by admin | Apr 12, 2022 | Church Ceremonies, Summer Weddings, Weddings
Angela and Michael’s Goldner Walsh wedding was unlike any other. I say this because it was the first time I can remember it raining the entire day in June in Michigan. Yes, it rained the ENTIRE day for their Goldner Walsh wedding.
These two had waited a LONG time for this day – a long relationship and a long engagement complicated by the pandemic – so they didn’t let ANYTHING bring them down. Even when the venue (a greenhouse) started to take on some water – see below. They were pouring champagne and just enjoying gathering with family and friends.
These two are truly the nicest couple I’ve ever worked with. Their summer engagement session with their sweet pup Maggie, who makes an appearance at the wedding of course, just got me so excited for their wedding day. Their Goldner Walsh wedding was filled with so many personal touches – sunflowers (the bride’s favorite), cocktails reminiscent of the city they got engaged in (New Orleans), a choreographed first dance (they actually take dance classes), a personalized belt given to the groom as a gift from the bride (he’s a huge wrestling fan), Polish food for dinner (so delicious!), the list goes on.
The saving grace of having a Goldner Walsh wedding is that they have greenhouses to use for photos! Though the grounds are a mix of indoor/outdoor, there is indoor, covered space. This made for a less stressful experience when the weather called for rain all day! When it finally stopped, we were able to take some gorgeous nighttime photos to make up for the lack of a sunset – make sure you scroll to the end to see!
From the couple: We were recommended to Madalyn and couldn’t of been more happy with our overall experience. Madalyn is not only professional but also caring and now a great friend! Madalyn took our engagement pictures and blew us away with our wedding pictures. It was pouring rain and she kept us so positive, and the pictures she captured were magical. We already have a seasonal session scheduled and feel we found our forever photographer!
vendors:
venue/floral: Goldner Walsh Garden and Home
video: Trifoot Productions
ceremony: St. Lawrence Catholic
cake: Shatila Bakery
dj: JAC Entertainment
Hair: Andrew Marke Salon
Makeup: Sheila Rossetti
Catering: Soprano’s Catering
paper: Designed with Amore
choreography: Vita Dance Studio
mensware: Wesner Tuxedo
gown: “Galatea” Willowby by Watters
bridesmaids: Eshatki
by admin | Apr 5, 2022 | Intimate Weddings, Weddings
Sarthak and Jayne’s wedding plans, like many, changed a few times before deciding on their intimate Holland Michigan wedding day, in two parts! I haven’t had a two part wedding until theirs. On Friday, they held a small ceremony and brunch reception for family and close friends at Jayne’s mother’s home. Then on Saturday, they welcomed more friends and extended family at an afternoon reception at New Holland Brewery in downtown Holland.
Sarthak and Jayne are absolutely wonderful people and they actually booked me before they even got engaged (made me feel so special)! They heard about me at work – I did coworker Kelsey’s wedding in 2019. These two met at work in the same department at a major automotive company; he’s an engineer, she’s a designer, it’s a perfect match for making cars! And well, I have to say these two are so suited for each other. Both are so sweet, soft, and kind. I appreciated how much they trusted me to do my job and they also made sure I was taken care of and felt comfortable as it was my first wedding back after having my son. I will always say it – I have the best clients in the world!
This intimate Holland Michigan wedding has a special place in my heart because Holland is where I spent four years in college. I’ve always wanted to do a Holland wedding and this was the perfect fit. I have a soft spot for small wedding days that just feel laid back.Â
There were so many details of this intimate Holland Michigan wedding day that were specific to the couple, including beautiful centerpieces with personal wedding photos of family, Sarthak wearing his dad’s tie at the ceremony, even some Two Lads wine at the bar – the winery where the couple got engaged. Being a designer, Jayne has impeccable style – and you can tell!
The day two New Holland Brewery reception was a relaxed open house type vibe. Eating, drinking, celebrating, it was the perfect way to cap off a wedding weekend! No big pomp and circumstance, just chill vibes.
From the couple: “Working with Madalyn is dream a come true! I will say that a hundred times over. Throughout our wedding planning process, especially in this time of change and uncertainty, we couldn’t help but to compare all our other vendors to Madalyn and the way she runs her business. No one else even measured close! Madalyn is organized, proactive, supportive, honest, and obviously has an eye for both detail and aesthetic. Our communications with Madalyn leading up to our day were a perfect balance of face-to-face conversations and seamless digital interactions. When our wedding day finally arrived we felt like we really knew her and completely trusted her. I thought we couldn’t love Madalyn any more, but then we received the final product -our gallery. Madalyn captured a thousand memories so perfectly that we’ll truly treasure forever. A particular photo is so classically beautiful that we exclaimed, “That’s it! That’s the photo we’ll show our grandchildren someday.” Thank you again, Madalyn!”
