A Citrus European-Inspired Style Shoot on the Shores of Lake Michigan

When creativity, bold vision and a one-of-a-kind venue come together, the result is nothing short of magic. That was exactly the case when Lauren Perrin Photo teamed up with Seamless Planning to bring this unforgettable European-style editorial to life—right in the heart of Michigan. Both Seamless Planning and Lauren Perrin Photo have traveled extensively through Europe, and this project was a reflection of that inspiration. "I have never been a trend follower personally. I love to stand out and be unique in my personal style, my photography and do something totally different. Trends are amazing, but not everyone wants that same look. So we decided to embrace the European vibe!" Lauren gushes.

Inspired by vibrant citrus tones, poppy colors and European architecture, the goal was to create an experience that felt elevated, lively and full of character. And at the core of it all? The venue. Situated just steps from the water in St. Joseph, Michigan, the venue was truly the heartbeat of this shoot. It’s not your typical wedding location—open-air, tiled floors, marble pillars and is located on the terrace outside a nursing home! That’s right—and the residents peeking out to watch the models in their bridal gowns brought a joyful energy to the entire day. Despite the cold and rainy Michigan Sunday, the space offered a European charm that transported the shoot miles away.

Two gowns were chosen for this shoot, each complementing the venue and vibe with effortless grace. The brides were styled to reflect two distinct looks—one with flowing curls to accentuate a stunning open back, and the other with a soft, romantic bun to highlight the neckline and structure of her gown. Makeup remained natural with just a touch of glam—highlighting their natural beauty without overpowering it!

This shoot played with two complementary palettes. One was warm and rich, featuring dark woods, golden tones, feathers and orange citrus. The other leaned into a cooler, more classically European vibe—whites, soft blues and sunny yellows. Together, they created visual contrast that was dynamic yet cohesive!

 

Noteworthy by Design brought a bold touch to the stationery. Given total creative freedom, they embraced the vibrant palette and created something rarely seen in Michigan weddings—proof that these colors absolutely can be elegant and inspiring!
 

The cake was a single-layer lemon blueberry beauty with simple white icing, kissed with greens and citrus accents. Lauren shares, "We wanted something that would be clean and elegant that we could include touches of green and citrus and it was DELICIOUS!"

 

 

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