Set against the stunning scenery of Lake Michigan, this Sleeping Bear Dunes wedding was an intimate, yet unforgettable celebration of love, family, and authentic connections. Over two days, we captured Carlie and Christy’s love story, and the results are as emotional as they are beautiful.
The intimate Sleeping Bear Dunes wedding ceremony
Carlie and Christy set the intentional tone for their intimate wedding by getting ready together with their families. Beginning with their earth-inspired details — a creamy white and earthy green invitation suite — a love of nature was an ever-present feature of their wedding. After an emotional first look, their ceremony took place at stop #9 on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, a secluded haven with rolling sand dunes and endless waterfront views. Subtly framed by pompous grass, the two exchanged their vows embracing the raw beauty of the setting.
A grounding wedding reception at Mari Vineyards
Back on the mainland, their reception at Mari Vineyards was equally as intentional. The Tuscan-inspired venue, complete with underground aging cellars, offered a unique complement to their intimate mood. For the reception dinner, the tablescape was adorned with cascading greenery and dozens of lit candles to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Here, along with their families, heartfelt memories were shared and made.
Embracing natural beauty after the Lake Michigan wedding
The following day was dedicated to exploring the surrounding landscape of Sleeping Bear Dunes. Together, Carly and Christy wandered through the towering forests and soft sand while we captured their joy. We took full advantage of the day without timelines to feel fully immersed in the emotion of their elopement.
The serene setting combined with everyone’s genuine connection and presence in the moment created imagery that was particularly emotional. You can see in their final gallery how these images capture not only the stunning natural backdrop but also the grounding interactions and true joy shared among their close loved ones.
Thoughts shared from the wedding couple
“Just wanted to say how absolutely amazing our wedding photography and videography experience was with Carly and Kasey. We had a destination wedding, and they both made the process so stress free and smooth. They were able to pick the perfect location for our ceremony and all our photos throughout the entire day. We even decided to book them an extra day to have a mini shoot the day after the wedding and they went above and beyond then too… They make sure to go above and beyond expectations to get that perfect photo. Carly and Kasey worked tirelessly to capture every special moment on our wedding day to ensure that we could always look back on it and smile. Their attention to detail is remarkable and they worked hard to make sure they didn’t miss anything… They are nothing short of amazing and they are so talented, so don’t hesitate to work with these two because you will not be disappointed.”
– Carlie + Christy
Hoping for similarly sentimental imagery for your Sleeping Bear Dunes wedding?
As intimate wedding and elopement photographers, our approach captures a genuine reflection of your relationship and memories among the beautiful scenery of Lake Michigan. Get in touch to see how we can make your Sleeping Bear Dunes wedding unforgettable.
