We are reminiscing on Katie and Zach’s lakeside Michillinda Lodge wedding, and we are so ready to share more about what made their day so great! The planning for this wedding was some of our best yet. With multiple events spanning over three days, we were able to create multiple designs and accommodate the unique style of the couple. There were so many moving pieces, as we were jumping between two different venues that were just a short drive apart, Michillinda Lodge and Buzz’s Lakeside Inn.

Katie and Zach were so trusting with us and let us really push our creativity and design, which makes our job so much fun! A subtle theme that we incorporated in every event was a fruit element. If guests looked closely, they would find some sort of fruit in the décor at all of the events. Another consistent design element that we kept with each event was copper signage and elements throughout.

The weekend started off on Saturday with a ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner with bridal party, followed by a welcome party for their guests to end the night. The rehearsal dinner was held at Buzz’s Lakeside Inn where we really embraced the nautical vibe with blues and whites.

The welcome party that followed at Michillinda Lodge took a big design turn and brought in bright floral linens. This event really reflected the couple in that we incorporated gold cat figures in their design for their love for cats! The centerpieces on the tables were framed print outs from their favorite book which were lost words in the English language. And again, we used our favorite copper signage and copper frames. Guests were able to devour an extensive dessert bar and signature cocktails at the party.

The following day was wedding day! A gorgeous ceremony looking over Lake Michigan at Michillinda Lodge and a tented reception right by the water at Buzz’s Lakeside Inn. Kaci at Damsel Floral created an amazing floral covered copper arbor that was the perfect addition to the wide open lake view!

Upon arriving to the ceremony, guests were greeted with champagne garnished with dried flowers.

In order to soak in every bit of the view (both the couple and the lake), we set up an intimate curved style seating that really welcomed guests into the ceremony.

Guests then took the trolley to Buzz’s Lakeside Inn for a tented reception that housed so much texture, color, food, and music. With a mix of round and rectangle tables and farmhouse chairs, we were able to create a unique layout with a soft seating area in the middle. Floral was full of color, texture, and movement.

The place cards for guests to find their seats even housed a little surprise for guests. We made English poppers, which are a tradition in Katie’s family, filled with paper crowns and temporary tattoos of cats.

Another element of fruit we used were individual bowls of blueberries at each place setting for guests to enjoy as they found their seat. Decorative bowls of fruit were also incorporated into the centerpieces.

Barfly Catering really delivered in the food department, with charcuterie boards at every table, decadent hors d’oeuvres, and a taco bar.

The Jerry Ross Band brought the party and kept the dance floor packed the entire night!

Something so special that started as just a crazy ideal was fireworks to end the night. It seemed out of reach to pull off, but we made it happen! And guests were treated to a celebratory fireworks show when the sun went down.

To end the weekend, we celebrated with a red, white, and blue themed brunch being that it was Memorial Day.

The Design Team
Planning and Design: All Buttoned Up Events
Photography: Alyssa Mcelheny Photography
Videography: AG Films
Venues: Michilinda Lodge and Buzz’s Lakeside Inn
Hair and Makeup: Hanna Wagner
Rentals: Taylor Rental, Events by ICandy, Gigi and LaClede
Floral: Damsel Floral
Food and Dessert: Bar Fly Catering & Nantucket Bakery
Band: Jery Ross Band
Linens: Special Occasions Linens