Private lakeside estate in coastal Michigan
A Sunset-Inspired Wedding Weekend on the Shores of Lake Michigan
J&A
J and A hosted their wedding weekend along the coast of Michigan at a private lakeside residence, where calm water, open sky, and soft shoreline light set the tone for an intimate yet vibrant celebration.
The weekend began with a rehearsal dinner and welcome party at a local bed and breakfast. The celebration culminated in a lakeside tent wedding framed by sunset-toned florals and a late-night silent disco after party.
Throughout the weekend, the photographs reflect a light-filled atmosphere and a sense of effortless joy. Moments of deep connection between the couple and their families created an emotional throughline for the celebration, while the layered experiences; abundant food, live music, and thoughtful gathering spaces, gave the weekend a vibrant, immersive energy.
J&A
Behind the frame
Planning and Design: Conradie Event Design | Photography: Chelsey Barhorst | Floral Design: Bloom Floral Design | Tent: Blue Peak Tent | Draping: Frost Chicago | Linens: BBJ | Rentals: Vivant Rentals, Gigi and Lace, Alpine Events Michigan, Table Tales Inc., Timeless Event Rental | Beauty: RC Beauty News | Cake: Sweet Details GR | Stationary: Leah E Moss | Band: Affinity Dance Band | Silent Disco: 2 Bays DJ
J and A’s wedding day unfolded along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, where the coast set the stage for a thoughtfully designed celebration centered around family and shared experience.
Guests gathered beneath a custom-built ceremony tent on the property, where a sweeping floral arch in warm sunset tones framed the couple as they exchanged vows, echoing the colors of the lake at dusk and blending soft florals with the relaxed elegance of the lakeside setting.
Throughout the day, live music and thoughtfully curated food and drink created an immersive atmosphere, inviting guests to gather, linger, and celebrate together. The result was a wedding that felt deeply personal and joyfully celebratory in a lakeside gathering designed not just to witness the marriage of J and A, but to fully experience it alongside them.
The Wedding Day
"Chelsey – I don’t know how you do it. Truly I have never seen such genuine emotion captured so so beautifully!! THANK YOU. You are so incredibly talented at what you do. You’re genuinely an artist and I am so lucky to have had you as a part of our day."
— Jane (bride)
As the evening progressed, the ceremony tent transformed into a late-night after party. Guests followed a second line back into the space to find it reimagined as a vibrant lounge and dance floor, complete with cocktail tables, layered seating areas, and a glowing disco ball overhead.
With headphones on for a silent disco, guests danced while the bar continued to flow and late-night bites circulated through the crowd. The atmosphere shifted from elegant celebration to carefree revelry as friends gathered in clusters across the lounge spaces, laughing, dancing, and savoring the final hours of the night - a fitting close to a day filled with joy, connection, and unforgettable moments.
The After Party
The wedding weekend began with an intimate welcome party hosted at a charming local bed and breakfast near the lakeshore. Tucked into the quiet rhythm of coastal Michigan, the gathering set a warm and relaxed tone as family and close friends arrived to celebrate the couple ahead of the wedding day.
As golden evening light settled over the property, the dinner became a meaningful first chapter of the celebration, giving everyone time to reconnect, settle in, and begin the festivities together before the larger events to come.
The Welcome Party
– Melissa Conradie (Conradie Event Design)
"Thank you again for all that you did to make this day special. Your work is stunning and we LOVE working with you. I can’t wait for the next one together."