A Relaxed Wedding Preparation Checklist for Couples Planning in Northwest Michigan

If you’re newly engaged, chances are you’ve already googled “what do you need for a wedding” and immediately closed the tab because… yikes. Lucky for you, Northwest Michigan doesn’t require a color-coded wedding organization checklist that reads bridezilla. Instead, it’s more about the intention, pace, and feeling of the day. Think of this as a soft wedding preparation checklist for brides. 

The 8 Step Wedding Preparation Checklist 

Listen, I’ve been in your exact position, I’ve seen the whole monthly breakdown checklists, read all of the blogs, downloaded the cute Pinterest-esque checklists and still felt overwhelmed. My hope with this blog is to not add to the noise, but to give you a realistic wedding planning checklist that lowers your anxiety. 

Because truthfully, the couples that I work with could care less about napkin folds, perfectly matched place settings, or what’s trending on Pinterest this year. Instead, they’re focused on celebrating their love with their favorite people, pet, or maybe just the two of them. Nothing more, nothing less. 

1. Get Clear On What You’re Actually Planning 

Before venues, dresses, or guest lists, pause and ask:

• Are we planning a classic elopement, a micro wedding, or something in between?
• Do we want this to feel slow, adventurous, nostalgic, classic or cozy?
• Are we drawn to beaches, dunes, forests, venues or a tucked-away Airbnb?

Northwest Michigan is incredibly diverse — a ceremony at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore feels wildly different than a quiet Lake Michigan shoreline or a wooded backyard gathering. This first step shapes every other decision on your wedding checklist.

P.S. If you’re dreaming up a beach wedding, you’ll definitely want to head to this guide next!

2. Choose a Season That Matches Your Energy

When couples ask what they “need” for a wedding in this area, season is always near the top of the wedding preparation checklist.

• Late May–June: Fresh, quiet, and green — perfect for low-key ceremonies on the beach or in the backyard
• July–August: Warm water, golden sunsets, busier tourist energy — sunscreen is not optional. 
• September–October: Fall colors, crisp air, peak romance (and peak demand) — will definitely get chilly in the evenings
• Winter: Moody, snowy, deeply intimate, wildly underrated — perfect for a lowkey Airbnb elopement or an adventurous elopement doing all the winter activities. See my top 5 winter wedding venues in this blog post. 

If fall is your dream, this needs to move higher on your wedding organization checklist because dates & vendors go fast. (For reference, I’m already getting inquiries 1+ years out). 

3. Lock In Your Core Vendors First

This is truly the backbone of your checklist. Instead of booking everything at once, focus on:

• Venue
• Photographer (especially someone who knows Northwest Michigan well) Check out this post for questions to ask your wedding or elopement photographer before booking. 
• Location or lodging
• Any permits needed for public land/National Park land

Local vendors understand wind patterns, light, crowds, and backup plans — things that a Pinterest wedding checklist can’t teach you. This step alone simplifies the rest of your checklist for planning your special day. 

4. Permits + Logistics (The Not-So-Fun but Necessary Part)

(Yes, this belongs on your wedding checklist)

Many beaches, dunes, and parks require permits for ceremonies and photography. Add these to your wedding preparation checklist early so nothing feels last-minute.

Also consider:

• Parking access
• Walking distance for guests
• Accessibility (especially for parents or grandparents)

A thoughtful wedding organization checklist prevents stress later. If planning your celebration on a National Park in Michigan, head to this blog next! 

5. Build a Timeline That Leaves Room to Breathe

(Northwest Michigan rewards slowness)

Instead of stacking events, your wedding checklist might look more like:

• A relaxed morning together
• A ceremony timed for soft afternoon or golden light
• Wandering, popping champagne, grabbing food afterward

Here, timelines should follow the light and weather, not the clock. This is one of the biggest mindset shifts for couples planning here.

I talk more about how the time shift and weather impact fall weddings here. 

6. Plan for Weather — Especially Wind

Lake Michigan does what it wants. The locals know this as the ‘lake effect’. 

Include on your wedding checklist:

• Layers or shawls
• Hair pins and texture-friendly styles
• Shoes you can walk in on sand or trails
• Blankets for guests

Wind doesn’t ruin photos, it usually makes them better. It’s just something to account for. Head to this blog next if you’re planning an outdoor wedding. 

7. Be Intentional With Guest Count

When deciding what you need for a wedding here, remember:

• Smaller groups work better in natural spaces
• Some locations aren’t guest-friendly
• Intimacy is the magic ingredient here

Northwest Michigan shines with elopements, micro weddings or even wedding weekends because the environment already carries so much meaning.

8. Think Experience Over Perfection

The most memorable weddings here aren’t overly styled, they’re lived-in.

Add experience-based moments to your wedding preparation checklist:

• A beach picnic
• A coffee stop in town
• A quiet walk after the ceremony
• Time to actually be together

Photos are important, but how the day felt is what lasts.