Blog by Dennis Purcell of Purcell Photography
The exceptional natural setting of The Homestead Resort in Leelanau County makes it a perfect venue for romantic getaways, family vacations, family reunions, and weddings. Weddings at the Resort’s Café Manitou take place in an intimate terraced amphitheatre with the sky, bay, dunes, and islands as a backdrop. Indeed, wedding participants are surrounded by beauty in every direction. Guests are seated in a semi-circle around the couple and can experience the ceremony up close.
- Cafe Manitou Wedding Ceremony Site (photo by Purcell Photography)
This was the scene when David and Elizabeth exchanged vows on a beautiful September afternoon in a ceremony that had been several years in the making.
The couple met in early 1993 right after college in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. They were both transplants for the midwest and worked and lived briefly enjoying a season of sking. Subsequently, they dated a bit in Denver, then went their separate ways for graduate school. But in 2009, fate, otherwise known as Facebook, intervened when Elizabeth found David’s profile. They reconnected and began to correspond and then to arrange visits. This was not the easiest thing to accomplish: both are busy professionals—the bride travels extensively as the CEO of her own non-profit organization, and the groom is a busy project manager.
- Wedding Ceremoney at Cafe Manitou (photo by Purcell Photography)
But they worked out the logistics and coordinated schedules, and as they say . . . the rest is history! On one of the most beautiful summer days of the year, with a slight breeze and temperatures near 80 degrees, David and Elizabeth joined hands at The Homestead, on the patio bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.
- First Dance on Cafe Manitou Deck (photo by Purcell Photography)
David grew up in Michigan and has family in Northern Michigan. The couple loved to vacation in the area and were drawn back for their wedding ceremony. The Homestead Resort offers exactly what they wanted: a wedding in a gorgeous setting with breathtaking scenery. The view from the Café Manitou’s terrace is unmatched. Nestled above the beach, just a stone’s throw from the shore, with beautiful vistas. The couple also stated that the Resort’s staff was great and provided a stress free day.
The ceremony was an intimate affair, with the couples’ closest friends and family in attendance. David’s daughter, Sophia, made a charming flower girl. During the ceremony, Elizabeth presented Sophia with a special heart-shaped necklace to symbolize that a whole new family was being created that day.
- David & Elizabeth on The Homestead Beach (photo by Purcell Photography)
After enjoying a memorable dinner at the Café Manitou, the couple and their guests were treated to a breathtaking sunset over Lake Michigan. What a perfect culmination to an extraordinary day and the beginning of a new life together!
Lake Michigan Sunset for the Happy Couple (photo by Purcell Photography)
Visit Purcell Photography on the web at www.purcellphoto.com. The Homestead offers several romatic and scenic wedding ceremony sites as well as several reception venues for small or large weddings. Enjoy full catering service and professional planning staff to ensure a your wedding day is perfect. Call a Homestead Wedding Coordinator today at 231.334.5000.
