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. ;) 

Petoskey Wedding Perry's Hotel-Leah and Maggie

Perry's Hotel
Petoskey, MI

Congratulations to Leah and Maggie!! These two brides are so beautiful-- inside and out. Both of them bring laughter and happiness wherever they go. They have been a perfect match for each other ever since they met at medical school. I was so honored to capture their big day, which was SOOOO much fun! I had an absolute blast! It started with the girls getting ready and everyone was just so excited and bubbly! The first look was super cute because Leah and Maggie had the same reaction.  Their warmth and connection to each other are a photographer's dream. I adore these two (did you see their engagement session?! www.lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/leah-and-maggie-4.  They also like "the vino", which makes me like them even more).

It was a very intimate celebration, and the guests were all having fun and just enjoying themselves with Petoskey's beautiful scenery in the background. We all had a blast on the dance floor (yes, I even got my groove on!) and definitely didn't want the night to end.

I am ecstatic that I made two new friends. I can't wait to have some wine with these chicas. I look forward to all their adventures to come!

Here are some samples of the day...