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.
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!”
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 | 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
by admin | Apr 14, 2021 | Intimate Weddings, Summer Weddings, Weddings
Though many of my clients decided to move to a backyard wedding in 2020, Shelly and Michael planned on a weekday intimate Smiths Creek backyard wedding. On a beautiful August Wednesday, 20 or so of their closest family and friends gathered in Shelly and Michael’s backyard to witness their marriage. Though large weddings are fun, the simplicity of getting married in your backyard really can’t be beat.
After getting ready separately (Shelly’s look by the amazing Ashley MacPherson) these two had a first look (again, right in the backyard), and we used their property for portraits – no wedding party or anything, just the two of them. Usually I don’t get so lucky with so many different spots in one place. It all made for a very relaxed and fun time.
For this Smiths Creek backyard wedding, I was lucky enough to work with one of my favorite videographers, Katie from 97 Films. Shelly works alongside Katie which is how we all met! I was super honored when Shelly reached out to ask me to photograph her wedding day.
After taking some family photos, everyone gathered in the seats on their newly finished deck, and the pair shared personal vows overlooking their backyard pond. Their good friend presided over the ceremony, which I always find very special and personal. There wasn’t anything NOT personal about this day and I think it made it absolutely perfect.
After the ceremony (check out that rose petal recessional – super fun!), there was an informal cocktail hour, culminating in an Irish whisky toast with a special connection to their love story. This West Cork whisky, which was hard to obtain in the US from what I understand, was the whisky they drank after they got engaged in Ireland. Sharing it with their friends and family at their wedding seemed like a special way to start this new chapter of life for them.
A Smiths Creek backyard wedding maybe isn’t for everyone, but I really enjoyed being a part of such a laid back, chill day where the focus was on getting married rather than all the extra stuff that can come with weddings. That stuff is great and fine, but sometimes getting back to the basics feels good.
by admin | Jan 14, 2021 | Church Ceremonies, Summer Weddings, Weddings
Throwing it back to when COVID was relatively new and this intimate COVID Michigan wedding was a way to preserve Sharon and Destin’s original wedding date – and get them hitched!
These two booked me way back in early 2019 and we had been planning their June 2020 wedding for some time. We did their engagement session in downtown Birmingham back in summer 2019. When the pandemic hit, it was like all that planning got thrown out the window!
Back in March, we just didn’t know how things were going to pan out with the pandemic. Many of my May and June couples decided to move their wedding dates to later in the year or to 2021. Sharon and Destin knew they wanted to get married on their original date if they could. Luckily, they were able to make it work with their immediate families and have their intimate COVID Michigan wedding! This was a huge departure from their planned large wedding at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, but to them, getting married was the important part.
The couple was married at Orchard Lake Community Church, which is right on Cass Lake, a beautiful summer backdrop! We had literally the perfect summer day. Sharon did her own hair and make-up for the occasion, and I think she did a fantastic job. In front of their immediate families, they said their vows in their intimate COVID Michigan wedding.
These two did not reschedule their reception and thank goodness I was able to document this beautiful day for them. Even an intimate wedding deserves beautiful photos!
by admin | Jun 2, 2020 | Downtown Detroit Wedding, Intimate Weddings, Weddings, Winter Weddings
Before COVID-19 shook all of our lives, Suzanne and Kyle were married in an intimate living room elopement. Right in their living room, their immediate families gathered as they declared that they would spend their lives together in marriage.
When Suzanne originally called me about photographing her wedding, she mentioned that the reason they chose an intimate living room elopement was that her grandparents were married in their living room as well. Kyle and her wanted something simple, but memorable, and both didn’t want to be the center of attention on a big wedding day.
Before the ceremony, we took a moment for a first look, again right in the living room. The pair wanted a private moment to breathe before the ceremony. It was, of course, an emotional one.
After the ceremony, we headed to the Fisher Building for family photos and portraits of the couple. I love the Fisher Building and its architecture. It’s one of the few places in Detroit where you can photograph inside without a fee.
We also were able to make a quick stop at the Cass Ave viaduct for some perfect golden hour photos with Suz and Kyle. I love love love winter sunsets. Don’t think a winter wedding can’t be beautiful. It absolutely IS. A wedding is beautiful in every single season. We also just happened to get the most beautiful February day!
After sharing some time together, Suzanne and Kyle greeted guests and family at The Hungarian Rhapsody restaurant for a dinner reception. The only traditional thing they did was cut the cake (and it was delicious by the way…Suz made sure I wrapped some up to take home).
When it comes to your wedding, you do you. For Suzanne and Kyle, this meant forgoing a big wedding to spend the day as they’d like it. This doesn’t mean the wedding is less special or meaningful. This is exactly what they envisioned and wanted for their day. Read more on how to make intimate weddings special on my blog.
