I had the privilege of shooting Allie and Ben’s engagement, but more recently also photographed their elopement on top of Sugarloaf Mountain. Even though it was unexpectedly 84° in October, everyone made the hike with such excitement. Not exactly the weather the Upper Peninsula of Michigan gives us that time of year, but honestly, it made the day even more memorable!
Getting Ready on the Mountain
Once everyone reached the top, we all took a much-earned breather. It was sooo peaceful at the top with their closest loved ones: Allie’s parents, Ben’s mom, Ben’s sisters, and their closest circle of friends.
Allie’s best friend Jaime was her maid of honor, and Jaime’s husband, John, officiated with their daughter, Julianna, as the flower girl.
Both Julianna and Jaime changed into their dresses right before Allie stepped into hers. Meanwhile, I photographed all the details, her dress, the rings, the views (which were unreal looking over Marquette!), and a few portraits of Allie before the ceremony.
Ben came up the mountain a little later with his best friend as his best man. Once he arrived, Allie and Jaime hid on a different part of the overlook so Ben wouldn’t see her until the ceremony. He really wanted the first moment he saw her to be when she walked “down the aisle,” and it made the entire thing feel all the more emotional.
A Short and Sweet Ceremony
Allie’s dad walked with her as she made her way over the rocks toward Ben. The ceremony was simple and sweet, nothing fancy, just a really beautiful moment on Sugarloaf Mountain.
Once they said ‘I do’, they played a song and had their first dance together right there on Sugarloaf Mountain. Allie surprised her dad with a dance right after, and you could feel how much it meant to both of them.
The Perfect Wedding at Sugarloaf Mountain in Marquette
After the ceremony, everyone took a few minutes to snack, cool off, and enjoy being together on Sugarloaf. Then we moved into portraits, and Loretta (Allie and Ben’s dog), was right there with us. She hung out the entire day, walked around checking on everyone, and somehow had more energy than the rest of us, even in the heat. She means the world to them, so having her there felt exactly right.
The sun began to set at Sugarloaf Mountain, and the sky turned into a beautiful soft pink with the moon sitting above the trees.
Allie and Ben are so comfortable together, and you can tell that they’re best friends first, newly married couple second. Being around them and photographing their engagement and elopement felt more just like hanging out with two people who genuinely love living in the moment as much as they love each other.
Congratulations, Allie and Ben!
The Vendors
- Photography: Kristina Sobel Photography
- Florals: Lutey’s Flower Shop (Marquette)
- Hair and Makeup: Kelsey Jordan at Profiles In Hair Design (Marquette)
- Dress: Timeless Bridal Boutique (Hudsonville)
- Suit: Men’s Wearhouse
- Loretta’s Bow: Amazon
