Ice Skating Engagement! Caitlin and Matt

Grand Rapids, MI
Rosa Parks Circle

Congratulations Caitlin and Matt! What a fun day for ice-skating in the city! It was actually beautiful, warm(er) for Michigan in February, and the sun was out. These two are so cool (not just because they were ice skating! Hee hee). Their warm personalities make you feel like you've been friends for years. I instantly connected with these two. Smiles, jokes, a little insecurity about skating and falling on your arse (Caitlin)... I am so excited for this couple and can't wait for the wedding! They are having their reception at McKay Tower, which is reflected in the buildings in some of these shots. Pretty cool.

(They never fell on their arses, but other people did. They're in the background in some of these... Thought it was funny since it's the Olympics and everyone cringes on the edge of their seats waiting for people to fall. You know you do.)

Caitlin and Matt met at her cousin's wedding. Matt actually crashed it- well, kind of. The best man asked him to go. But Caitlin says he crashed it. They were together for two years when Matt proposed. There was a love note on the bed, and when Caitlin turned around, he was on his knee. He always tries to surprise her, and it never works, so this time he didn't plan anything and just did it. He wanted to propose on the blue bridge and got shot down for lack of originality. Ha!

Well, just look at these two! I am genuinely so, so happy for them. My heart gets bigger knowing people like these guys...

Riverside Receptions- Chelsea and Andrew

Riverside Receptions Etc., LLC
Centreville, MI

Congratulations Chelsea and Andrew!! What a gorgeous celebration by the river! What a venue too! This place is amazing--- and it's all together in one spot!

Clesea and Andrew met while working together at Old Burdicks in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Both were attending Western Michigan University.  After a while apart from each other, they became friends, and their first concert was Coheed and Cambria at Pierre’s in Fort Wayne.  Their first dance is actually to one of their songs. In 2015, the couple moved to Austin, Texas and have recently relocated again to Stillwater, OK.

They were engaged at the Cliffs of Mohr, in Ireland, on May 2, 2016, during the middle of a two week European adventure. Due to its location, the weather at the Cliffs is normally very cold, rainy, and windy, but on that day , the sun was shining. However, it started pouring about 15 minutes after the proposal. It was perfect.

This day was absolutely gorgeous! A special thank you to Elyse, the wonderful wedding planner from Posh Petals! http://lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/posh-petals-grand-rapids

I love working with Caedy Convis, my second photographer!! She is brilliant, fun, talented, and a beautiful person. Thank you, Caedy, for the great photos and always supporting me during my crazy wedding seasons!

Enjoy the preview:

New Vintage Place- Hannah and Ryan

Grand Rapids, MI
Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown
New Vintage Place

Congratulations to Hannah and Ryan! These two had classes together in high school but did not interact (other than when Ryan asked Hannah what he missed in math class while he wandered the halls). They ran into each other at a party and had one date before Hannah moved back to school. Ryan continued to call, asking Hannah to be his girlfriend, to which she declined. A few weeks later she asked him out.
They were together for seven and a half years before Ryan proposed. They were living in separate cities in Indiana while Hannah was finishing grad school. Ryan went to her
apartment to go to a wedding in Michigan. She saw his car in the lot, but he wasn't coming in. When she opened the door to look for him, he was on one knee holding a ring box. 

In case you missed their engagement session, please check it out here:
http://lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/downtown-grand-rapids-winter-engagement-session

I have a couple favorite parts of their day. The getting ready time was so beautiful. Hannah was so calm, collected, and the room was full of fun women giggling and having fun. Hannah should be on a cover of a magazine. I could have stayed there all day shooting. The venue was absolutely amazing, with everything all in one place but separate rooms to move and transition into the next part of the day. The first look with dad was sweet and emotional. Hannah and Ryan's first dance was to Led Zepplin, and as he was singing to her, the guests all held up candles and lighters- it was funny, but it was so pretty! I also loved that Hannah sat on her dad's lap after their dance, and that you can see this in the background of Ryan's dance with his mom. I loved this group! It was a very special celebration.

Thank you to my amazing second photographer, Maria Lewis! I loved working with this lady and she was as fun as she is talented! She scoped out a cool surprise location and I'm so glad she told me to save time for it. 

I am so honored that I had the chance to document the best day of Hannah and Ryan's lives so far... Good luck in all your adventures to come!
Please enjoy the preview: