A Gatsby Inspired Wedding at The Boathouse Restaurant

Jackie and Kyle don’t just like the Boathouse Restaurant; they have a history with it. It is the table where they sat for their first real date and the room where they celebrated their engagement. When it came time to plan their wedding, returning to the Boathouse felt less like picking a venue and more like choosing a witness to their next chapter. They brought a gatsby inspired wedding theme to the day, which felt right for a place with so much character and personal meaning.

A Gatsby Inspired Wedding at The Boathouse Restaurant

The morning began on Old Mission Peninsula with a quiet weight to the air. Jackie and Kyle both mentioned feeling emotional and almost speechless as the day began to move. Jackie’s gown from Jenna in White fit the vintage aesthetic perfectly, and as the wedding party finished getting ready, the gatsby inspired wedding vision started to feel real. They had been told to stay present and take everything in, and you could see them consciously doing that throughout those early hours.

Preparation at Peninsula Shores

Before the ceremony, they shared a first look. It was a chance to ground themselves before the celebration began. Soon after, they climbed into a vintage car for the drive to the ceremony. Moving through the orchards and vineyards of Old Mission Peninsula in a classic car made the gatsby inspired wedding theme feel lived-in rather than just a design choice. It gave them a few private moments to breathe and spend time with each other before the guests arrived.

The ceremony at Peninsula Shores was a sincere, emotional exchange. Kyle’s reaction to Jackie walking down the aisle was one of those moments that stands out even after the day has passed. They signed their marriage license with their favorite people looking on, officially beginning their life as a married couple before heading back to the water’s edge.

The First Look and the Classic Car

The reception at the Boathouse was a homecoming for their gatsby inspired wedding. They weren’t showing off a new space to their guests; they were inviting them into their favorite restaurant. The room was filled with laughter and the energy of casino tables. They leaned into the theme with cigars, and the whole evening had a relaxed, celebratory energy that didn’t feel forced or over-produced.

A Gatsby Inspired Wedding at The Boathouse Restaurant

Celebrating at The Boathouse Restaurant

Jackie and Kyle mentioned that their first date at the Boathouse left them both feeling like they had known each other forever. Their wedding day felt much the same. It was a celebration of a relationship that has always felt certain, set against the backdrop of the water and a place that already felt like home. They spent the night laughing and enjoying the presence of their favorite people, exactly as they had hoped.

As a photographer, I look for the ways a couple’s history informs their wedding day. For Jackie and Kyle, the Boathouse wasn’t a random choice. It was a beautiful, vintage-inspired chapter in a story that was already well-written, and it was a privilege to be there to document it.

A Gatsby Inspired Wedding at The Boathouse Restaurant

Preparation & Ceremony Location: Peninsula Shores
Reception Location: Boathouse Restaurant
Wedding Planner: Orchestrated Grace
Photography: Dan Stewart Photography
Dress Designer: Jenna in White
Shoe Designer: Betsy Johnson
Jewelry/Rings: James C Smith
Groom’s Suit: Men’s Warehouse
Bridesmaid Purses: Babeyond
Hair & Makeup: Kristyn Noelle
Florist: Fields of Flowers North
Caterer: Boathouse Restaurant
Bakery: Sweet Tartlette
Officiant: Hon. Kathleen McCarthy
DJ: 2 Bays DJ
Videographer: Jestice Brown, Michaels Entertainment
Transportation: Grand Traverse Tours
Invitations: Margo Designs Store
Stationary: Cain and Co Stationary
Entertainment: US Casino Rentals