Lapeer Country Club Wedding

There’s something magical about October weddings in Michigan. The air gets crisp, the light turns golden, and couples like Bailey and Christopher choose to celebrate their love surrounded by the beauty of fall. Their wedding at Lapeer Country Club was everything an autumn celebration should be. It should be intimate, joyful, and filled with those genuine moments that make my job as a Michigan wedding photographer so rewarding.

Getting Ready in Lapeer

Bailey started her wedding day surrounded by the people who matter most. Her mom, bridesmaids, and flower girls gathered at a charming hotel in Lapeer to help her prepare for the biggest day of her life. The energy in that room was excitement, a little bit of stress (but what would a wedding be if there was not just one moment of stress involved?), and happiness.

What I loved about this hotel was the sweet little courtyard tucked away in the middle of the building. Natural light filtered through perfectly, creating the ideal setting to photograph Bailey’s wedding details. Her dress hung beautifully on the gazebo and her bouquet practically glowed in that soft early afternoon light. I love to be able to capture the details in a setting that I can relax and be a little more creative.

Details at Lapeer Country Club

Bailey and Christopher designed their wedding day so well from the location to the little decorations. Everything was so cohesive. The colors of the day wrapped it all together.

A Father-Daughter First Look

Before Bailey walked down the aisle, she wanted a special moment with her dad. We set up their first look right in front of the large windows at Lapeer Country Club’s reception hall. The natural light streaming through those windows was absolutely perfect.

I’ve photographed countless first looks between fathers and daughters, but this one hit differently. Bailey’s dad thought he’d keep it together. He really did, but the moment he turned around and saw his daughter in her wedding dress, all those emotions he’d been holding back just came flooding out. It was raw and beautiful and exactly the kind of authentic moment that makes wedding photography so powerful. I’m pretty sure there wasn’t a dry eye watching it happen.

Hanging with the Groom and His Crew

Meanwhile, Christopher and his groomsmen were the definition of laid back. These guys were relaxed, ready to have a good time, and made my job easy. There’s something refreshing about working with a groom and groomsmen who aren’t stressed about being in front of the camera. They just rolled with it, cracked jokes, and let me capture their genuine camaraderie.

The energy they brought to the day was exactly what you want. They were supportive, fun, and ready to celebrate their friend taking this big step.

An Outdoor Ceremony Led by Family

October weather in Michigan can be unpredictable, but Bailey and Christopher lucked out with a gorgeous day for their outdoor ceremony at Lapeer Country Club. The fall colors provided a stunning natural backdrop, and the temperature was perfect. It was cool enough to be comfortable, but warm enough that guests weren’t freezing.

What made their ceremony even more special was having Bailey’s uncle officiate. When family performs your ceremony, it adds this whole other layer of meaning to the words being spoken. He knew Bailey and Christopher’s story, understood what brought them together, and crafted a ceremony that felt personal and heartfelt. It wasn’t just beautiful, it was genuinely touching in a way that only family can deliver.

My Approach to Wedding Day Portraits

After Bailey and Christopher sealed their marriage with a kiss and signed their license, we moved into portrait time. This time of day is very intentional for me with timing and structure.

We knocked out family photos and wedding party portraits first. Since we were able to get individual party portraits done before the ceremony, it helped to be able to get through this time quickly and efficiently. Get everyone together, capture those important group shots, and then release them to enjoy cocktail hour. This approach serves two purposes, it gets the formal photos done efficiently, and it frees up the wedding party to actually relax and celebrate instead of sitting and waiting around for their turn in a group shot.

Then comes my favorite part of the day! Couples portraits. I saved Bailey and Christopher for last on purpose. By this time, the pressure of the ceremony was behind them, their families were happy sipping drinks, and they could finally just be together. No rushing, no crowds, just the two of them and that newlywed glow.

Golden Hour Magic at Lapeer Country Club

The timing worked out perfectly. As we headed out for couples portraits, the sun was setting and that golden light that photographers dream about was happening right in front of us. Bailey and Christopher walked through the country club grounds hand in hand, and I followed along capturing those intimate moments between them.

This is when couples finally get to breathe. They can laugh together, steal quiet kisses, and just exist in the moment without anyone else needing their attention. The sunset cast this warm glow over everything, and Bailey and Christopher looked absolutely radiant. These are the portraits they’ll treasure decades from now. This is not because they’re perfectly posed, but because you can see the genuine love and joy radiating from both of them.

A Reception Full of Love and Energy

As the sun set completely, everyone moved inside for the reception. The room was buzzing with energy from the moment guests walked in. This wasn’t one of those stiff, formal receptions where everyone sits quietly. Bailey and Christopher’s people came ready to celebrate, and celebrate they did.

The dance floor stayed packed, toasts were heartfelt and hilarious, and you could feel the love surrounding this couple from every corner of the room. These are the receptions I live for, when guests aren’t just attending a wedding, they’re fully present and invested in celebrating the couple’s new marriage.

Why Lapeer Country Club Works for Weddings

If you’re considering Lapeer Country Club for your own wedding, Bailey and Christopher’s day showcases exactly why this venue delivers. The outdoor ceremony space provides that natural Michigan beauty couples are looking for. The reception hall has those gorgeous windows that flood the space with natural light. And the grounds offer plenty of options for portraits, whether you want dramatic sunset shots or intimate moments tucked away from the crowd.

The venue handles both intimate gatherings and larger celebrations well, and the layout flows naturally from ceremony to cocktail hour to reception. As a photographer, I appreciate venues that offer variety in backdrops without requiring us to travel all over town to get great shots. The staff here are so helpful and friendly and the food is fantastic!

Capturing Your Lapeer Wedding Story

Every wedding tells a different story, and Bailey and Christopher’s October celebration at Lapeer Country Club was uniquely theirs. From her dad’s emotional first look reaction to their uncle’s heartfelt ceremony, from the laid-back groomsmen to that perfect golden hour session. These are the moments that came together to create a day that was authentically them.

If you’re planning your own Lapeer Country Club wedding and want a photographer who focuses on real moments over stiff poses (but someone who will also guide you in what to do in front of the camera) and who knows exactly when to step back and let you just be together, let’s talk! I’d love to hear about your plans and show you how we can document your day in a way that feels true to who you are as a couple.

Because at the end of the day, that’s what matters most. Not perfectly staged photos, but real memories of a day filled with love, laughter, and the people who matter most.