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Belle Isle Wedding at Dossin Great Lakes Museum | Ashley and Jack

Weddings

Ashley and Jack’s stunning Belle Isle wedding at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum was a whimsical day, perfect for their love story. Ashley and Jack met as docents through the University of Michigan’s Natural History Museum. Jack had recently graduated while Ashley was finishing up school and they met during a docent’s event floating down the Huron River in Ann Arbor. Their tubes were tied together and so they spent the whole day tied at the hip (literally) and by the end of the evening, they didn’t want it to end. 

And it didn’t end. The next week, they went on their first “official” date. Both knowing Jack would be moving to Wisconsin in just a few months to pursue his Master’s degree, they decided nonetheless to make the relationship work long distance. Fast forward 4 years and Jack proposed to Ashley while the two of them were home celebrating New Years, just the two of them, during the pandemic. 

When it came time to plan their wedding, a museum venue was a must since they have a museum to thank for the start of their relationship. Ashley and Jack also both grew up going to their family’s cabins on Lake Huron and share a love for the water, the outdoors and the Great Lakes. All of which means the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Detroit’s Belle Isle was the most perfect venue for them. 

They each got ready with their small wedding party at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. Then Ashley and Jack saw one another during their first-look out on the Detroit riverwalk. From there, the three of us made our way to Belle Isle for some photos before quickly meeting with their wedding party. 

With the most perfect sunny summer day, Ashley and Jack said “I do” on the museum’s outdoor patio area overlooking the Detroit River. After their intimate ceremony and some family photos, it was time for their reception in the museum’s Grand Gallery. Playing into the museum’s nautical nature, their slightly boho blue and beige wedding decor was the perfect compliment to the space. I loved their unique centerpieces and floral arrangements with bunny tail and eucalyptus and a pop of blue from Petit Fleur Events. And my favorite little touch? The dinosaur cake topper on their wedding cake! How fun! 

After dinner, Ashley and Jack cut their cake and shared their first dance before taking over the dance floor with their friends. While their guests kept the party going, I later snuck away with Ashley and Jack for some last Belle Isle couple photos to take in the day. We went into the fields near the Belle Isle Lighthouse and even though the clouds covered the day’s sun, these evening-time photos are some of my favorites to date. During summer weddings, with the longer days, sneaking away during the reception for a few more photos is a great way to get 15 to 20 minutes to the two of you to really soak in the day. These photos are always some of my favorites of any wedding day. Like Ashley and Jack were, at this point in the day, you’re relaxed, the nerves have passed, and you’re MARRIED so it’s just fun and special all around – a perfect little celebration away from your guests. 

Ashley and Jack’s boho blue and beige Belle Isle wedding at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum was a perfect example of a wedding designed with intimate and intentional details about the couple. Summer weddings, with longer daylight hours, offer lots of opportunity for an outdoor waterfront ceremony, wedding day photos around Belle Isle and my favorite, evening or sunset photos during the reception. There’s something so wonderful and dreamy about a Michigan summer wedding. 

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