Maddy and Brendan’s Northern Michigan Spring Winery Wedding

this vibrantly colorful spring day is one I still reminisce on, especially as we approach the one year anniversary. Maddy and Brendan gathered all of their family and friends for a northern michigan spring wedding weekend to remember. the wedding day took place at aurora cellars in lake leelanau, michigan, a boutique winery whose enchanting grounds surround you with their iconic, massive weeping willow tree and expansive vineyards. the weather couldn’t have been more perfect, and Lindsay of paper hat weddings worked her magic, as always, to make sure the wedding day was flawless for both the couple and their guests. I documented the day both digitally, and on 35mm film, offering a nostalgic yet timeless feel to their final gallery.

The quaint farmhouse on the property is the perfect place to stay for the weekend, and get ready with all of your favorite people the morning of your wedding. Maddy spent the morning of her wedding day surrounded by her loved ones as they all got pampered and giggled the morning away. her mom and sister helped her get into her dress and secure her final touches before the grand reveal to her bridesmaids, and of course, her soon to be husband in just a few hours. her details were timeless and personal, and her bridal bouquet was bright pinks, oranges, and yellows which contrasted beautifully against the vibrant greens of springtime in northern Michigan.

bride’s wedding accessories

wedding invitation flatlay detail photo

candid photo of bride’s dad finalizing his speech

bridal hair reveal

bright colorful bridal bouquet

candid photo of bride getting ready

documentary detail shot of bride getting into wedding dress on 35mm film

documentary photo of bride getting ready on 35mm film

documentary photo of bride getting ready with mom and maid of honor

bride getting ready with mom and maid of honor

maddy and Brendan shared their first look on the grounds of aurora cellars behind the farmhouse in front of a giant, beautiful, bloomed lilac bush. it made for the most perfect spring backdrop to see each other for the first time on their wedding day. the joy was contagious as they shared excitement, laughter, a few tears, and lots of hugs and kisses. I let them ride the high of the moment while I took a few candid portraits, offering slight posing suggestions only as they looked or asked for them. my main goal is always to keep them present with each other in that special moment. their bridal party joined them in celebration after their first look. we took some relaxed group shots, and after bridal party photos we checked off a handful of family photos before a few more posed, hero portraits of the bride and groom around the grounds of aurora cellars. I always love to grab more documentary, candid shots in between the static, posed family photos or bride and groom portraits. there are always some really intimate, beautiful memories that can go easily missed during these moments of wedding days.

portrait of groom at first look

bride and groom’s first look on 35mm film

documentary photo of wedding first look

bride and groom portrait during first look

bride and groom portrait

portrait of bride and groom on 35mm film

documentary bridesmaid photo

unique large bridal party photo

bridal party photo on 35mm film

candid bridal party photo

documentary family photo

candid photo of bridal bouquet

portrait of bride on 35mm film

candid portrait of bride and groom on 35mm film

documentary bride and groom portrait

wedding outfit details on 35mm film

candid documentary bride and groom portrait

bride and groom portrait on 35mm film

unique bride and groom portrait

bride and groom portrait on 35mm film

the details and decorations for maddy and Brendan’s wedding day were perfectly simple yet vibrant, accenting the lush greens and vineyard while not distracting from all of the natural beauty surrounding them. the iconic weeping willow was the backdrop for the ceremony, feeling larger than life and perfectly whimsical. their tented reception, courtesy of Tc tented events, provided warmth for the guests once the sun set, and was decorated inside to mimic the greenery and vines of the weeping willow right outside.

outdoor spring wedding ceremony details

weeping willow outdoor spring wedding

wedding reception dinner table details

spring wedding dinner table decor

tented wedding reception details

spring wedding tablescape on 35mm film

colorful spring wedding reception details

maddy and brendan’s guests were welcomed to their wedding colorfully. their ceremony was a personal and profound declaration of love for one another, followed by the exchanging of rings, and sealing the deal with a kiss. brendan’s dad married the two of them, and many stories and memories were shared from the past eleven years of their dating journey. their best friends sang during the ceremony, leaving everyone in attendance teary, and you could feel their magnetic love for one another as they walked down the aisle together, hand in hand, as husband and wife.

custom wedding signage

candid wedding guest photo

candid wedding guest photo

groom watching his bride walk into their wedding ceremony

bride walking down aisle with father

bride walking down aisle

groom watching his bride walk down the aisle

documentary photo of bride walking down the aisle with father

documentary wedding ceremony photo

weeping willow spring wedding ceremony

documentary photo of mother of the bride during wedding ceremony

documentary photo of wedding ceremony emotions

candid wedding ceremony photo

documentary photo of mother of the groom

portrait of bride and groom during their ceremony on 35mm film

wedding ceremony photo

bride and groom sharing wedding vows

bride and groom sharing another kiss exiting their ceremony

bride and groom kissing down the aisle on 35mm film

bride and groom exiting their ceremony

the newlyweds celebrated with each other and their closest people right after the ceremony. they signed their marriage license before joining their guests for a lively, colorful cocktail hour filled with catching up, small talk, and lots of laughs and smiles. they kicked off the night with a champagne tower, pouring aurora cellars own bubbly rose, the pink of the wine matching perfectly with the brides bouquet.

candid photo of bride and groom after their wedding ceremony

groom and maid of honor after the ceremony

groom showing off his wedding band

groom showing groomsmen his wedding band

bride and groom signing wedding license

bride and groom pouring champagne tower on 35mm film

bride and groom pouring champagne tower

bride and groom with champagne tower

bride getting wedding dress bustled

custom totes for wedding guests

once cocktail hour came to an end, maddy and Brendan made a grand entrance into their reception tent before going right into their first dance; a perfectly elegant choreographed routine. their first dance was followed by heartfelt, sentimental speeches from parents, siblings, and friends that brought equally as many tears and laughs to everyone that filled the space.

bride and groom entering their tented wedding reception

bride and groom during their first dance

brides dad giving speech

documentary photo of wedding guests

head table during wedding speeches

wedding guests at dinner listening to speeches

bride and groom listening to speeches

head table listening to wedding speeches

groom sharing sentimental moment with his sisters

groom with his sisters

head table toasting on 35mm film

after dinner, maddy and Brendan cut their cake, celebrating with a kiss. afterwards, maddy made an outfit switch and changed into a custom mini dress created from her mother’s wedding gown. she had her first dance with her dad in the dress that her mom wore to marry him, sharing such a special and full circle moment. Brendan shared a fun, energetic first dance with his mom that perfectly encapsulated their relationship. then, the dance floor opened up for a night to never forget.

bride and groom cutting cake on 35mm film

bride and groom cutting their cake

bride wearing custom dress created from her mothers wedding dress

bride wearing custom dress created from her mothers wedding dress

bride and her mom, bride wearing custom dress made from her mom’s wedding dress

bride and her dad sharing their first dance

groom and his mom sharing their first dance

dance floor photo

35mm film wedding dance floor photo of bride

wedding reception dance floor photo

wedding dance floor photo

wedding dance floor photo

35mm film photo of groom and his mom on the dance floor

wedding reception photo

wedding reception candid photo

wedding reception table

wedding cake