Fall Ann Arbor Wedding on a woodsy private property
As an Ann Arbor wedding photographer, it’s always such a treat for me to photograph intimate micro weddings for couples that decide to marry on their own terms. Lindsay and David imagined a cozy woodsy wedding, and while they were considering renting a cabin in Northern Michigan for a hot second, they ended up finding their perfect wedding venue right on their property near Ann Arbor. The decision was easy – their house has a wonderful forest that looked like a picturesque Michigan dream in fall.
When brainstorming an ideal wedding day, the couple agreed on an event with their close family members without the pressures of a large wedding with a tight timeline. They enjoyed bonding time with their loved ones that traveled from near and far to witness their emotional ceremony. Lindsay and David celebrated in their own cozy backyard filled with fall Michigan colors that were beautifully reflected in their ochre and jewel color wedding decor.
Unique intimate wedding highlights
The couple set up a rustic wedding arch in the backyard, nestled in the mature tree forest. Laura of Little Workshop Floral based in Ypsilanti specializes on bespoke and mindfully curated bridal pieces and floral installations. She decorated the arch with fall blooms and added a stunning wedding bouquet along with other wedding floral pieces.
Lindsay wore an elegant BHLDN wedding dress that perfectly fit with her personality. The blue sandals by Lulus and a minimalist jewelry complimented her gown. David and his groomsman chose a simple dark gray suit paired with a dark red slim tie and a colorful boutonniere. The guests wore dark blues, ochre, tones of red and dark green to compliment the setting.
Fall Wedding portrait session near a lake
After their emotional ceremony, Lindsay put on her fluffy fur coat and we were ready to venture out for my favorite part of any wedding day – golden hour wedding portraits in a park close by. The foliage was peaking and the light was soft and shimmery. Lindsay and David are not used to being in front of the camera, so I applied simple photo prompts to warm them up while posing for their wedding portraits. They wanted to capture simple moments that would reflect on their relationship. The prompts allowed me to capture their authentic emotions while slow dancing, giggling and walking along Ford Lake.
Virginia Woolf
“And all the lives we ever lived and all the lives to be are full of trees and changing leaves…”
Fine Wedding Dinner in Detroit
The couple wanted to have a fancy dinner in the Ann Arbor area, but catered meal wasn’t an option. The couple ultimately settled on a fine dining restaurant in Detroit. The wedding party hitched a limo ride to Besa – a Mediterranean cuisine staple. They rented a private dining room rimmed with aged wine and plush furniture. The party feasted on seafood and craft cocktails well into the night.
Other Ann Arbor area Wedding Vendors and ideas for an intimate fall wedding
I have been working in the Ann Arbor area for almost a decade and I have created some great connections with local wedding vendors in the meantime. Ginny of We Adore Flowers is an Ypsilanti local who has her own flower farm right in the city. She can create beautiful complex flower arrangements, vibrant wild bouquets or even cut flowers for dinner tables (if you will host a dinner) yourself.
To accommodate a small guest count, Ann Arbor local Sweet Heather Anne makes smaller cakes too! Their cakes are delicious, unique and beautifully decorated.
If you’re considering an intimate wedding and need a caterer for a dinner at your house, Eat in Ann Arbor and Skosh are amazing options!
And if you want to spruce up your backyard wedding space even more, think of rugs, fur, string lights and candles. These elements bring in a cozy vibe, without looking overly fall-ish.
Hi lovely, I am Yana, a Michigan based wedding and elopement photographer. When you book me as your wedding photographer, you’re also booking my knowledge of stunning locations in the area. But that’s not all. I spend hours scouting new locations, researching activities and vetting vendors to be able to provide my expertise for a unique experience. I will also become your sounding board to consult ideas about your dream elopement adventure. Through all of this, we will most likely become friends and I will silently shed a tear hiding behind my camera when I witness you exchange your vows with your one and only. To book your complimentary consultation and chat about your plans, fill out the form below.
