Rockwell Lake Lodge - Ali and Shawn

Rockwell Lake Lodge
Hillsdale College Research Center

Luther, MI

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Zillmer!! What a fun and laid-back celebration, even with the added “good luck fortune” of some rain on the big day.

Shawn and Ali met at work, when Shawn re-trained Ali at Hopcat, after she returned from the Peace Corps. They hit it off immediately and for their first date they went to Wealthy Street Theatre to see Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom. Shawn likes playing video games while Ali likes to read, and they both enjoy going to the beach, camping, and having a cold beer on the deck in their backyard.

Shawn proposed on a trip to Florida with friends. They were walking on the beach alone, and Ali thought it was coming, but he didn’t do it. Then, later… she was taking pictures of the sunset and he got down on one knee.

My job was pretty easy because Shawn and Nicole, the Matron of Honor, kept making Ali laugh. I just love her animated faces!!

Thank you so much for choosing me to document your story. Keep making each other laugh. Enjoy the preview of your big day…

80 in the 80's - Gregory Family Birthday

Gull Lake
Richland, MI

What a fun celebration- “80 in the 80’s”!! Happy Birthday, Joanne! It was a beautiful, colorful, Madonna-inspired day, full of scrunchies, neon, and lace.

I hope I am this vivacious when I grow up. “Oma” is a blast. I didn’t even get that she was the birthday girl when I met her— someone had to tell me. This family is a blast. So fun and full of genuine people. Just like my family, they wouldn’t let me go home without taking a plate of food.

I loved everyone on the dance floor! They sure know how to “Celebrate good times…Come on…”

Thank you so much for choosing me to document the fun. Enjoy your preview of the day…

River Edge Bed and Breakfast Wedding- Lissa and Bryan

River Edge Bed and Breakfast
Lowell, MI

Congratulations to Lissa and Bryan! It was a gorgeous celebration at River Edge Bed and Breakfast, in Lowell. Surrounded by beautiful scenery and wonderful people, these two were so sweet and excited to vow to share the rest of their lives with each other.

The two first met sophomore year at Grand Valley State University, when they locked eyes across the room at a mutual friend’s house (who officiated the wedding) and quickly became “friends.”

Their first date was supposed to be the classic “dinner and a movie” which never actually manifested. Instead, they went to the wooden bridge over the Thornapple River in Ada. Lissa brought a disposable camera, and they spent the night taking pictures and hanging out around the water.

(In case you missed their engagement session, at their special spot on the river, you can check it out here:)
https://lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/ada-covered-bridge-engagement-photos

Fast forward 14ish years later, when they rekindled their friendship, spending many nights walking through the woods, hiking trails, conversing on train bridges, and the occasional Mario Party and wine session. They quickly realized that they couldn’t just be friends any longer…

…Since then, they’ve become a family and made it through a pandemic with a newborn. They now often confide to one another that, “it was always you” from the moment they first locked eyes.

Bryan proposed just before midnight on December 31, 2021, at the park where they first rekindled the “friendship.”

Lissa and Bryan share a love for the outdoors, conversing about anything and everything while walking on a trail, Mario Party (especially Mario Party 2), the water, their children, adventure, and champagne.

Thank you so much for choosing me to document your story! I absolutely loved the time away in the bumpy buggy with you two to take photos! Absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful people, inside and out. Please enjoy the preview of the day…