Bar Crawl

Rehearsal Dinner

Hopscotch Brick Oven & Taproom

Welcome Gathering

BlueBridge Events Center

Wedding Day

Ceremony

East Bay Park

Beach & Pastries

Our Venue

BlueBridge is a charming outdoorsy venue that mixes natural beauty with indoor comforts. The fire pit and swing are guest favorites!

Why Traverse City?

Northern Michigan has had a special place in Michael and Carolyn's hearts since childhood. Michael spent two summers going to camp in Western Michigan and Carolyn spent her childhood summers across the state on Lake Huron. The Traverse City area encompasses much of what is important to both of us - time spent outdoors, beaches, good hiking, and National Parks! With loved ones from the East Coast to the middle of the Pacific and everywhere in between, we knew that wherever we chose to have our wedding, people would have to travel. Luckily, Traverse City made for a meet-in-the-middle location that holds fond memories for us both. For those who have never been, we're so excited to share Northern Michigan with you!

Our Wedding

FAQs

Happiest wearing hiking boots and holding binoculars. 

Carolyn Reich

Michael loves the beach and is very happy that he found a woman who loves shorebirds.

Michael Bingham 

Carolyn and Kelly met on the playground in third grade and have been best friends ever since. From sleepovers to navigating the challenges of adulthood, Kelly is one of the few people Carolyn is comfortable telling anything to. Kelly is high energy and the ultimate hypewoman and Carolyn can't wait to have her support during the wedding weekend!

Kelly Fick

Patrick and Michael met on their first day of freshman year at Elon University and have been fast friends ever since. Whether nerding out over Dungeons & Dragons, theater or video games, Patrick and Michael have never run out of things to talk about. Patrick is never short of positive vibes, funny jokes, and excellent style.

Patrick Coleman

With a friendship forged in high school Spanish class, Dominic and Carolyn have continued their friendship through the decades over late night card games, bowling, and deep conversations. He's an ultimate frisbee and soccer player and dog dad to Eddie (Eddie wisely chose not to attend for fear that he would upstage the bride and groom). Look for his great sense of humor on the wedding day!

Dominic Casinelli

Michael has known Dustin since the day he was born. Having once sold Michael the treehouse in the yard in exchange for doing Dustin's chores, Dustin has taught Michael the value of hard work and the importance of contract negotiation. As adults, Dustin and Michael live close to each other in New York city, and Michael couldn't ask for a better, more supportive brother.

Dustin Bingham

Taylor and Carolyn met 8 years ago as roommates at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. Some random facts about Taylor: she puts fake hair on people's real hair for a living. She's traveled to 49 states, once did makeup for Andrew Lloyd Webber, and played on her college quidditch team (Gryffindor, although her personality is more Hufflepuff). Carolyn appreciates Taylor's kindness, generosity, and unending support.

Taylor Hoxha

Kelsey and Michael have been friends since freshman year of high school when she was cast in Into the Woods and he wasn't. Throughout their friendship, Kelsey has always tried to see the best in people and make everyone laugh. She is always up for a good time and we can't wait to have her raucous energy at the wedding!

Kelsey Baehrens

Carolyn met Morgan doing a murder mystery play, but their friendship has been cemented through nights out, beach days, board games, and walks in Central Park. Morgan is a birdwatcher extraordinaire and a terror on the dodgeball court!

Morgan Spann

Haley and Michael first met in a middle school production of Honk, Jr but were mainly indifferent towards each other. They met again years later in high school theater and became enemies. A year and a half later their enmity turned to friendship as they bonded over their shared love of theater, their shared love of British television, and their shared frustration at trying to schedule plans with their friend Kelsey Baehrens.

Haley Sakamoto

Wedding Party

We're so excited for you to head Up North whether you're driving up or flying in from out of state. For those flying, there isn't much public transportation in this area, so we strongly recommend renting a car.

The nearest airport is located right in Traverse City, only about 12 miles from our wedding venue. It offers nonstop flights from Chicago, Detroit, Newark, New York (LGA), Orlando, Philadelphia, and more.

Cherry Capital Airport

Lodging

We've secured a room block at Spark by Hilton located 15 minutes from BlueBridge. Should you wish to book in the block, use <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=TVCREPE&amp;arrivalDate=2026-07-10&amp;departureDate=2026-07-12&amp;groupCode=RBW26&amp;room1NumAdults=1&amp;cid=OM%2CWW%2CHILTONLINK%2CEN%2CDirectLink" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this booking link</a> and the Group Code RBW26. To book within the room block, you will need to book prior to June 5th.

Includes free breakfast and free parking.

Spark by Hilton Traverse City

Additional Lodging Options

If you're looking for additional options, here are a few nearby hotels at a variety of price points. If you'd rather get up close to nature and be a little closer to the venue, we also recommend checking out cottage rentals or Airbnbs - there are many beautiful ones in the area!

Courtyard by Marriott Traverse City

Delamar Traverse City

Baymont by Wyndham Traverse City

Travel

If you're looking to fill some free time on your own, this area is beautiful and there is no shortage of great things to do. Read on for some ideas that we recommend.

Located on Lake Michigan, about 30 miles from Traverse City, this National Lakeshore offers 400+ foot dunes, forested hikes, beaches, and a scenic drive.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

It's the 100th year of the National Cherry Festival, an annual celebration in Traverse City! The festival will run from July 4 through 11th and includes a parade, concerts, rides, and more.

National Cherry Festival

Located in Leland, this historic waterfront district of docks, shanties, and smokehouses is fun to walk around and experience Great Lakes fishing heritage.

Historic Fishtown

If you want to know one thing about this part of Michigan, know this: cherries rule. Cherry Republic is a great place to shop for local cherry products, and they donate a portion of their proceeds to renewable energy and land preservation.

Cherry Republic | Glen Arbor

The Greater Traverse City area is Michigan wine country, with lots of great vineyards to explore.

Carolyn & Michael

Carolyn & Michael

Photos