Paige and Jerry Elopement on Long Lake | Published in the Michigan Riparian

You can pick up this month’s issue of the Michigan Riparian to see Paige and Jerry’s Long Lake elopement. Paige and Jerry planned a socially distanced ceremony at grandma’s house right on Long Lake. The two married on a dock with grandma officiating from a pontoon and their immediate family watching from kayaks, SUP boards, and a boat.

“Living through the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 was hard in a lot of ways,  but this is not a story of hardship. This is a story about happiness in an otherwise trying time. Josh Hartman is a Traverse City photographer who specialize in capturing elopements in Northern Michigan. Paige and Jerry are some of his clients who found the opportunity to start their lives together in a memorable way during a time when many couples have had to postpone or greatly alter their nuptial plans.” -The Michigan Riparian

Jerry’s grandma is the matriarch of the family, she brings the whole family together. Jerry spent much of his childhood at her house on Long Lake. Jerry is constantly promoting Northern Michigan as the best place in the world and early in his relationship with Paige, he shared his hometown with her. Paige has grown to love Traverse City; the water, beautiful views of Sleeping Bear Dunes, and of course the amazing wine and beer scenes.

Paige and Jerry plan on sharing this amazing place with all of their family and friends with a larger wedding celebration next year, but still wanted to have a special day on what was supposed to be their wedding day, but had to be postponed because of COVID. What better way to announce their love for each other than by being married by Jerry’s grandma on Long Lake.

“Our favorite moment from the day was looking out from the raft where the two of us were married and seeing all of our families present on their various flotation devices. We wanted a day where all of our immediate family could stay safe from COVID but together in a unique way. What a fun way to have several of our family members meet for the first time and celebrate our nuptials.” -Paige

Congratulations Paige and Jerry! I love the creativity used in this wedding celebration and it was so much fun to capture too! Be sure to pick up the latest copy of the Michigan Riparian, which happens to be the only quarterly magazine devoted entirely to the sustainable management and wise use of Michigan’s inland lakes and streams.

Josh Hartman – Traverse City Elopement Photographer