Lake Michigan-Inspired Fall Wedding in West Michigan
Anna and Sam hosted a dreamy wedding in West Michigan last fall that I can’t wait to share with you – from their sweet ceremony under a majestic willow tree, to their elevated Lake Michigan-inspired decor, to the bangin’ dance floor at the end of the night, it was such a pleasure getting to document each and every moment for these two!
Anna + Sam’s Fall West Michigan Wedding
A dreamy, elevated Lake Michigan theme
I’ve never quite seen a wedding theme done the way Anna + Sam did – their decor featured a Lake Michigan theme, but make it elevated. They incorporated Lake Michigan vibes into their cake, which boasted a gorgeous gradient of blues, some of the glassware atop the dinner tables, and even into their centerpieces – my favorite being the little lighthouse lanterns, surrounded by glistening, tumbled rocks. They were so pretty, and added such a simple yet beautiful accent to the tables.
For some more gorgeous Michigan wedding inspiration, take a peek at Jess & Walker’s Chic Greenhouse Wedding in Downtown Grand Rapids!
Vibrant greenery + soft fall florals
I love a good flower-filled bouquet, but there’s something about greenery-heavy floral arrangements that catch the eye in a completely different way. Rather than pack a ton of large blooms into their floral arrangements, Anna + Sam opted for an abundance of greenery for every piece that adorned their ceremony arch, filled the reception space, and that Anna carried with her throughout the day. Each arrangement featured pale pink, white, & yellow flowers accompanied by lush green ferns, pines, and other organic textural elements that blended into the West Michigan landscape flawlessly. There is something so truly incredible about how talented florists can piece miscellaneous bits of greenery together in a way that brings out the magic of the season so beautifully – in this case, the pale flowers & greenery matched the fall scenery to a T!
A ceremony under the willow tree
My absolute FAVORITE detail from this wedding? The fairytale-esque ceremony under the willow tree. I mean, the way the branches swayed ever so softly in the fall breeze, while Anna + Sam exchanged their vows underneath – are you kidding me? The muted brown, wooden arbor they picked for the ceremony blended in with the trees seamlessly, especially with the abundant greenery adorning the top of it, and the pink + yellow florals peeking through to add a little bit of color. I couldn’t imagine a more dreamy setting for your wedding ceremony! And because Anna + Sam held theirs under this massive willow, on a lawn, surrounded by plenty of other trees and greenery, it created the most beautiful backyard vibe – perfect for this sweet couple to celebrate with their loved ones.
A poppin’ dance floor at sunset
Truly, nothing gets me going more than a dance floor at a wedding filled with a group of friends & family who are ready to dance the damn night away – and that’s just what Anna, Sam & their guests did! After the traditional first dances, a majority of the guests made their way to the dance floor ASAP while others sat back and watched, sipping on a glass of something bubbly to celebrate the newlyweds. As the sun went down and the sky turned all kinds of beautiful shades of blue, the twinkle lights strung above the dance floor lit up the night + invited everyone to join in and get movin’. It was absolutely poppin’ the rest of the evening, and Anna + Sam spent some time gathered around a fire pit with their guests to stay warm once the sun had disappeared. I loved that these two had multiple options for their guests to land throughout the evening, from the dance floor to the cozy outdoor lounge furniture to the warmth of the fire!
West Michigan Wedding Photographer
Although I’m based out of Seattle, you already know I go anywhere & everywhere for my couples, and Michigan has been a recent favorite destination of mine! I’m a massive fan of Grand Rapids weddings & West Michigan weddings, and would be thrilled to be your West Michigan wedding photographer. Be sure to scroll through Jess & Walker’s Chic Greenhouse Wedding in Downtown Grand Rapids to see more of my work in the area, and contact me here if you’re ready to create some magic together✨
For more stunning wedding & elopement inspiration, check out a few of the blog posts that I have been loving lately, below!
