Riverside Park Doggy Session

Grand Rapids, MI

Here's to my wonderful friend, Carleen, and her kiddo, Mojo. We are praying for Mojo's health and wanted to document their close relationship another year. In case you missed their last session, you can catch it here:
www.lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/carle-and-mojo

Mojo loves Riverside Park, as we all do in GR, so we went for some chill time at sunset. 

I love that the book Carlee is reading is "How to Speak Dog", as Mojo is quite the diva. It's just funny to me. She has her own personality for sure and will let you know how she feels. She is playful and sweet, but do not tick her off. Silent treatment with a nose in the air. I will always and forever think of Mojo when there are fireworks, from all the scaredy-cat stories. It's ok, Mojo. I just want to hug her all week of the 4th of July. 

I know that they've been there for each other through a lot over the years. Best friends such as these should be on camera. 

Thank you for letting me capture the love you have for each other! Enjoy the preview:

PINETREE BARN WEDDING - Ashley and Hal

FLUSHING, MI
CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

Congratulations to Ashley and Hal! What a beautiful, laid-back celebration this was! These two have known each other since they were youngins in grade school. Hal's brother actually brought them back together years later. Hal says that he loved her way back when. He surprised her with a proposal on her birthday, December 26th, where she almost tripped over him down on his knee.

In case you missed their adorable fall engagement session, you can view it here:
http://www.lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/ashleyandhal

I had so many favorite parts of their wedding day. I loved that they included "warming of the rings", where they laid out their rings at the entrance of their ceremony and asked their guests to hold them and send best wishes and positive thoughts onto the symbols of the couple's love to each other.

A moment to cherish was when Hal just jumped into his vows right away! He started talking to Ashley in the very beginning of the ceremony. It was the sweetest and cutest thing- seeing him overwhelmed with emotion and so nervous and happy- and anxious!- to marry his best friend. I couldn't hear anything, but I loved that.

Let's also give a shout out to Ashley, who is very pregnant, for being a Wedding Warrior! I think I need to get a trophy for her. On her feet all day in the hot hot sun, and so nice and lovely. The ultimate fav was their REVEAL! The blue egg underneath the birds on their cake-topper meant that they are having a BOY!! WHOOP WHOOP!! Another addition to their already beautiful family!

A huge thank you to Katie Mollon, my second shooter, who is amazing, talented, and just plain wonderful! I wish I could work with her everyday. 

Ashley and Hal, thank you so much for choosing me to document your story! You guys were the best! Enjoy your preview:

Cobblestone Farm Wedding - Bianka and Beth

Ann Arbor, MI

Congratulations to Bianka and Beth! What fun ladies! So laid-back and cool. They've actually been together for 20 years, so the declaration of their commitment and love for each other has already been there for two decades. They wanted to wait for the legalization in Michigan to legitimately tie the knot. 

These two met through work at a residential treatment center for children. Bianka said that she found herself looking forward to her shifts with Beth because of her sincerity, humor, and overall desire to help make things a little better for the children. Bagels turned into drinks, and twenty years later they are getting married!

In case you missed their engagement session with the doggies, you can check it out here:
http://lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/biankaandbeth

Well, we got rained out at the farm. Rain is good luck for weddings, though. It never broke anybody's spirit. I have to say, the ceremony was truly beautiful. They spoke of how, in a relationship, when you help make each other better people, you end up making the world a better place too. There was a period when they stopped the ceremony and everyone gave a sign of peace to each other. I, myself, am used to this in church, but I thought what a great breath to take right then. People were hugging and happy. This ceremony had a deeper meaning, as these two ladies act on their true deeper meanings to give to the world. Yes, I cried again.

Another favorite part for me was sitting at the "head table" with the ladies and their family! Wow! I'm never at the VIP table, so that was so nice! And, of course, Zingerman's food is THE best wedding food. Hand's down. It was a great time. 

Also!! I would love to point out that they got their flowers from Trader Joe's!! I commented on them, because I loved them so much and they looked so professional! Just a tip for my future brides out there. ;) 

I am honored that I got to document their story. Thank you, Bianka and Beth. Enjoy the preview: