This was such a stunning and intimate Mackinac Island wedding! Samantha and Zack actually got engaged on Mackinac Island as well, so it was a perfect location for their wedding! It was a fun weekend full of celebrations on the island surrounded by all of their close friends and family. I loved their terracotta theme and Sam’s mom actually did the wedding flowers herself, and they were so beautiful! It was pretty cold on their wedding day, and the weather was unpredictable, because let’s be honest, you can’t really predict the weather in Michigan! You wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at their wedding portraits though. They braved it up and after it stopped raining we ran outside for their portraits!
Samantha + Zach’s College Love Story to Their Mackinac Island Wedding & Engagement
Zach and Samantha had actually met when they were in high school. It wasn’t until college that they spent the majority of their time together up until Zach enlisted in the Air Force. That’s when they realized they had feelings for each other because of the distance between them. When Zach was stationed overseas, they had a challenging two and a half years, but Samantha kept herself busy with nursing school.
Fast forward to May of 2021 when Samantha had just graduated nursing school. Zach planned a trip with their parents to Mackinac Island to celebrate Samantha’s graduation. Little did she know it was actually to propose! They went out to dinner and walked down to the beach to watch the sunset. It was a cold night so Samantha had bundled up in a jacket and Zach wanted to take a picture. Samantha was kind of confused because Zach never asked for pictures and she didn’t understand why he wanted one. Their parents were lined up to take pictures and that’s when it hit her! She looked over and Zach was down on one knee, pulls out her engagement ring, and proposed! Talk about a dreamy proposal, am I right?
And so now here we are! On Mackinac Island a little over a year later and I got to capture their beautiful wedding on the same Island where Zach proposed to Samantha! Some of my favorite parts of their day were when they read their private vows to each other after their ceremony. Samantha also had an emotional first look with her dad which was so beautiful. I also loved exploring the Island for their couples portraits. Their day was full of so much emotion, and I absolutely loved how they embraced it!
Sweet Words From Sam + Zach
“First of all, I just want to say how blown away we are by the full gallery. I thought the sneak peeks were incredible and seeing it all together now, we are just speechless. Looking back through all the photos, we are truly able to relive our wedding day. You captured all the little moments so perfectly. Your work is incredible and we are so thankful we were blessed to have had someone as incredible as you, capture and share our day with. We are forever thankful for you and will cherish these photos for years to come. You made this whole experience so seamless and we couldn’t have asked for more. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Also, your box!!! You are seriously the best such perfect little keepsakes. We absolutely loved everything and our pup, Jenny, definitely thanks you for the treat too!”
Let’s Plan Your Own Intimate Mackinac Island Wedding Next!
Inspired to start planning your own dreamy wedding on Michigan’s Mackinac Island? Let’s do it! Mackinac Island has so many beautiful venues and places where you could get married! On top of that, just like Samantha and Zach did, you can plan a fun weekend celebration on the island and explore! Mackinac Island is one of Michigan’s beauties, and I truly can’t wait to capture another wedding here! You can learn more about me here, and if you think I’d be the perfect Michigan wedding photographer for you, then inquire with me here!
Lindsay Elaine | Michigan Wedding + Couples Photographer
Come see more of Samantha and Zach’s beautiful and intimate Mackinac Island wedding below!
Wedding Vendors:
Bridal Boutique: The Wedding Shoppe in Berkley | HAMU: Astors Salon
