Sheena and James

I’m glad I have a flexible work schedule so that in the middle of the day on a Wednesday I could meet up with Sheena and James after their courthouse wedding ceremony to take a few pictures! The weather was beautiful, if a little too sunny, and the fall colors were just starting to show during my walk around Grand Ravines with the newlyweds. Sheena and James are part of a community that loves Jeeps so we also made sure to take some pictures by their car (which was a first for me). These two managed to be both classy and silly and we got so many great pictures in less than an hour. Here are some of my favorites, congratulations again Sheena and James!

Sandie and Brett's Wedding

Sandie and Brett were legally married last year, but postponed their large party with family and friends until last weekend. It was an unseasonably warm fall day (as most of the month has been) when we met up at Prairie Wolf Park to take pictures of the bridal party. The colors of their dresses and flowers were so perfect for this time of year and I loved the way each bridesmaid had a unique style rather then matching each other! We then headed to Crossroads Conference Center for dinner, cake and dancing with their guests. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day!

Congratulations Sandie and Brett, thanks for letting me capture these moments!

Gayle and Josh's Wedding

A couple weeks ago I met up with Gayle and Josh downtown Holland to take pictures ahead of their wedding. I have seen them in the past while doing family photos with Gayle’s sister, but it was great meeting more of the family. I loved the way they incorporated their two kids into the day and that Josh’s mom was the officiant. Plus the weather was great and Josh and Gayle are easy going and fun to work with! They claimed to not be photogenic, but I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves :)

Mary and Matt's Wedding

On a warm fall day in mid October I got to return to my alma mater for Matt and Mary’s wedding. A year before we had their engagement session also on the Grand Valley campus on a beautiful fall day, these two have great luck with weather! These two met in a college class and I loved that they wanted their school to be part of their marriage by having the ceremony there. For the reception we headed downtown GR and enjoyed a walk around the city before dinner and dancing. Matt and Mary have such supportive friends and family, they were all a joy to be around. Here are some of my favorite pictures form their wedding :)

Abby and Nic's wedding

At the beginning of October Abby and Nic has a beautiful fall day for their outdoor wedding at The Old Wooden Barn. It was hard to believe almost a year had passed since I took their engagement photos, but these two were just as photogenic and their bridal party was fun to work with! I loved the unique touches of burning a brand on a table during the ceremony, having a bonfire and s’mores kits available to guests after dinner and they made sure to include the dogs in at least one wedding picture :) Congratulations Nic and Abby, thanks for letting me be a part of your wedding day!

Ross and Shanna's Wedding

On a beautiful fall evening I had the chance to photograph Ross and Shanna’s intimate wedding ceremony at their friends house on a small lake in Hudsonville. This wedding was more then just a celebration of the bride and groom, but also a joining of two families. Small weddings are so special because the couple gets to spend time with all of their guests and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere. After the ceremony everyojne headed to the nearby Hudsonville Winery for dinner, drinks and even a game of touch football for the kids. Congratulations to the new happy family, thanks for letting me be part of your special day!

Kevin and Meriah's Wedding

Last weekend I drove across the state for Kevin and Meriah’s outdoor wedding. This couple has been together over a decade and it was immediately clear how much they are loved by their family and friends. Many tears were shed during Kevin’s vows (which were a surprise to Meriah) and I heard so many people say that they were so happy to be celebrating the marriage of these two. Despite the humidity and the mosquitos their guests were partying on the dance floor all night. It was such a joy to be a part of their special day, here are some of my favorite images!

Anissa and Ryan's Wedding

Last weekend I started my 2021 photo season with Anissa and Ryan’s intimate backyard wedding! I loved seeing how their families and friends came together to help plan and make the day run smoothly for them. Though it was colder then expected for the end of April, the heaters kept the tent warm and we were able to find some blossoming trees at a nearby park that made a great backdrop for photos. Plus, they ended the day by doing a gender reveal of their new baby! Congratulations Anissa and Ryan and baby girl on the way- thanks for letting me be part of your celebration :)

Katelyn and Calvin's Wedding

Back in August I photographed my first wedding of the year that was not postponed due to COVID-19! I’m so glad Katelyn and Calvin were able to keep their original date and location, although the reception had to be moved outdoors under a tent. It was a very hot summer day but Katelyn and Calvin were so laid back about everything and seemed happy to just be able to celebrate with the family and friends who were able to make it to their special day. Spring Grove Park made a beautiful ceremony location and Sunnybrook Country Club hosted the reception. Big thanks to my assistant Hadley for spending a hot summer day taking photos with me, here are some of my favorites from their wedding :)

Megan & Aaron's Wedding

At the beginning of this month I drove down to Indiana for Megan and Aaron’s wedding at a really great venue called Union 12. Like all weddings this year, they had to make some adjustments to their original guest list due to the pandemic, but they still were able to celebrate with many friends and family members. I first met Megan when she was a bridesmaid in my brother and sister in laws wedding (which I also photographed), so it was fun to see her as the bride and my sister in law as maid of honor. Megan and Aaron also have two adorable little boys who seemed to enjoy the celebration of the day just as much as the adults! Here are some of my favorites from their wedding :)

Nicholas and Keagan's Wedding

On a sunny Thursday in West Michigan I had the opportunity to meet Keagan, Nicholas and their families for their intimate wedding ceremony at the courthouse. The love that they had for each other and the support of their families was clear in all the tears that were shed on this happy day! We kept saying it was “good weather” simply meaning the sun was out and it was not raining on their wedding day, but Nicholas’ mom who flew in from Arizona for the wedding, had a differnt opinion about the snow on the ground :) Here are some of my favorite pictures from their special day.

