Townsend Park Engaged- Jessica and Eric

GRAND RAPIDS, MI
TOWNSEND PARK, MI

Congratulations Jessica and Eric! These two were troopers, with a location switch as we were all driving! Michigan- the weather isn't the only roller coaster we deal with here. They were so great about it and just rolled with the punches. That's a good quality in a couple. 

They met at work, starting out as friends, which lead into more... and have been together for four years. They were on a backpacking trip for the first time and it was storming. The next morning, the sun was shining and they walked down to the beach, where Eric proposed. It was very meaningful, coming out of the storm into the sunlight... 

The woods were really important to them in this shoot (probably because they are the bad-ass backpacking kind), so I'm glad we were able to get all of these photo opportunities at this park. 

The big day is September 15, so stay tuned! These guys are going to be so fun!

PINETREE BARN WEDDING - Ashley and Hal

FLUSHING, MI
CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

Congratulations to Ashley and Hal! What a beautiful, laid-back celebration this was! These two have known each other since they were youngins in grade school. Hal's brother actually brought them back together years later. Hal says that he loved her way back when. He surprised her with a proposal on her birthday, December 26th, where she almost tripped over him down on his knee.

In case you missed their adorable fall engagement session, you can view it here:
http://www.lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/ashleyandhal

I had so many favorite parts of their wedding day. I loved that they included "warming of the rings", where they laid out their rings at the entrance of their ceremony and asked their guests to hold them and send best wishes and positive thoughts onto the symbols of the couple's love to each other.

A moment to cherish was when Hal just jumped into his vows right away! He started talking to Ashley in the very beginning of the ceremony. It was the sweetest and cutest thing- seeing him overwhelmed with emotion and so nervous and happy- and anxious!- to marry his best friend. I couldn't hear anything, but I loved that.

Let's also give a shout out to Ashley, who is very pregnant, for being a Wedding Warrior! I think I need to get a trophy for her. On her feet all day in the hot hot sun, and so nice and lovely. The ultimate fav was their REVEAL! The blue egg underneath the birds on their cake-topper meant that they are having a BOY!! WHOOP WHOOP!! Another addition to their already beautiful family!

A huge thank you to Katie Mollon, my second shooter, who is amazing, talented, and just plain wonderful! I wish I could work with her everyday. 

Ashley and Hal, thank you so much for choosing me to document your story! You guys were the best! Enjoy your preview: