Lizzy and Bucky’s Lakeside Michigan Destination Wedding

Although Lizzy and Bucky grew up practically side by side—their mothers were best buddies in high school, their siblings were friends in grade school, and they shared mutual pals in high school—they never quite crossed paths until seven years after high school. At that time, the two first clicked at a wedding when Lizzy’s childhood best friend, Caitlin, married Bucky’s childhood best friend, Mike. “It was all fate that we met when we did,” Lizzy says. “Bucky’s mom, Mimi, passed away before I got to meet her, so I like to say she did this. Mimi brought us together.”

Weddings continued to play a special role in the couple’s lives after they connected at one, kissed at another, and became girlfriend and boyfriend at a third celebration. “We were bound to tie the knot!” Lizzy says.

They had been together for four years when one day Lizzy, a pediatric nurse, was at home sitting outside. “Tiki [our cat] came running outside with something around his neck and I immediately told Bucky how much he hates the collar,” Lizzy says. Once she took the collar off, Bucky, who works as a golf caddie, prompted her to look at both sides of the heart tag attached to it. “The other side asked, 'Will you marry us?’ and he got down on one knee, and of course I said yes!”

The Oregon-based couple decided on a destination wedding in Lake Leelanau, Michigan—a place where they spent many summers vacationing. They exchanged vows on a warm and sunny September 27, 2014, afternoon surrounded by 210 friends and family.

The couple chose Fountain Point Resort, a historic family summer resort located right on the shore of Lake Leelanau for their wedding weekend. The entire stay was filled with food and activities so guests could relax and enjoy each other’s company. “We had everything from a flower-arranging class during the day to live music and s’mores by the bonfire at night,” Lizzy says. With 19 cottages and 14 guest rooms in the main building, the resort easily allowed attendees to congregate for games or conversation. “I had friends tell me, ‘It felt like I was in the eighth grade again,’ which is exactly what we wanted to achieve,” Bucky says.

Watercolor and copper-foiled calligraphy were combined on the save-the-date cards, made by A Day in May.

A Day in May also created the invitation suites and the other day-of paper goods. Invites and maps (the bride’s favorite piece) were watercolored and foil-stamped with the copper accents.

Canvas bags painted with the word “Welcome” in gold were filled with local goodies such as Murdick’s fudge, popcorn, and bubbly. Guests also received beach towels customized with the date and place of the wedding.

Since all the beer that was served to guests over the weekend was in glass bottles, the couple decided to use signature koozies with their names calligraphed on them. The cocktail and BBQ napkins were similarly personalized and pressed in copper foil. 

The pair held their first look at the cemetery where Bucky’s mother, Mimi, was laid to rest. “I could feel the warmth of Mimi’s presence and knew she was dancing in heaven when we were all there together,” Lizzy says of what was one of her favorite parts of the day. “You could feel her smiling down on us.”

The bride wore a pleated taffeta gown by Lillen Collection, complete with a sweetheart neckline and pockets. “I thought I would go with a dress that had straps but was surprised when I tried this one on and loved it!” Lizzy says. She paired her dress with a veil from Jennifer Leigh Couture Veils and flats from her closet for dancing. Pinned to the inside pocket of her wedding dress was a ring.

Bucky sported a gray suit from The Black Tux.

For her something blue, the bride wore her grandmother’s aquamarine necklace. She also donned a bracelet by Haute Bride. 

Lizzy topped off her look with a beaded bridal belt by Ossai and a pair of sparkly teardrop earrings by Haute Bride.

Instead of picking just one maid of honor for her wedding, Lizzy decided she wanted both of her gal pals, Caitlin and Shauna, to play the part. “We are thicker than thieves!” Lizzy says of their friendship.

The wedding party consisted of the couple’s siblings—the bride’s two brothers and the groom’s brother and sister—as well as close friends. Lizzy encouraged her bridesmaids to choose their own dress. “I have been in so many weddings where the dress didn’t fit right or I never wore it again,” Lizzy says. “Some were skeptical it wouldn’t come together, but it looked great and everyone felt great, too!”

The groomsmen wore matching gray suits from The Black Tux. “Everyone wanted to keep them,” Lizzy says. “Easiest rental ever.”

The bride and groom’s initials were incorporated into the soft pink watercolored design of the ceremony programs.  

