Last August I was able to shoot a lakeside wedding for Caitlin and Andres in Northern Michigan. They are a super sweet couple who really cared about being able to spend time with their friends and family during their wedding. One of the most important things Caitlin and Andres wanted for their special day was to make sure everyone was comfortable and included, and I was more than happy to be there to capture this amazing day for them!
They wanted to have their wedding at Caitlin’s family’s lake house on Lake Burt, so they brought in Tom and Shannon from Thomas Heath Events to build the entire ceremony and reception from the ground up! Both Caitlin and Andres had a ton of great memories at this location, so it was the natural spot for their wedding. And Caitlin’s father was all too happy to oblige!
Getting Ready
As the day began, Caitlin and her bridesmaids got ready at the lake house while Andres and his groomsmen got ready at a nearby hotel. Something that was sort of unique to this gorgeous lakeside wedding, was that Caitlin had all of her bridesmaids wear ivory dresses. Caitlin herself wore a simple and elegant dress of white. Her style was elegant and minimalist, and I absolutely loved the way she pulled it off!
First Looks
Andres and Caitlin decided on a first look and we were able to take a bunch of portraits before the ceremony. First, was the first look with Caitlin’s dad. It was super sweet and they both cried. Then Caitlin had a first look with Andres. I don’t think either of them cried, but they were so happy to finally see each other. It was a perfect moment. They were so in love, and you could just see it!
A Lakeside Wedding
Again, a unique moment for Caitlin & Andres’ lakeside wedding was their stunning wedding ceremony. The ceremony would take place with friends and family on the shore of the gorgeous Burt Lake here in Northern Michigan. The ceremony was set up looking past the shore, towards the dock and the lake. Andres and his groomsmen recessed down the aisle as is expected. However, the bridesmaids came from the dock behind the aisle arch to stand in their expected places. Finally, Caitlin came in from the water (the family had hired a captain of a Chris-Craft boat to navigate) and that was her grand entrance!
Their vows were super sweet during the ceremony. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the audience!
Cocktail Hour
Another special moment from Caitlin and Andres’ lakeside wedding was their cocktail hour. After the ceremony, they wanted to be able to spend time with friends and family. So, we finished the family photos, and sent them to the front of the house where the cocktail hour had been set up. There was even a small live band performing that Tom and his team brought in! Andres’ family had flown in from Columbia, and the bride and groom wanted to make sure that they all felt included and this moment was a perfect one for everybody!
In The Meantime…
When everyone left the ceremony (at the back of the house) and went to the cocktail hour (at the front of the house), Tom and his team were already hard at work. The family went to the front of the house where the planning team had already prepared a cocktail space. So, while everyone was out there with live music and drinks, the amazing planning team overturned the entire ceremony space and turned it into the reception space! All so the bride and groom could not only have a lakeside wedding, but a lakeside reception as well. Tom & Shannon, from Thomas Heath Events, absolutely masterminded the entire event and helped make this day so special!
The Reception
The reception was truly a special event. The Planner, DJ, Band Member, and Master of Ceremonies, Tom (he does #allthethings), made the start of the reception truly unique. He had learned a little Spanish, so he could not only introduce and announce things as they were happening in English, but in Spanish as well. Everyone wanted to make sure that Andres’ family felt included and cared for as guests of honor!
After Caitlin and Andres shared their first dance, they welcomed everyone to Northern Michigan and thanked them for being a part of their special day. They invited everyone to the dance floor to share in an opening dance to celebrate before the reception moved to speeches. Once everyone returned to their seats, queue the waterworks that were their speeches! This was one of those moments I’ll never forget. First up was Caitlin’s father who gave the sweetest heartfelt speech. Everyone was in tears by the time he was finished!
Another important speech came after the Maid of Honor and Best Man’s toasts and was a bit of a surprise. Caitlin’s original Maid of Honor wasn’t able to come at the last minute because she had just given birth to the newest member of this sweet group of humans. So, the original Maid of Honor’s speech was read aloud by one of her family members. Which, of course, made everyone cry even more!
Dinner and Dancing!
Caitlin & Andres’ wedding dinner was one of the most interesting (and yummy!) wedding dinners I’ve ever experienced! It was Tapas-style, so there were multiple food stations with small plates for everyone to sort of mix and make their own unique food experiences. One particular station was Columbian food made by Andres’ family! They made hundreds of mini empanadas that were so good!
Finally the night ended with the DJ (Tom who does #allthethings) inviting everyone to the dance floor, and it was a party (with a Capital P.A.R.T.Y.)! Everyone at this lakeside wedding was on the dance floor the entire night. Tom and his crew played a mix of Spanish and English for the two mingling families, and no one could help getting on the dance floor.
It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of the amazing team pulling together a gorgeous lakeside wedding for Caitlin and Andres.
Congratulations to you both!
Vendors:
Planner & Master of Ceremonies: Thomas Heath Events | Website
Photography: Mandie Forbes | Website
Florals: Monarch Garden & Floral | Website
Hair & Makeup: Vogue Salon & Spa | Website
Design, Decor, & Rentals: Heart Wedding Decor | Website
Desserts: Colin’s Confections & Catering | Website
Catering: Nancy Kelly’s Restaurant | Website
DJ: A+ Entertains | Website
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