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Back in June, this happy couple said “I Do” in beautiful Southwest Michigan.  Their intimate church ceremony was followed by an anthropologie-inspired reception at The Veranda @ The Whitcomb, where guests enjoyed a delicious meal form CK Catering and a band that kept them dancing all night long. One of my favorite things about this wedding was how unique everything was. Each and every one of the guest tables was completely different.

We used a huge collection of milk glass, vintage bottles and silver pieces to create an eclectic mix of centerpieces. A huge thanks to Crystal Springs Florist for pulling it all together! Another detail we just loved was the cake topper! The bride and groom both love owls and their cake topper was two owls in a nest – so cute! The burlap runners added a nice touch of texture to the tables while still keeping the tables bright and clean looking–simplicity was definitely the key to this one!  A huge thanks to the girls at 430 Studios  for capturing the beautiful details of the day.

The last month has been NUTS around here, and we’re so excited to get to share so many of our June weddings already! It wouldn’t have been June without a crazy wedding schedule filled with fabulous beach weddings! A beach ceremony followed by a reception at the Veranda is (in my opinion) an amazing combo! The open-air setting of the Veranda is such a perfect complement to a wedding on the shores of Lake Michigan. The marigold and gray color combo was another winner—I just loved how clean and bright everything looked, with crisp white linens, gray napkins, gorgeous pops of yellow in the centerpieces and we  hung some beautiful clusters of lantern lighting over the dance floor!

The flowers from Crystal Springs couldn’t have been more perfect…from the adorable craspedia balls, to the oncidium orchid centerpieces, they were as bright and fun as this couple! Jessica+JT, thank you so much for letting us be a part of your special day—we LOVED working with you and we are so glad you got the PERFECT day for a beach wedding—you deserved it! Many best wishes in the future! Thanks to the lovely ladies at 430Studios for all of the gorgeous photos!

Posted by Jennifer Mayo, Jennifer Mayo Studios

From a photographer’s perspective, the landscape of Southwest Michigan offers an abundant variety of photographic opportunities.  Beach weddings along the shores of Lake Michigan provide for expansive views of long, romantic coastlines and nostalgic lighthouses.  From New Buffalo to Grand Haven, Lake Michigan is also home to numerous charming lakeside towns that provide the backdrop of urban architecture for wedding day images.  Take a drive just a few minutes inland and you’ll be surrounded by a picturesque countryside.

As a photographer who also frequently photographs Windy City weddings, photographing events in big cities often presents some logistical problems that require allotting larger spans of time for dedicated photo shoots on the Big Day.  The nice thing about photographing weddings in West Michigan is that so many different photo locations are in such close proximity to one another and traffic is usually not an issue, so you can often visit most of your favorite spots for pictures and still manage to finish cocktail hour with your guests.

While planning a three o’clock wedding might seem like a good idea, later is usually better… West Michigan is at the far end of the Eastern Time Zone pushing sunset back to as late as 9:30 pm in the middle of the summer.  Mid-day sun is the least favorable time to take photos at the beach.  The sun can create harsh, unflattering facial shadows when high in the sky and often causes squinting.  Evening is a much better option for photos at the beach.  Take advantage of Lake Michigan’s sunset coast and consider the possibility of taking a few minutes away from your reception if your venue is in close proximity to the beach to take a few pictures at sunset.  If the middle of the afternoon is the only possibility for achieving photos at the beach, parasols to create shade where it is otherwise unavailable also make adorable props at the beach and water resistant varieties are even available if you’d like them to double for your rain plan.

Regardless of the time of day, a photographer experienced at photographing weddings at the beach will be equipped with the techniques to capture beautiful images in a variety of lighting conditions.

Photos by Jennifer Mayo Studios

Last week it rained and snowed in the same week—if you know Michigan, you know that the weather is unpredictable! So if you’re planning a beach wedding, you also need to consider what you’ll do in case of inclement weather. Will you reserve a nearby pavilion? Will you use your reception location as your back-up? Will you cross your fingers and pray for sunshine? (I don’t suggest the latter)

Some ideas for back-up locations:

• Your reception venue
• A local art gallery
• A covered pavilion (many local beaches have these)
• Your local church
• A museum

One thing I always tell brides and grooms to keep in mind, is that a summer rain storm rarely lasts all day. An optimistic spirit comes in handy if you’re thinking of a beach wedding! We’ve had a handful of weddings where the day has started off with thunder storms….after hours of rain the sun comes out, our staff dries off ceremony chairs, sets up decor last minute (so it isn’t destroyed in the rain) and the ceremony can still go on as planned! So if you wake up to storm clouds on your wedding day, don’t give up just yet—-you very well may still have that beach wedding you’ve dreamed of!