A vintage metal gazebo from Fancy Fray was adorned with bittersweet vines, full clusters of pepper berries, and peach and blush pink flowers.

To celebrate the relationships in their lives, the couple had their friends and family participate in the service. “We had our siblings walk their spouses and kids down the center aisle along with our parents,” Lizzy says.

“Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole played while the families took their seats. “Bringing our families together was very special for us,” Bucky says. “There is a lot of history between our parents, and it felt like we were meant to be.” The members of the bridal party walked along the outside of the chairs to “You’ve Got the Love” by Florence and the Machine and stood on their respective sides.

A seat in the front row was left open to honor Bucky’s mother. It was decorated with a scarf she knitted and a picture of her and Bucky, who placed a bouquet of flowers on it as he walked down the aisle.

Lizzy and her father, Bob, entered to “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder—“a moment both of us have dreamed of our whole lives.”

A close friend of the bride’s mother married the pair beneath a towering maple tree. The couple’s sisters-in-law and brother-in-law read “A Chinese Poem” by author unknown and “Why Marriage” by Mari Nichols-Haining. The bride and groom then exchanged vows they had written just prior to the wedding and reflected on old love letters from when they were dating long distance.

The newlywed couple recessed hand-in-hand down the aisle followed by their bridal party to “Moondance” by Van Morrison.

The Artistic Quill calligraphed the escort cards on pieces of paper that were printed to appear watercolored—a recurring theme in the stationery. 

Musicians Mike Moran and Jonny Tornga played some of the couple’s favorite tunes, while guests sipped on Leelanau lemonade and snacked on chive gougères and sweet and spicy caramelized nuts.

Overlooking the lake, a clear-top tent from Special Events Rental was strung with globe lights for guests to enjoy their drinks and the view.

A tent draped with natural-toned, gauzy fabric accommodated guests for the reception. Three oversized chandeliers were hung down and adorned with seasonal birch branches, moss, and smilax vine. 

Self-standing wooden blocks were hand-numbered in white to guide guests to their designated table.

There were three different types of tables: round tables covered in a green, faux suede linen; square tables covered in a natural cotton linen; and elongated wooden farm tables, each decorated slightly differently.

Small, eclectic arrangements were placed down the center of the farm tables. A mix of pepper berries, seeded eucalyptus, amaranthus, herbs, ferns, pods, and succulents were included with flowers and nonfloral components such as feathers, artichokes, and kumquats. Pillar, taper, and votive candles were interspersed amongst the other components, many of which were perched on wood slabs.

Pops of color came courtesy of anemones, spray roses, locally harvested dahlias, and zinnias. 

Each table setting consisted of a rattan charger plate, copper flatware, and delicate glassware. A mustard-colored cotton napkin was rolled and secured with a hammered copper napkin ring, and tucked inside was a preserved lemon leaf calligraphed with each guest’s name.

Michael “Mad Dog” Mavridoglou, a friend of the couple, put together a band and played everything from classic rock to modern jazz.

Guests enjoyed a plated course of arugula with Leelanau cheese raclette, heirloom tomatoes, crispy pork belly, and cider vinaigrette prepared by Epicure Catering. Local marinated grilled beef tenderloin with mushroom ragout and Lake Superior whitefish with garden pesto were also served with Bardenhagen Farms Hasselback potatoes and sautéed green beans with marcona almonds.

As a late-night treat, sliders on brioche were served with house-made fries.

Bella e Dolce, a local baker, made various desserts including cake truffles, cookies, mini cupcakes, French macarons, and specialty desserts.

The spotlight shone brightly on the newlyweds as they danced their way to “Only Love” by Ben Howard. “Our song was so beautiful and romantic and fit us perfectly,” Lizzy says of the tune by a musician she and Bucky discovered the summer of the wedding.

Photography: Jeremy Harwell of Harwell Photography

Location: Fountain Point Resort

Event Planning and Stationery: A Day in May Event Planning & Design

Catering: Epicure Catering

Videography: Coastline Studios

Flowers: Field of Flowers Farm

Calligraphy: The Artistic Quill

Cake: Bella e Dolce

Music: Sylvia Norris [harpist]; Mike Moran [cocktail hour]

Rentals: Special Events Rental; Fancy Fray

Hair: Sara Salisbury

Makeup: Mary Yoder; Katie West

Lighting: Special Events Rental

Transportation: Celtic Shuttle & Tours