Sophisticated Sunset: WeddingDay’s Exclusive Southwest Michigan Cover Shoot

Photos ByWeeping Willow Photography

Written By

Date

January 17, 2025

The Vision

Autumn is usually a time for muted or jewel-toned colors that complement the beautiful change in leaves. For our Southwest Michigan cover shoot, Gina of Sugar on the Rim Events wanted to take a different approach to fall weddings. “I wanted to show how fall can be bright and fun just like spring and summer,” she explains. “I wanted to highlight how perfect yellow can be in fall. Bringing in the sunshine that we lose in the fall.” We love the way Weeping Willow Photography captured the stunning array of yellow and orange shades used throughout this shoot!

The Venue

Finding the perfect venue for this cover shoot was easy! Twin Gables Event Center is a modern-style barn that was transformed into a blank slate for any wedding style, which was perfect for this shoot's vision. Gina shares, “I wanted to showcase it in a way that anyone can have an event here whether rustic or classic. Every style can fit within this space.” The team ended up dreaming up an elegant event, which looked beautiful against the wooden details of the venue. One of our favorite details in the reception area is the opulent chandelier that elevates the space even more!

The Décor

Many sophisticated décor rentals were used to build this elegant sunset-inspired wedding, several of the items coming from AAYS Event Rentals. Some key pieces used to create this opulent atmosphere included elegant glassware, golden accents, black chiavari chairs and numerous candles. Our favorite additions are the mini gold table lamps that help create a dramatic mood! We also love the draping and elegant tablecloths, too. That burnt orange linen on the sweetheart table is the perfect shade for this sunset celebration!

The Florals

The floral designs in our sunset-inspired shoot were absolutely perfect thanks to the talented Snapdragon-Designs. “Chandra did such a beautiful job on the flowers. She chose the perfect colors and textures,” Gina raves. “The terracotta roses and the yellow mums were the perfect addition to the day. The arch popped out perfectly against the natural green of the outdoor ceremony space and was the perfect backdrop for the sweetheart table.” We also love the beautiful centerpieces in those stunning golden vases!

The Looks

Let’s talk about the beautiful couple in this shoot! We absolutely love the way the groom’s orange tie complements the palette and pops against his light tan suit. And the bride is simply stunning in both the gowns from Annie Lane Bridal! The ceremony dress is a sleek satin gown with a plunging neckline and lacy open back. The long sleeves are perfect for the chilly autumnal evenings, while the back detail still gives it a bit of edge. We also love how this look ties in the Western feel of the venue without being too rustic. The reception gown is a fairytale-style a-line dress with a romantic yet modern puff sleeve. We are obsessed with the pearls all over the bodice and the exposed boning, which is so popular right now. Wild Rose Hair Artistry styled her hair in a timeless yet modern bun with face-framing pieces that complemented both dresses perfectly. As for makeup, Thee Makeup Team accented her natural beauty with subtle eye shadow and a warm peachy lip. It was the perfect look for this fall-inspired cover shoot!

The Cake

There is a simple elegance to this two-tier cake that Froehlich’s designed for our cover shoot! To emulate the sunset, they created a stunning orange icing that merges with the classic white icing. We love the addition of the little gold band around the lower tier and the flowers carefully placed all over the cake. Gina raves, “The cake was not only beautiful but delicious. Which is really what you want in a cake!”