Fall Castle Farms Wedding

December 2, 2024

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There’s something about northern Michigan in October. The kind of crisp light that feels like it’s been waiting all year to show up just for you. That’s what it felt like at Christina and Wiley’s Castle Farms wedding. No fluff. Just that sharp, golden sun bouncing off Lake Charlevoix and a group of people fully showing up for their friends.

Christina got ready with her bridesmaids at a lakeside Airbnb, music playing, coffee flowing, sun spilling in through every window. The vibe? Chill but electric. The kind of morning where everyone’s in sweats but also aware that something big is happening.

One of the more beautiful pauses of the day: a quiet first look with her dad. Not staged, not forced. Just a father seeing his daughter in a white dress for the first time, and taking a beat to feel it all.

Then it was off to Petoskey. The drive alone felt cinematic—trees throwing shadows across the road, the lake peeking through here and there. At St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Wiley waited. And when Christina walked in? He cried. Not the kind of tears that need a spotlight—just a guy overwhelmed by the sight of the person he loves walking toward him.

With some space before cocktail hour, we took a detour to Lake Michigan Shores Roadside Park. The sky and water were in sync, this deep moody blue that made everything else feel even more vivid. The wedding party climbed rocks, kicked off shoes, breathed in the lake air. It wasn’t about the photos—it was about just being there.

Before heading into the chaos of celebration, Christina and Wiley stood on the edge of Castle Farms, facing each other. No audience. No agenda. Just the two of them sharing private vows, arms wrapped around each other. That moment? That was the whole point.

Castle Farms brought the kind of fairytale backdrop you’d expect, but it never overpowered the people. They greeted guests during outdoor cocktail hour, fully present, the late afternoon sun still hanging on. Inside, dinner turned into dancing. There were stories. Big laughs. People holding each other a little longer than usual.

It’s easy to get swept up in the logistics, the timelines, the checklists. But this day wasn’t about any of that. It was about presence. About knowing when to slow down and look someone in the eye. About living fully in the moment, before it becomes a memory.