Rain isn’t the only weather culprit at a beach wedding….a sweltering hot day can make 100 guests sitting out on the beach WISH for a downpour! Consider providing your guests with paper fans, sun parasols or battery-operated handheld fans to keep them cool and comfortable! Because the last thing you want during your vows is Great Aunt Mary passing out!  (More “Michigan Beach Weddings 101″–The Dream, Location)

Dreaming of a beach ceremony in Southwest Michigan? Find out how our Beach Ceremony Services can help you plan a gorgeous stress-free Lake Michigan event!

Photos by Haylee Dixon Photography, from the beach wedding of Jenny+Spencer

You’ve heard the saying right, “location! location! location!?” We talked about the dream—just you, your groom & guests, a gentle breeze and not another soul on the sand for miles? The reality is, on a beautiful summer day, you’re likely going to see people on the beach—and that’s not a bad thing! If there’s no one around, it’s probably because you’ve trekked half a mile from a public entrance, or it’s—dare I say the word—RAINING! So don’t fret—having a few beach goers out means you have a beautiful day on your hands!

Many brides see photos from beach ceremonies on our blog and are shocked to find out it took place on a public beach with beach goers (very politely) minding their business 100 feet away—you’d never know it from the beautiful photos! Unless you have access to private beach property, you can expect that on a public beach you will have some fellow beach goers—we’ve politely asked more than a few to relocate in order to secure the perfect ceremony spot—and take it from me, if you offer to help carry beach chairs and umbrellas, you’ll rarely hear a ‘no!’ So no worries, if you select the right beach, you can still secure a spot that is gorgeous and will provide you with an amazing backdrop for your photos, regardless of a few vacationers enjoying a beautiful Lake Michigan day!

So how do you find that perfect beach ceremony location? There are a lot of factors that go into finding a bride & groom the beach that will best fit their needs—-guest count, city ordinances, sound requirements, accessibility—-for your best options, contact a Michigan wedding planner who is familiar with the area and can direct you to public beaches or rental homes that can provide the best location for your ceremony needs! All beaches are not created equal and you want to ensure you don’t pick a (lovely) but highly popular and congested beach where your photos will feature one too many bikini-clad beach combers, or drunk beach-goers will outnumber you 100 to 1.

While trying to choose the perfect ceremony location, here are just a few important questions to consider:

Is there ample parking available?
This is one area where unexpected costs can arise. When budgeting, take into consideration the cost for shuttle service to get guests to the location, or for many public beaches, the cost of admission/parking. This can add up to as much as $9 per car in Southwest Michigan, but can often be paid for ahead of time if the proper arrangements are made.  If your ceremony location has an admission fee, that is a cost you’ll want to cover for your guests. If you’re tying the knot on a public beach with limited parking or a private residence where parking is limited, you’ll want to consider shuttle service.

Is it easily accessible to handicap or older guests? Are there restroom facilities for small children?
Secluded beaches or outdoor areas can be beautiful, but make sure to consider accessibility and amenities. Do you have older guests who will not be able to walk the distance? Is it handicap accessible? Are there nearby restrooms for small children who are attending?

Are there any policies, ordinances or restrictions to consider?
For example, some public beaches will not allow chairs brought in and will request all guests stand. This is fine for a group of 50 or less guests, but can be difficult for a larger wedding of 150. Also, if you’re renting a public park or beach area, you’ll want to check on any restrictions with serving alcohol if you’re hosting an outdoor reception at the site. In Southwest Michigan, most public beaches are governed by the city or county and do not permit alcohol. They also will not “reserve” any portion of a public beach—it’s first come, first served.

Dreaming of a beach ceremony in Southwest Michigan? Find out how our Beach Ceremony Services can help you plan a gorgeous Lake Michigan event!

Photo by Ben Pancoast, from the beach wedding of Tanya+Jason

This week we’re starting a new blog series on Michigan beach weddings! We plan 15-20 beach ceremonies each summer and we want brides to be prepared and knowledgeable before deciding if this is the right option for them! Because while beach weddings are certainly some of the most beautiful, they are certainly not for every bride!

So first up, let’s talk about your expectations for a beach wedding. We all know what that idyllic magazine beach wedding looks like— a beautiful stretch of beach, an elegant fabric covered canopy blowing in the breeze, the soft strum of guitar as the bride descends barefoot across the sand—just you and your guests, the soft waves of Lake Michigan and not another soul for miles. Who wouldn’t want to be the bride in this beautiful picture?!

