Kelsey Poineau and Dillon Olmstead wanted their Northern Michigan wedding on the Lake Charlevoix beach at Kelsey’s parents’ home. Like most natives of Northern Michigan, the couple is happiest by the water. Dillon even proposed to Kelsey on a sailboat.

Problem was, their 220 guests wouldn’t fit on the Poineaus’ 100 feet of beachfront. It happens that Kelsey’s father, Andy Poineau, is one of the most creative and talented builders in Northern Michigan. So, Andy got to thinking: how about a platform that would extend from the beach into the water—a platform large enough to seat 220 guests under a tent?

Eleven days before the wedding, Andy and his crew began hammering out a 90-by-40-foot, fir plywood platform that extended into the shallow Lake Charlevoix water. Four days later, the platform was ready to be painted with a water-colored wash.

The wedding day dawned warm and lovely. When it came time, Kelsey donned her Modeca gown with its Ola flair at the bottom and her bridesmaids their airy chiffon J. Crew dresses—in the pale green shade of Lake Charlevoix when the sun hits it just so. The bouquets, made by A Touch of Spring in Charlevoix, included ranunculus and white hydrangea accented by feathers.

Kelsey came down the aisle on her father’s arm to a magical scene. The groomsmen in their sand-colored suits stood on the beach, framed by the glassy lake behind. And just off to the side, the tables on the incredible water platform were set for a formal plated dinner.

Kelly’s Catering served the dinner of herb-crusted and grilled beef tenderloin and chicken moutarde. The three layer wedding cake was a Bella e Dolce masterpiece that included lemon rosemary with lemon curd,  banana, strawberry and chocolate all enveloped in a decadent cream cheese frosting.

As the sun burned down into the lake, three kayakers paddled out to light three bonfire rings Andy had moored into the lake bottom. As the fires cast their glow on the water, the gotta-get-up-and-dance sound of the Motown tribute band Soul Street lit up the night. The paddlers tended the fires all evening, the guests danced and partied and the bride and groom grinned until they dropped.

What was Kelsey’s favorite part of this fabulous day? Well, everything. Again, thanks to her dad who reminded her as they walked down the aisle: “Walk slowly so we can take it all in.”

Check out the photo gallery of the Poineau-Olmstead below, then click to see more about this stunning wedding on photographer Jenna Roland’s blog.

These exquisite photos are courtesy of Jenna Roland Photography. Click for many more of Jenna Roland’s photos of the Poineau Olmstead wedding.

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