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Heather and Will
A Riverside Destination Wedding in St Clair Michigan

June 7, 2023

A Riverside Destination Wedding for the First Wedding of the Season? Don’t Mind if I do!

Aiden Laurette Photography | Bride and groom pose in front of St. Clair river

When you think of a riverside destination wedding, you don’t often think of St. Clair Michigan. But I am so happy that I had the chance to visit this incredible location! When Heather and Will told me that’s where there wedding was going to be and when I learned that they would be my first wedding of the season, I was nervous but so excited! Before I knew it, it was time to pack my passport and be on my way. It was honestly so breathtaking, and I am definitely going to take my family on an adventure here someday soon. The St. Clair river is one of the most beautiful bodies of water I’ve ever seen! It’s very narrow but very deep, and it was just so cool to see all the ships and boats out there while the wedding was going on.

Heather and Will got married at the St. Clair Inn, a boutique hotel that was built in 1926. The property has 42 guest rooms with 3 private cottages. It has a long and storied history (one of which includes Jimmy Hoffa) and they once held 12 weddings in ONE WEEKEND. I’m tired just imagining that, but it must have been a wild time! It is literally right on the water, and there is nothing prettier than waterfront nuptials. It just adds so much romance to the event! Although it was windy, everybody agreed that we would much rather deal with the wind than the oppressive heat that would have been there if the wind wasn’t!

Family, Friends, and Dancing the Night Away

Why a riverside destination wedding in St. Clair? Well, Heather’s parents own a cottage right on lake St. Clair. The property was completed in 1901, and is about a kilometer (or 0.6 miles) away from the St. Clair Inn. That’s where the bride and her bridesmaids got ready! It is truly such a beautiful spot, and has so much significance for Heather that it was such an honour to shoot their wedding there.

I mean it when I tell you: I have NEVER seen so much fun and dancing at a wedding reception. The minute the DJ started spinning, people were up on the dance floor and the drinks were flowing! It was so incredibly special to see the close bond that Heather and Will share with their family and friends in action on their wedding day. From close family in the wedding party to every single one of their guests, love was shining as bright as the sun all day!

The wedding was so full of unique and sentimental touches! The bridal bouquet was a work of art. It was so colourful and vibrant, which I loved because it showed just how personalized the day was in this age of monochromatic white wedding florals! Heather chose her engagement ring herself and it is unbelievably dainty and just so stunning. Also fun fact: the pearl bracelet Heather wore on her wedding day was the same one that her mother wore when she married Heather’s father. How wonderful is that?!

High school Sweethearts and Long Distance Love

Heather and Will are high school sweethearts, a fact that makes me very happy! As most of you know I married my high school sweetheart so it’s nice to see some kindred spirits! They were long distance for a large portion of their relationship, because Heather lived out West for several years. In fact, the couple is moving back out there for some career changes! Heather is pursuing her teaching career and Will is pursuing a career in firefighting.