Michigan Summer Wedding: Michelle + Dave

Today’s wedding reminds me of a perfect summer day in Michigan and that is exactly how Michelle + Dave pictured their wedding. From Michelle, “We work hard and spend our free time with family + friends on the lake in the summers. We picked a venue near our favorite Michigan summer vacation spot with many lakes, wineries, and microbreweries. We wanted a venue on the water and the idea of a barn reception appealed to our rustic + relaxed taste. Also, my father likes to use old barns as his subjects in his watercolor paintings and I grew up admiring his colorful Michigan barns which are really hard to find these days. We served our favorite summer cocktails as signature drinks – cucumber gimlets + manhattans – down by the water as we would during any summer party. Our favorite musicians came out to play during our ceremony and dinner which made us feel right at home.”

Such a gorgeous day for a wedding! Congrats to Michelle + Dave and thanks to Kai Heeringa Photography for the photos!

I just LOVE Michelle’s Amsale wedding dress! So so pretty…

Ok, how cute is that little guy?! Adorable. And speaking of adorable little ones at your wedding – we are doing a special post on fashion for the little ones later today! Can’t wait. I think you guys will love it. :)

I walked down the aisle to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and we walked out to “You and Me” by Dave Matthews. You and Me makes David and I feel so accomplished and in love – we have done so much together and been successful professionally and in our relationship!

Also, we heard a beautiful song at a friends’ wedding the weekend before, “We are man and wife” by Michelle Featherstone. We asked our musicians to play this during the ceremony and they learned it in 5 days! A family friend spoke of love and water, comparing the two, and hearing it on the lakeshore made for a very personal and heartfelt ceremony.

Most memorable moment of your wedding day? My bridesmaids and some guests learned a dance to the song “Like a G6” and surprised us with a flash mob during the reception. It was hysterical!

Any advice for those planning now? Planning was all sorts of fun! I researched my vendors carefully and they were all so wonderful to work with! My advice is to hire a coordinator! She made my life so easy, especially with a destination wedding. Also, do not be afraid to do something out of the ordinary. Weddings are often so much alike but don’t have to be. Celebrate your love the way you want to!

vendors:
photography: Kai Heeringa Photography // venue: Crooked Creek Ranch in Traverse City, MI // event planning + design: A Day in May // floral design: Christina of a Field of Flowers // wedding dress: Amsale // hairpieces + veil: KAJEloveon Etsy // shoes: Butter // bridesmaid dresses: J. Crew // groom + groomsmen suits: J. Crew // invitations+ paper goods: Dapper Paper on Etsy // catering: Catering by Kelly’s // DJ: Scott Perry of 2Bays DJs

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