There are so many things I love about this wedding, but first and foremost? I love that they chose to unplug. With the most darling signage they instead invited their guests to be fully present and enjoy the beauty brought to life by Sincerely, Ginger and The Day Design. The one and only Clary Pfeiffer beautifully documented as these high school sweethearts tied the knot, and inside THE VAULT you’ll find so much more.
From The Bride…John and I met when we were 14 years old in our freshman English class. On the day we got married, we’d known each other for exactly half of our lives. It’s special when you share a common history with someone and pledge to share your future with them too. Although we didn’t start dating until the senior year of college, we’ve always shared something special. At first, I would ride my bike over to his house and we’d order deep dish pizza with friends. We took bike rides down to Lake Michigan and relaxed at the beach. During our senior year of college, our romantic relationship began. As they say, the rest is history.
Our wedding vision was centered around our ceremony setting, the dunes of Lake Michigan in St. Joe. Indeed, there was a half built home behind us…his parent’s retirement home. This wedding was about family, about the traditions that have shaped us into the people we are today. John and I got engaged at that very spot the year before. His parents were married in town. My great grandmother used to ride the ferry across the lake to spend the day at the amusement park that used to be at Silver Beach. The family’s contractor built us a platform to make our dream to get married on the beach a reality. All of the wood from that platform will be placed in the beams of the family home. We are so grateful for the history of our wedding site, and its future.
The aesthetics of the day tied the beach and St. Joe Lighthouse into everything. At the Heritage Center, we brought dune grass and lanterns in the room’s grand windows. A wonderful family friend designed a sketch of the lighthouse that we used throughout–in our invitations, cocktail napkins, and place cards. We hoped our guests would feel at home at the lake. It is our favorite place to be.
Photography: Clary Pfeiffer Photography | Coordination: Sincerely, Ginger Weddings & Events | Floral Design: The Days Design | Wedding Dress: Lela Rose | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Catering: Gilmore Catering | Hair And Makeup: Affinity Salon & Spa | Band: Bluewater Kings Band | Groom's Attire: Alton Lane | Venue: Dunes Of Lake Michigan | Cupcake Truck: Mimi's Cupcakes | Custom Rope Monogram: Etsy Seller - MDB Weddings | Paper Goods: Yellow Bird