SAUGATUCK, MI -- Like most married couples, Morgan and Luke Mackley look back fondly on their wedding day.

But unlike most, one of the guests they were most grateful for attending the celebration wasn’t even invited.

The newlyweds from Ann Arbor were posing for post-ceremony pictures on the grounds of the The Felt Estate in Allegan County when they were approached by a friendly white-tailed deer.

First the deer checked out the couple from behind a fence. Then it climbed over the fence and began pulling individual roses from the bride’s bouquet. After a few minutes and some shocked laughter, Morgan Mackley gave up the flowers.

Laurenda Bennett, 35, of Laurenda Marie Photography, captured the “surreal” moment. She called it the cherry on top of a “fairy tale-like wedding.”

“It was crazy to see a wild animal that close and personal and have it not get scared and dart off,” Bennett said. “Instinctually, I started clicking away ... I had a rush of excitement but still that natural bit of fear.”

To view the photo gallery on your mobile device, click here.

The Mackleys, both 24 years old, were married Sunday, Sept. 1, on the grounds of The Felt Estate, 6597 138th Avenue in Laketown Township, near the Saugatuck Dunes State Park. They met at Grand Valley State University.

Before that day, the Spring Arbor and Armada natives said they had heard reports of a friendly deer in the area but never expected to encounter it on their wedding day. Other wedding guests noticed the deer roaming earlier in the day.

“We planned to do our golden-hour photos out in the field behind the mansion at the venue,” Morgan Mackley said. “As we walked that way we saw it. It was extremely friendly.”

When the deer began taking a liking to the bride’s bouquet, she said she tried to pull it away. But the deer “got a little sassy.” Knowing she had 11 bridesmaids with similar bouquets back at the tent, she let it go.

The couple left the deer to pick at the bouquet. When they returned to the area 15-20 minutes later, all that remained was one white rose.

“A final rose,” Morgan Mackley said, referencing the popular television series, The Bachelorette, in which the bachelorette gives a rose to the selected bachelor at the end of each season.

“We’re both still in shock. I just keep saying, this is insane. We’re so thankful the deer chose us.”

Later, the bride used a backup bouquet for the traditional toss.

Bennett called the deer infamous, having heard previous stories about a friendly deer coming up to people in the area.

Earlier this summer, a deer crashed a proposal at Saugatuck Dunes State Park. The deer was spotted by multiple beach-goers last week at the state park.

State Department of Natural Resource personnel are monitoring the deer, which could pose a safety risk to people as it becomes comfortable with humans. Wildlife officials have considered tranquilizing the deer and moving it, and advise people to stay away.

In a Facebook post on the page “Events at The Felt Estate,” a spokesperson indicated that the deer had been hanging around the area since before July.

“For your safety and his well being please do not feed or pet the deer,” the post reads. “We are working with a wildlife specialist from the DNR who is monitoring the situation and working on solutions.”