By Jazell Raycraft, For the Love of Mackinac Photography Kara Beth Photography.

Traveling from California, Cathy and Joe got engaged on Mackinac Island, after visiting Cathy’s daughter at the University of Michigan. Returning to the Island the following year, they selected The Inn at Stonecliffe for their ceremony and reception.

During their visit, the resort was closed and undergoing a $30 million dollar renovation. They met with the staff and were quite taken with the vision of this Humanitarian Hotel owned by the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation. Trusting the vision they were given, they booked their September 2024 wedding and began making their plans. One of the first decisions they made was to hire Mackinac Island’s Wedding Coordinators, For the Love of Mackinac ! .

Their three-day wedding weekend started on Thursday with a private Mass with their children at St. Anne’s Church. Stopping for photos along the water at Windermere Point with photographer Kara Thomas of Kara Beth Photography. Afterwards, the family enjoyed a dinner at Woods Restaurant before riding on carriages to Grand Hotel for evening dancing.

Friday, the group enjoyed activities around the Island with everyone meeting back at Stonecliffe that night for a five-course Italian dinner served family style under twinkling lights in the Woodland Grotto.

Saturday was the main event. The wedding ceremony was held on the Inn at Stonecliffe Straits Lawn with an incredible view of the Mackinac Bridge in the background. The dinner reception was held in the Sunset Pavilion, then the party started with a choreographed dance by the newlyweds to The Time of My Life