Bay Pointe Woods Wedding Overflowing with Love, Legacy, and Light

i do {weddings}

A fall Bay Pointe Woods wedding in Shelbyville, Michigan, featuring white and sage details, black-tie elegance, and heartfelt family legacy. Photographed by Kari Dawson + Co.

A Fall Bay Pointe Woods Wedding in Shelbyville, Michigan, Captured by Kari Dawson + Co

The October sun poured over Bay Pointe Woods. Its light glided across the modern white barn and soft green grounds as Malea and Dawson promised forever. The day was unusually warm for Northern Michigan, the air gentle and golden. Surrounded by the people who shaped their story, their wedding carried both the joy of new beginnings and the quiet ache of memory. It was a reflection of love that has endured time, distance, and loss.

Bay Pointe Woods Wedding Venue

Bay Pointe Woods, nestled near the lakes of Shelbyville, Michigan, is one of the area’s most beautiful hidden gems. Couples who want a destination-style wedding without leaving the state will love it here. The venue blends clean white barn architecture with warm wood beams and peaceful forest views. It offers a serene mix of rustic comfort and modern elegance. As part of the Bay Pointe Inn family of properties, the service is exceptional, and the lakeside setting is unforgettable. It was the perfect match for Malea and Dawson, who wanted a day that felt both intimate and refined.

From Float Parties to Forever

Dawson and Malea’s wedding mirrored their personalities, calm, connected, and deeply rooted. Their story began in high school, when Dawson attended float parties at her home. Years later, that same easy affection still defines them. Their love doesn’t need an audience to feel profound. The weather gave them a rare gift for October, a full day of sunshine that seemed to bless every moment.

Groomsman gift of personally monogrammed soft coolers.

Sage, Ivory, and Black: A Modern Take on Fall Elegance

Inside the venue, floral designer Kathy DeBruin created a lush display of white blooms and trailing greenery. Her work paired beautifully with the soft sage bridesmaid dresses from Azazie Bridal. The mix of white, green, and black gave the day a timeless and editorial finish. Malea’s bouquet of ivory blooms reflected her quiet elegance. Dawson and his groomsmen wore classic black from Todd’s Clothes, a look that added depth and balance to the fall palette.

A warm fall Bay Pointe Woods wedding in Northern Michigan with sage and white details, emotional family legacy, and timeless design. Captured by Kari Dawson + Co.

Love, Loss, and the Quiet Power of Legacy

One of my favorite moments happened just before the ceremony. Malea paused to adjust her bracelet, a white opal stone chosen for her wedding day and a pink one saved for her mother Kim’s October birthday. Kim was my late first cousin, and my own father, also gone now, was Malea’s father figure growing up. Photographing this day carried weight. The joy and the grief coexisted, each honoring the other. Love was everywhere. It showed up in the hugs, in the glances, and in the quiet knowing that legacy never truly leaves us.

Capturing Every Emotion

Flower & Oak Films captured the day in motion, perfectly complementing our still coverage. Their film brought every emotion to life, the laughter, the pauses, and the deep breath after “I do.” The reception flowed effortlessly thanks to Prestige Weddings & Events, captured the day in motion, perfectly complementing our still coverage. Their film brought every emotion to life — the laughter, the pauses, and the deep breath after “I do.” The reception flowed effortlessly thanks to Sweet Details GR was simple, layered, and elegant, a sweet finish to a day built on memory and meaning. Hair and makeup by Bombshell and MJ’s Beauty + Co enhanced the natural beauty of every woman in the bridal party. The looks were polished yet effortless, allowing everyone to feel like the best version of themselves.

Coming Home to Love and Legacy

As the sun dipped below the trees, guests stepped outside to watch the light fade over Bay Pointe’s quiet woods. Laughter floated through the air, mingling with the music and clinking glasses. It felt less like a wedding and more like a homecoming, the perfect reflection of who Malea and Dawson are together.

Documenting this day reminded me that some stories are meant to come full circle. For me, it was more than another wedding. It was a living reminder of what love built through years, memories, and faith can become when it blooms again. This truth never loses its power. The work we do preserves more than images, it preserves legacy. I never take that for granted and will always feel deeply honored to be chosen to tell stories like theirs. One day, these images will sit on a memory table, carrying forward what words alone never could.

If you’re dreaming of a Northern Michigan celebration, you might also love this Castle Farms wedding and this Esch Beach wedding at Sleeping Bear Dunes in Traverse City, both full of timeless charm and Northern Michigan beauty.