B & D’s Lake Michigan Elopement

Hey friend! If you are reading this, chances are you’re scouting out the perfect, safest, and most stunning spot to marry your favorite person. Well, grab a coffee (or a glass of wine) because I need to tell you all about Bri and Diana’s incredible elopement.

If you’ve been dreaming of an LGBTQ+ safe haven for your own vows, let me just say: Saugatuck, Michigan needs to be at the top of your list. It’s famous for its vibrant, welcoming queer community, and the energy here is unmatched. Bri and Diana chose a private rental property nestled right on the cliffs of Lake Michigan just outside of town, and honestly? The universe itself practically RSVP’d “yes.”

Not only did they have a stunning full moon, but Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn were all in alignment on their wedding day. Talk about cosmic approval for these two incredible women! The entire day radiated pure female empowerment, queer love, and the sweetest sense of community.

Here is exactly how their day unfolded, along with some insider vendor and location tea you’ll definitely want for your own planning!

The Unscripted “First Conversation”

Before the ceremony, Bri and Diana needed a moment to connect without seeing each other yet. They settled on a “first conversation” through a bedroom door to decide to make a few last minute decisions.

Photographer Note: Look at their hands on either side of the door in this shot. I didn’t prompt this at all. This was just their natural, instinctual way of holding onto each other while they spoke. Their body language speaks volumes about the soft, tender, and deeply compassionate nature of their relationship. I may or may not have been crying behind my lens. Inquire here to make me cry at your wedding too.

Accidental Pride Decor & Eco-Friendly Hacks

Every micro-wedding deserves a gorgeous mealtime setup, and theirs was total perfection. They went for a light, airy tablescape with muted, pale rainbow tones. But my favorite part? The candles! While it wasn’t entirely intentional, once everything was lit, we realized the candle colors perfectly mirrored the Gay, Lesbian, and Trans Pride flags. We love a beautiful, subconscious nod to queer love!

Steal This Eco-Friendly Idea:

Bri and Diana were super intentional about keeping their day sustainable. To cut down on the massive waste caused by single-use plastics, they went on a thrifting mission ahead of time:

• They sourced a unique collection of thrifted, reusable glassware for the bar.
• Each guest chose their own funky glass for the night, which cut down on dishes and doubled as a personalized wedding favor!
• They paired these with thrifted plates, saving the environment from a mountain of trash. 10/10 recommend this hack for your own micro-wedding.

About this Lake Michigan Elopement Property

They rented an absolute gem of a property right on the water, but because I want your day to go flawlessly, here is the honest pros-and-cons breakdown of this space.

You can check out the rental house yourself on VRBO and Expedia, or peek at their aesthetic on Instagram @blavesedge.

• The Pros: The views are downright jaw-dropping. Because the property is heavily wooded, it’s beautifully shaded and private. It also sleeps up to 11, which was perfect for this group!
• The Cons: If you are a sun-loving baddie who wants to bake in the direct sunlight all day, the heavy shade might bum you out.
• Not Wheelchair Friendly: This property is unfortunately not accessibility-friendly for neither the house itself or the beach access. The stairs leading down to the beach access are incredibly steep (and there are a lot of them). Getting into the lake house itself also requires navigating at least two steps, outward onto a deck, leaving virtually no clearance for a wheelchair. Keep this in mind depending on your guest list!

Did You Know You Can Eat, Literally Whatever You Want at Your Wedding?

Yeah, forget a stuffy three-course chicken dinner. Every great unconventional, norm shattering, kick ass elopement should have food that you actually enjoy! Bri and Diana catered their wedding with local legend The Mitten Brewing Company, and their guests were absolutely thrilled.

They ordered a mountain of unique pizzas, including a classic Margherita and their famous Italian Pizza (loaded with roasted garlic oil, fresh mozzarella, ham, salami, pepperoni, and banana peppers). I am literally drooling just typing that out. If you are planning a trip to Saugatuck for your elopement – or just a weekend getaway – you have to check them out. Take a look at The Mitten Brewing Company Menu ahead of time!

Even The Sunset Sent Affirmations

To wrap up the perfect day, Lake Michigan decided to put on a literal show. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, the sky burst into vibrant shades of pink, orange, and fuchsia, perfectly representative the colors in the lesbian and bisexual pride flags.

Even the local wildlife seemed to know it was an iconic night. A flock of birds flew directly across my lens right as the sun hit the horizon, creating the ultimate cinematic finale for two of the kindest women I’ve ever had the honor of photographing.

If you’re ready to start planning your own magical, safe, and beautifully authentic Lake Michigan elopement, let’s chat! I’m ready to capture your story.

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Vendors
Photography & Videeography | Autumn and Hive
Catering | Mitten Brewing Company Saugatuck
Lake House Rental | @blavesedge