Hunter and Emily’s Bootjack wedding day was the perfect blend of party and spending time with loved ones. They planned a celebration full of meaningful touches and plenty of personality!
It’s hard to believe that we first met Emily and Hunter an entire year ago at Hunter’s cousin’s wedding. It was so fun to see family we knew from before and meet the next side of the family, as well. It’s an honor having multiple members of a family trust you with their weddings!
Getting Ready & Details
Emily and her bridesmaids got ready at an AirBnB in Bootjack just down the road from Emily’s parents’ barn. This cabin has a covered porch with wood details that work nicely for rustic style detail portraits. This was a perfect background for telling the story of Emily & Hunter’s day. I also love the huge lawn overlooking the canal; it’s the perfect place to do bridal portraits!
I had to ask Emily for specifics on Hunter’s ring – I’ve never seen one quite like it! It’s lashbrook black zirconium, domed, with a bear, moose, deer, and mountain pattern.
Emily’s mom Janine helped button Emily’s dress and arrange her hairpiece before they left for the ceremony. I love these quiet moments mother and daughter get to spend together before the ceremony.
Bootjack Barn Wedding Ceremony
Emily’s parents call this property their “happy place” and it’s easy to see why. As you pull down the driveway, all the traffic noise fades away and you’re enveloped by forest sounds as you enter a small clearing surrounded by tall pines.
Hunter and Emily opted against a first look, which made the looks they exchanged during their ceremony that much sweeter. But what really got me was the utter joy emanating from Hunter’s best man – his dad! Cue all the happy tears!
Emily’s aunt shared a reading from 1 Corinthians chapter 13.
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous. It does not brag, does not get puffed up … Love never fails.”
Finally, the rings were exchanged and they were pronounced husband and wife! Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Perrault!
Portraits at White City Beach
After the ceremony was over, the license was signed, and family portraits were over, we headed down the road to White City Beach for bridal party portraits. It was a hot, humid afternoon and I was tracking thunderstorms on the radar as Rob noted flashes of lightning in the distance. We weren’t sure how much time we would have at the beach, but we had umbrellas in the back seat if needed.
Incredibly, the rain held off for the duration of our time at White City and we ended up with a dramatic background for portraits but a completely dry bride and groom! 😂
Wedding Reception at the Bootjack Fire Hall
Bootjack Firehall is the perfect Lake Linden wedding venue with bright white walls perfect for reflecting lots of light. The large windowed garage doors lining the parking lot wall open for plenty of ventilation, which was perfect on a hot summer afternoon.
Check out the blue twinkle light canopy built by Emily’s dad! Not only did it perfectly match their wedding colors, the canopy added the perfect extra kiss of ambiance to the dance floor as the evening went on.
Something we loved at Hunter & Emily’s reception is right after their entrance they went around and did table photos with their guests. This is a great way to make sure you have a picture with each of your guests and is also actually easier for us as your photographers – everyone wants a picture with the bride and groom!
Emily only had a couple of specific picture requests for the day, but this was one of them. She wanted a picture together with her mother and grandmother featuring their wedding rings. I love this way to honor her family legacy!
Emily’s mom Janine made the most beautiful cake table for their wedding! She very firmly told me NO, she only does this for family and not as a business 😂
Hunter and Emily’s first dance was to “From This Moment” by Shania Twain. I love this song (and pretty much anything by Shania); it’s the perfect wedding song.
Emily’s father-daughter dance was to “Half The Man” by Jennifer Smestad.
Hunter shared his mother-son dance to ”Meet Your Mom” by Garth Brooks.
Evening Portraits
After dinner we headed out for a few more portraits on the Bootjack Fire Hall property. They pull the fire trucks out when the fire hall is rented out, so we made sure to incorporate a few of them in the background.
Then the party really got going as everyone hit the dance floor! I always find an excuse to join in for the line dances .. you know, to get good up close dancing portraits 😉
Remember Justin & Jessy from their 2022 wedding? Hunter was an usher in Justin’s wedding last year, and this year Justin was an usher for Hunter. It was so nice to catch up with them at the reception and hear what they’ve been up to in the last year!
Emily and Hunter wrapped up their Bootjack wedding day celebration lighting paper lanterns with their bridal party. It was so pretty to see them float up against the night sky.
And we can’t leave a wedding without getting our memory picture with the bride and groom, of course! 🙂
IN CLOSING –
Hunter and Emily, congratulations! We’ve loved getting to know you both over the last year, and were SO happy to be a part of your Bootjack wedding day. Wishing you a lifetime of love and laughter together!
Bootjack Wedding Vendors
Photography: Enjoy the VU Photography LLC
Hair: Salon 1281
Makeup: Makeup by Courtney Spencer
Officiant: Expanding Hearts
Bridal gown: Morilee by Madeline Gardner
Bridesmaids: AZAZIE
Bride/bridesmaids earrings: Lemmie Co
Catering: Lindell’s Chocolate Shoppe Restaurant
Rings: Richardson Jewelers Marquette
DJ: Dave Brotherton
Cake: Janine Beveridge
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