The MacRay Harbor Wedding of Michala & Beau

The MacRay Harbor Wedding of Michala & Beau: July 20, 2024

“We would (and already have been!) recommend Mike Staff Productions! From the beginning, the entire team was extremely supportive and communicative. There wasn’t a single question that wasn’t thoroughly answered. If there was something that we thought was “asking too much” or not possible, our team found a way to make it happen. I couldn’t be more happy with the memories that our team captured from our day.” – Happy bride, Michala

Our Proposal Story

We were introduced through what is now a joint passion, kayaking. Beau spent an afternoon with his friends at his family home in Harrison Township. Michala and her friend were kayaking on Lake St. Clair and through the canals. Beau extended an introduction (and drink) over the sea wall to the girls, and that’s how we met. We have been inseparable since! We have taken many trips together, tried new foods, and have done new things since our meeting!

Fun fact: Beau never kayaked before we met, now he has conquered multiple lakes and even kayaked over sunken ships!

We also found a joint passion for camping. During the early days of our relationship, Michala’s uncle and brother taught both of us how to skip rocks on the lake. In July of 2022, we had a camping trip planned to go to Port Austin and Kayak to Turnip Rock! A few weeks prior, family friends invited us to join them camping about 45 minutes away for the weekend which led to our camping trip! We enjoyed that weekend surrounded with great company and made so many memories! After that weekend, we moved on to Port Austin. Michala had a delicious meal planned of chicken teriyaki served in a hollowed-out pineapple half. After we ate, Beau asked Michala if she wanted to go down to the lake a skip rocks, so we could make a video and send it to her family. Without a thought, Michala agreed! While Beau set up the camera, she collected a pile of rocks for them to take turns skipping. After taking a few turns, Michala skipped her rock and turned around to find Beau on one knee! Of course, she said yes!

Wedding Photography Experience

Our wedding photos were extremely important to us. Jenny, our professional photographer, was amazing to work with. Neither of us had much experience being in front of a camera and Jenny made our entire group feel completely at ease. After already losing a close member of our family, these photos are even more precious to us.

Wedding Videography Experience

Getting our wedding video was important to us because we wanted to be able to capture the emotion and inflection behind our words and actions. There are some things that photos just can’t express. It means so much to us that we will be able to look back and view the moment we shared our vows to each other privately.

Our First Dance

We did share a first dance (we even took dance classes to nail it!). Our song was Life With You – by Kelsey Heart. We chose this song because pretty immediately, we found that everything in life was better as a team together.

Our Favorite Wedding Moments

We knew immediately that we wanted to get married on the lake that we met on! That said, it made venue planning relatively easy. One of our favorite moments was when we realized that we had a crowd of boats watching our wedding. Although it was by mistake, it was comical when Beau kissed the bride too early and got many cheers from the boats in the background!

Our Wedding Planning Advice

Compromise and breathe. The day truly is over before you know it. Make a detailed photography list for your photographer! I can’t stress that part enough.

Michala & Beau’s Wedding Vendors

  • Venue: MacRay Harbor
  • Florist: Forever More Design
  • Wedding Cake: La Petite Pastry Shop
  • Wedding Dress: The Wedding Shoppe
  • Menswear: Men’s Warehouse
  • Wedding Planner: Forever More Design
  • Transportation: Rockstarz Limo
  • Hair & Makeup: Team Glam Detroit
  • Invitations: (Bride made and is SUPER proud!)
  • Photography: Mike Staff Productions
  • Videography: Mike Staff Productions

Wedding Photography at MacRay Harbor