For Zach, the family cabin in Williamsburg, Michigan, has been a part of his life since childhood. Growing up, he spent summers making memories there, never knowing that one day he would return with his bride-to-be to begin a new chapter of their story.

And just six days after their engagement session, that’s exactly what they did.

Zach and Sadie’s last-minute engagement session was a sweet reminder that it’s never too late to make time for photos, even in the middle of the beautiful chaos of wedding week. We started at the family cabin, the very place where they would soon exchange vows. One of my favorite moments was photographing them on the wooden swing built by Zach’s grandfather. For the wedding, that same swing would be transformed into the arch for their ceremony, making it an especially meaningful part of their story.

What a beautiful way to carry on a family tradition. A place where Zach grew up making memories would now become a place where he and Sadie would begin making their own.

From there, we headed to one of their favorite beach spots, Dam Beach in Elk Rapids. Tucked along the edge of East Grand Traverse Bay, this little stretch of shoreline has a landscape that feels remarkably similar to Sleeping Bear Dunes, with sandy shores, beautiful water, and that unmistakable Northern Michigan charm.