Real Wedding | Stephanie + James

Fresh faced and fancy free, Stephanie + James’ Harbor Springs, Michigan wedding is brimming with vibrant colors and infectious summer charm. Stephanie is an absolute vision in her Vera Wang gown and James’ classic black tux is the perfect pairing (I love the way James’ shirt buttons perfectly compliment the buttons on Stephanie’s gown…such an amazing detail!) . The bright splashes of color really make this wedding special and joyful.  And I’m such a fan of simple yet high impact accessories for both the bride and groom.  Like Stephanie’s switch from ceremony veil to a fresh, floral pop of colors for her up-do at the reception…or the showcase of James’ suspender’s as the night wore on and the tuxedo jacket came off…or how about Stephanie’s custom made jeweled belt and those RINGS?! I love it all!

Stephanie + James | August 13, 2011 | Harbor Springs, MI

The Ceremony
The ceremony was located at the First Presbyterian Church in Harbor Springs, MI.  This was the church in which I grew up so it was a very special place to get married. 

The Reception
The reception was at the Birchwood Inn in Harbor Springs, MI.  Harbor Springs is my hometown and one of the most beautiful places!  It is a perfectly picturesque town located on Lake Michigan.  I always knew I would be married here and the Birchwood Inn provided a perfect setting.  We tented the double tennis courts located on the property and most of the guests stayed right at the Inn.  We wanted the wedding to be a great time for all of our family and friends.  I really wanted a lot of color and light in the tent.  The lanterns were different shades of orange and the flowers were a mix of purples, reds, yellows and greens.  Our main goal was to make the day a celebration of our love and our wonderful family and friends.  Our band was a 9-piece ensemble from Detroit called, Groove Party.  The dance floor was full all evening long!

Stephanie’s Dress Search
I wasn’t sure what kind of dress I wanted right away but I knew I wanted it to be unique and different.  I visited 13 shops in Chicago, DC and New York City.  I was able to try on a ton of beautiful dresses but it took a long time to find the right style.  From the moment I tried on the dress, I knew it was the perfect one.

How Stephanie felt in Her Dress
Beautiful, comfortable and elegant

Why Stephanie Decided To Sell Her Wedding Dress
Our wedding night was the best night of my life and being able to spend the day in such a beautiful and comfortable gown made the day even better.  Since I would never wear the dress again, I didn’t want such a gorgeous gown to sit in a closet.  The dress was cleaned the day after the wedding and is in perfect condition. It is a dream gown that will be perfect for the next bride! 

Wedding Dress: Vera Wang White | Photography: Stephanie N. Baker Photography | Ceremony Venue: The First Presbyterian Church in Harbor Springs, MI |Reception Venue: The Birchwood Inn Harbor Springs, MI |Event Planning: We planned our wedding with the help of the staff at the Birchwood Inn and our friends and family | Floral Design: Sandra Gooding Designs | Cake: Kaye and Tara