Private Residence Tented Wedding | Benton Harbor, Michigan | Chrisanthy and Chase
Some weddings are beautiful because of the design.
Some are unforgettable because of the people.
Chrisanthy and Chase’s private residence wedding in Benton Harbor, Michigan was both.
Chrisanthy grew up spending summers along the Lake Michigan shoreline, and when it came time to plan their wedding, returning to the lakeshore felt deeply personal. Though they now live in California, bringing their family and friends together in Michigan was always the vision.
And what a vision it was.
A Lakeshore Estate Transformed
Hosting a wedding at a private residence is never simple. Unlike a traditional venue, there’s no built-in infrastructure. Everything — from power and restrooms to flooring, tenting, catering access, and guest flow — must be thoughtfully mapped out.
In the weeks leading up to the wedding, the lawn was manicured, trees were trimmed, and the property quietly prepared to host trucks, rental teams, florals, catering, lighting, and entertainment. It’s no small undertaking to open your home to an entire production crew.
Chrisanthy’s family did so with generosity and grace.
Their home became the backdrop for a celebration that felt intimate, expansive, and deeply rooted in place.
An Open-Air Ceremony, A Clear-Top Tent, and Michigan Weather
From the beginning, we knew we wanted the outdoors to be the focus. An open-air ceremony beneath the trees allowed guests to fully experience the property and the lakeshore setting.
Cocktail hour unfolded on the lawn as well — relaxed, welcoming, and layered with thoughtful details.
For the reception, we opted for a clear-top tent overlooking Lake Michigan. It provided the protection we needed without sacrificing the feeling of being outdoors. Greenery, woven textures, candlelight, and organic floral arrangements softened the tent structure so it never felt enclosed.
And then… Michigan reminded us who’s in charge.
After weeks of 80-degree weather, the temperature dropped to the mid-50s on wedding day — only to climb back to 80 the following week. Last-minute heating plans were quickly implemented, ensuring guests stayed comfortable as the sun set and the celebration continued into the evening.
The day unfolded beautifully.
A Celebration of Cultures and Family
This was, in the most joyful sense, a big Greek–German celebration.
Chrisanthy and Chase are two of the kindest, most thoughtful people I’ve had the pleasure of planning with. Their families brought warmth, laughter, and an unmistakable sense of hospitality to every part of the weekend.
From custom bar installations and a vinyl-inspired seating chart to late-night grilled cheese and tomato soup shooters, every detail reflected intention without ever feeling overdone.
The energy inside the tent that evening — overlooking Lake Michigan, surrounded by family, music, and candlelight — is something I think about often.
But even more than the design, I think about them.
What a privilege it was to help bring their Michigan wedding vision to life.
If you’re planning a private residence wedding in Benton Harbor or along the Lake Michigan shoreline, thoughtful logistics and experienced coordination make all the difference. Hosting at home is beautiful — and it requires a clear plan to execute seamlessly.
Chrisanthy and Chase’s wedding remains one of my favorite fall celebrations — not only for the setting, but for the joy and generosity that defined it.
Planning + Design @futtitinnievents
Photography @meghanbaskin
Camcorder Rental @my_camco
Catering @experiencepartage
Florist @hyssop.studio
Bakery @cranespiepantry
Hair @crcbridalbeauty
Make-up @luna_maxeup
Paper Details: thefavorloft and sweetdatesprints on @etsy
Seating Chart Wall Decals: @brownleepress
Transportation @affordablelimogr
Tables, Chairs, Tabletop Rentals, Seating Chart Wall @timelesseventrental
Linen Rentals: @specialoccasionsmi
Structure Rentals @alpineeventsmi
Caricature Artist @davidwodarek
