Northern Michigan Weddings: On the Beach at Bay Harbor

Northern Michigan Weddings: Bay Harbor Village Hotel helped transform Rich and Tonya's wedding into a weekend extravaganza

Jan 18, 2013 Lindsey Perry

Northern Michigan Weddings: The casual vibe of a summer Up North combined with the sophistication of Bay Harbor Village Hotel inspired a beachy elegance at Rich Lockwood and Tonya Wardena’s August wedding. The couple discovered the venue while enjoying Northern Michigan’s Biketember Fest. It was love at first sight when they pedaled into Bay Harbor, a harbor town nestled on Lake Michigan’s grass and sand beach shores. “As soon as we saw that beach-lake setting, we thought, This is where we want our wedding!” Tonya says. 

Bay Harbor Village Hotel helped transform Rich and Tonya’s wedding into a weekend extravaganza. Family and friends traveled from as far as Sri Lanka and California for the Thursday pig roast rehearsal dinner on the beach, Friday cocktail party, and Saturday wedding. “The three days gave us a chance to talk to everyone,” agreed Rich and Tonya. “And people love Northern Michigan, so it was a vacation for them, too.”

Pre-ceremony wedding photos captured the day’s theme with shots of the wedding party strolling Bay Harbor’s shores, sailboats bobbing in the marina background. At the wedding, bridesmaids walked the sandy aisle barefoot, and the bride followed to the mellow chords of acoustic guitarist Sean Bielby strumming The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun.” Rich and Tonya exchanged vows beneath a birch arbor at the water’s edge.

Beach-inspired accents and colors that mirrored Bay Harbor’s landscape were splashed throughout the tented, outdoor reception. Apple green napkins and seat cushions added vibrancy to navy blue tablecloths, which were topped with birchwood vases holding manzanita branches decorated by the bride with green sola flowers and spider mums. The tent’s center poles were hidden inside tree sculptures made of wood, and LED-lit branches adorned with hanging votives cast an elegant glow as the sun set. 

Guests dined on spreads prepared by the Bay Harbor specialty food and catering shop Galley Gourmet (food and service the bride described as “phenomenal”) as cocktail hour rolled into dinner, and the reception kicked off with music from the Mac Daddy Band. After Rich and Tonya’s first dance to The Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love,” Tonya changed into an apple green bridal ghagra, the traditional Sri Lankan wedding reception dress, and the wedding became even more beach casual as Rich upheld his motto, “No ties after sunset.”

This article is also available in the 2013 edition of MyNorth Wedding, For Couples Who Love Up North. Order your copy now!
 
  • Bride Tonya Wardena and Groom Rich Lockwood at their August 25, 2012 wedding. Tonya changed into an apple green ghagra for the reception.

    Bride Tonya Wardena and Groom Rich Lockwood at their August 25, 2012 wedding. Tonya changed into an apple green ghagra for the reception. (Weber Photography)

  • Guests received a slice of traditional Sri Lankan wedding cake at their table setting and were invited to feast on Galley Gourmet's dessert buffet.

    Guests received a slice of traditional Sri Lankan wedding cake at their table setting and were invited to feast on Galley Gourmet's dessert buffet. (Weber Photography)

  • Rich and Tonya's first dance to The Beatles' "All You Need Is Love."

    Rich and Tonya's first dance to The Beatles' "All You Need Is Love." (Weber Photography)

  • Flip flops, tiki torches and a beautiful bride melded a day at the beach with an elegant wedding.

    Flip flops, tiki torches and a beautiful bride melded a day at the beach with an elegant wedding. (Weber Photography)

  • Bay Harbor Village Hotel easily accommodated the 180 guests.

    Bay Harbor Village Hotel easily accommodated the 180 guests. (Weber Photography)

  • Pub tables tied with apple green linen beckoned guests during cocktail hour.

    Pub tables tied with apple green linen beckoned guests during cocktail hour. (Weber Photography)

  • Galley Gourmet served pesto, fresh mozzarella and roasted tomato crostini as hors d'oeuvres

    Galley Gourmet served pesto, fresh mozzarella and roasted tomato crostini as hors d'oeuvres (Weber Photography)

  • Driftwood-like centerpieces of manzanita branches in birchwood vases accentuated the wedding's beach theme, as did wedding colors of navy blue, apple green and sandy beige, and tree sculptures of wood.

    Driftwood-like centerpieces of manzanita branches in birchwood vases accentuated the wedding's beach theme, as did wedding colors of navy blue, apple green and sandy beige, and tree sculptures of wood. (Weber Photography)

  • LED lights and candle votives hanging from the branches amplified the elegance.

    LED lights and candle votives hanging from the branches amplified the elegance. (Weber Photography)

  • The couple exchanged vows on Bay Harbor Village Hotel's beach beneath a simple birch log arbor.

    The couple exchanged vows on Bay Harbor Village Hotel's beach beneath a simple birch log arbor. (Weber Photography)

  • The bride's brother, Sascha Wardena, carried a tasseled, Balinese-style parasol as he walked Tonya down the sandy aisle.

    The bride's brother, Sascha Wardena, carried a tasseled, Balinese-style parasol as he walked Tonya down the sandy aisle. (Weber Photography)

  • Parasols were offered to guests for the outdoor ceremony, as were water bottles and flip-flops.

    Parasols were offered to guests for the outdoor ceremony, as were water bottles and flip-flops. (Weber Photography)

  • Rich and Tonya painted the signs guiding guests between ceremony and reception.

    Rich and Tonya painted the signs guiding guests between ceremony and reception. (Weber Photography)

  • The groom and groomsmen's sand-colored suits and navy blue and apple green ties complemented the Bay Harbor setting.

    The groom and groomsmen's sand-colored suits and navy blue and apple green ties complemented the Bay Harbor setting. (Weber Photography)

  • Green paper parasols shielded Tonya and her bridesmaids from the hot August sun for photos, taken by Cory Weber of Weber Photography before the ceremony.

    Green paper parasols shielded Tonya and her bridesmaids from the hot August sun for photos, taken by Cory Weber of Weber Photography before the ceremony. (Weber Photography)

  • Rich and Tonya are loved by many with twelve groomsmen and nine bridesmaids.

    Rich and Tonya are loved by many with twelve groomsmen and nine bridesmaids. (Weber Photography)

  • White calla lilies stood out among the bridal bouquet's predominately green flowers, which included spider mums, roses and orchids from Bloom in Bay Harbor

    White calla lilies stood out among the bridal bouquet's predominately green flowers, which included spider mums, roses and orchids from Bloom in Bay Harbor

  • Rich, a home brewer, shared three of his "Motor City Gas" liquors at the wedding, including a cherry-infused vodka.

    Rich, a home brewer, shared three of his "Motor City Gas" liquors at the wedding, including a cherry-infused vodka.

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Jan 24, 2013 07:14 pm
 Posted by  kameron

Was at this wedding. Can not express how awesome & fanastic of a time we had. Just the surroundings & availabilty of shops will have us come back

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