Amanda & Matt - Wedding on Old Mission Peninsula - October 14th

It was a late summer's night in 2010 at the beer Olympics for Michigan Tech undergrads Amanda and Matt. The two had been friends since they met at a pizza parlor earlier that semester, and they were both drawn by the other's genuine and caring personalities - but they were about to see each other in a completely new light. Toward the end of the night, after countless voyages to the bottom of red solo cups, Amanda watched Matt dance like a man who hadn't a care in the world. That was the first moment she realized that she might actually spend forever with this guy.

The bond they forged that semester withstood four whole years of long-distance while they supported each other through losses and victories. This well-humored couple attributes their tenacious love to several factors: Their core beliefs, shared Irishness, their love of skiing, and their great affection for their beautiful, stupid cats. Not to mention the steadfast love and support of their large families behind them. To celebrate this beginning of a new chapter in their lives, Matt and Amanda returned to Amanda's childhood home of Traverse City, Michigan; Against the sweeping backdrop of Grand Traverse Bay and peninsulas bedecked with rolling vineyards, they celebrated the first day of their newest adventure together.

Venue: Peninsula Room, Traverse City

Also Pictured: Bonobo Winery and Vineyard, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Brys Estate Winery and Vineyard 

Floral: Hooper's Farm Garden

Bride's Gown: To Have and To Hold Bridal Shop

Groom/Groomsmen Suits: Joseph Abboud, Men’s Wearhouse

Bridesmaids Dresses: Brideside, Chicago

Live Music: Chris Smith and The Broom Closet Boys. 

Trolley: Blue Lakes by the Bay 

Cake: Kingsley Cakes

Caitlin & Lawrence - A Medieval Wedding Celebration Under the Harvest Moon - Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, October 5th

"May they be to each other both strong and gentle. 
May all who follow their lives with interest and affection have cause to rejoice not alone in their happiness, but in their brave and generous living which makes life beautiful and significant.”  Áine Minogue, A Celtic Wedding

Caitlin and Larry are two souls from a bygone era, and the love they share is one for the ages. Their story began in 2010, when a significant friendship formed during their time working together in the same banquet kitchen. 7 years later, on the rolling green hills of this same special place, the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Caitlin and Larry began their lives together as one. Under a towering oak bathed in warm rays of autumn sun, surrounded by the love of those dearest to them, they exchanged sacred vows. In true medieval fashion, the celebration continued late into the evening over a bounty of rich food, lively games on the lawn, and roaring fires.

Venue, and Feast: Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Bride's Gown: Armstreet

Floral and Design: Sensational Events

Katie & Greg - The Peninsula Room - September 16, 2017

Chicago natives Katie & Greg are the quintessential power couple. With all the congeniality and good taste you'd expect of a couple of die-hard Chicago sports fans, and a deep and genuine connection between them that irresistibly draws others in.

Katie met Greg on Thanksgiving six years ago in one of their favorite Chicago haunts. Their personalities made it easy to strike up a conversation, and their many commonalities have kept that conversation going since. They began their journey as best friends, and their friendship is the core of who they are together. As Katie so simply put it, "We are the best part of each other's day". 

The two made their vows to each other on a warm summer afternoon along the water of Grand Traverse Bay, surrounded by dear family and friends. The day marked an idyllic beginning to a beautiful chapter in their lives.

Ceremony & Reception: The Peninsula Room, Traverse City, Michigan

Bride's Gown: Dimitra's Bridal Couture, Chicago, IL

Floral: Hooper's Farm Gardens

Hair & Makeup: Cait Clark, Chicago, IL

Lindsay & Ben - Bohemian Backyard Wedding in Traverse City, MI

Lindsay and Benjamin share an uncommon bond. Their love story is one of deep commitment to each other, a strong foundation of support and faith from their families, and a testament to the faithfulness of God. 

As children, Lindsay and Benjamin grew up as acquaintances in the same circle of families. But it wasn't until later into adulthood that their friendship would develop into something deeper. Both of them entered careers as firefighters, working in separate departments, and eventually rekindling their friendship over their shared profession. Benjamin left home for 3 and a half years on active duty with the Marines, and when he returned, they began dating. Eight months after that, Benjamin was on one knee in the snow at the top of a ski hill, asking Lindsay to be his wife.

Their August wedding day was, by contrast, warm and golden-hued. Lindsay and her girls wore ethereal gown and flower crowns, and the family home was thoughtfully decorated with little terrariums, generous blooms, gold-tipped feathers, and an abundance of magical twinkle lights. 

Bride's gown by The Faded Sunflower, flower crowns by Darling Headbands

Cake and cupcakes by Elise Zagore

Pies by Elijah Little, Grand Traverse Pie Co

Katie & Dan - Wedding in Traverse City, Michigan

Every now and then, an exceptional storybook romance comes to life in two people in some small town in a corner of our world. One such miracle occurred in Traverse City, Michigan in the late summer of 2012: 

The effervescent Katie and the quietly reticent Dan first met at a church Bible study, kindred spirits with little in common at first glance. Dan was immediately beguiled by the warmth and beauty of this generous woman, but Katie was just getting comfortable with single life as she pursued her faith and education. It took a few months, and many long distance phone calls while Dan was away on a ship, until their first official date in June of 2013. As natural as breathing, the two fell in love. Dan proposed to Katie on the pier in Grand Traverse Bay in February 2015. While they grew together in faith and love, Dan received a troubling diagnosis in April 2015 - He was battling Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. As with all great love stories, this testing of their strength only served to produce new dimensions of depth and character in the love they share.

With Dan now in remission, and a beautiful future ahead of them, surrounded by their loving families, the two married in an exquisite winter ceremony in the church that brought them together. Katie even recorded a beautiful song to play for Dan as a surprise during the emotional ceremony. What an honor to share such a joyful day in the lives of two precious people!

Ceremony: East Bay Calvary Church

Reception: Hagerty Center, Traverse City, MI

Dresses by David's Bridal