Interlaken Resort Michigan Wedding in October – Chaz + Alison

There is not enough I can say / gush about Chaz and Alison’s October wedding at Interlaken Resort! They designed their wedding to be a day centered around their guests and celebrating family. Their intimate Upper Peninsula fall wedding was a day full of love, laughter, and tears.

(Spoiler alert – at least a few of those were mine.)

As I mentioned in their engagement session post, Alison and Chaz are the type of people that you just know were meant to be together. They struck us from the beginning with just how genuinely kind and caring they are – and meeting their closest friends and family last week showed us that’s just the type of people they come from and surround themselves with.

Their Story:

Chaz and Alison met at a work event, and their relationship started after Alison left him a Post-It note with her number. They spent much of their courtship writing notes to each other which they saved and were sure to tie in throughout their wedding day. We love when couples include details like this in their wedding!

Although both are from the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, the UP holds lots of dear memories for their families. Chaz’s family has hunting property in Newberry, which was a fun coincidence because my family has property just down the road too! (Cue singing: “It’s a small world after all …”) They love camping and exploring all over Michigan, and selected Interlaken Resort in McMillan, Michigan for their wedding.

October Wedding at Interlaken Resort Michigan

It was a beautiful October day, sunny with intermittent clouds but unseasonably warm – which we’ll never complain about in autumn. We know what is coming soon enough! 😉Chaz and Alison reserved all of Interlaken Resort for their wedding weekend. This was such a nice touch for so many reasons! Of course, it was super kind to make sure no one had to search around for lodging. It was also really convenient for everyone to help set up the ceremony and reception areas.

Blush Wedding Details & Getting Ready

Alison and Chaz’s wedding was the epitome of intentional, simple elegance. They opted to forego having a large bridal party, and instead tied in special pieces and mementos throughout the day with nods to their family and friends.

I loved the simple white and blush color scheme – it was SO easy to photograph and everything came together beautifully. Give me white roses and lace dresses to photograph any day of the week and I’ll be in seventh heaven!

Alison used her bouquet as another nod to family. She wrapped her bouquet in two fabrics – her grandfather’s white handkerchief and a memento from her nephew who passed as an infant.

Alison has a close knit family that reminds me of my own. She and her mother Tracy are the best of friends and it was so fun to spend the morning with them!

Chaz and Alison opted not to have a first look before the ceremony, but they did send each other gifts ahead of the ceremony. Chaz designed a custom canvas with the locations and dates of the special moments in their relationship – meeting at work, proposing exactly two years later, and their wedding day.

Alison gifted Chaz a watch inscribed “From a Post-It note to the end of time.”

Their officiant Mike was Chaz’s neighbor growing up, and Chaz lovingly refers to him as a second father. Mike helped Chaz get ready Saturday morning amidst plenty of laughs!

Chase’s pocket kerchief was in remembrance of his niece.

Father – Daughter First Look at Interlaken Resort Michigan Before Wedding

Alison chose to have a first look with her father Kevin ahead of the ceremony. We LOVE photographing these types of first looks as well – although I cry pretty much every time! (I had one with my dad before our wedding in 2011 and I’ll never forget the proud, emotional look on my dad’s face.)

Their first look took place outside of Alison’s getting ready cabin, and just down the hill from where their ceremony would take place. We made sure Chaz stayed in his cabin a little ways across the road during the half hour this was scheduled so there was no chance of him seeing her from up the hill!

Intimate Fall Wedding at Interlaken Resort in McMillan MI

The Upper Peninsula Michigan Interlaken Resort is a perfect wedding venue! The property is plenty large enough for guests to relax and enjoy the morning before the ceremony without worrying about bumping into the bride ahead of time. There are multiple locations perfect for a wedding ceremony. Chaz and Alison decided to wed at the top of the hill overlooking the lake. It was the perfect spot for an early October day!

After Alison and Kevin reached the end of the aisle, both families gathered together for a moment of prayer.

The Post-It note theme continued when Chaz opened his vow book to reveal a string of sticky notes! It was the perfect light-hearted moment!

Fall Bridal Portraits at Interlaken Resort Michigan Wedding

Wedding Reception at Interlaken Resort in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Interlaken Resort’s reception hall stands at the bottom of the hill overlooking the lake. The white walls and ample windows made photographing their setup so easy!

I have to take a minute to talk about this cake. Alison’s sister Leigha baked their wedding cake in a CABIN the day before. I couldn’t bake a cake that perfect in my own kitchen – let alone when I’m away from the tools I’m used to! Such talent!!

Chaz and Alison’s wedding was catered by Rustic Pub and Grub and included hot food of cheesy potatoes, pulled pork, and Lake Superior Whitefish. (Alison’s favorite!) It’s a family-run catering business. Everyone was totally blown away by their attentiveness and service.

The card table had a framed set of Post-It notes between Chaz & Alison. Their guest book included space to add notes on Post-It notes as well. Such fun touches!

Alison and Chaz selected wedding favors of custom mugs with jars of hot cocoa inside. Although not pictured, they personally went around and handed the mugs out after dinner to thank each of their friends for coming.

Reception by the lake: FIrst dances and portraits

Alison requested we make sure to get a picture with everyone in front of Manistique Lake. I love when brides do this because I didn’t think to request this for our wedding. What a perfect way to document a special day with the people you love most!

The pair had their first dance as husband and wife to I Get To Love You by Ruelle.

As the afternoon progressed the sky clouded over, so I suggested we forego sunset portraits since there wouldn’t be much of a sunset. Instead, Chaz and Alison were game to wait until dark so we could get some really fun nighttime portraits! We love having time to be creative with our gear. I forgot how much I missed doing these! The Upper Peninsula has late sunsets (9:30-10 p.m.), so we end up leaving before dark for most of our summer weddings.

In Closing:

Chaz and Alison – thank you for allowing us to be a part of your wedding day! We felt like family from the moment we walked through the door until we hugged you goodbye before leaving. They say you become like the 5 people you spend the most time with. We’d say the 50 you brought together to celebrate your wedding with you are all clear representations of that! Sending all the hugs! <3

Upper Peninsula Wedding Vendors

Photography: Enjoy the VU Photography LLC
Bride’s dress: David’s Bridal
Hair / Makeup: Andrea Burger
Cake: Leigha Campbell
Venue: Interlaken Resort
DJ: Curt Taylor
Catering: Rustic Pub and Grub

In Their Own Words: