Laura & Kyle - Spring Wedding on Old Mission Peninsula - 5/26/19

Chloe Leach July 10, 2019

Laura and Kyle spent their college years at Olivet running in the same Greek circles. They became fast friends, but things hadn’t progressed past that point – much to Laura’s disappointment. It wasn’t until 2012, after they had both graduated and gone their separate ways, that Kyle called up Laura and asked her to be his date to a holiday concert. And the rest, as they say, was history.

On a bright spring day in Northern Michigan, the two longtime friends finally tied the (literal) knot in a ceremony overlooking Grand Traverse Bay. It was a day full of love, laughter, and happy tears. Not to mention lots of dancing late into the night!

Venue: The Peninsula Room, Traverse City

Floral by Hooper’s Farm Gardens

Bride’s gown: Moonlight, A’doraBelle Bridal

Hair and makeup styling by Urban Modern Hair and Arbonne Kim

Entertainment by Casey of Rusch Entertainment

Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Peninsula Room, Traverse CityStyling: M.O. Hair and Beauty LoungeFloral: Hooper’s Farm GardensDJ: Lake Michigan DJsBride's Gown: Maggie SotteroCake/pies: Brulotte’s Cakery & Sweets

Alyssa & Matt - A Summer Wedding on Old Mission Peninsula, 8/13/18

Chloe Leach August 26, 2018

It was April of 2015. Alyssa was a Michigan girl living in small town Ames, Iowa to work on her Master's degree. Before that fateful spring night, she had no intentions of sticking around Iowa after school. But the handsome stranger she would meet at the bar that night would change the course of her whole life. Matt and Alyssa fell effortlessly into a relationship together, enjoying time together spent hiking, visiting breweries, and watching documentaries together. As it turned out, Alyssa did stick around, and they built a happy life together in Iowa. Over three years later, they would exchange vows in a destination wedding in Alyssa's native state. Michigan's northwestern shorelines are stunningly beautiful, but perhaps the most glorious views are found in Traverse City. Among the rolling hills of vineyards and surrounded by their closest loved ones, Alyssa and Matt celebrated their first day as husband and wife. The day began with a beautiful ceremony by the water, followed by an evening of games, great food, and lots of dancing.

Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Peninsula Room, Traverse City

Styling: M.O. Hair and Beauty Lounge

Floral: Hooper’s Farm Gardens

DJ: Lake Michigan DJs

Bride's Gown: Maggie Sottero

Cake/pies: Brulotte’s Cakery & Sweets

Gillian & Casey - A Summer Wedding on Old Mission Peninsula

Chloe Leach August 16, 2018

Gillian met the "Burrito Boy" for the first time in 2006, while Casey was skillfully rolling burritos at the Blue Corn Cocina in the Vanderbilt cafeteria. Thanks to their mutual friend Eric Chung, Casey and Gillian became friends in college. That friendship eventually blossomed into a romance in 2008, at the beginning of Gillian's senior year.

Over the next 8 years, Gillian and Casey trailed one another from Nashville to Chicago to Detroit, coordinating jobs and school in order to be near each other.

Then, on December 10th, 2016, Casey lied to Gillian for the first time ever. He convinced her that his intramural flag football team had made it to the Championship Game (although they had actually been knocked out three weeks prior due to injury, cheap shots, and poor officiating. Casey was not bitter). When Gillian arrived at Nichols Arboretum, she saw Casey standing next to a picture-perfect view and dressed in a suit. He took a knee to propose, and of course the rest would become history! At that moment, Gillian’s pup Ted came bounding out of the woods, clad in a little tuxedo to celebrate the occasion.

July 14, 2018: Gillian and Casey chose the natural splendor of Northern Michigan as the setting for their long-awaited wedding day. The historical Peninsula Room is surrounded by vineyards, and perched on a hill overlooking stunning Grand Traverse Bay. With the warm sun shining and their dearest friends and family surrounding them, Gillian and Casey made their vows to each other along the shimmering water of the bay. Here's just a little glimpse into the magic of their beautiful day.

Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Peninsula Room, Traverse City, Michigan

As the Shutter Clicks: The Meridian Photography Blog