by admin | May 27, 2020 | Ballroom Weddings, Fall Weddings, Outdoor Ceremony, Weddings
On a rainy October Friday, Cheyenne and Carlos were married at The Grecian Center. Remember their winter downtown Wyandotte engagement session?
Despite the rain, they were still able to be married outdoors thanks to the large awning over the ceremony space. And yes, it rained and stopped (typical for October weather) and we made it work. All was well! What’s very special about a Grecian Center wedding is the beautiful garden, which was still colorful despite it being mid-October.
Cheyenne, who is incredible and did HER OWN makeup and hair for her wedding, was the maid of honor in my very first wedding. In fact, Sarah, my very first bride (and old cowoker) was the maid of honor in this wedding! I love being able to work with friends of old couples.
Something to know about Cheyenne and Carlos is that they love music. They both have great voices! My favorite part of the wedding day was a surprise Carlos had planned for Cheyenne, where he sang to her. The best part? She joined in! I haven’t been to many weddings where the couple provided part of the entertainment. It was truly a sweet moment and one that made the day even more special.
This Grecian Center wedding was all about the party. I don’t think the dance floor cleared at all! Cheyenne and Carlos’ friends and family were boogying down all night long!
by admin | Apr 28, 2020 | Ballroom Weddings, Weddings, Winter Weddings
Winter weddings are honestly under-rated. I really wanted to have one — they’re just such warm events! Sarah and Brandon’s Lafayette Grande wedding took place a few days after Christmas, so the holiday vibes were present. I think that’s probably one of the best parts about getting married around the holidays — there’s always extra decorations everywhere and you don’t have to provide them!
This Lafeyette Grande wedding wasn’t holiday-themed. In fact, Sarah and Brandon infused aspects of their personalities and relationship into the day. From the Game of Thrones and Harry Potter table numbers to the many books to sign at the guest book table to the beautiful personal vows they shared…they really made the wedding day their own.
Perhaps you remember from their University of Michigan engagement session, Sarah and Brandon met as freshmen at the University of Michigan. During their engagement session, we even visited the dorm they met in (a small 70-something person building). Their friendship (and love) blossomed as the years went on, as roommates in the later years, and through graduate school and moves to Florida and now Wisconsin. Ten years later, they tied the knot at the Lafeyette Grand in the Grande Ballroom.
Things I loved about this wedding: Sarah’s dress (that pattern…so good), Brandon’s custom suit, the mismatched wedding party attire, the simplicity yet beauty of the florals (perfect for winter), and how much Sarah and Brandon seemed to enjoy the day. The Lafayette Grande was perfect for a winter wedding because it’s so beautiful inside. Super easy for photos! I can’t wait to be back this fall.
I really enjoyed working alongside Sarah, Brandon, and their closest friends and family. Sarah was one of the most organized and thoughtful brides I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. It was such an honor to capture this day for these two!
From the bride: “Madalyn was probably the best photographer we could have asked for, it was like having a friend instead of a vendor do our photos. Her photos obviously speak for themselves but she was so incredibly organized and professional throughout the entire process, she got us our timeline and I was able to use that to build the rest of our day of schedule around it. She communicated early and often and always made sure she got the list of required photos we wanted so we didn’t miss anything. Since she also hadn’t photographed at our venue before, she set up her own meeting with the venue before the wedding to get a tour and walkthrough so it wasn’t a surprise on the day of the wedding. She was assertive when she needed to be to wrangle our families for photos but otherwise was extremely flexible in getting shots if the plans changed! Especially since our wedding was late in the winter and we decided against a first look, she made sure to have a lighting assistant on hand to help coordinate additional flash and we got some great evening photos, and the second shooter who helped out had some awesome ideas for important shots too! Also, she got us engagement photo sneak peeks within 24 hours and got us our wedding sneak peeks (40+ photos!) within 48 hours of our wedding. Madalyn used the engagement photo session to get to know us and she just does a great job of capturing candid and genuine emotion and just made the entire planning experience and day of photos so comfortable and fun. So excited to get the rest of our photos! Thanks Madalyn!”
Vendors:
Venue: The Lafayette Grande | Florals: The Flower Kitten | HMU: Beauty by Sara | DJ: T&M Entertainment | Baked Goods: Mannino’s Bakery | Expresso Cart: Java Java | Dress: Amelishan Bridal | Alterations: Cinch Tailoring | Groom’s Suit: NL Suits | Photobooth: Prestige Entertainment | Officiant: Down the Aisle Ceremonies | Macarons: Inny Macaron
by admin | Apr 7, 2020 | Ballroom Weddings, Church Ceremonies, Fall Weddings, Weddings
by admin | Feb 17, 2020 | Ballroom Weddings, Fall Weddings, Outdoor Ceremony, Weddings
In the depths of winter, I always miss fall. This Trillum Event Center wedding from early October was just the perfect early fall day. Jasmine and Ricky’s Trillum Event Center wedding had a first look, plenty of time for photos, outdoor ceremony, and the rain held off completely until we got inside for the reception. It made for some beautiful photos at the end of the night…make sure to scroll down for those!
In 2019, I was so lucky to photograph the weddings of former bridesmaids of mine! Jasmine was the maid of honor in Carissa and Chris’s wedding in 2018 and I was so flattered when she reached out and hired me for her and Ricky’s wedding.
Working with these two was such a treat. Remember their fall engagement session at Lincoln Brick Park? They are so freaking cute, amirite?
There were a couple of things I really liked about this Trillum Event Center wedding:
- The first look: Not only did Jasmine and Ricky decide to do a first look but they also read letters to each other during this time. It was a nice way to start the day together and I highly encourage this if you feel compelled.
