A weekend full of lakeside activities at Gordon Lodge culminated in a wedding ceremony overlooking the lake in Door County + celebration in the rustic, lodge setting. Chandra + Dan wanted to treat their guests to an enjoyable outdoor weekend away from the city, and judging by the cannonballs into the water, warm sunshine, and relaxed cocktail attire, I’d say they accomplished that experience with ease. Each of the people I met was more welcoming than the next, and guests were spotted walking along the shoreline, fishing, and sitting on the pier early on in the day.

Once they had said their vows, Chandra + Dan marched back up the aisle amid cheers + high fives. We then got to spend a few minutes alone for their portraits, during which time I glimpsed how relaxed + casual they became when they had the chance to sink into each others arms. Chandra is one of the sweetest brides I’ve had the chance to meet, and it was spectacular to be able to watch how much she + Dan love + support each other throughout the day – they took each others hand, kissed spontaneously, and glanced at each other as their family and friends gave heartfelt speeches as the evening progressed.

Finally, to you both, Chandra + Dan, I hope you have countless years of spontaneous moments, exciting adventures together, and as much love as you can give + receive. Thank you for the bottom of my heart for including me in your wedding weekend!

ABOUT CHANDRA + DAN

Dating: August 2008  //  Engaged: August 26, 2014  //  Married: May 23, 2015

Chandra (from Dan): Kind. Fun. Thoughtful.  //  Dan (from Chandra): Funny. Intelligent. Sweet.

Chandra: Physician Assistant   //  Dan: Entrepreneur

Engagement story: (from Chandra) Dan surprised me after dinner on our balcony on a Tuesday night. I had NO idea it was happening, even after we had been dating for almost 6 years. I was wearing a t-shirt and spandex shorts, and neither one of us remember what was actually said. Dan had an engagement ring created from several different pieces of jewelry that were passed down in his family.

Wedding style + feel: We wanted a relaxed, fun feel for our wedding. We chose bright colors (tiffany blue and coral) because it was a spring wedding. We wrote our entire ceremony, so that it would only include important the important things we wanted, and we managed to share a lot of laughs during it.

Most memorable part of the wedding day: The fact that it warmed up and the sun came out for the entire day! We were able to have the outdoor, waterfront ceremony that we had hoped for. The promises that we read to one another during the ceremony and the four corners blessing were two of my favorite parts of the ceremony. I loved the speeches throughout the night. And of course the music, both the strings during the ceremony and the band, Caleb Hawley, during the reception.

If you could change anything about the day, it would be: I should have given the hair and makeup lady an earlier “time we need to be ready.” I had built in some extra time, but we ran way over that time and I was unable to take photos before the ceremony as I had wanted to. As a result, we spent very little time at the cocktail hour.

Advice for couples planning a wedding: This sounds clique, but make it what you want it to be. For Dan and I, we wanted to have an outdoor ceremony. We wanted a location where all of our friends and family could be together. And we wanted a fantastic band and dance party. I think we accomplished all of those things, and I don’t regret or wish I could change anything!

Wedding Creatives + Vendors

Ceremony + Reception: Gordon Lodge  //  Bride’s gown: Carolina Herrera //  Groom’s attire: Trunk Club  //  Paper goods: created by the bride  //  Catering + Cocktails: Gordon Lodge  //  Desserts: Amanda Cupcake  //  Band: Caleb Hawley  //  Photography:  Laurelyn Savannah Photography  //  Assistant Photographer: Jake Anderson

(film – Portra 400, Fuji 400H, Portra 800, Ilford Delta 3200  ::  cameras – Pentax 645N, Contax RX  ::  lenses – 75mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4)