Leslie always had her heart set on getting married inBayfield, a charming harbor town nestled on the shores of Lake Superior in Wisconsin. Growing up, she would spend a week with her family sailing the iconic waters of Lake Superior every summer. A week after Leslie and Brett’s engagement, he was deployed to Afghanistan for 9 months. Leslie told us, “Planning a destination wedding provided the perfect diversion while he was gone!”

If you’ve ever visited the hidden gem ofBayfieldand the surrounding Apostle Islands, you’ve been inspired by the colorful sailboats sprinkled on the lake, the laid back vibes of the islands and the picturesque downtown ofBayfield. Leslie created a truly authentic, nautical themed wedding weekend for her guests to enjoy. You could see her inspiration in everything from the navy, mint and metallic decor to sailboat trough races the eve of the big day. On the day of the wedding,On3 Wedding Photographycaptured the beautiful newlyweds in all Leslie’s favorite spots including the Iron Bridge,Apostle Islands MarinaandTom’s Burned Down Cafe.

Leslie and Brett’s wedding guests were ferried over toMadeline Islandfor the ceremony then back to Bayfield for the reception at theBayfield Lakeside Pavilionthat looks out to the city marina. The wedding party and military couples were transported by a vintage Army boat while the beaming newlyweds rode in a vintage Chris Craft boat escorted by the Coast Guard as Brett was active duty. The party was warmly welcomed back to the reception by guests donning cap guns with tags that read “When the Nelsons Arrive, Shoot Off Five!”

Leslie was able to transform the former pickled herring warehouse into a dazzling display of nautical themed decor, much of what was DIY projects. Guests sipped on a signature drink “Mint to Be” and the bride and groom’s favorite, gin and tonic. Tables were adorned with nautical monkey knots tied by the bride’s father to display table numbers. Custom goody bags for the guests (designed by Leslie) were filled with local saltwater taffy from The Candy Shoppe and pecan clusters. All these adorable details created an incredibly memorable day for both the newlyweds and their guests. “From the musicians at the reception, to the florist, to the decorators, most were family and friends, making the wedding weekend perfect down to the last detail.”