- The after-ceremony sneak away: I don’t often get to just take the couple off-site for photos, but since we had some time and these two didn’t care much to participate in cocktail hour, we headed to a nearby park for some portraits of the two of them. They are some of my favorites from the day. It was nice just to hang out for awhile, not feeling super rushed!
- The colors: The perfect fall palette!
- The magnetic boutonnières: Can every florist get on this? I didn’t have to pin any boutonnière and that is a MIRACLE. I’m not the best at it but I can do it. Magnets save time!
I had a blast photographing these two and wish they lived over in Detroit so we could hang out. Until they move, I guess I’ll just have to look at their photos all the time…
vendors:
venue: Trillum Event Center | Florals: Chalet Floral | Cake: Nothing Bundt Cake | DJ: Modern Entertainment | HMU: Studio V | Gown: America’s Bride | Favors: McDonald’s Candies
by admin | Feb 3, 2020 | Ballroom Weddings, Church Ceremonies, Fall Weddings, Weddings
Sometimes it’s just the perfect day for a wedding. Perfect weather, perfect location, perfect group of people, perfect couple. Everything just seemed to come together so perfectly for Kelsey and Kyle’s Ann Arbor Polo Fields Golf Club wedding last September.
When we first met back in September 2018, a year before their wedding, Kelsey and Kyle shared their story with me over beers, including their amazing proposal in Iceland. This pair of engineers are truly as sweet as they come and working with them over a year was an absolute treat!
How does a Nebraska boy with interests in aeronautical engineering and a Michigan girl with a mechanical engineering background meet? The University of Michigan. Kelsey and Kyle’s love for the maize and blue was evident throughout their Ann Arbor Polo Fields Golf Club wedding and their Ann Arbor engagement session held a few homages to their alma mater, including planning the wedding on a bi-week for Michigan football, as well as a rendition of Hail to the Victors and the appearance of the Michigan flag during the reception dance party.
If you know me, you know that engineers seem to be a reoccurring theme in my life. My husband is an engineer, my college roommate is an engineer, and many of my clients are engineers, including Kelsey and Kyle! I find that engineers follow and take direction really well. So if you’re an engineer, you’ll find yourself at home with me! Haha!
I truly had an amazing time at this wedding, but I think my favorite moment was the whole first look. Kelsey and Kyle were really intentional about this moment being private and just for them. They decided to read their personal vows to each other during the first look. I thought this made the moment more special and less about the photos and more about THEM. Sometimes it can be daunting to share such personal words and memories in front of 150+ people. Sometimes your church service doesn’t allow for this (most all Catholic ceremonies do not). But if sharing personal vows are still important to you, I highly suggest doing it at the first look or taking a moment after the ceremony, maybe after signing the license to do so. You don’t regret it.
After a ceremony at the historic First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor, we headed to the Law Quad with the wedding party for photos. After we finished up there, we had one more stop at the Big House for a few photos under the big M scoreboard. Iconic.
The reception at the Ann Arbor Polo Fields Golf and Country Club was absolutely perfect! Bob and the staff there are incredible and I highly recommend them! We ended the night with a beautiful sparkler exit as the couple got into the getaway car…a Lincoln of course!
I was so sad when this wedding ended because I truly loved working with Kelsey and Kyle. The end of the wedding was emotional for their friends and family, especially Kelsey’s who are local to the area, because Kelsey would join Kyle in Tucson, Arizona where Kyle had just started a new job, to make their first home together.
Enjoy these images, some of my favorites of 2019!
Vendors:
Florals: Great Lakes Floral Design Co | Cake: Cakes by Stephanie | DJ: LuFru Entertainment | HMU: Beauty by Maria | Catering/Reception: Polo Fields Golf & Country Club | Gown: The White Dress | Bridesmaids: Azazie | Shoes: Betsey Johnson | Men’s Attire: Generation Tux | Transport: Bozzo’s | Paper: Minted.com | Ceremony: First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor
by admin | Jan 18, 2020 | Ballroom Weddings, Summer Weddings, Weddings
There are many iconic wedding venues in the Metro Detroit area, and one is an Inn at St. John’s atrium wedding. Krystal and LaRon were married last August and they had the most magical day surrounded by 300 of their family and friends. The Inn at St. John’s atrium was Krystal’s absolute DREAM venue and when she walked in before the reception to take the one photos she had absolutely requested under the gazebo, she was in awe!
This Inn at St. John’s atrium wedding started with the bride and groom getting ready separately. Each had 13 members in their wedding party, making it the LARGEST wedding party I’ve ever worked with…31 people including the bride, groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and kiddos! There were so many makeup artists and hair stylists getting the ladies ready. Krystal had the most beautiful, intricate wedding dress
Before the ceremony while Ron was getting ready, he happened to rip his pants, which resulted in a little scuffle and the ceremony to start a bit late. But the bride and groom laughed it off without a worry.
After a beautiful ceremony at Greater Grace Temple, we all headed over to the Inn at St. John’s for a portrait session. It was the most beautiful August day and we got some gorgeous sunshine. Krystal and Ron were literally FIRE and amazing in front of the camera.
We entered the beautiful Inn at St. John’s atrium wedding on time and listened to so many toasts dedicated to Krystal, Ron, and their amazing love for one another. The dance floor was literally lit after dinner with DJ Hi-Lite doing his thing.
Throughout the day, I was able to work alongside Katie at 97 Films, who is my favorite videographer I always recommend to my couples. Katie is not only a talented creative, but also serves her clients the same way I do, putting them at the center of their day. I love working with her and if you’re looking for a videographer, she is top of my list.
