A Coastal Northern Michigan Wedding That Felt Like Home

As the saying goes, home is where the heart is—just ask Amber and Cory Goble. The duo attended the same high school and—though the two were “talking” in their senior year—inevitably lost touch when they went to different colleges in 2009. Fortunately, Amber and Cory reconnected six years later at (where else?) their hometown bar. The spark was still strong, but this time, the couple left the “talking” phase of a relationship for good. Cory got down on one knee and proposed on a trip to Miami in 2019. 

“​​We were going to dinner at the Versace mansion that night, so we all got glammed up,” Amber recalls. “When we were leaving the hotel, Cory asked my sister to take a picture of us. He got down on one knee right as she was about to take it and he proposed. Then, right after, all eight of our parents came out from the hotel and surprised me–they all flew down to Miami just to be a part of our big moment.” 

True to their courtship, the couple wanted to give their May 8, 2021 nuptials a homey feel—more specifically, one that took place at a lake house. So, Amber and Cory enlisted wedding planner Ann Travis to turn northern Michigan’s Bay Harbor Marina into a warm, welcoming environment. With coastal touches, a personalized monogram, and 118 guests in attendance, the special day felt like home in every sense of the word. Read on for an intimate look at Amber and Cory’s wedding, as photographed by Jenna Greenwalt. 

Invitations have the power to give guests a glimpse into a wedding day’s vibe long before it happens—and this suite from Invitations by Caitlin did not disappoint. Not only did the vibrant palette highlight the couple’s breezy-yet-beautiful aesthetic, but the beautiful monogram also gave this stationery a personalized touch. 

Amber and her inner circle kicked off the day on a fun note by sipping on a bit of bubbly as they got ready. “I wanted to look glamorous, so I went with a smokey eye makeup look and a retro curl for my hair,” she says of the primping process. “Later, during the reception, my hair was in a low bun.”

The bride stunned in a beaded, “princess-style” gown from Valentini. According to Amber, dress shopping was a family affair. “My sister picked out the dress because she knew the style and look I was going for,” she reveals. “As soon as I tried it on, we all started crying. The dress had the beautiful shape I always loved and a lot of sparkle and detail to it.” Amber completed the look with diamond earrings from her father and a coordinating bracelet that Cory once gave her as a birthday present. 

Meanwhile, Amber’s bridesmaids sported a selection of floor-length dresses in blush and champagne hues. The bride let her inner circle choose their dress style so everyone would feel their best.

As for the groom? Cory wore a classic tuxedo with a custom, high-contrast jacket. Christian Louboutin loafers and a fresh haircut rounded out the stylish look.

The couple shared a sweet first look before starting their ceremony. “Cory’s reaction to seeing [me] for the first time was priceless,” the bride shares. 

With ample flowers and a spring color scheme, the ceremony was the epitome of coastal chic. “​​We had beautiful arrangements and potted plants lining our aisle way on the beach of Little Traverse Bay overlooking Lake Michigan,” the bride shares. “It felt like we were floating on floral clouds and looked like it, too!”

The bride and her father glided down the aisle to the tune of Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do.” 

After Amber and Cory exchanged traditional vows and wedding bands, the happy couple sealed their lasting love with a kiss.

Right before the reception started, the couple and their wedding party snuck away for a few snapshots with photographer Jenna Greenawalt.

Guests moseyed to the reception area, which truly felt like a home away from home. “We applied vintage rope-hung chandeliers to incorporate the feeling of the harbor itself,” Amber explains. “With scalloped booth seating flanking the edges and lounge seating equipped with leather bound guest books, guests found themselves with an abundance of cozy lake vibes.”

Speaking of the reception area, the couple’s favorite element was the white carpet that was laid underneath their dinner and dancing area. “It made the space feel homey and elegant,” the bride notes.

Local catering company Vernales delivered with a mouth-watering menu. “We incorporated local in season ingredients. Springtime in Northern Michigan yields amazing wild morel mushrooms, which we featured into our menu,” Amber says. “We also brought in a little bit of Detroit with a phenomenal zip sauce for our New York strip beef option.” 

Thirsty? Amber and Cory’s guests spent the night sipping on Roca Patron Anejo, which happens to be the couple’s favorite tequila.

Form and function melded into one with the night’s elegant escort card display, complete with pink wax seals.

The newly minted Goble family made their grand debut in front of their family and friends.

Amber and Cory sliced into a four-tiered cake, courtesy of Sweet Heather Anne. While the inside featured a decadent mix of lemon raspberry and spiced chocolate, the cake’s colorful exterior was actually inspired by a Marchesa dress. 

The Elysium Experience kept the party going all night long with a lively playlist. Amber and Cory kicked the dancing off with a Kina Grannis’ cover of “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.”

Later, the bride and her father danced to Camila Cabello’s “First Man,” while Cory and his mother swayed to “Mother Like Mine” by the Band Party.

If Amber and Cory could give one piece of advice to engaged couples, it would be to approach the day with gratitude. “Take in every second of the day and don’t let the little things stress you out,”  they share. “The day does truly fly by so you need to live up every moment.” Because, with the right people, anywhere can truly feel like home.