate elopement.
This allowed Melanie and David to spend more time with family and friends the day of their wedding, but also get those beautiful Northern Michigan photos they wanted the day after.
We spent the afternoon roaming around downtown Charlevoix, the lakeshore of Lake Michigan, and ending on the road leading back to their weekend lake house.
Melanie and David’s intimate backyard wedding is just one of MANY ways to celebrate getting married in Northern Michigan. If you’re looking for additional inspiration or need help knowing where to start, reach out on my contact page to get started!