Stay tuned this week and next as we cover the realities of a beach wedding (you can certainly have that idyllic day!)—what to expect, how to prepare, finding the perfect spot, time considerations, what to wear, restrictions & ordinances, weather worries and budget considerations. We’ll share real examples from beach weddings we’ve planned and coordinated, and help you determine if a beach wedding is the right fit for you!

Dreaming of a beach wedding in Southwest Michigan? Find out how our Beach Ceremony Services can help you plan a gorgeous Lake Michigan event!

Photo by Jennifer Mayo Studios

As I’m looking out my window at “snow-pocalypse” 2011 (for those of us in the Midwest), I’m trying to tell myself that spring (and then summer) is just around the corner. On days like this it’s hard to remember what an amazingly beautiful place Southwest Michigan is in the summer! So as a little reminder, check out this absolutely stunning wedding trailer from Beth+Cesar’s September 2010 wedding on Lake Michigan, by Coastline Studios! Love this couple, love this location and love that this video looks like an amazing shot right out of a Pure Michigan ad! It makes me long for summer, warm days on beautiful Lake Michigan, and another wonderful wedding season.

Cesar & Beth’s Wedding Trailer from John Pottenger on Vimeo.

You may remember I mentioned before that this entire wedding was bi-lingual, with the ceremony, stationery and speeches all spoken in English and Spanish, which was so special and beautiful! The beautiful tented reception began with cocktail hour on the lawn overlooking the Lake and ended with an amazing fireworks display over Lake Michigan! Once again I have to give a huge thanks to Coastline Studios for capturing the day in film, St Joseph wedding photographer Jennifer Mayo for her gorgeous photos, and the gang at Modern Day Floral for another gorgeous job well done!

Talk about an amazing location for your wedding—this tented wedding on Lake Michigan was absolutely stunning, from the beautifully draped tent to the lush florals by Modern Day Floral, to the incredible band, Maggie Speaks, out of Chicago. Talk about fun—the bride & groom even had their own custom tambourines to celebrate, and the night ended with a show-stopping fireworks display over the lake! It was most certainly a picture-perfect Lake shore wedding captured by Jennifer Mayo Studios!

There were so many things I loved about Beth+Cesar’s beautiful September wedding. The setting was amazing—-the brides parents home on Lake Michigan, under a gorgeous tent overlooking the lake. The view was absolutely stunning, the lush florals by Modern Day Floral were exquisite and there were some fantastic personal details tied in. There are so many beautiful photos from Jennifer Mayo Studios, we’ll be sharing them in several posts over the next few days!

After 3 days of some of the highest winds we had all summer, Beth+Cesar’s day started full of sunshine, and calm skies! I’m so thankful when that happens!  The photos speak for themselves on this one…a lovely couple, amazing location, tons of family & friends and lots of fun!

One of my favorite things about this wedding was how much attention Beth put into making Cesar’s family (flown in from Spain) feel included and welcomed, despite a language barrier. Every piece of stationery from invitations to table numbers, to the program, were bi-lingual.  During the reception, speeches were translated via small headsets. During the ceremony, readings and vows were also recited in both English and Spanish. It was something that struck me as extremely personal and such a beautiful inclusion.

Stay tuned for Part 2!

This summer was filled with beach ceremonies for us—ceremonies on the waters of Lake Michigan are some of our favorites and always some of the most beautiful!  One of those beautiful beach ceremonies was planned for Tanya+Jason on July 6th. They tied the knot right by the water, surrounded by their closest friends and family. Tanya+Jason planned their wedding in just a few months from out of state, and we helped them pull together everything they needed for their beach wedding ceremony—an officiant,  fantastic guitarist, photographer, bridal bouquet & ceremony decor, rentals, a trolley and a nearby restaurant for an intimate dinner reception after wards. They could not have asked for a more beautiful day for a Lake Michigan wedding, and we couldn’t have asked for a nicer couple to work with!

I think my very favorite thing about this wedding was the fact that despite threats of rain, we made it through the ceremony without a drop. Tanya walked through the dunes down on to the beach, said I Do, wandered the beach (and pier) for photos and just as they hopped back onto the trolley, the skies opened up.  The shot above was just before the storm rolled in.  We couldn’t have asked for more perfect timing!

Photography by Southwest Michigan wedding photographer Ben Pancoast