St. Clair Inn, St. Clair Mi
This day. These two families. These two beautiful humans.
SO MUCH LOVE.
I’ll let the photos explain for themselves.
Kirk In The Hill and The Muslim Unity Center
These two sweethearts were so beautiful together, we started first with gorgeous portraits at Kirk In The Hills church and then headed to the Muslim Unity Center in Bloomfield Hills for the ceremony. Salsa and Usher along with their community of friends and family, were all excited to see these two unite.
Salsa who is also a talented model was the most exquisite with portraits, her attire was stunning as was she in the gorgeous evening light. Enjoy the moments we shared last summer.
Stafford Perry Hotel, Mi
Where the sun is always shining and the view is always perfect. I absolutely love making the trip up to Petoskey, one of my favorite cities in Michigan!
Stafford Weddings + Ali and Trevor were a match made in Michigan!!
12 Corners Winery, Mi
It’s September, we are at 12 Corners Winery and orchard on the west side of Michigan, it is the most comfortable 75 degrees and a sunny day.. this would literally be a dream in Michigan, and it was.
Andrea + Colby had their first look by the grape vines accompanied by Andrea’s grandmother on a pendant in her handmade wooden flowered bouquet. Our ceremony and portraits in the apple trees with their closest friends and family. Tented outside for cocktail hour and the reception, with the golden light coming through the rows of grape vines for golden hour portraits. We could not have asked for a more perfect day.
The Boathouse On Lake Charleviox, Mi
These two sweethearts hosted their wedding in East Jordan, but we ventured to Harbor Springs for the ceremony and stopped in Petoskey at the sweet little hidden waterfall for portraits and so many laughs. Michigan is full of magic, especially the further north you go. We really have some gems in the mitten, especially toward the Leelanau peninsula. Donuts for the cake cutting and golden hour dances, and lastly running to the docks for the last bit of light of the day. It was pure Michigan magic.
The Boathouse on Lake Charleviox is a beautiful private waterfront venue with a classy, modern indoor/outdoor space : miboathouse.com ! They also have a cute airbnb called Gunther’s General Store, which is a general store that has been converted. It is a classic diner style space full of antiques.
Wedding Planner : loandcoeventdesign.com
Belle Isle Casino, Detroit Michigan
Kori+ Colin
“ I believe in a thing called LOVE” - The Darkness
Kori + Colin had a super hot and extremely fun Detroit Wedding. Colin has been a dear friend since the teenage years and to watch my friend find a real love, melts my heart. And then not only photograph this incredible union, but to be with friends on their wedding day is such an honor. These two loves have such their own esthetic, and they are both barbers! Together they own Revival Barber in Ferndale, Mi. I couldn’t wait to see their vibe come to life.
Mission Point Resort, Mackinac Island Mi
Where to begin? I met Lindsay and Brad for the first time after the summer of 2011. I feel like I had watched their relationship grow so much over the years. Everyone was waiting for this day to come.. and it was finally here. I cannot say enough great things about the Payton family, they are like my second family after working for them at Vintage Tavern (Port Huron, Michigan's gem). If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have been able to build my business and be where I am today. So having Lindsay contact me last year once she and Brad were engaged, I couldn't even contain my excitement and honor.
Mackinac wasn't anything short of amazing. This island is a Michigan paradise, where everything you need is brought to you by horse power or by bicycle. Fudge swirls the air of down town and sailboats are docked 24-7. This was a super special place to Lindsay, as she had been coming to Mackinac since she was a little girl. Brad proposed at Arch Rock and the rest is history. It was a dream. I spent 3 days with these beautiful souls and I cannot contain my heart with them <3
Meadowbrook Hall, Mi
I don’t even know where to begin with these two sweethearts, we had such a high energy day full of love. First was the greeting at Farah’s residence. Imagine your chest feeling not only your beautiful beating heart but feeling the full boom of the bendir drums, bagpipes and chants of this Zaffa! If you’ve never experienced a Zaffa, look up the music and really feel these images. These moments make my heart soar. The beautiful family connections and the dancing took my breath away.
Once to Meadowbrook Hall cocktail hour was in session and we spent some time with portraits before the grand entrance. High energy dancing swept us in to speeches and then a tornado warning almost had us evacuate to the basement of Meadowbrook Hall. Thankfully the warning only lasted 15 minutes and we were able to use blue hour to create in for the last light of the day before dinner. Dancing continued, so many laughs and hugs and great food was had. It was seriously one of the best celebrations of the year!
