An Intimate, Garden Wedding at the Inn at Stonecliff on Mackinac Island, Michigan

A shared work conference and one interrupted conversation led Michele (34 and a sustainability coordinator) to Stephen (42 and a weatherization consultant). "Our first encounter was actually when I interrupted a conversation that Steve was having," Michele says. "There was a raffle and in order to enter, I needed a signature from each representative. He was the last one I needed and I later won!" The two spoke briefly after the event and quickly exchanged business cards before eventually going their separate ways. "The next day Steve contacted me, a month later we had our first date and six months after that we were engaged," Michele says. "He proposed to me on the morning of our six month anniversary!" For their Mackinac Island wedding at The Inn at Stonecliffe, the bride wore a strapless Jenny Yoo dress while her groom serenaded her with a ukelele performance as she walked down the aisle. "Mackinac is my most favorite place and I wanted to share my love for the island with Steve who had never been there," Michele says. "It was the perfect venue for us since it's located in a secluded area, has a view of the bridge and it has a private woodland area complete with flowers and a fountain." Thanks for the inn's vast green lawn, the couple knew they wanted to use a neutral color palette that would ultimately highlight the venue's natural beauty. White peonies and blush roses made up the bouquet, while simple reception decor was set up on the inn's covered veranda. "Our wedding was simple and intimate and the mood was completely calm and comfortable," the bride explains. "Each one of our guests played an important part in our ceremony and we'll cherish those memories forever."