An Enchanting Wedding at Wellers Carriage House

When your wedding day doesn’t go exactly as planned, sometimes it creates the most magical moments you never could have imagined. When your Wellers Carriage House wedding day doesn’t go exactly as planned, sometimes it creates that most magical moments you never could have imagined.

Rebecca and Jeff’s wedding at Wellers Carriage House in Saline, Michigan was nothing short of extraordinary. This National Historic Register property, nestled on the banks of the Saline River, provided the perfect backdrop for a celebration that beautifully balanced rustic charm with elegant sophistication.

Getting Ready: The Bride’s Morning

The hot summer day began with Rebecca surrounded by her friends and family at the air-conditioned Wellers Hospitality House, a charming off-site bridal suite owned by the same venue. We started with them shortly after they got started with their hair and make-up. The light filtered in through the windows, creating the perfect atmosphere for those intimate getting-ready moments. Rebecca’s gorgeous and elegant flowing gown hung elegantly nearby, while her bridesmaids hang out, chat, and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.

The attention to detail was evident from the very beginning. From Rebecca’s delicate, shining jewelry and gorgeous colorful bouquet that would later complement the venue’s natural and classic beauty perfectly.

A Venue Steeped in History

Wellers Carriage House, situated on a historic ten-acre Henry Ford property, offers couples something truly unique. This timeless property appeals to those looking for a truly memorable location, and Rebecca and Jeff couldn’t have chosen a more perfect setting for their special day.

The couple chose Carriage House for their reception, and the space’s inherent character meant that minimal decoration was needed. The venue’s rustic wooden beans, light and airiness, and Rebecca and Jeff’s gold accents with pink and green wedding colors created an atmosphere that was both romantic and welcoming.

Ceremony in the Storm

Straight out from the Carriage House is the large gazebo and stone benches for the ceremony. A long path leads you straight to the head of the aisle where the couple will recite their vows and seal it with a kiss. As if on cue, just as Rebecca was preparing to walk down the aisle, the Michigan skies opened up. Luckily, I had been keeping an eye on the radar and knew that the storm was going to miss us, but it did sweep by so close. Rather than dampening the spirits of the day, the storm seemed to add an element of drama and romance to the ceremony. Rebecca was determined to just let things play out despite their officiant guiding them under the gazebo.

Rebecca and Jeff’s wedding aesthetic was had an elegant and romantic feel to it. Their color palette of pink and minty green was perfectly complemented by beautiful lillies, green linens, and so many gold accents throughout. The couple’s attention to detail showed in every element of the reception area and the wedding party attire and flowers. It was set-up so well in the reception that they just let the ceremony spot just be itself as is.

The ceremony itself was untouched in a way that it felt like it was just sitting right in a secret garden surrounded by trees. Once the ceremony was finished, we were able to get the family together in order to get the family formal portraits done before it started to rain. It started to rain as soon as we were finished.

An Unexpected Adventure: After-Dark Formal Portraits

Here’s where Rebecca and Jeff’s wedding story takes a unique turn. We’ve had so many weddings where the weather isn’t always cooperative. Rebecca and Jeff’s wedding was no different. Due to the storm and our timeline, we shot their wedding party and couple’s portraits after dark outside. What could have been a challenge became one of the most magical parts of the entire day.

My off-camera lighting combined with the venue’s gazebo and landscape lighting created dramatic, romantic portraits on Wellers’ beautiful grounds. The contrast of the warm artificial lighting against the dark Michigan evening created an almost cinematic quality to their photos. Rebecca’s dress just glowed in the light and the way Jeff looked at his new bride in that soft, dramatic light was absolutely romantic.

The nighttime portraits became some of the most striking images of the entire wedding. The best moments often come from embracing the unexpected, and Rebecca and Jeff handled the changes like champions.

Reception Celebration

Back inside the historic venue, the celebration was in full swing. The live band filled every corner of the venue with their music, creating a wonderful sonic backdrop for the celebration. The glow of the building itself surrounded by the darkness helped with the enchantment of the night. The food at Wellers was exceptional and the service throughout the evening was seamless. Guests moved between the indoor dinner hall and the outdoor gazebo where the band played, enjoying the venue’s multiple spaces. Thankfully their wedding was the only wedding on the property so there were no issues with not having enough space.

Why Wellers Carriage House is Special

Wellers’ true magic lies in how it adapts to each couple’s unique vision. The venue’s 10-acre riverside location and historic charm provide the perfect canvas for couples to create their own unique story.

Rebecca and Jeff’s story featured magical nighttime portraits, the perfect venue aesthetic, and Michigan’s beautiful natural setting.

An Enchanting Wedding at Wellers

Rebecca and Jeff’s wedding at Wellers Carriage House was a beautiful reminder that the best weddings aren’t about everything going perfectly according to plan. They’re about celebrating love in a space that feels authentic to who you are as a couple. The historic venue provided the perfect backdrop, their thoughtful details created a cohesive aesthetic, and their willingness to embrace the unexpected gave us some truly magical moments to capture.

Congratulations to Rebecca and Jeff – Your wedding day was absolutely unforgettable!

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