Lilac Mackinac Island Wedding

A wedding with horses, no matter where it takes place, is special! In this case, Mackinac Island gives brides and grooms wonderful inspiration. The lilacs steal the show (after the horses, of course) and the bride and groom are an exceptionally cute couple.

What to Look for in a Venue for a Lilac Mackinac Island Wedding

When considering the venue for a lilac wedding, you should think about how you always envisioned the ceremony and reception taking place. If you want an indoor ceremony and reception, then a historic manor house with an expansive garden filled with lilacs and roses might be the venue of your dreams.

If you want something more outdoors or open air, you could think of something like Mackinac Island in Michigan, which only allows horses and bikes for travel. Stepping onto this island is like traveling through time and straight into the famous lilac festival. Your wedding venue should be a mix of modern contemporary and romance so you can have the best day.

Color Palettes for a Lilac  Mackinac Island Wedding

It stands to reason that the primary shade of the wedding color palette should be lilac! However, you need not go overboard and have everything in lilac and lavender. Having shades of lilac mixed with neutral tones like beige, off-white, nudes, browns, and white will make the wedding look ethereal and magical.

If you want to mix the lilac with a bolder color, you could also think of a palette involving lilac, burgundy, sage or moss green, and shades of brown. These are equally gorgeous and will look beautiful in a ceremony or reception decor.

Details for a Lilac Mackinac Island Wedding

Lilac weddings, like all other nuptials, need to be well planned. There are several things to weigh when planning the ceremony and reception. You might want plenty of real lilacs, or you may wish for a purple ombre-focused wedding instead. Either way, you should decide the scope of the lilac before you start. Choosing a venue like Mackinac Island? You could plan the wedding as an outdoor event with an extravagant lilac scented floral archway mixed with white and blush blooms and native greens.

Many couples want lilac themes but are against having the ceremony or reception in a place with lilac-colored walls or furniture. You should plan the wedding details to suit your favored aesthetic while keeping the overall theme in mind.

Table Setting Style for a Lilac Mackinac Island Wedding

The table setting style for a lilac wedding should be relaxed, elegant, and romantic. In this photo shoot on  Mackinac Island, elegance in an outdoor setting is wonderfully shown. A white and lavender-colored table cloth with symmetric patterns, ceramic candle holders with white candles, a trestle table in a vintage design, and a white urn for the centerpiece decorated with lilac, blue, white, and blush flowers should complete the ethereal look.

Additionally, you can opt for white scalloped plates, quarter plates with lilac detailing, and silver glass chargers with crystal flutes for champagne. Many couples also like keeping burned gold and silver votives with floating candles to add to the beauty and simplicity of the table.

Wedding Dresses and Accessories for a Lilac Mackinac Island Wedding

Brides can opt for the Emerson bridal dress from Kate McDonald for an effortlessly elegant look. Many brides prefer a full lace sheer dress with a flowing pattern since it gives them plenty of room for movement yet looks highly sensuous. You can opt for something similar, with a V-back, shoulder straps, a cinched waist, and a flowing skirt. This type of bridal gown design is elegant, classy, and timeless.

Accessories can be minimal with dangling gold earrings, a bracelet at the wrist, and a small chain with a pendant. Brides can also style their hair in a half-up hairdo secured with a vintage lilac and blue comb.

Groom Style for a Lilac Mackinac Island Wedding

Grooms can also have the best of the day. Grooms can opt for lilac suits with a black tie, white shirt, and black tie and shoes. Lighter-colored tailored suits are all the rage currently, with many men preferring out-of-the-box styles and patterns to stand out from the crowd.

However, if you always envisioned a darker suit, you can opt for a classic navy blue suit with a crisp white shirt, lilac tie, and black shoes. You could also have an off-white shirt if you prefer not to wear a stark white one. This style will complement the overall feel of the lilac wedding theme without going over the top or looking left out.

Bouquets and Boutonnieres for a Lilac Mackinac Island Wedding

The wedding bouquet should be full of lilac scented blooms with textured foliage that will suit the occasion. A lilac-colored thick ribbon (at least 30 inches) can sway from the bridal bouquet, making it light and airy. Bridesmaids can also have similar bouquets with the addition of white and blush roses.

Grooms and groomsmen can opt for boutonnieres with a small bunch of scented lilac tied together with twine or lace for a romantic feel to the entire ceremony and reception. The boutonnieres can also be tied together by blush pink or lilac ribbon matching the bridal bouquet. It is best to match the bouquets and boutonnieres to fit with the theme.

Wedding Invitations for a Lilac Mackinac Island Wedding

The wedding invitations can be a perfect mix of shades of lilac and lavender. When considering the wedding stationery, you can make a selection from pale lilac backgrounds with the envelopes in a darker lilac geometric shape. The invitations should be classy, have enough contrast for the script to be legible, and perfectly convey the wedding theme.

You can opt for a dual-tone invite with the border in shades of lilac, the emboss and outlines of lilac flowers, and the script (elegant cursive) written in a deep dark hue of purple. You may also want to make stacks of the wedding invites, including save the day, ceremony, reception, entertainment, itinerary, and accommodation details.

Wedding Cake Ideas for a Lilac Mackinac Island Wedding

The wedding cake for a lilac-themed wedding should be stunning. You can opt for a traditional white wedding cake with edible lilac icing flowers at the top, beaded white icing work on each tier, and crisp, sharp decor to make the confection stand out. A lilac colored cake topper should complete the look.

If you want more lilac in the cake, you could opt for a bespoke cake in white frosting with a hand painted lilac design all over the cake, making it look like a painted masterpiece. You can choose several flavors for the cake, but a berry-flavored or lavender-flavored one will go nicely with the design.

Portrait Props for a Lilac Mackinac Island Wedding

Several romantic and innocent portrait props could tie the entire wedding photography together. If you plan the wedding on Mackinac Island, you could think of some splendid pictures with a horse-drawn carriage, some portrait shots on a bicycle, and some with a lilac-colored scooter.

You could also think of several beautiful ways to take a couple of portrait shots with a throw blanket in white and lavender on some grass, tastefully decorated lilac floral bouquets in white, a small lavender and white-colored pastry, and some dishes in the same style as the dinner plates. The portrait pictures can be in complete profile with the couple gazing into each other’s eyes.

Nostalgic Mackinac Island Elopement

You’re going to love every detail of this romantic and timeless elopement inspiration shoot from Ashley Slater Photography. It harkens back to a sweeter era and is filled with innocence and romance. It’s just too cute!

From Ashley Slater Photography – “This lovely styled elopement took place on the nostalgic island of Mackinac in Michigan. Mackinac is an island that only allows bikes and horses (no motorized vehicles!) and stepping onto Main Street is like stepping back in time.

Once a year the island springs to life with lilacs and the lilac festival happens and it was during this time that our lovely styled elopement shoot took place! Our details were everything lavender and lilac and the sweet couple posed with the island’s bikes and famous horses.

Floral artist Jen kept the bouquet simple and gathered bunches of fresh lilac and Bella e Dolce sugared the most realistic and adorable lilac blooms on top of white cakes!”

Credits: Photography: Ashley Slater Photography  // Styling: Sincerely Ginger Weddings // Floral Designs: Bloom Floral Design // Decor & Papery: Tableau Events // Wedding Dress: Kate McDonald Designs // Cakes: Bella e Dolce // Hair & Makeup: Onsite Bridal // Film Processing: Indie Film Lab // Location: Mackinac Island in Michigan.