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.
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…
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.
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.
Ashleigh and Chris were the first couple to book me for their 2019 Arnaldo’s Riverview wedding. I think I got the most inquires in 2019 for their date: August 24, 2019.
Ashleigh and Chris are so much fun to be around. They completely trusted me to execute their vision so the whole 12-hour day was just spent hanging out, taking photos in beautiful August weather, laughing, and oh eating some bomb cupcakes. Maybe you remember their epic downtown Detroit engagement session?
Ashleigh and Chris’s Arnaldo’s Riverview wedding had a simple 15-minute ceremony, complete with personal vows. After, they celebrated with friends and family with delicious food served in stations. Their night ended with a sparkler/motorcycle exit. This is the second time I’ve had a motorcycle exit and I really do love when couples infuse their day with their personality.
Cheyenne and Tony’s Tina’s Country House and Gardens wedding was a long time coming and definitely worth the wait! On a slightly chilly early March day, they were married amongst their closest family and friends.
The first time I met Cheyenne was back in 2017 when my business was just taking off. Their son Chase was just a baby and I remember holding him as Cheyenne signed the contract. Now Chase is growing fast and their daughter Naomi has joined their beautiful little family! I think one of the most beautiful moments of the whole wedding was Tony’s reaction to Chase coming down the aisle. Second would probably be Tony and Cheyenne dancing with their children before they were off to bed.
One of the sweetest couples I’ve worked with, I have photographed Tony and Cheyenne twice before their wedding so they were ready for the camera. And honestly they’re naturals. It’s always clear to me why they’re together every time I see them!
They wrote their own vows for their ceremony and shared their promises to each other. The ceremony was followed by a lovely reception and some heartfelt words from their friends and Tony’s mom, who made a wonderful speech welcoming Cheyenne officially into the family.
After waiting a year and a half for this Tina’s Country House and Gardens wedding, I was sad to see it end, but luckily Tony and Cheyenne have promised to let me always take their family photos! 🙂
I love weddings in all seasons, even when it’s cold, rainy, and windy like it was on Robert and Elizabeth’s Pier Park Grosse Pointe wedding last December 1st. The weird weather didn’t stop them from having literally the best day. In fact, from the first look to the sparkler exit, they couldn’t stop smiling!
After getting ready separately, they meet right on Lake St. Clair in a gazebo for a first look. Despite the crazy wind and Elizabeth’s veil blowing right off, it was an emotional moment to witness. They exchanged gifts after a few portraits, Elizabeth giving Robert a journal of letters she wrote to him while they were engaged and Robert giving her the necklace she would wear the rest of the day.
After some bridal party photos, we headed to the church for their candlelit ceremony. Is there anything more romantic than a candlelit ceremony? I’ve decided there isn’t. When the vows were exchanged and the license signed, everyone headed back to Pier Park for the reception.
Let me tell you, this Pier Park Grosse Pointe wedding was a PARTYYY. The dance floor was full all night long and I got some of my favorite dance floor photos ever. See below. The bride and groom did what I think brides and grooms should do: they partied with their people in the way they wanted to! The party was so intense, the bride’s hair went straight up into a top bun.
The night was capped off with a sparkler send-off and Robert told the guests that were left that it was the best day he’d ever had. That means you’re doing it right.