Â
Vendors:
florals: Picket Fence Florals
cake: Cakabakery
hmu: Andrea Torres
catering: Farmhouse Deli
gown: Spring Sweet / Halseene
shoes: Everlane
paper: Artifact Uprising / Rachel Marvin Creative
veil: BHLDN
venue: New Holland Brewing
by admin | Mar 29, 2022 | Outdoor Ceremony, Summer Weddings, Tent Weddings, Weddings
I start by saying how lovely Lauren and Seth are the sweetest people and they had the sweetest Botanic Gardens at Historic Barns Park wedding in Traverse City, Michigan. These two Ohio natives (yes, Ohio natives) turned Michigan residents chose the perfect setting for their wedding in the Botanic Gardens at Historic Barns Park. The grounds are not only beautiful, but make for the perfect tented reception site.
Â
Seth and Lauren have been together a long time (since college days at Ohio Wesleyan…another D3 school like I went to!) and have followed each other across the country – Denver, West Virginia and now Michigan. Recreation and the outdoors are so important to them – Lauren works in parks and recreation and Seth works in sports psychology. This made the Botanic Gardens at Historic Barns Park wedding perfect for them.
Â
After meeting Seth and Lauren in person at their engagement session (failed once by rain my gosh!), I was so very excited for their wedding day. It was my first time away from my son, who was three months old at the time, but very much worth it to capture their day!
Â
We started at a loft space just down the road from the venue, where Lauren’s party was getting ready. Once Lauren put on her absolutely stunning gown – and I was in awe of this gown…it was stunning – we headed to the walled garden at the venue for their first look.
Â
After portraits across the Botanic Gardens, the pair were married on the stone labyrinth in a very heartfelt, personal ceremony officiated by by Seth’s dad. Then the party truly began! And what a party it was. I don’t think I’ve ever attended a wedding with more people who were truly excited and happy to be there! Maybe it was post pandemic feels or because every person had traveled from somewhere to be there for this wedding, but the energy was truly so so good.
Â
One of my favorite moments was Seth and Lauren’s little first ice cream date – Lauren’s surprise for Seth was a Moomer’s cart! – right after dinner as we went out for a short portrait session.
Â
One of the best things Lauren and Seth did for their wedding was hire an incredible vendor team. I’m still in shock that I got to be a part of that team! From planning and coordination by Kendall from the Revel Rose to the florals from Bittersweet and Co. to the hair and makeup team led by Carlena, everything was literal perfection. A solid vendor team really can’t be beat and I 110% recommend having at the very least a day of coordinator to take the reins on your day.
Â
Seth and Lauren, thank you so much for allowing me to capture this day for you.
Â
Vendors:
venue: Botanic Gardens at Historic Barns Park
planning/coordination: The Revel Rose
floral: Bittersweet & Co.
dj: 2Bays DJs
hmu: Hairpins and Happiness – Carleana Delacruz
catering: Catering by Kelly’s
gown: Alice in Ivory \ Jane Hill – Bridal
rings: The Personal Jeweler c
ake: The Flour Shop – Kelsey Barnes
by admin | Mar 22, 2022 | Ballroom Weddings, Downtown Detroit Wedding, Weddings
Emilee and Sheldon had the absolute perfect late July summer day for their Roostertail wedding in Detroit. The day started off in separate getting ready spaces; Emilee at the Element Hotel at the Metropolitan and Sheldon at a private office space overlooking the city. The excitement was in the air as I entered the bridal suite – Emilee and Sheldon had originally planned their day for July 2020 but had to postpone like so many others. The day was finally here!
When I met Emilee back in fall 2019, I knew this wedding day would be magical but also that I’d be working with such a sweet couple. Emilee is truly one of the nicest, happiest brides I’ve ever worked with! So go with the flow. I think Sheldon was my best dressed groom – his suit fit him absolutely perfectly and even had some personal touches – his initials embroidered on the sleeve and some beautiful personal cufflinks from his bride.
