Dakota and Billy’s Boldly Colorful Bay Harbor Wedding Day

This is a day I still think about years later. It was the perfect Northern Michigan summer day when Dakota and Billy tied the knot on the shores of Lake Michigan at the village suites bay harbor. The day was one of the most colorful wedding days I have ever photographed, and filled to the brim with laughs, tears, hugs, and forever memories.

the day began with Dakota and billy getting ready with their favorite people. Dakota did a dress reveal for her bridesmaids that had even me tearing up behind the camera! she truly made such a beautiful bride, because she is such a beautiful person, inside and out.

bride getting ready for the first look

bride revealing her wedding dress to her bridesmaids

groom celebrating with his groomsmen before the first look

bride’s sisters seeing the bride in her wedding dress

candid photo of the bride and her bridesmaids

Dakota and billy shared an intimate first look, just the two of them, on the shores of Lake Michigan. it was the sweetest way to have a moment just to themselves before the day unraveled. we took some laidback yet timeless portraits on the beach before the rest of the wedding party joined us for more fun and candid wedding party photos.

bride and groom seeing each other for the first time at their first look

the bride and groom seeing each other for the first time on the shore of Lake Michigan

bride and groom portraits in bay harbor michigan

bride and groom portraits by Lake Michigan in bay harbor michigan

bride with her bridesmaids in bay harbor michigan

groom with his groomsmen in bay harbor michigan

candid wedding party photos in northern michigan

wedding portrait of the bride and groom by lake Michigan

bride and groom portraits in bay harbor michigan

wedding party photos in northern michigan

bride and groom portraits in bay harbor michigan

guests began arriving to the ceremony, which took place under the Michigan summer sun, with out a cloud in the sky. they were greeted with vibrant, lively florals designed by the very talented sycamore design studio out of Grand Rapids, michigan. the florals echoed the bright and bold color scheme of pinks and oranges, with a hint of disco ball, contrasting perfectly with the crystal blue waters of Lake Michigan. the ceremony was filled with laughs, tears, and timeless memories surrounded by their closest family and friends.

colorful, unique wedding ceremony florals and decor

colorful floral wedding ceremony arch

groom walking his parents down the aisle at his wedding ceremony

groom watching his bride walk down the aisle

bride walking down the aisle with her dad

bride and groom sharing their first kiss at their wedding ceremony

candid photo of bride and groom exiting their ceremony

bride and groom celebrating with their friends and family after the wedding ceremony

candid photo of bride getting her dress bustled

their guests were welcomed to cocktail hour with brilliantly unique signage made by the insanely talented bride herself, as well as other personalized details like napkins and matches. Dakota and billy did a private reveal of their tented reception, and were in complete awe. Lindsay from paper hat weddings really worked her wedding planner magic to make their dreams come true, and keep the day flowing perfectly. the drinks were also flowing perfectly, and everyone was ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the stunningly designed tables under the tent. the claps never stopped after Dakota and billy made their grand entrance, cut their cake, and wowed the crowd with their first dance!

custom reception details diy by the bride

custom wedding signage diy by the bride

custom wedding matches

custom cocktail napkins

bride and groom seeing their reception for the first time

candid photo of the bride and groom

colorful floral center piece at wedding reception

wedding reception place setting with custom details

candid photo of wedding guests

bride and groom celebrating after cutting their wedding cake

bride and groom having their first dance

their reception wrapped up with some exceptional speeches, filled with touching sentiments and hilarious memories. many tears and laughs were shared by all across the room. we caught the sunset just in time for some candid, carefree portraits before hitting the dance floor and dancing the night away! the live band played their hearts out, and what a blast that dance floor was…

wedding reception speeches

wedding reception under tent in northern michigan

bride and groom at their colorful wedding reception

custom wedding signage

sunset wedding portraits

moody wedding portrait

live band during wedding reception

wedding dance floor photos

wedding dance floor photos

in addition to the digital wedding photos, I documented their special day on 35mm film as well. the 35 shots on a roll of film were used to highlight the biggest parts of the day, like their first look, bride and groom portraits on the boats, exiting their ceremony as newlyweds, and more. film is a great way to bring a unique, nostalgic feel to your wedding photos - film photos are the best!

film photo of the bride and groom by Lake Michigan

film photo of bride and groom exiting their wedding ceremony

film photo of the bride and groom on a boat in bay harbor Michigan