The Loft at Luna- Lauren and Max

Grand Rapids, MICHIGAN
THE LOFT AT LUNA

Congratulations Lauren and Max! What a beautiful wedding for these two at The Loft at Luna, downtown Grand Rapids.

The day started with nervous butterflies, put at ease with their private first look. It was a beautiful and emotional ceremony. My favorite part was photo time at the bubbles! It was an ArtPrize installation by the river, and as packed with people as it was, everyone graciously moved aside for the bride and groom. Those photos are perfect for this celebration. We just needed the champagne. Back to the reception, where it was clear these two have such loving support from close friends and family.

It was so nice to see Sarah and Nate (I photographed the wedding of one of the Matrons-of-Honor two years ago!). I have a few adorable shots of Lauren and Max at this wedding, dancing and making hearts at each other. Who knew that, in time, I would be photographing their wedding day too?

Lauren and Max met while Max was a long term guest staying at the hotel that Lauren managed for work. Their coworkers would all hang out and Max and Lauren hit it off. They found out that they grew up a few towns over from each other in Indiana. He loved Japanese culture and had lived there, and Lauren had taken a trip there.

They both love animals, especially their cats and dogs. They moved in together after only a year of dating (give or take) and after around three years of dating, got their second puppy, Moose. While taking Moose and Mila on Moose’s first walk at the park, Max proposed with a puppy in one arm and a ring in the other.

Max is usually the interest seeker, always finding new hobbies. Lauren is always willing to try new things. Max has taken her “drifting” in his Japanese drift car, they’ve learned about guns and bow and arrows, kayaking, and they’ve taken on two puppies! Lauren has gotten Max in the pool for some laps occasionally, as well as introducing Max to reality shows like Love is Blind…

Thank you so much for choosing me to document your big day! You two are so fun and lovely. Enjoy your preview…

The Revel Center - Sam and Seth

The Revel Center
Grand Rapids, MI

Congratulations Samantha and Seth! What a beautiful winter wedding! It had some perfect moments- from Seth and Sam sharing private vows to each other before the ceremony, to family making the day even more special with their humorous toasts, and then, of course, bagpipes!

The lucky ducks have been together for about three years. They first met when the bride heckled the groom at a lacrosse game in college. Fast forward four years, when they met again on Hinge. The official first date was a movie night at Sam’s house, but it ended up being a chat that lasted for five hours instead. Seth proposed on Sam’s family vacation for the 4th of July, where everyone was in on the surprise.

In case you missed their engagement session, you can check it out here:
https://lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/riverside-park-grand-rapids-engagement

Thank you so much for choosing me to document your story! Please enjoy the preview of the big day…

River Edge Bed and Breakfast Wedding- Lissa and Bryan

River Edge Bed and Breakfast
Lowell, MI

Congratulations to Lissa and Bryan! It was a gorgeous celebration at River Edge Bed and Breakfast, in Lowell. Surrounded by beautiful scenery and wonderful people, these two were so sweet and excited to vow to share the rest of their lives with each other.

The two first met sophomore year at Grand Valley State University, when they locked eyes across the room at a mutual friend’s house (who officiated the wedding) and quickly became “friends.”

Their first date was supposed to be the classic “dinner and a movie” which never actually manifested. Instead, they went to the wooden bridge over the Thornapple River in Ada. Lissa brought a disposable camera, and they spent the night taking pictures and hanging out around the water.

(In case you missed their engagement session, at their special spot on the river, you can check it out here:)
https://lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/ada-covered-bridge-engagement-photos

Fast forward 14ish years later, when they rekindled their friendship, spending many nights walking through the woods, hiking trails, conversing on train bridges, and the occasional Mario Party and wine session. They quickly realized that they couldn’t just be friends any longer…

…Since then, they’ve become a family and made it through a pandemic with a newborn. They now often confide to one another that, “it was always you” from the moment they first locked eyes.

Bryan proposed just before midnight on December 31, 2021, at the park where they first rekindled the “friendship.”

Lissa and Bryan share a love for the outdoors, conversing about anything and everything while walking on a trail, Mario Party (especially Mario Party 2), the water, their children, adventure, and champagne.

Thank you so much for choosing me to document your story! I absolutely loved the time away in the bumpy buggy with you two to take photos! Absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful people, inside and out. Please enjoy the preview of the day…