Joe and Krista's wedding day this past summer was as perfect as you can plan for. Their wedding (held on the shores of Lake Superior in Grand Marais, MI) was sunny and warm, and perfect for all their guests who came in to town to celebrate. The two themselves do not live in the Upper Peninsula, but wanted to have their wedding in Grand Marais, and I was so overjoyed the day started so perfect for them! But this story does have a few curve balls thrown in...continue reading quite the wedding day story!
The girls started by getting ready at Agate Cross Bed and Breakfast in downtown Grand Marais. Really, you can just about count any building in Grand Marais as downtown, as it IS pretty small.
Don't you just love the softness of the bridesmaid's pastel colored dresses? They were just gorgeous!
When a dad sees his girl for the first time in her dress, it is always a favorite!
We then moved over to get a quick few pics of the grooms men. Again, downtown Grand Marais, just across the street and a few houses over ;)
The boardwalk here in Grand Marais, Michigan, is one my favorite places! We did several sessions/weddings here last summer and every time I just love it. It makes a really beautiful wedding location for a cozy, beach wedding.
Right after the above image, guests were still arriving to the beach and everyone was getting ready for the bride to arrive. The rings were being taken out of their boxes when just about the worst possible thing could happen...the brides wedding band fell out of the box, bounced once on the boards, and slipped thru the cracks in the boardwalk and into the sand underneath. Panic/horror/instant sweat from the wedding party happened at that moment!
Only so many people can squeeze under the boardwalk, so while a bunch of people dug for the ring, other guests welcomed each other and excitement for the wedding grew.
Still searching!
The wedding was definitely delayed by this point, but the decision was made to continue on with the ceremony and figure out something with the ring later. Thankfully, Krista's engagement ring was still there, so the ceremony was not ring-less!
People were still congratulating the bride and groom when we started hearing shouts and cheers. Then we heard "FOUND IT!"
A kind stranger armed with one metal detector heard about the lost ring (news travels fast in a small town!) and found the lost ring buried in about 6 inches of sand under that boardwalk. The entire wedding party and guests gave this man a hero's thank you as he walked with the ring in his hand.
A disaster turned amazing story, and I know this image is probably a favorite from the wedding day! Phew!! We now were more than ready to celebrate!
From the beach we went on a short drive down to a family cottage on the lake. Krista and Joe wanted to get some images that had special meaning to them: photographs in some of the locations that mean the most to them, just doing what makes them happy, skipping stones, being a family.
From there we went to a little park that was also special and got some images specifically requested: playing on the monkey bars. This was perfect!!!
A first for me to have one of my brides on the monkey bars on her wedding day. But I just loved that it was something the couple wanted and could document for them!
The reception was held at the Green Haven Lodge, just about 10 minutes outside of Grand Marais. Joe and Krista completely transformed this building into a rustic, yet romantic reception venue and I just loved all the details they incorporated! The dinner and dancing was inside, but there were games and socializing outside! Everything was perfect for a Northern Michigan wedding reception.
