Lake Michigan Elopement

LAKE MICHIGAN ELOPEMENT

When I arrived to scout a location for for Kellie and Todd’s Lake Michigan elopement, I almost lost my shit. Because instead of the chill beach I had visited just a month ago, it was crawling with people. Like, the car I parked next to was blasting some Billie Eilish and while I love “Bad Guy,” it isn’t exactly the vibe I was hoping for.

In Kellie and Todd’s inquiry email, they told me that their priority was to marry each other and that they totally trusted me to figure out the rest.

So I did.

With just a few minutes to search Oval Beach for a spot that offered a modicum of privacy for their wedding and didn’t include too many neon bikinis or screaming children, I stumbled upon an overlook above the beach itself with a stunning view of the Lake Michigan sunset. I guarded that spot until the couple arrived with no-nonsense don’t-even-think-about-it glares at onlookers.

The ceremony was short and sweet. I led Kellie, Todd, and their parents in a short centering moment and invited the couple to share their vows. Their words were stunningly similar although written independently and total proof that they are perfectly matched.

After their first kiss, applause broke out on the beach and I realized that we had an audience that was totally hidden below the overlook.

We couldn’t stop laughing.

After a quiet moment away from the crowds exploring the dunes, we headed back to our spot to sign the marriage license. Without a table, the couple signed on their new spouse’s back and I don’t know why, but that gave me chills.

Kellie and Todd brought a blue tooth speaker and had their first dance as the sun slowly sunk beneath Lake Michigan and the crowds began to disperse. It was the perfect end to a imperfectly perfect evening.

One of the things that I mentioned during Kellie and Todd’s elopement ceremony was that Weddings, Marriage, and Life all have the following in common:

Things will not go according to plan, but having your person by your side grounds you in the midst of chaos. Ultimately, that’s all that matters.