July 20, 2024
By Nick Lico / Photography by Mike Staff Productions
Getting married on the shores of Lake St. Clair made the most sense for Michala and Beau Berger, especially considering how they met.
“Beau was spending an afternoon with his friends at his family home in Harrison Township and my friends and I were kayaking on the lake and through the canals. Beau extended an introduction and drinks over the seawall. We have been inseparable since,” Michala explained.
Beau, a flight instructor and Western Michigan grad, and Michala, who is studying interior architecture at Lawrence Technological University and working as a kitchen designer for Home Depot, met in 2021 and were married July 20, 2024. The ceremony and reception took place at Macray Harbor in Harrison Township.
“It was really important to us to get married on the lake where we met and where Beau learned to kayak. I consider Lake St. Clair our lake and was grateful that we were able to enjoy our special day with his large family,” Michala said.
She added that Beau, who had never kayaked before they met, has now conquered multiple lakes and even kayaked over sunken ships. In addition to kayaking, the Clinton Township residents also enjoy traveling, trying new foods and camping. It was while camping that Beau proposed to Michala.
“We were camping in Port Austin and after dinner one night Beau asked me if I wanted to go down to the lake to skip rocks so we could make a video and send it to my family. While Beau set up the camera, I collected a pile of rocks for us to take turns skipping. After taking a few turns, I turned around to find Beau on one knee. Of course, I said yes,” she said.
For their wedding, Michala wanted flowers that would pay homage to her mom, while expertly matching the lakeside setting.
“I knew I wanted lily of the valley to be in my bouquet because it was something my mom always called me growing up. I put complete faith in my florist and coordinator, Francesca. I described to her what I was looking for and was absolutely stunned with my flowers on my wedding day. She also did a beautiful job on our table settings. It was important to me to create a vision of soft elegance and she made that vision a reality with her floral touches,” Michala said.