After everyone was dressed to perfection, we headed up to the Metropolitan rooftop at The Monarch Club for the first look. Overlooking Comerica Park and downtown, Sheldon and Emilee saw each other for the first time. We took some group photos on the rooftop and then headed over to Parker’s Alley for more. Family photos by the riverfront capped off our portrait session, with an appearance by the couple’s dog, Murphy. Always bring your dog, they’re totally welcome!
With all of the major portraits done, we headed to the Roostertail which is right on the Detroit waterfront. I had never been before and I was impressed with the views. A Roostertail wedding in Detroit isn’t complete without boats flying by on the water.
The ceremony, presided over by a family member, took place outdoors under the Roostertail’s pavillon right on the waterfront. Readings by the couples’ siblings made it a special, memorable ceremony.
After receiving their guests, Emilee and Sheldon joined their cocktail hour in the Roostertail’s Palm River room, which had beautiful views of the city and waterfront. The Roostertail does a fabulous job with lighting – the room was absolutely gorgeous. A fun grand entrance led to beautiful toasts from the maid of honor and best man, both siblings. A final heartfelt speech from the father of the groom and the reception kicked off!
We didn’t get a perfect sunset, but the blue hour photos we took on the balcony overlooking the water and the Roostertail’s fountains were some of my favorites of the day. Something about the way the sky looks just after the sun goes down is just magic, sometimes more magical than a sunset.
A Roostertail wedding in Detroit wouldn’t be complete without photos on their long dock. We ended the night as I always like to do at a wedding – with some amazing nighttime shots to cap off the evening.
See more summer weddings here.
Vendors:
venue: The Roostertail
florals: Viviano’s
cake: Love and Buttercream
band: Bluewater King’s Band
dj: Michael’s Entertainment
video: Timothy Scott Films
HMU: Primp Beauty
gown: Luxe Bridal Rack
bridesmaids: Azazie
by admin | Mar 10, 2022 | Fall Weddings, Intimate Weddings, Weddings
Like so many of my couples in 2020, Samer and Jamie made major changes to their wedding day. Their Simply Married Chapel Elopement in Toledo, Ohio was very different from their original plan of a Halloween wedding at the Detroit Historical Museum. I hope to make it to a wedding there one day, but this elopement was still so sweet and I’m glad I got to be a part of their day!
I met Jamie and her mom and sister at the Simply Married Chapel in downtown Toledo to get her dress on. The ceremony started soon after that. About 20 or so people gathered for the Simply Married Chapel elopement, all family. After a short and sweet ceremony, Samer and Jamie were married!
A few simple toasts were given in their honor, and after a quick exit, we headed out to our portrait session. I think the best part about having an elopement style wedding is how much time we have to do portraits of the two of you. It’s low key and so much fun! I think it was the best weather Halloween day I can remember – I mean look at the sunset! I’m pretty sure I didn’t even have a coat on. We took some beautiful portraits at Middlegrounds Metro Park, which was a super quick drive from the venue.
Samer and Jamie are such genuinely nice people and I’m so glad I got to work with them. I’m glad they were able to get married even if it wasn’t the original plan. It was still a gorgeous day that celebrated them!
by admin | Feb 24, 2022 | Intimate Weddings, Outdoor Ceremony, Spring Weddings, Weddings
The pandemic changed a lot of plans, including those of Taylor and Rachel. They reached out in early 2021 to see if I’d photograph their intimate spring backyard wedding. They had to postpone their big day but didn’t want to prolong their marriage any longer. I, of course, said yes! It was the last wedding I photographed before Myles was born and honestly the perfect day to go out on.
When I first spoke to Taylor and Rachel, it felt like I was talking to two friends. They are super down to earth people with pithy senses of humor and great style. They got ready in the house they purchased together and said their vows right on their back deck. They were incredibly lucky with the weather for a spring backyard wedding – sunny and warm for March!
Their closest family were present for the vows, Taylor’s sister Paige married them. Others tuned in via Zoom. It was a very pandemic wedding, but honestly, I think a small spring backyard wedding felt perfect for them. They laughed, they cried, they smiled, it was grand. I know it wasn’t what they planned but something just felt very right about it. I thought that about a lot of pandemic weddings. We really got back to basics…back to the meat of what weddings are truly about. How special it was to witness their commitment to each other literally in their home surrounded by those dearest to them. I don’t take these things lightly at all.
These two happen to live on a golf course which made portraits easy, we literally stepped out of their backyard. Their beagle Scout joined us for a few photos – she is adorable. You know I welcome all dogs at weddings.
Vendors:
floral: Blumz
HMU: Salon Bliss
invite: Zazzle
