Marquette, MI Wedding- Jess and Kayla

Congratulations Jess and Kayla!! What an amazing day for these two lovely ladies!  Jess and Kayla met in school and were friends for quite a while before Kayla asked Jess for a date. They were at the ore dock, in Marquette, by the water when two beavers swam up, whacked their tails, and splashed them. I find it funny and like to think that those animals were saying, "You crazy kids, just get together already!"

In case you missed their engagement session, you can find it here:

http://lookatthebiggerpicture.com/grand-rapids-wedding-photographer-engagement-session-jess-and-kayla/

Jess actually popped the question to Kayla a while later, over sandwiches and champagne, again on the water.  Then came a trip to Chicago to get their marriage license. The celebration, however, was held at the beach in Marquette, MI!  Their beachy affair was THE most laid-back event that I have ever had the pleasure to photograph. I am in love with Michigan's upper peninsula. We couldn't get to "their spot"  by the ore dock on the big day, due to a fair going on that day, so I designed some special shots for them from images throughout the trip as a little surprise...

Jess and Kayla are so warm and friendly. It was a great group of people taking it all in. This was also the first time anyone asked to take pictures with me! Ha!! Their friends and family were crackin' me up. Such good times. So beautiful...

Enjoy the preview of their big day:

Amway, Grand Valley Alumni House, Mosaic Space- Cheryl and Marcus

Amway Grand Plaza
Grand Valley Alumni House
Mosaic Space
Grand Rapids, MI

Congratulations to Cheryl and Marcus!!

What an amazing and sweet couple! They met their last year of college through mutual friends. Many friends had graduated, so Cheryl and Marcus started spending more time together. After being chased by Marcus for almost a year, they graduated and did the long distance thing for a couple years.  Marcus lived in Ohio and Indiana to pursue his teaching career, and Cheryl stayed in Michigan and started working in Grand Rapids. After almost two years, he realized he couldn't stand being without her everyday and moved to Grand Rapids. He proposed at a friend's cottage up north last May. He asked her to come sit on the dock and started talking about how they had been together for five years... and then he pulled a ring out of his pocket.

In case you missed the engagement session, you may find it here:

http://lookatthebiggerpicture.com/grand-rapids-engagement-session-cheryl-and-marcus/

My favorite part about this wedding was traipsing around Grand Rapids on such a beautiful day with just the two of them. It was so peaceful before the big party!! This day was so fun.

I am honored to document their story.

Here is a little sneak peek of their day....

Special thanks to my lovely second shooter, the talented and beautiful, Katie Mollon. Thank you to Romeyne Cloud of Mosaic Space!! You ladies rock and I love what you have done with this gorgeous venue. Also, I highly recommend Sean Boney for your DJ services. This guy is fun and used to be a wedding photographer, so he was so good to me! No laser dots for the dance. Love that. ;) 

Apple Mountain Resort -- Erin and Bryan

Apple Mountain Resort
Freeland MI

Erin and Bryan met through his cousin, Allison, over pitchers of Blatz one Tuesday night. After laughing all night, Erin had to ask for Bryan's number. Their love sustained a long distance relationship while Erin was in Grand Rapids for pharmacy school. As they put it, "Distance is not for the fearful, it's for the bold. It's for those knowing a good thing when they see it, even if they don't see it nearly enough." After graduation, they started thinking about happily ever after.

These two are so funny and super, super cool people. Naturals in front of the camera, they kept me laughing through the lens. Just in case you missed their awesome engagement session, you may view it here: 
www.lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/erinandbryan

The wedding was gorgeous. Apple Mountain Resort has sprawling green hills and an intimate little chapel that was perfect for these two. My favorite part of the day was "the shoe game". This was new to me. Erin and Bryan sat back to back and they had one of Bryan's shoes and one of Erin's in each hand. The DJ (Scott Arnett from Rusch Entertainment) would ask a question and each raised either Erin or Bryan's shoe to answer the question. Laughter erupted throughout the venue.

Whenever I think about this couple, I just see smiles. They are all smiles!!I am honored that I had the chance to document their big day. Special thanks to the people who made this day so wonderful and go so smoothly are listed below.

Please enjoy the preview:

The amazing, talented, beautiful-inside and out- second photographer= Katie Mollon. Thank you so much for all you do. I can't possibly say enough.

I love this wedding planner!!! You will too! She will take care of things you can't even remember to worry about. LOVE. HER. = Darcie Johnson. Happily Ever After Events. www.heaevents.com. darcie.johnson@gmail.com

Event Coordinator for Apple Mountain Resort. Believe me, you want this lady in charge of your day!! Amazing. = Abbe Adair. aadair@applemountain.com

DJ with the skills= Scott Arnett, Rusch Entertainment. www.ruschentertainment.com

The best officiant I have come across yet. Period. I wish I could work with her every wedding. Ask me about "unplugged" weddings!! Wonderful!!= Gail Crachiola. gpc49@yahoo.com

These ladies were so super sweet to chat with me when I was UUBER early!! They also did a fantastic job. Check out their linens.= Special Occasions (ask for Melanie!) www.special-occasions.net

Thank you wedding friends!!