News

Dec 30, 2023

After Mackinac Island fire disrupted their wedding, anniversary couple returns with baby

Elizabeth, Jake and Owen Landuyt on the street near Brigadoon Cottage on

Elizabeth, Jake and Owen Landuyt on the street near Brigadoon Cottage on Mackinac Island. Photo provided by Sara Wright of It's Wonderful Photography.

MACKINAC ISLAND, MI - Two years after a famous Mackinac Island fire had a Michigan couple fleeing their own wedding reception as flames tore through a historic home next door, those newlyweds are now new parents and brought their baby to the island to celebrate with a sweet anniversary trip.

In a photo shared around the world, Elizabeth and Jake Landuyt were seen holding hands and walking away from the fire that was consuming the top half of Brigadoon cottage on Memorial Day Weekend 2021. Their reception at the adjacent Mackinac Island Yacht Club was already underway when smoke began to drift over and firefighters hurried to respond to the blaze that did more than $1 million in damage to the 120 year-old home.

Mission Point Resort and other island businesses and residents rallied to quickly set up an alternate wedding reception for the bride and groom at the resort's new event space overlooking Lake Huron. The stunned young couple was incredibly grateful - and the island community has held a special place in their hearts ever since.

This past Memorial Day Weekend, the Landuyts brought their 4-month old son, Owen, to celebrate their second anniversary and start making Mackinac memories as trio.

"We are two for two, celebrating our anniversary there," Elizabeth Landuyt said. "Our goal is to spend as many anniversary weekends on Mackinac Island as we can."

The Royal Oak couple again stayed at Mission Point. The resort worked with island photographer Sara Wright of It's Wonderful Photography to recreate the couple's iconic wedding day photo with the newly-restored Brigadoon in the background. This time, the young couple was holding onto Owen.

Elizabeth, Jake and now Owen Landuyt re-create the famous 2021 photo of the couple fleeing a Mackinac Island fire near their wedding reception. 2021 photo provided by Cody Langhorne. 2023 photo combination provided by Sara Wright of It's Wonderful Photography.

"It was an honor to welcome them back for their second anniversary and celebrate their growing family," Mission Point staff said in sharing the now-and-then photos on Facebook this week.

"What started with tragedy has bloomed into an extraordinary example of a community coming together to help a loving couple. Elizabeth and Jake have made it a tradition to return to Mission Point and Mackinac Island every year for their anniversary, taking time to savor the memories, count their blessings and show appreciation for the amazing community that came together for them years prior."

"We are so honored to be part of this family tradition and love being part of this amazing island community. Mackinac Proud, Mackinac Strong 49757."

While on their two-night trip, the Landuyts said they made the rounds and introduced their young son to some of their favorite spots. They showed him St. Anne's Church where they got married, their favorite Watercolor Café, and walked him through all the beauty at Grand Hotel's Secret Garden. They also settled into the big Adirondack chairs on Mission Point's Great Lawn and soaked in one of the best waterfront views on the island.

"We were a lot slower this time," Elizabeth Landuyt said with an explanation new parents everywhere will recognize. "We’re traveling with a lot more luggage now."

Elizabeth, Jake and Owen Landuyt on Mackinac Island. Photo provided by Sara Wright of It's Wonderful Photography.

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