Shinola Hotel and The Eastern Detroit, Mi
Full of colors and the gorgeous sun shining with a quick downpour in the evening, this Detroit wedding was one for the books. Angelina and Tyler reside in Chicago but wanted to celebrate with their friends and family in the mitten. We started at the Shinola hotel for getting ready with the first look in Parker’s Alley, right behind Shinola. We ventured with the wedding party through the amazing murals and colors in the Eastern Market. Celebrating at The Eastern for the ceremony and reception, with joyous tears, lots of cheers and a sweet serenade by Angelina with the live band. This was an epic day.
Side note: hire a live band :)
The Roostertail, Detroit Mi
Do exactly what you want!
Valerie and Ashli had a vibe all of their own. The October feels in the city were so vibrant especially when you have your first look with hand written vows in your own personalized books and have a quick sage to start your day! Gorgeous portraits at Belle Isle and walking appetizer’s at the reception which included a hot pretzel wall, pot pies and a charcuterie display. Incorporate your favorite boys ( your dogs) with your signature drink and a donut wall. Have your first dances to The Golden Girls theme song and then intercept with your mother’s as a surprise! The detail and thought put into all of the decor and the vibe of this party was just perfect! See for your self!
The Rivercrab Docks, Mi
Rachelle + Keith wanted to spend their rehearsal dinner like a mini reception because of the 2020 shut down. They gathered with friends and family on the docks of the St. Clair Rivercrab and we all were blown away with how gorgeous of an evening we had. The warm air, the speeches that left us in tears, the siblings going for the cake after it was cut but not served yet, haha and also.. colored glassware is my fav.
Aurora Cellars Winery, Lake Leelanau, Mi
It’s Autumn in Michigan and the colors are just so incredible the more you head north. October weddings are some of my favorite, with the sugar donuts and cider scents in the air, pumpkins and the cool breezes sweeping around the old farmhouse feel. We prepared for high wind and rain for the forecast, so umbrellas were a must with the first look by the big willow tree. The ceremony was originally suppose to be in front of the willow tree, but our Michigan Fall weather brought us inside the tent instead.
The muted colors, prints and textures for the wedding party attire, is still one of my favorite color pallets and vibes. Thank goodness for the groomsmen for supplying lots of drinks and jokes to fuel our day and the fun photo bus to capture some fun memories to take home ..
A big thank you for making the day beautifully easy going, with the help of our amazing planner Janelle from Hazel and Grey Events.
Backyard weddings are some of my favorite weddings. Sydney and Marcus were so excited to share such a beautiful day at their home they bought together earlier last year. These two are some of the most genuine and hilarious people you’ll meet.. and with such talent. After meeting at the local black box theater, these two were inseparable. This sweet family of four also shares humor and love with two smart and adorable twin 5 year old girls. Summer was warm and beautiful and the sun shining that day was magic.
Venue: Sydney and Marcus’s backyard
Flowers: DIY by Sydney
Cake: Betsy’s Bakes
A gorgeous vintage backyard wedding full of antiques and love. Stacey is a hairdresser and Jordan is a bee keeper among other things. Stacey’s mother owns an antique store in Port Sanilac, Michigan called Remarkables and beautifully decorated their barn in the back yard. It is literally one of the most unique and beautiful spaces I have had the pleasure to shoot in. It rained a bit, just as the ceremony began at Lady Of The Lake church and then cleared up enough for gorgeous portraits at Harbor Beach marina. A must have stop for a drink at Shady Shores and then onto an incredible party with dancing at sunset. The cake and pies were made by Stacy’s family and little honey pots were take home gifts to the guests. The end of summer in the mitten doesn’t get much better than this.
The Ford Piquette Plant, Detriot Mi
I have watched these two and their beautiful relationship unfold over the last few years. I met Jen at a previous wedding and the friend circle of brides that would welcome me into the most beautiful friendships and memories.
Detroit has my heart. The coldness of this November day with bits of sunshine would seriously make the perfect day to the end of my season. The Ford Piquette Plant is seriously a vintage car dream and sooo the style of these two. Jen should be an interior decorator, as most of the pieces used for details, are her own. This woman has talent and one of the most beautiful hearts and Jake is the ultimate match, hilarious and one of the biggest sweethearts. Honestly I couldn't have asked for better people to share my passion with.
First looks are my favorite and so are sunsets over Detroit.. especially when we get to play on rooftops
Ann Arbor, Mi
"Loving you is easy"
These words are still echoing in my ears from Christine + Simon , they are two of the most beautiful souls. The heritage brought from Simon's family was so special. Simon wore a bolo tie from Gallup, New Mexico from his father's friend who is part of the Pokagon, Potowatomi tribe and both wore Turquoise bracelets that were a gift from a family member.
I'll never forget this ceremony.. while Christine started to walk down the aisle with her father, the loudest crack of thunder echoed through the sky. It was wild. I wish I had the audio to the images, because it was just magical. The wedding vase used in their ceremony belonged to his Aunt Debbie Cayedito who is no longer with us. This is the best description of what it is: “One spout of the vessel represents the husband; the other, the wife. The looped handle represents the unity achieved with marriage. The space created within the loop represents the couples’ own circle of life.” There was actually tea in the vase that they both individually drank and then drank together. We did get hit with the down pour as soon as the ceremony ended, but only for about 15 minutes. Thank God for amazing friends, as one of my good girlfriends was a guest at the wedding and grabbed my umbrellas for me just as the ceremony started.
Both of the families were incredible, artistic and unique. So many beautiful things were constantly happening. So many smiles, laughs and watching Arnold, their pup, run around so happy, songs were sang by Simon's family and Simon himself sang to his bride. And as the evening came to a close, we chased the sunset.
Love is magic.
Stafford Perry Hotel, Petoskey Mi
Northern Michigan never disappoints, with the perfect weather and perfect sunsets happening on the fresh west shoreline.
Katie + Jake had one beautiful day. These two creatives shared some of the most beautiful vows I have ever heard, full of truth, they had us all in tears of joy to see the strength of their love. Siblings made up their wedding party and everyone was full of smiles and laughter. Petoskey is one of my favorite little shoreline towns, the cute hillside victorian homes and the Perry Hotel established in 1899 gives such a romantic vintage feeling. We had the first look in front of the porch at the Perry, portraits at a natural waterfall, vogue feels with the wedding party, tons of laughs from the speeches given by Katie's father and Jake's brother, dancing at sunset and playing on the shoreline in blue hour..
Yeah, I'll never tire of being #smittenwiththemitten <3
Historical District Warren, Michigan
My best friend got MARRIED! It still hasn't sunk in all the way.. 2019 is our year!
Jennica and Josh have been friends for years and over last winter, sparks just flew. Josh came out to Port Huron to help Jennica pick up some bunnies from her sister as a Christmas present for her son Aubin, it's kind of where it began. We all hung out at our favorite Raven Cafe and I snapped the first image of the two of them together as "just friends".. well, look where we are now!
These two just fit. Josh and Jennica built and assembled their entire wedding space in the backyard of their home. Jennica is a natural when it comes to event planning, honestly she needs to make this her career haha! Josh built their new shed that they had their ceremony in front of and all the decor was basically right from the walls of their home. All of the special people in their lives where there.
From Aubin, Jennica's son walking her down the aisle, Josh's mother making all of the food, Jennica's sister Angie making the wedding favors and cupcakes, and friends bringing the music and love.. it was quite the perfect intimate wedding.
Thank you for making my best friend feel so loved Josh, I cannot wait for the future of this new family.
Port Huron, Mi
I am still just absolutely swooning over Hira + Matt.
It has been a long time since we all roamed the same halls in high school.. and who would have thought we would find ourselves here, many many years later. One of the most perfect days in December ended up on the 21st. Reconnecting and sharing such beautiful intimate moments with two beautiful families, first look at Port Huron Golf Club- a very meaningful place for Matt, taking portraits downtown and running into another beautiful couple (my fellow photographer friend on his wedding day).. revisiting Sperry's , now Sperry’s Movie house for a moment, where Hira and Matt had one of their first dates.. ceremony at sunset and to step back outside for the last minutes of this golden light, my heart was so full.
Looking at our little city with a different heart and fresh eyes, what magic.
The Gem Theater, Detroit Mi
Talk about an insane, long awaited union of two of the sweetest, most creative women I know. Saturday was one for the books. I have never witnessed such an intense feel of love when both Elise and Kara walked into their ceremony space. The entire room was hollering and over the moon with joy for these two. As Elise's father had stated a few times "This is the couple of the year.." and it couldn't feel more true. Kara and Elise met 11 years ago through friends, and it was seriously meant to be.
Our day was wild and laid back at the same time.. Starting with the beautiful view from the Greek town Casino hotel where the ladies were getting ready. We wondered around The Belt before the ceremony started, pulling off some incredible images of the most vogue looking group of individuals. After the incredibly emotional ceremony ended we drank champagne with the WOW factor still intact.. marveled in the beauty of The Gem Theater before dinner started. After gorgeous speeches with friends and loved ones we got down to a group of talented musicians from Detroit Institute of Music Eduction (where Elise has worked for the last 5 years) and Elise's DAD got in on the action!!!
The last moments of light from such a beautiful day was spent with golden hour portraits, and very last.. There was no denying the love between these two and even Detroit was showing us so much love from everyone we passed <3
I couldn't be more happy for you both, I love you, my friends.
