Timeless Wedding at Marriott Eagle Crest | Charlotte and Eric

Weddings

Charlotte and Eric (especially Charlotte) are two of the most energetic and carefree people I’ve met and together, they sure do know how to have fun. They met at Faster Horses country music festival here in Michigan, which should have been my first clue to how fun they’d be to work with. We had a great time for their fall engagement session in Ann Arbor, so I knew their wedding day would be full of energy and excitement. With the help of Haley Makay Events, Charlotte and Eric planned a timeless summer wedding at Marriott Eagle Crest in Ann Arbor, Michigan for about 150 guests. 

We lucked out with a perfect September day in Michigan with warm weather, partly cloudy skies and no rain to speak of. Both Charlotte and Eric got ready at the hotel while we watched the wedding area surrounding the Garden Marquee get set up from their hotel room windows. Eagle Crest built a new floor-to-ceiling windows structure for weddings, called the Garden Marquee just a few years ago and it’s stunning! Half indoors and outdoors with large doors and views of the golf course and Ford Lake, it was a beautiful addition to the hotel. 

Charlotte got ready with her mom and best friends. One of my favorite moments of the day was when they had just gotten Charlotte into her beautiful Martina Liana puff-sleeved dress from Beloved Bridal, and then broke out into song, singing “Chapel of Love” by the Dixie Cups. Charlotte was twirling her dress and dancing around the room. It was such a fun moment between her and her mom. Meanwhile, Eric got ready with his dad and his groomsmen in one of the hotel conference rooms. 

Charlotte and Eric chose to do a first look so they could enjoy all the festivities and cocktail hour after the ceremony. We hung out along the hotel’s golf course in the trees for their first look after which, Charlotte showed off her dress and Eric showed off his floral print suit from Men’s Wearhouse. After their first look, we went out back for photos with their large wedding party. The timeless navy blue bridesmaids dresses and black suits for the groomsmen look great against the green grass and evergreens of the area.

Their ceremony took place on the stone pavilion nearby and guests blew bubbles after Charlotte and Eric’s first kiss! I loved what the bubbles added to the photos and atmosphere as they walked back up the aisle. The ceremony was super special since Charlotte’s brother, Jack, whom she’s very close with, married them. 

After a quick round of family photos and signing their license, Charlotte and Eric enjoyed the outdoor cocktail hour with their guests. Guests migrated into the reception room and the night kicked off with their grand entrance. The bridesmaids all walked in together followed by all of the groomsmen, which made the whole thing super high energy and exciting. It was a unique take on the traditional grand entrance in which each wedding party member is introduced one by one. But the room was never as loud until Charlotte and Eric made their grand entrance!

They went straight into their first dance as husband and wife before sitting down at the head table for speeches. Following dinner, they each danced with their parents and Charlotte also danced with her brother. Before getting down on the dance floor! And man do these to know how to get a party going. It literally took all of 3 seconds for the dance floor to be packed.

After breaking a slight sweat, Charlotte and Eric stepped away to cut their cake and snack on some ice cream sandwiches (some of my favorite photos from the day!). The rest of the night was so fun as DJ Christopher London kept the dance floor going, guests could enjoy the bonfire and yard games outside or get their groups together in the photo booth. 

From start to finish, the energy was high for Charlotte and Eric’s timeless wedding at Marriott Eagle Crest hotel in Ann Arbor, Michigan. With so many beautiful moments and a timeless, romantic style, it was such a treat to be involved in their big day. 

The Wonderful Team behind the magical event: