by admin | Feb 25, 2020 | Fall Weddings, Loft Weddings, Weddings
Every week as I prep my blog posts, I am so giddy when I look over the images we created together last fall. I feel like I was so freaking on my game and had just the best weather and couples and the stars aligned for the most incredible season. This Mt. Brighton wedding was no different. Sunshine, a beautiful golden hour, a fun wedding party, and just an all-around solid day, Becca and Kevin’s Mt. Brighton wedding was just a perfect example of why fall weddings are so popular in Michigan.
Maybe you remember Becca and Kevin from their Indian Springs engagement session, but if not, these two engineers’ went to the same college but their love didn’t really blossom until they found themselves working at the same company. And the rest is history, as they say.
Everyone I came into contact with at this wedding was so warm and inviting, which is how I always felt about Becca and Kevin. They’re just very genuinely kind people who enjoy laughing a lot. I don’t think they take themselves too seriously and I appreciate that.
The pair’s Mt. Bright wedding was officiated by Kevin’s aunt and they sealed a box with letters to each other and wine to open on their fifth anniversary. I particularly liked the reaction from guests when they used a drill to seal the box shut. What a unique “unity” ceremony! Take note future couples of mine!
Mt. Brighton is a beautiful spot for a wedding and we were even able to head up the ski hill for some photos! How fun, right?
There was just so much joy on this day and I hope it shows through in these images. I know I couldn’t stop smiling.
vendors:
venue: Mt. Brighton | florals: Art in Bloom | Cake: Ellen’s Bakery | DJ: Music Unlimited | HMU: Tribute Salon and Spa | Gown: Abbott’s Bridal | Rings: Miner’s Den | Men’s Attire: Men’s Warehouse | Paper: Etsy + The Print Shop
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 10, 2020 | Downtown Detroit Wedding, Fall Weddings, Weddings
Last year I was lucky enough to capture the Michigan receptions of not one, but TWO couples who had eloped earlier in the year. Allison and Brian were married in the Grand Tetons but had a Michigan reception at Stonycroft Golf Club where Allison’s parents are members (the other couple was Malcolm and Abby in case you forgot!). Allison and Brian no longer live in Michigan, but they really wanted some Downtown Detroit wedding photos, so we went downtown together for portraits.
We stopped at some of my favorite spots for downtown Detroit wedding photos, including the Belt Z Lot, Ford Field, and the Warehouse District. It was fun to just hang out with a bride and groom one-on-one, which hardly happens on a typical wedding day.
After some family photos, Ali and Brian got to enjoy their reception with the typical trimmings, including a beautiful first dance, cake cutting, and toasts! I had a fabulous time with them and know that they will cherish the images from Detroit!
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 | Apr 15, 2019 | Ballroom Weddings, Fall Weddings, Weddings
Fall is so far away, but I know that before we know it, my days will be filled with a ton of sessions and weddings, and requests to create more time to squeeze every possible shot out of October. For some reason, this month is insanity for photographers…it is a beautiful month if the weather cooperates. As you’ll see in these bridal portraits of Kaitlin and Danny’s wedding in Sterling Heights, Michigan, which were some of my favorite from my October wedding, we got the sun for about 15 good minutes. It was the only 15 minutes of sun I saw during my October weddings last year.
Kaitlin and Danny didn’t have a wedding party, so we were able to spend a lot of time just photographing the two of them. They were my second couple without a party last year! Nothing against bridal parties, but there’s something nice about just working with a bride and groom and having MORE time with them. Their ceremony and reception were held at the Carpathia Club in Sterling Heights. We had to move things around due to rain and ended up switching our family formal time with bridal portrait time to make sure we got some sunshine in these images.
Being a Sterling Heights wedding photographer, I’m always telling my couples that scenery is cool and all but sometimes we can make a lot of magic in little, unknown spots. For instance, we used Dodge Park, which was close to the venue and had some nice foliage and a bridge, but we didn’t have to go far from the parking lot (which was great for Kaitlin in those shoes). We also were able to use a historic home right across the street which had the right vibe for their wedding theme. Simple things go a long way and being flexible while trusting your photographer during the rainy moments is important!
I think the most unique thing about this wedding was the dessert table. Kaitlin is a baker (and I’m assuming many of her family members are too!), and their family’s wedding tradition is to have a cookie table. This table was about 20 feet long and COVERED in cookies. I had never encountered this before, but I did sample a lot of the cookies and they were indeed delicious. There were boxes to take cookies home as favors. I approve this idea!
by admin | Mar 25, 2019 | Ballroom Weddings, Fall Weddings, Weddings
I get to work with so many incredible people at this job; something I don’t take for granted at all. I truly loved working with Heather and Matt for their Graham Banquet Center wedding last October. Many people get wrapped up in what a wedding should be like or should feel like instead of just enjoying it. I didn’t feel that way about these two. Heather, cool as a cucumber, seemed to know exactly what was important on the day of: spending time with Matt and the people gathered together to celebrate THEM. That’s exactly what a wedding should be.
We didn’t get beautiful sunshine or a golden hour, but the fall colors were just starting to peek through and with all the rain we had last October, we were simply lucky. There was a first look that almost brought me to tears (how could I not when Heather literally was Audrey Hepburn stunning) and a fun portrait session with the bridal party right on the grounds. After a beautiful, personal ceremony in the chapel at Graham Banquet Center, their reception was held at the same place…we literally didn’t leave the premises all day long.
When I agreed to photograph Matt and Heather’s day, I agreed that I too would have fun. And I did. I really did have a good time at this wedding because it didn’t feel stressful or rushed really…it just felt like we were there to celebrate. I could tell everyone else felt the same way and were just excited to be there. Also, the carrot cake was delicious…probably one of the best wedding cakes I had last season — and I attempt to try them all if possible because at what other job can you eat cake every weekend?
Every time I look back at these photos, and their engagement session let’s be real, I’m just so grateful for clients that really trust me to create at their weddings. Heather and Matt told me they loved the details, they wanted candid photos that felt like them. And when I look at all of their photos, I can feel their goofy selves seeping through. I LOVE that.
Anyways, I’ll stop gushing over them and their Graham Banquet Center wedding and let the photos speak for themselves.
From the bride: “Besides my husband, Madalyn is the best choice I made for my wedding day! I had originally hired another photographer, but had nightmares about it, so I sent Madalyn a few frantic emails and Instagram DM’s and I was so relieved to find out she still had our date open. We then scheduled our engagement pictures, and had to reschedule a few times (once because I slept in- still sorry about Madalyn!!) but we just laughed it off and chose another day. It truly felt like Madalyn was just as invested in our wedding as we were, and helped us execute the perfect timeline, made us comfortable, and became our bff. The only wrong choice about Madalyn would be to not choose her. Our day absolutely could not have been better, and a lot of that credit goes to Madalyn.”
