A Lakefront Backyard Wedding in a Private Residence in Spring Lake, Michigan

Holly (27 and works in wellness) and Ryan Severance (31 and works in finance) attended the same high school, but their romance didn't blossom until years later when an impromptu meeting turned into an afternoon of wake boarding together on Spring Lake in Michigan. Since the couple share a love for the water, it was fitting that they wed on the same lake where they reconnected and where their families live. "There was never a doubt in our minds where we wanted to say 'I do,'" Ryan says of their nuptials, which were held in his parents' picturesque backyard on the lakeshore. At Ryan's special request, Holly made her entrance from across the lake on his family's boat and was escorted down the dock to the outdoor ceremony. After the couple exchanged vows, an intimate reception was hosted in an elegant, open-air tent draped in twinkling string lights. Complementing the surrounding scenery, Holly and Ryan incorporated a nautical palette of navy, green and neutrals with gold accents. Hand-crafted details like the rustic oars seating chart echoed the theme, while soft, airy blooms, organic greenery and warm candlelight infused the space with summer romance. According to Holly, the most memorable moment of the day was when the groom's ring accidentally fell into the lake. "After the wedding, we ripped the dock apart and used every method to try to locate Ryan's ring—no luck," she says. "Maybe in 50 years one of our grandkids will find it on the beach." —Samantha Meux