Two summers ago, I had the pleasure of attending my friend Craig’s gorgeous wedding on the shores of Lake Michigan. Take a Vermont wedding (red barn, white fences, open field–fitting for two Middlebury grads), then add a twist of lakeside rustic chic (mason jar favors, chalkboard menus, burlap tablecloths), and you’ve got this memorable gathering. I’m a sucker for details and because the bride is a painter, this wedding went above and beyond with creativity! I literally couldn’t put my camera down.
The morning of the wedding, my husband and I visited the amazing Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. I’ve seen plenty of dunes on the Cape and Nantucket, but this place begs an entirely new definition of the idea. It’s hard to portray the sheer scale in photographs, but the small white spot above is a person hiking up a dune. I loved the undulating landscape that creates a powerful, wavelike mix of sand and sky. The entire area is gorgeous, including historic Fishtown, home of the Village Cheese Shanty‘s famous Pretzel Bread Sandwich and the greatest lunch deal that this New Yorker has ever seen. If anyone finds themselves in this part of the world, these spots are a must visit. If you don’t ever find yourself here, you’re missing out on a national treasure! Happy Friday!
Dune Walk, Lake Michigan, 2010