Wedding at Bay Harbor Petoskey

Friday, February 10th, 2023

This wedding at Bay Harbor was a very special one that I was looking forward to, you could say, from the very beginning. And when I say “beginning,” I mean THE beginning. Nick called me up with the plan to surprise Julian by picking her up from the airport as she was coming home from a girls trip. Little did Julian know, he wasn’t there to surprise her with the pick up; he was there to surprise her with a proposal. If you haven’t seen the photos, you really should. There photos are filled with emotions. On that day, Nick was a man on a mission. He did such a great job pulling of the proposal, I can’t help but still smile when I see the photos.

A few months after the proposal, Julian reached out to me for some engagement photos. She looked stunning during her shoot with her white dress previewing the beauty of her wedding dress. The proposal, naturally, was a bit of a whirlwind. However, during Nick and Julian’s engagement session, I got to see a bit more of their dynamics and relationship. Julian is gregarious, charismatic, and has a huge heart. Nick is a bit more reserved; however, he is completely at ease with Julian. I left their engagement session knowing they were going to make a stunning bride and groom.

Soon, their wedding at Bay Harbor was upon us. With everything taking place near downtown Petoskey, I knew it was going to be a beautiful and memorable day. Julian got ready at the Inn at Bay Harbor while Nick got ready at his parents’ cottage nearby.

With the bride and groom ready and looking their best, it was time for the ceremony. Guests filled the pews. Considering this was an out-of-town wedding, the amount of guests who filled the pews is a testament to how much these two are loved and cherished by friends and family.

The bride walks down the aisle at St. Francis Xavier on her wedding day in downtown Petoskey.

The father-of-the-bride hugs the groom at the altar of St. Francis Xavier on her wedding day in downtown Petoskey.

The father-of-the-bride hugs his daughter at the altar of St. Francis Xavier on her wedding day in downtown Petoskey.

A bride and groom look at each other and smile on their wedding day at St. Francis Xavier church in Petoskey, MI.

A priest delivers a wedding day homily at St. Francis Xavier church in Petoskey, MI.

A couple exchange vows on their wedding day at St. Francis Xavier church in Petoskey, MI.

A couple exchange vows and rings on their wedding day at St. Francis Xavier church in Petoskey, MI.

A balcony shot from St. Francis Xavier Church in Petoskey.

A couple kisses at the altar on their wedding day at St. Francis Xavier Church in Petoskey, MI.

A couple smile as they walk down the aisle at St. Francis Xavier Church in Petoskey, MI.

A bride looks angelic for a portrait at St. Francis Xavier Church in downtown Petoskey.

After the ceremony, we headed to one of my favorite spots in downtown Petoskey for wedding photos. Despite it being quite chilly out, Nick and Julian looked great and didn’t mind snuggling up to keep each other warm.

Bridesmaids, wearing blue dresses, pose for a portrait after Petoskey, MI wedding.

Bridesmaids laugh and have fun in downtown Petoskey.

A bridal party pose in downtown Petoskey.

A bride and groom pose on their wedding day in front of color trees in downtown Petoskey, MI.

A groom holds his bride from behind for a formal portrait in Petoskey, MI.

A bride and groom walk hand in hand on their wedding day in downtown Petoskey.

A groom dips his bride and looks at her on their wedding day in downtown Petoskey.

A groom kisses the hand of his bride on their wedding day in downtown Petoskey.

A portrait of a bride and groom under the Mitchell Street bridge in downtown Petoskey.

A bride looks at her ring while the groom looks at her under the Mitchell Street bridge in downtown Petoskey on their wedding day.

A bride hugs the groom from behind under the Mitchell Street bridge in downtown Petoskey on their wedding day.

Meanwhile, guests slowly began to make their way to the wedding at Bay Harbor reception that was waiting for them. Nick and Julian snuck in the ballroom for a few photos before the doors opened.

A wedding cake is displayed the ballroom of the Inn at Bay Harbor.

A bride and groom pose at their head table at their wedding at Bay Harbor.

Once guests took their seats, it was time to party! Nick and Julian made quite the entrance! Following their grand entrance, they went straight to the dance floor to share a first dance.

A bride and groom kiss while guests watch at their wedding at Bay Harbor in Petoskey, MI.

A bride and groom kiss while guests dance around them at their wedding at Bay Harbor in Petoskey, MI.

A bride and groom closely embrace while guests dance around them on their wedding day.

A bride takes a drink while surrounded by guests on her dance floor at Bay Harbor.

A bride and groom kiss on a crowded dance floor at their wedding at Bay Harbor.

The father of the groom gives a speech while wearing a tuxedo.

A bride looks at her father-in-law while he gives a wedding toast.

Glasses are raised during a wedding speech.

The speeches were instant classics. Julian’s sisters had plenty of hilarious yet heartwarming stories from their childhood to share; stories that highlighted Julian’s personality and had everyone dying of laughter. Nick’s brothers also roasted him a bit; however, everyone who spoke of Nick also described the man of integrity he is. It was a touching acknowledgement and nod to his humble nature.