Mackinac Island Wedding at Inn at Stonecliffe

June 30, 2018

Mackinac Island holds a special place in Meghan and Garrett’s hearts, so it felt only fitting that they chose this magical Northern Michigan destination for their wedding celebration. Surrounded by the beauty of Lake Huron, historic Mackinac Island, and the iconic Mackinac Bridge, their wedding weekend was filled with meaningful experiences, beautiful scenery, and the people they love most.

Their Mackinac Island destination wedding took place at the incredibly beautiful Inn at Stonecliffe, located on the west side of the island with sweeping views of the Mackinac Bridge. From the moment their guests arrived, the weekend felt less like a single wedding day and more like a true Northern Michigan getaway—a chance for everyone to slow down, reconnect, and celebrate together.

A Sunset Boat Tour Around Mackinac Island

The celebration began Friday evening with a sunset boat tour with Sip and Sail. Traveling around Mackinac Island and beneath the Mackinac Bridge as the sun began to set was the perfect way to welcome everyone to the weekend.

There was something especially fitting about beginning their wedding celebration on the water. Mackinac Island is surrounded by so much natural beauty, and seeing the island and bridge from the water gave everyone a chance to settle into the weekend and enjoy being together before the wedding day arrived.

A First Look at Sunset Rock

The following morning was relaxed and unhurried—the kind of wedding morning that allows you to actually experience the day rather than rush through it.

After getting ready, Meghan and Garrett met for their first look at Sunset Rock. As Meghan walked toward Garrett, the wind moved around them and you could feel the anticipation building. When Garrett turned to see her, his eyes filled with tears and his face broke into a smile that said everything. It was one of those genuine, unscripted moments that made their wedding day so meaningful.

This is exactly what I love about photographing weddings on Mackinac Island. There are incredible locations everywhere, but it is the genuine moments between people that make the photographs matter.

Exploring Mackinac Island by Horse-Drawn Carriage

After their first look, Meghan and Garrett took a beautiful horse-drawn carriage ride around Mackinac Island. It gave them time to explore the island together, take photographs, and enjoy a little quiet time before the ceremony.

Rather than spending those hours moving from one posed photograph to the next, they were able to experience Mackinac Island together. The carriage ride became part of their wedding story—a chance to slow down, take in the scenery, and simply enjoy being married before the celebration officially began.

Wedding at the Inn at Stonecliffe

When they returned to the Inn at Stonecliffe, it was time to get married.

Meghan and Garrett exchanged vows on the back lawn of the Inn at Stonecliffe, overlooking the Mackinac Bridge and surrounded by their family and friends. The setting was quintessentially Northern Michigan: beautiful, relaxed, and completely connected to the landscape that brought them to Mackinac Island in the first place.

Their ceremony flowed naturally into an evening of celebration. Incredible food, music from Blue Water Kings, and plenty of laughter filled the evening. And, in a moment that perfectly captured the spirit of the weekend, the children ended up playing a lively game of football in the yard.

Those are the moments I love most—the ones that aren’t necessarily planned but become part of the story of the day.

Mackinac Island Wedding Photography

Meghan and Garrett’s wedding was a beautiful reminder of why destination weddings can be so special. When you bring your favorite people to a place that already means something to you, the entire weekend becomes part of the celebration.

As a Northern Michigan destination wedding photographer, I love photographing days like this—days that are full of genuine connection, quiet moments, laughter, adventure, and the kind of photographs that bring you back to exactly how the day felt.

Mackinac Island is an extraordinary place for a destination wedding, and the Inn at Stonecliffe offers an incredible setting for couples who want their wedding to feel both elegant and relaxed, surrounded by the natural beauty of Northern Michigan.

Congratulations, Meghan and Garrett. It was such an honor to spend time with you and your family and to document your incredible Mackinac Island wedding celebration. I hope these photographs always bring you back to the wind at Sunset Rock, the quiet moments on the carriage ride, the view of the Mackinac Bridge, and the joy of having everyone you love together in one beautiful place.

Much love and appreciation, Rayan

Wedding Ceremony & Reception: Inn at Stonecliffe | Hair & Makeup: On Site Bridal by Brenda | Forist: Bloom Floral Design | Wedding Gown: Jude JoWilson | Bridesmaids Gowns: BHLDN | Tent Liner and Chairs: Monstrey MacDonald | Cake: Bella E Dolce | Band: Blue Water Kings | Horse and Carriage: Mackinac Island Carriage Tours | Boat Tour: Sip and Sail with Pure Michigan Boat Cruises