An Intimate Elopement in Northern Michigan
December 7, 2023
Northern Michigan is breathtaking under any circumstances, and October 5th was no exception. The Gruens skipped the banquet hall, and opted for an intimate elopement in Northern Michigan, surrounded only by their closest friends and family.
The day started with rain. The soft patter of droplets on the leaves was quickly overshadowed by the excitement and chatter as the couple & their friends got ready on separate ends of the Bride’s parents property.
I’ve seen couples panic at the thought of rain before an outdoor ceremony – but not the Gruens. They had umbrellas placed thoughtfully at the beginning of the aisle for guests to enjoy. It turns out the umbrellas weren’t necessary; the rain cleared up just in time!
The Ceremony
Instead of an aisle through the rows of guests, one trailed through the woods behind the altar. Turning Page (a million bonus points if you can name that movie!) was playing softly in the background as the bride approached the altar. I swear there was not a dry eye in the house, mine included.
One of the best parts of choosing to elope or have a small wedding is how personal it feels. There are few pre-wedding jitters related to stage fright. Every person in attendance played a pivotal role in the newlyweds lives. You could see as they shared their vows how loved they were by every single guest in attendance. There’s hardly a better place for a micro-wedding than Northern Michigan – the crisp autumn air mingles playfully with the leaves as they change colors and fall to the ground.
The Reception
There is no way I could write about the Gruens’ Elopement in Northern Michigan without calling out the cutest little venue. Located in downtown Cadillac, Michigan, The North Room is a hidden gem. The thought that has gone in to making this space both full of character yet still easily customizable is not unnoticed, and it was perfect for the Gruen’s reception.
Opting out of smaller individual tables, one long table stretched across the room. Guests mingled and laughed over cider donuts and pizza. The evening was sweet and sentimental with laughter and tears from everyone; a beautiful representation of the bride and groom.
After the donuts were eaten and the pizza was long gone, we snuck away to the lakeshore for some sunset photos.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Gabbie, isn’t Michigan freezing in October?”
While the answer is unfortunately yes, It was beyond worth braving the cold for them! We made our way down to the dock, and let the magic happen.
Golden hour sessions are one of my favorite parts of a wedding. After all the hustle and bustle, the family portraits and the roar of the reception, it gives you a few minutes to soak in the excitement of finally being married! They had put so much time and effort into planning and preparing for this day, it was only fair they had a few moments to revel in the joy of it all happening.
Thanks for letting me capture all the sweet mem’s of your day, newlyweds. Cheers to you!
