Romantic Northern Michigan wedding at Bay Harbor Village Hotel near Harbor Springs celebrated native Michiganders Ashley and Brian. Currently residing in Chicago, the couple wanted their wedding to be a celebration of their home state’s natural beauty. Imagining something near a marina, they knew from the moment they saw the white sails and blue water surrounding Bay Harbor Village Hotel that this was the kind of quintessential Northern Michigan charm that would bring their dream wedding to life. “We wanted to share with our friends and family what we love so much about Michigan,” says Ashley, “and the feel of Bay Harbor was just perfect.”

The ceremony took place at First Presbyterian Church of Harbor Springs. After Ashley and Brian’s “I dos,” guests headed to Bay Harbor. Meanwhile the wedding party took a trolley ride along the scenic shores of Little Traverse Bay, stopping for photos at the waterfront and in the charming village of Petoskey.

The navy and mint green wedding and reception colors were what Ashley and Brian jokingly coined as “rustical”—a blend of nautical and rustic, which they say reflects their love of the Northern Michigan outdoors. Flowers, willow, and twigs symbolized the woods, while sweeping views of Bay Harbor’s marina added an air of nautical style.

After a cocktail hour on the lawn, the reception dinner took place under a lantern-lit tent and featured fresh, local ingredients. Galley Gourmet of Bay Harbor catered a family-style dinner of whitefish with mustard dill sauce, marinated flank steak and roasted fingerling potatoes. The event’s signature drink gave a nod to the couple’s love for their home state. The drink, they called “Purest of Pure Michigan,” was a refreshing blend of cucumber vodka, seltzer, St. Germaine, and Prosecco.

At the end of the night, Ashley and Brian received a romantic “sparkler send-off,” which the couple says was the most memorable part of their night. Guests lined up along the dock with glittering sparklers as Brian and Ashley boarded a boat, complete with a “Just Married” banner, to take a nighttime cruise as husband and wife.

 

Photography: Kelly Sweet, Kelly Sweet Photograpy, 616.822.1754, kellysweet.com

Venue & Event Management: Bay Harbor Village Hotel, Bay Harbor, 231.439.2400, bayharbor.com

On Bridesmaids: dresses by BHLDN, hair and makeup by La Dolce Vita of Petoskey

Flowers: Bloom Floral Design

On Groomsmen: jackets and trousers from Land’s End

Invitations: Delphine

On Bride: shoes by Badgley Mischka, gown by Allure Bridals

Event Design: Tableau Events

Cake & Desserts: Galley Gourmet of Bay Harbor

Entertainment: Music Host Entertainment of Grand Rapids

PDF of this wedding as it appeared in 2014 MyNorth wedding: