St. Clair Inn
Emily + Alex
This day. These two families. These two beautiful humans.
SO MUCH LOVE.
I’ll let the photos explain for themselves.
Salsabil + Usher
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.
Ali + Trevor
Stafford Perry Hotel
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!!
Elle + Dave
An early morning elopement on the sands of Port Crescent State Park, big foot cake toppers and a Wes Anderson style of imagery. These sweethearts and their witnesses ( Dave’s grandparents) were truly a wonderful experience.
Dave, a long time friend and Elle, a beauty inside and out.. are two of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. They deserve every ounce of love and light in this world.
This was easily one of the best mornings in 2023, enjoy the smiles while getting ready in a cute mid century airbnb with the first look in the front yard. The warm summer sunshine peeking in and out of the clouds, the gusty wind and all the laughter. This day forever imprinted on our hearts and minds.
Taylor + Jordan
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
Mission Point Resort
Lindsay + Brad
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
Farah + Robbie
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!
Rachelle + Keith
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.
Lake Leelanau
Alicia + Matthew
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.
Marcus + Sydney
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
Stacey + Jordan
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.
Christine + Simon
"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.
Katie + Jake
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
Jennica + Josh
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.
The Year of 2019.
I think travel was in the cards for me this past year because I went back to the mountains in Breckenridge, Colorado for a gorgeous elopement. Flew out to Savannah, Georgia twice to capture weddings alongside my best friend and fellow wedding photgrapher Meghan Melia. We also stayed on Tybee Island for a few days and kicked off the season in the best way. I dove all over Michigan aka The Mitten State, from Petoskey to Detroit and everywhere in between. Besides hanging around the woods and Lake Huron in my home town for sessions, I practically lived in Detorit part time. Belle Isle and the architecture of Detroit really does have a piece of my heart.
Life continues to happen and even though I get to share a lot of incredible wedding moments with clients, I watched one of my best friends get married this year, while another celebrated their 10th year anniversary. I was able to capture the engagement session of my older sister and her love, which was a very different feeling emotionally. The collaborations with amazing musicians to create portraits for thier art and other brand creatives was at an all time high. I played around at the annual Port Huron to Mackinac race Boat Night carnival with friends, along with photographing and being in complete awe of the musical talent from my city. I made some of the best friendships with incredible people along the entire year. I watched and supported one of my other best girlfriends compete in a body building contest, amazed by her with such dedication. I’ve gotten to revisit with some of my previous couples with winter sessions and met the newest memebers of the family with others. I have gotten to experience seeing the once newborn babes, grow within the year. My heart is just filled to it’s seams.. from my seniors to my families, artist portrait shoots and new couples I meet. I’ve laughed, cried, danced and hugged a ton with you all while making new solid friendships.. Life is simply amazing, I tell ya.
This is the year that I would be able to say was my transformation year. I worked the hardest I ever have, I traveled the most I ever have for one year with 106 total sessions.. 20 of those being MY Wedding Days.. plus 2nd shooting for at least a dozen more with other photographers. My team.. assistants and 2nd photographers, you worked the hardest with me, I couldn’t have done it without you.
Talk about hustle. Most day I don’t know when to stop until life forcres me to. I’ve still been learning the balance of business vs. personal life and well, it is still a work in progress, haha. I just love being with my friends/clients, I am so truly grateful ... I love growing with you and being a part of all of the moments life offers us.
CHEERS TO YOU!
The War Memorial
Janelle + Matt
Janelle and Matt met on the sidewalk in NY.. already sounds like a fairytale, doesn't it? Janelle noticed Matt wearing Michigan State and chanted Go Green to him and he responded with Go White! This was how it all began. They had their first date at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC ( it's one of the little buildings on the cake top!) and they got engaged at the Philadelphia Art Museum. It only made sense that Janelle's sister Racheal wanted to incorporate art into some decorations for them. Hand painted little canvases on art easels, they were the cutest. The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe was a classic choice for the day. From the first look in the fern room, Janelle’s two piece wedding dress and that veil naturally blowing from the wind, to their first dance. These two were magical ❤
Lakeport, Michigan
If you’re ready to laugh and smile the whole way through a gallery, then this one is for you.
Angel, this beautiful and talented woman has been a dear friend since 19. She is ALWAYS laughing, always has a big beautiful smile and great energy. She and Kurt met at college in Michigan and moved to NY shortly after, I never was able to meet Kurt until the wedding day. One thing is for sure, this was a true match. Kurt smiles and laughs in equals measures with Angel. He also made their wedding cake, yeah.. talk about impressive!
They held their incredibly fun wedding in Angel’s parents backyard. I think I can speak for a lot of people who know the Assi’s, to say they are one incredible family. So many smiles, inappropriate and hilarious jokes combined with high energy.. I couldn’t help but laugh all day with them.
This partly sunny day was the greatest mix on top of the surprise belly dancer, our trip to the beach for portraits and Angel and Kurt’s first dance/head bang as husband and wife.
Alyssa + Jack
It's October in Michigan, and an early morning wedding was about to be held on the front lawn of the Port Sanilac Museum. Freshly made donuts, decorated by a friend and cider await the guests for this brunch style ceremony. Vintage 1950's style and peacock colors were the theme for Alyssa and Jack, but what is incredibly awesome about these two? They dress this way on a daily basis. The victory rolls and bow ties, a real 1950's wedding dress paired with a paper flower with music notes bouquet, assembled by Alyssa herself. These two melt me. First off, not only are they such beautiful people but they are quite the power couple. That's right, they play jazz together in their band Fifth Avenue. I became friends with Alyssa and Jack about 5 years ago, solidly. I saw them perform at a local summer festival here in our little town of Port Huron, Michigan. I was blown away at the angelic and powerful jazzy sound Alyssa belt out while Jack played his stand up bass. I came to find out that Alyssa was a pinup model and we ended up shooting together for the first time that winter.
Since then I had anticipated this day. Not only are they a great couple together, but they are so supportive of each other creatively. They played with their band Fifth Avenue at the reception at Old Town Hall Winery, Lexington Michigan, cut a homemade cake made my Alyssa's sister and after the first dance we headed over to the Captains Quarters, a little air bnb for a quick portrait session.
These two are classically in love.
