Laid-Back, Outdoorsy, And Full Of Love

Alana and Gabe’s wedding day at The Boardwalk Riverfront Wedding and Event Venue in Benton Harbor was exactly what an intimate celebration should feel like. Easy. Outdoorsy. Full of real moments. Zero forced vibes.

They planned a smaller guest count, kept the focus on being present with their people, and leaned into what mattered most. Fresh air, the riverfront, private vows, and a night that turned into one long “we’re doing this our way” kind of party.

This was an associate wedding with Rick leading photo coverage, plus a photo booth for guests. Rick’s approach was perfect for Alana and Gabe since they wanted their photos to feel natural and unposed.

The Boardwalk In Benton Harbor Is Built For Laid-Back Outdoor Weddings

If you love being outside, The Boardwalk makes it easy. The riverfront setting, open-air energy, and all the space to move around means your wedding can feel relaxed without feeling “small.”

It also gives you a ton of different looks without needing to drive anywhere. Waterfront, greenery, and those chandelier moments outside once the sun starts dropping. That is basically a built-in portrait plan.

Getting Ready Without The Stiff Stuff

Alana was clear about what she wanted. She did not want a day full of overly posed photos.

So the getting ready coverage stayed simple and real. Details, a few individual portraits, and then letting the moments happen naturally. Think laughter in the living room, quiet pauses, and those “hold onto this for a second” moments that never feel staged.

Private Vows And A Ceremony With Multiple Angles

Before the ceremony, Alana and Gabe took time for private vows, which is one of our favorite ways to slow the day down. It gives you a moment that is just yours, and it usually ends up being one of the most emotional parts of the entire wedding.

When the ceremony began, Rick moved around intentionally to capture the full story. Wide views, reactions, the walk down the aisle, and angles from behind the officiant so you can see both faces. That is the kind of coverage that makes your gallery feel like you can relive the moment, not just look at it.

Cocktail Hour And The Good Kind Of Chaos

Cocktail hour also rolled into portraits and mingling, which fit Alana and Gabe perfectly since they wanted the whole day to feel unforced. Guests got to enjoy themselves, and Rick grabbed the candid moments that happen when people are actually having fun.

Dinner, Toasts, And The Dance Floor Opening Up

Once guests were seated and the couple was announced, the party moved into dinner, then toasts, then cake cutting, then right into the first dance and open dancing.

This is the sweet spot of a wedding day. The nerves are gone, the timeline pressure melts away, and everybody is just in it.

A Smoke Bar By The Beach

One of the more unique touches was a smoke bar by the beach with cigars and cannabis. It was very “them,” and it gave guests a fun little side quest to enjoy during the night.

Sunset Photos

Later in the evening, they stepped out for sunset portraits near the water and those chandelier setups outside. That golden-hour light at The Boardwalk is unreal, and it is the perfect time to get a set of portraits that feel quiet and romantic without needing to pose a ton.

Quick Planning Tip For The Boardwalk Weddings

If you’re getting married at The Boardwalk, plan a short sunset portrait break even if you hate posing.

Ten minutes is enough. You get the best light of the day, you get a breather together, and your photos end up looking like a movie without feeling like a photoshoot.