Millennium Park Wedding - Amanda and Matt

St. Jude / MillenNium Park
Grand Rapids, MI

Congratulations to Amanda and Matt! So much laughter. So much love. So many happy tears and full hearts. All against a background of the beautiful Millennium Park in West Michigan.

Maybe the perfect sunny day was to balance out the not-so-perfect-but-memorable engagement story, which I have permission to get into here ;). Matt planned a weekend trip to Manistee. Friday night , after dinner at a seafood place downtown, Amanda got food poisoning! Incidentally, that's not the first time she had gotten food poisoning with Matt at the most INOPPORTUNE time imaginable.

Matt suggested to take it easy, but they rarely take vacations for pleasure and Amanda knew in her bones that he was going to pop the question, “so nothing was stopping us from having a delightful freaking day”. They had a full day of activities planned: farmer's market, walk the downtown area, lunch, hike along Lake Michigan- the works. She was a trooper. They eventually made it to a trail with a breathtaking view of the lake. Matt made a teary and heart-felt speech and she couldn't say yes fast enough.

Amanda proceeded to shout/blurt out at a passer-by on the trail that they had just gotten engaged. This person happened to be a photographer. They got their photo taken on the spot, but due to reception problems, they have never seen that photo.

That night they had dinner (successfully) and watched the sunset on the beach. The next day, they stopped at a golf course to play a round of 9 and Amanda still proceeded to tell everyone they came in contact with that they were just engaged. They called their loved ones when they got home aaaaaand then waited two years to start planning the wedding.

So funny.
Well, you may never see that photo of the engagement moment, but here is a preview of your beautiful big day, with a few hundred more coming…. ;)

Millenium Park Grand Rapids Engagement - Sarah and Aaron

Grand Rapids, Michigan
Millenium Park

Congratulations Sarah and Aaron!! These two came to the session full of energy and smiles.
They met online (Bumble) in August of 2019. Their first date was at Zoobies, in Lansing. They had some drinks and then had so much fun talking they forgot to have dinner. Now they talk about how it was the fastest 3.5 hours ever and that they knew within 15 minutes that they had found something different and special. Sarah broke all the "be cool" rules and told him about things like the Scandinavian cookbook she picked up at the library before they met. They set up the second date before they even left. She texted her best friend from the car, "Now THAT was a first date!" They had three dates that first week. They finally ate dinner together (sushi - one of their favorite meals) on Tuesday, and did an escape room and Italian on Friday. Sarah says that falling for Aaron was truly the easiest thing she’s ever done.

Aaron proposed this past July (7/30/2020) and they will get married one year to the day (7/30/2021). He had asked her stepfather for permission before he passed away in March. With Covid shutting everything down, he had a really hard time getting a ring and keeping Sarah from finding out that he was looking for one. Her sister and best friend helped him find the perfect vintage inspired ring. He asked permission from her mom and dad too. He got the ring on a Wednesday afternoon and had to ask as soon as possible. They went to Tunnel Park, in Holland, on Thursday for a picnic dinner after work. She may have known it was coming, but it didn't make it any less perfect. They ate on the beach and watched the sunset over the water. When no one was around (he knew she would hate an audience), he got down on one knee and asked Sarah if she would marry him. She said yes four times! Then came a wonderful night of calling family and friends and a champagne toast when they got home.

Things they like to do together… Everything. They love cooking, watching TV, spending time with family, and going on walks together. Pre-covid, they have gone to Les Mis, Phantom, Hamilton, Harry Potter Orchestra, Trans Siberian Orchestra, took several cooking classes, trips to Chicago and DC, skiing, shopping, mini golfing, trips up north, cider mills, Michigan football game, and celebrating Christmas outrageously, including three trips to Bronner's Christmas Wonderland.

Stay tuned for the big day at Grand Rapids Public Museum!
Please enjoy the preview of their fun engagement session, photographed on the last week of good weather here in Michigan…

Ballroom at McKay - Zac and Elyse

Fountain Street Church
McKay Ballroom, McKay Tower
Grand Rapids, MI

Congratulations Zac and Elyse! These two are hilarious. They keep me on my toes. The very first time I met them, I knew their sense of humor would bring some fun to their engagement and wedding photos.

These two actually met through Tinder. They were laughing together for two years before Zac proposed, on Maui. His brother lives there, and when they were visiting, he popped the question at sunset. What’s funny is that it had rained the whole trip EXCEPT for that time when Zac proposed. That’s a pretty clear sign, I’d say.

In case you missed their engagement session, you can view it here:
https://lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/orchard-engagement-session

The big day was full of laughter as well. The day started at Hampton Inn and Suites, then on to the ceremony at Fountain Street Church, and the reception at MacKay Ballroom. It was a beautiful March wedding in Michigan! We were grateful for some sun and it felt so good to have some time downtown with the bridal party! Zac and Elyse even snuck away for a few breathers with beautiful scenery along the way.

Mr. and Mrs., thank you so much for choosing me to document your story. Please enjoy the preview: