Getting Married on Mackinac!

This year’s cover couple is Madalyn Spohler and fiance Kyle McGorisk. Getting Married on Mackinac can happen any day or the week, any way you like it - bicycle, horse & carrige, beach, church, or a world class resort! Photo: It’s Wonderful Photography.

My name is Madalyn Spohler, and my fiancé is Kyle McGorisk. We’ll be celebrating our wedding on September 5th, 2026, at St. Anne’s, with a reception at Mission Point Resort. Mackinac Island has always been a meaningful place for us. Our “up north” weekends have become some of our most magical times together. Choosing northern Michigan for our wedding just felt right. Biking has been part of our relationship from the start, beginning with one of our first dates biking, and our shared love of triathlons and road riding made Mackinac Island the perfect fit for our day. We love visiting the island multiple times a year; golfing at Wawa, biking everywhere and of course a few drinks around town. 

We knew we had to have some sort of bike in our engagement photos -we own 10 bikes between the two of us!  Hopping onto a single bike together turned into one of the funniest and memorable photos. Something extra special is that I was wearing my mom's wedding veil in the bike photos!

We’re currently working with the coordinators at St. Anne’s and Mission Point, along with a local coordinator who’s helping us explore vendor options.

We can’t wait until our wedding, and the Mackinac Wedding Guide is making the process of creating our dream wedding on the Island so much easier.  We’re excited beyond belief to be featured on the cover of this year’s guide, and we are so appreciative of our amazing photographer, Sara Wright, It’s Wonderful Photography, for capturing this once in a lifetime image.

Katie & Nathan's Dream Wedding

Photography by It’s Wonderful Photography. Mackinac Island, a jewel nestled in Lake Huron, is often referred to as a place where love blossoms. With its enchanting landscapes, historic charm, and breathtaking views, it’s no wonder that countless couples have chosen this incredible setting to celebrate their love. Today, we look into the beautiful love story of two individuals who fell head over heels for each other on Mackinac Island, turning their romance into a dream wedding.

Nathan and Katie were married at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island on Friday June 21, 2024. Mackinac Island was also the place where Nate proposed in 2022- popping the question at the West Bluff vista overlooking the Mackinac Bridge.

With their hearts set on Mackinac Island, Nathan and Katie decided to tie the knot in the same place where their love story began. They envisioned a wedding that captured the essence of their romance. Right away, they ordered the Mackinac Island Wedding Guide, which they used to select their local vendors. Planning for two years, they were able to get everything they wanted and needed right on the Island.

Katie and her bridemaids began with make up and hair styling at Lakeside Salon & Spa. Ater which, they stolled to their beautiful bridal suite, Tranquility Suite, with plenty of room for getting ready and a beautiful outdoor patio for photos. Both of these are located at their ceremony and reception location, Mission Point Resort.

Photographer Sara Macy, of Its Wonderful Photography, created beautiful photos of the bridemaids and the first look between Katie and Nathan.

The beautiful flowers bouquets and creations for the wedding and reception ceremony were chosen to complement the lavendar colored dresses which was so appropriate as the Island was full of Lilac blooms. All of the florals were created, delivered and set up at the hotel by St Ignace in Bloom.

Katie arrived with her father on the Vis a Vis carriage from Gough Carriages. After the bridal party crossed the Great Lawn, all eyes were on Katie as she and her father stepped out of the carriage.

The beautiful floral arch under which Katie and Nathan said “I Do” was made of lilacs and other seasonal flowers and was set up the afternoon of the wedding by Samantha Belonga, owner of St Ignace in Bloom. Officiant Dr Judy Robinson, of Marriages on Mackinac, performed the ceremony, taking time to make it very personal as they had hoped for.

After the wedding ceremony, hugs and congratulations took place, then Katie and Nathan set out for a private carriage ride in the Vis a Vis carriage from Gough Livery Carriages, stopping at the Secret Garden at Grand Hotel, the West Bluff and returning to Mission Point for their wedding reception.

“Everything was just like a fairy tale,” said Katie. “We learned not to sweat the little things”, said Nathan. “It did rain a little bit, but everyone made sure we were kept dry. We enjoyed every minute of our carriage ride.”

“Our amazing cake, so colorful and light was created by Paige at Bella e Dolce,” said Katie. “Everyone couldn’t keep from saying how good it was. After cutting our cake, we did our first dance, and Nathan picked me up-perfectly!”

“We were 100% happy with everyone, especially Mission Point Resort. The wonderful Gazebo and Promenade Deck, where we had our ceremony and then reception, couldn’t have been any nicer. The food was fantastic and we were very pleased with how kind the staff was. Our photos captured our day perfectly and we were so pleased with our photographer, Sara Macy of It’s Wonderful Photography.”

If you are thinking about having a wedding on Mackinac Island, Just Do It! You won’t be disappointed. Trust the Island vendors you’ll find in the Mackinac Wedding Guide and plan your own dream wedding.

Sunshine & Smiles

Ste Anne’s Catholic Church and Mission Point Resort provided the perfect wedding day for Elizabeth and Ben and their beautiful bridal party.

Elizabeth and Ben met and fell in love during their Michigan State days. Most of their friends and bridal party were well connected as well by their alma mater. Their affection for Mackinac Island was mutual. Their plans began 2 years in advance of their wedding, and the arrangements for their Island vendors was accomplished the summer prior to their wedding.

The wedding ceremony at Ste Anne’s was planned for 2 pm. Christi Dupre from Island Photo arrived to begin coverage at Mission Point Resort two hours before the wedding ceremony, meeting with Elizabeth at the Lakeside Salon & Spa located at Mission Point. Elizabeth and her sister finished the getting ready in the beautiful Patrick Sinclair Suite at Mission Point. They guys were just across the hall, making for lots of fun between the two groups. Beautiful flowers from Weber’s Floral were delivered to the hotel and set up at the church, splendid white roses with accents of free flowing greenery.

The beautiful lobby and grounds at the resort provided several options for lovely photos for the Elizabeth and her father and the bridal party. The bride and groom led the walk down to the church on this pictur perfect August afternoon.

The wedding ceremony was attended by over 100 close friends and family. Photos of the families were taken at the church and the wedding carriage arrived to take Elizabeth and Ben on their romantic ride through the Island.

Riding through town and stopping at beautiful locations for photos produced some photo treasures! Elizabeth and Ben loved every minute of being the Prince and Princess of Mackinac Island for the day. The wedding carriage, provided by Gough Livery, manuevered quickly through the streets taking them to the Boardwalk, the Secret Garden, Marquette Park and then back to Mission Point Resort.

Family and bridal party enjoyed cocktails and hor d’oeuvres on the Promenade Deck, coming down to meet Elizabeth and Ben on the Great Lawn to take a few more photos before the party on the Deck was to begin.

The reception was held at the Promenade Deck at Mission Point Resort. Guests were treated to a dinner of fillet mignon or chicken with a cranberry/goat cheese salad, and layered potato medley. Toasts were given by the best man and maid of honor. The Wedding Cake was from Bella e Dolce, and fudge favors at every place setting were provided by Joann’s Fudge. The dancing got going as guests enjoyed the patio, corn hole and just mingling together. Congratulations to the beautiful couple!