Will and Sarah hosted a classy, coastal sailcloth tent wedding at Elm Pointe Recreation Area in Northern Michigan, creating a celebration that felt elevated, joyful, and deeply personal. Set along the lakeshore, their wedding blended nautical details, thoughtful design, and nonstop fun in a stunning Northern Michigan setting.
Getting Ready at the Family Cottage
Will and Sarah chose to get ready at Will’s family cottage, located just down the road from Elm Pointe. They spent the joyful morning with their closest friends and family and exchanged handwritten notes.
Flat-lay details featured nautical-inspired invitations, complemented by blue accents woven throughout the linens and florals—setting the tone for the coastal design that carried through the entire day.
Bridal Party Portraits Before the Ceremony
It was important to Will and Sarah to see each other for the first time when Sarah walked down the aisle, so we took portraits before the ceremony separately. The men and ladies stayed apart as we spent most of that time near the lake and beneath the willow trees, allowing anticipation to build while still capturing relaxed, scenic portraits.
A Lakeside Ceremony with Coastal Elegance
The ceremony design by Up North Events and Billie’s Floral was nothing short of breathtaking. Chinoiserie vases filled with white and blue florals lined the space, while personalized fans doubled as décor and a thoughtful way to keep guests cool on the humid Northern Michigan wedding day.
Guests elevated the atmosphere even further with colorful, high-fashion outfits. There were tears of laughter when Will nearly kissed Sarah prematurely after taking her hand from her father, and tears of tenderness as the couple paused to remember loved ones who were dearly missed.
Post-Ceremony Portraits by the Lake
Following the ceremony, family and couple portraits took place around Elm Point Recreation Area, especially in front of the ceremony installation and along the natural lakeside greenery. The energy was light and joyful—we laughed, danced, and made sure the gallery reflected Will and Sarah’s fun-loving personalities.
Sailcloth Tent Reception with Chinoiserie Details
Inside the sailcloth tent, varying blue chinoiserie vases, a checkered dance floor, and woven lantern chandeliers created a refined yet playful reception design. Rentals from Event Theory and Timeless Event Rental filled the space beautifully.
Guests were treated to an immaculate dessert display featuring a four-tier patterned blue cake and macaron tower by Krazy Kake A Holics, alongside a delicious dinner catered by Uptown Catering. An audio guestbook allowed guests to leave heartfelt messages—memories Will and Sarah will be able to revisit for decades to come.
Energetic Dance Floor & Unforgettable Moments
2BaysDJs kept the dance floor packed all night, despite the humid conditions. One of the most unforgettable moments came when Will shocked guests with his impressive splits. Sarah later changed into a second look—a fun, bubble-shaped mini dress—perfect for dancing the night away.
Looking for refined and true-toned Northern Michigan wedding photographer? Please reach out here!
