Tented Wedding on Michigan’s Lakeshore

Written By Sydney Marie

Brielle and John’s May wedding was absolutely beautiful. They tied the knot in John’s hometown of Grand Haven, Michigan, with a weekend that celebrated not only their love but also the community and connections that have shaped their journey together.

To give a little backstory on how they first met from Brielle, “We met in Chicago in 2018. U of M had their formal (for John’s frat) in Chicago, and I was actually set up on a blind date… but not with John. It’s a long story, but to make it short, John pursued me, and a few weeks later, when Loyola Chicago (where I went to school) and Michigan (where John went to school) played each other, we met up. After the game, we ended up at Pizza House in Ann Arbor. It wasn’t really planned, but I guess that was technically our first date!”

The night before the wedding, I photographed Brielle and John’s welcome party at Noto's at the Bilmar, a cozy lakeside restaurant in Grand Haven. Their event was held in the upstairs space, offering a warm and inviting setting for guests to gather. I always love capturing welcome parties, it’s the perfect opportunity to meet the couple’s families and get to know their loved ones before the big day. Alex Shire provided the evening’s music, setting the tone for a relaxed and joyful celebration.

A little insight into their proposal, John proposed to Brielle in France on New Year's Day. They traveled to Montmartre, where John had planned a surprise proposal at the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur before mass. The rosary in the flatlay photos comes from their proposal.

The ceremony took place at St. Patrick Catholic Church, a timeless and elegant setting for Brielle and John to exchange vows. They opted out of a first look, choosing the traditional route of seeing each other for the first time as Brielle walked down the aisle. The atmosphere was filled with emotion as they made their lifelong commitment to one another in front of their closest family and friends.

Afterward, the wedding party hopped onto a trolley and made their way to a private beach on Lake Michigan for portraits. With a perfect 68-degree breeze and the sparkling blue waters as a backdrop, it was an ideal spot to capture their just-married glow. Their dog, Louis, also joined them for the photos, making it even more special. Before heading to the reception, Brielle and John shared a private moment to exchange vows across the street from their venue, by a quiet willow tree on the water. It was a beautiful, intimate moment just for the two of them.

Their reception at Spring Lake Country Club was nothing short of breathtaking. The sail tented celebration was a dream come to life, with every detail reflecting Brielle’s vision. From the elegant floral arrangements to the wood dance floor, the atmosphere felt both intimate and grand. As Brielle and John entered their reception, they went straight into their first dance to "You" by Dan & Shay, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening. The dance floor was packed all night long as their guests danced and celebrated, adding to the joyful energy that filled the air.

Brielle and John’s wedding was featured in Bajan Wed, check out the article.

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Sydney Marie https://www.sydneymariephotography.com
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