Chelsea & William’s Bay View at Gallagher Farms Wedding Photography highlighted all of the beautiful scenery Northern Michigan has to offer! This fun loving couple planned their wedding over Labor Day weekend. It was an exciting day shared with their closest friends and family!
I met the bride and bridesmaids at the barn on Gallagher Farms property. The barn is a great “getting ready” space that also makes for many photo opportunities. In their cute pajama sets, the girls walked through the orchards while I photographed them laughing. They then slipped into their bridesmaids dresses from Birdy Grey that were in two different shades of mauve. Chelsea put on her wedding gown from The Wedding Shoppe with help from her mom. Gallagher Farms property has SO many incredible views! We took portraits in the orchard and on the hills overlooking Grand Traverse Bay. With the girls tucked away I met with William and his groomsmen to take portraits!
Chelsea and William did not do a first look so I always make sure to take the bride & bridesmaids and groom & groomsmen portraits before the ceremony. This really helps to allow more time for bride & groom portraits after the ceremony. Whether you choose to do a first look or not we will guide you along the timeline making process for your own big day!
The ceremony at Gallagher Farms is on a hill that has a view overlooking the Grand Traverse Bay. Guests took their seats enjoying the sunshine, blue skies, and view! William walked down the aisle and waited to see his bride for the first time. Chelsea walked towards her husband to be with a huge smile on her face! With their vows read and marriage license signed the two sealed the deal with a kiss. Hand in hand, the two talked down the aisle as husband and wife in front of all their loved ones!
Following the ceremony I photographed the entire bridal party together and family portraits. Once the formals were finished it was time to focus on the bride and groom! Chelsea and William were excited to utilize the property and we got a great variety of images for them to treasure! Meanwhile, the guests were enjoying cocktail hour in and around the tented reception. When we were finished with portraits we hopped on a golf cart and zipped up to the reception area! Cocktails and appetizers were passed around while everyone mingled.
Guests surrounded the entrance of the tent and welcomed the newlyweds into the reception. I was thrilled to capture the excitement and joy on everyones faces while Chelsea and William shared their first dance together. Everyone took their seats and enjoyed thoughtful speeches by the father of the bride, maid of honor, and best man.
After a delicious dinner I took Chelsea and William just outside of the reception tent to take sunset portraits before a storm rolled through. It was so cool to watch the large thunder clouds roll in over the bay! Chelsea and William really wanted to do a sparkler send off. Right after taking sunset portraits we lined up guests outside of the tent. The guests held long sparklers while the newlyweds ran through them! The long sparklers are great so we can have the bride and groom run through them a few times before they burn out. The couple and their guests finished the night with dancing and fun!
Congratulations Chelsea and William, cheers to many years filled with love and joy!
Bay View at Gallagher Farms Wedding Photography by Associate Photographer Megan Newman