Jess and Sid's Wedding

Labor Day weekend I had the pleasure of photographing Jess and Sid’s wedding at the Clearwater Place downtown Grand Rapids. We were worried about rain all day but luckily it ended by the time we were ready to take pictures outside and as a photographer I love overcast days because it means no one is squinting and we don’t have to worry about harsh shadows! Jess and Sid had a small wedding party but but their family and friends were tons of fun. I especially loved the unique touches at their reception like a caracature artist! Here are some of my favorite photos from their special day :)

Amy & Isiah's Wedding

Amy and Isaiah had such a fun wedding at Camp Concordia last month. I loved that so many of their family and friends from out of state to celebrate together. The camp had lots of beautiful spots to take photos and Amy’s dress was perfect for twirling! Plus the pavilion for the reception was right next to a pirate ship playground that all the kids loved and they had a send off on a pontoon boat. Here are some of my favorite pictures from Amy and Isaiah’s special day :)

Sabrina & Robert's Wedding

Sabrina and Robert’s wedding day was on a beautiful day in West Michigan, after weeks of rain the sun finally came out and we were all so glad! Their intimate wedding and reception was held at Townsend Park and I am so grateful Sabrina had already scoped out the spots she wanted photos because this park is huge! The trees were so great and it it weren’t for all the bugs I couldn’t photographed in that spot all day :) I also loved the family atmosphere of the wedding with playground and creek nearby which all kids enjoyed runing around in. Here are some of my favorite photos from their special day.

Jasmine & Deion's Wedding

In March I kicked off the 2019 wedding season with Jasmine and Deion’s special day! It was a beautiful sunny (yet cold) early spring day and the whole wedding party was willing to brave the cold air to take some photos outside. Their ceremony was held at Kentwood Community Church and the reception at the beautiful Stonewater Country Club. It was my first time at Stonewater Country club and I always enjoy seeing new wedding locations around my own city! Congratulations Jasmine and Deion, thanks for letting me be a part of your wedding - enjoy this preview of your photos!

Heather & Dale's Wedding

On a rainy Saturday I drove down to Indiana with an assistant to photograph Heather and Dale's wedding.  I don't often work with an assistant but knowing we didn't have a lot of time for pictures on this day I was very thankful Dale and Heather had asked for two photographers!  Despite the bad weather the wedding party were in good spirits and the tent kept everyone dry during the ceremony.  Their reception was at a cool old courthouse downtown within walking distance of the backyard wedding - plus the rain stopped long enough for a few photos outside before the reception started.  Enjoy this preview of some of my favorites!

Megan and Kahler's Wedding

A couple weeks ago on a beautiful summer Saturday in Northern Michigan I had the pleasure of photographing Megan and Kahler's wedding.  They both attended Grand Valley which was where we took their engagement photos, but these high school sweethearts chose to return to their home town for their wedding.  The ceremony and reception were at a venue on the shore of Lake Huron which made an awesome backdrop and despite a forecast of rain it stayed dry the entire day.  Plus, the bridal party all knew each other and wanted to have fun when taking photos which always makes my job easier :) Here are some of my favorites from Megan and Kahler's special day!

Mady and Nick's Wedding

Last Friday I had the privilege of meeting Mady and Nick and photographing their intimate courthouse wedding in South Haven (so intimate that I was asked to sign the marriage license as a witness).  These two live out of state and wanted a cute lakeside town for their wedding which they were keeping secret from everyone.  I love that they still wanted photos despite keeping the rest of the wedding small and am amazed that they managed to keep this wedding secret for months from everyone they know!  Mady and Nick were so much fun and more then willing to brave the cold and the wind of southwest Michigan for some great photo spots -  I just wish I could have seen the reactions of their friends and family when they surprised them with these pictures :) Here are some of my favorites from their wedding day.

Zach and Stephanie's Wedding

Zach's sister is a good friend of mine and Stephanie works for the same company I do so when I was asked to photograph their intimate wedding ceremony I happily agreed.  Although our first attempt to take photos at a park was quickly stopped by swarms of mosquito's the wedding party were good sports and we managed to find some good locations outside the church for photos.  Zach and Stephanie had punch and cake then a bonfire (which I didn't photograph) rather than a traditional reception, but it was clear they are loved by many friends and family!  Here are some of my favorite images from their wedding.

Jess and Jason's Wedding

Last weekend I had the opportunity to photograph Jess and Jason's wedding at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum.  It was such a fun and unique setting for a wedding and aside from dancing the guests had access to all the exhibits at the museum and everyone seemed to have a great time.   Enjoy this preview of some of my favorite pictures of their special day!