
Sierra and Tyler’s Swan Lake Resort wedding was the perfect mix of “let’s keep it real” and “we’re here to have the best day ever.” They described their wedding in three words as exciting, love, stressful, which is painfully accurate for most couples, but the vibe of their day leaned heavy on the first two.
Add in a first look, an unplugged ceremony, golf course views, and their dog Winston as ring bearer, and yeah, this one was a blast.
One of the best parts about getting married at Swan Lake is how easy it is to keep everything in one place. Sierra and Tyler both got ready right on-site, which meant fewer moving parts and way more time to actually enjoy the day.
Also, Sierra’s crew had “topics we can talk about forever,” which included drinking, farm animals, celebrities, and basically anything funny. That energy set the tone early.
Sierra and Tyler chose to do a first look, and it’s always a solid move when you want a calm, private moment together before the ceremony.
It’s also a cheat code for the timeline. You get to soak in that “holy crap you look amazing” moment without 150 people watching, and it usually opens the door for more relaxed portraits earlier in the day.
They wanted their ceremony to be non-traditional, short, and sweet, and they also chose to make it unplugged. That combo is honestly elite.
When guests are fully present, the reactions hit harder. The laughs are louder. The happy tears come faster. It just feels more human.
And their recessional plan? A dip and kiss halfway down the aisle. Iconic. No notes.
Sierra and Tyler kept photos all on-site, which is easy at Swan Lake because you’ve got so many options without ever leaving the property.
Their favorite part of the venue was the golf course, and for good reason. Those open views give you clean backgrounds, great light, and the kind of space where couples can actually breathe. It’s perfect for everything from romantic portraits to the more playful “we’re not taking ourselves too seriously” stuff.
They also asked, “What does direction mean???” when it came to photos, so here’s the vibe we always aim for: we’ll guide you enough that you never feel awkward, but we’ll leave room for the candid moments to happen naturally. You’re never just standing there wondering what to do with your hands.
Their reception was built for a good time without overcomplicating it. A couple key moments, then straight into dancing.
They went with:
Two speeches from Maid of Honor and Best Man
Cake cutting
Special dances (and they had a few, including multiple parent dances)
Then the dance floor opened up for everybody
And the best part? They weren’t trying to force anything. Their whole plan was basically: keep it moving, keep it fun, and let the night unfold.
We can’t not talk about Winston.
They specifically wanted pictures with him, and we’re always down for that. Dogs at weddings instantly make everything better. It’s science.
If you’re planning a Swan Lake Resort wedding, doing everything on-site is the move. It keeps the day flowing, cuts down on stress, and gives you more actual time with your people.
And if you’re on the fence about a first look, Sierra and Tyler are a great example of why it works. You get a private moment together, more time for portraits, and you walk into the ceremony already feeling connected.
Venue + Catering: Swan Lake Resort // Coordinator: John Bryan & Cody Fritz // Officiant: Brian Pressel // Dress: Something Blue // Suit: Main Street Formals // Rings: A & A Jewelers // Hair: Melissa Martin // Makeup: Rachel Kate // Florals: Sola Wood Flowers // Cake: La D’zert Cafe // DJ: DJ Angel Rosado
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We’re Westley Leon Studios, a team of wedding photographers in South Bend, Indiana with an unwavering commitment to authentic imagery and a personal experience. For the couples who choose a damn good time over stuffy propriety every time.
Studio Address: 218 Front St Niles, MI 49120
Mailing Address: 1606 Oak St Niles MI 49120
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