Once Sunday came everything came together perfectly to make for one of the most beautiful ceremonies I have ever photographed at Bowers Harbor.

What an amazing weekend. Enjoy the photographs! Thanks Chenin & Rick you guys are great!

The Girls getting dolled up at Pavlova

Amazing Amazing Details. Chenin had a graphic artist put together their wedding logo.

Chenin was the most organized together Bride I have ever seen. Chenin you have a career in event coordination.

The swag bag complete with itinerary for every guest.

The Guys started out the wedding day with millers and football. Good times.

They had a fuji instant camera for guest to take instant photographs. I took one of Chenin and Rick for kicks.

Chenins Dad letting Rick have it.

The Band. They had some serious Funk! They were awesome!

There was a Major Iowa Michigan Rivalry going on all weekend.

Ceremony/Reception: Gino’s Surf
Day of Coordinator: Jennie Wiegand – A Beautiful Day Planning (She was great btw)

Mom & Jeni’s 2 sisters. How amazing will this shot be in 100 years for all her family to look back on.

Jeni is a shoeaholic. I don’t know this but I would be willing to bet her wedding shoes were more important than the dress. I know that is quite a leap but this girl loves shoes. Let me just say this, the biggest print Jeni bought from her engagement session with Ryan was of her shoes she wore that day to the shoot. Seriously

This was hands down bar none THE most amazing epic bus party I have ever been on. And I have been on quite a few Limo bus trips. I think it was a combination of things. Good timing, everyone was fresh and excited because it was early in the day. Most everyone had a cocktail as well. But I really think the secret recipe was the playlist. For everyones partying pleasure I acquired this list from Jeni:
1. Bruno Mars ~ marry you ( song they played after they announced us as mr. And mrs.)
2. Jagged Edge ~ let’s get married
3. Snow Patrol ~ just say yes
4. Nikki Minaj ~ moment for life
5. Pitbull ~ give me everything tonight
6. Bon Jovi ~ I’ll be there for you ( bridal party dance too)
7. Nikki Minaj ~ super bass
8. Coolio ~ gansta’ paradise (song we were all singing and dancing to in the limo:) )
9. David Guetta & Usher ~ without you
10. Cory Hart ~ I wear my sunglasses at night
11. Paper Boy ~ ditty
12. Journey ~ don’t stop believin’

The First Kiss.

Ceremony & Reception: Lovett Hall
Beautiful Easy to photograph in Venue & Christina Dodge the manager is truly amazing.
Band: Royce the Voice

In the library at Lovett Hall. It has amazing light.

Their suite in the back of the Dearborn Inn.

Mom and Dad. Kathleen is also holding onto her handkerchief from her mom. This is an Irish tradition I was told and they hope this will become an heirloom for future daughters.

The hardest part about editting this wedding was looking at the millers bar food photography. Before the ceremony the guys went to Millers Bar a Detroit classic. The are known because the only sell hamburgers and french fries and payment is on your honor. You just tell the cash register what you had. Their hamburgers are amazing too! I eat there all the time. Just check out the reviews on yelp. Everybody loves it.

It rained just for a bit.

A behind the scenes shot.

Right after the ceremony just before the line of guests were about the greet them. They were so happy.

I don’t think a lot of photographers would take this shot but I love shots at the receiving line. They are dense. There is so much to look at. I think the emotions are so honest too.

Cocktail hour.

A historic cake topper.

One of the highlights of the day for me was listening to Jarirs best man’s speech. He told the story of how Jarir and himself took a huge leap of faith to immigrate from Morocco and integrate into American living. It was really touching and amazing to hear how hard they have had to work to make a life here. I was impressed.

One of those classic Irish Blessings.

Royce bringing the mood.

Finally some of that Moroccan flavor coming out.

Rings interpreted through a 50 1.4

She had a beautiful ring.

I know its a weird photograph. I like it though. Something about the patterns, shape, tension. Probably not one for the wedding album but worth sharing.

I love messes. I love to be able to look all over an image and see all kinds of things. They are interesting.

The reserve has amazing ambient lighting.

One of the most wild acts of bridesmaidery I have ever seen.

Coordiation: A Day in May Awesome Coordation
Rentals: American Rentals

I just love headshot portraits…

Alex doing a little pre wedding work.

The first look. Meet Hank (the huge bernard). THE most loving huge dog you will ever meet. He is the best dog you could ever ask for. He can stay at my house if you guys every get tired of him:)

They had an old type writer at the reception so guests could write messages.

The most amazing dream view of Traverse Bay.

Brother of the Father of the bride. Just like this shot of him. He just fits this environment perfectly with his sweater, and gaze, and red neckstrap by the sea.

Alex wanted me to get a shot of Lauren in her vegetable garden so we harvested some of their best.

Shot a little Fuji 400h on a contax 645 with 80 f/2.0 lens. Sorry for the geeky Camera stuff! Someone out there cares I hope!

They had the best cheeses!

Pierogies and Flank steak. What else could you want.

This looks like trouble!

This is what happens when you get too close to the bride and groom when they are cutting the cake.

Love these during the father daughter dance. Lauren really enjoyed herself.

Flowers, Chairs, Designs, and Amazing Rental Details : Parsonage Flowers

Tent: Colonial Events

Catering: Forte Belanger

Coordination: Laura Davis Events

Band: TVK Orchestra

I love the density of the image – you can see every aspect of the party. All the tents, the ceremony, lounge etc.

So shy & Cute.

Mom & Maid of Honor.

Omg this is the best seating concept I’ve ever seen. Folding chairs, old chairs, pews, little tables interspersed in. So neat.

Unbelievable flowers – I love wild flowers. They are so unique, there are so many varieties, and they have so much texture/shape.

This bed and breakfast was really neat. A great Lansing romantic rural getaway.
Rosewood B&B

The best man trying to figure out how the boutineers work.

They had old family photos everywhere. A family that values photography. I like that

Probably my favorite image I’ve taken this year.

I love this shot – right after the ceremony. Parents, grandparents, all reveling in the moment.

The wine choice was awesome. A 2007 Duckhorn Merlot. A great year. This detail is so often overlooked.

Forte Belanger. They are outstanding.

Make Up: Amanie She is awesome.
Coordination/Flowers/Design: Emerald City Designs

Amanie & The Bride

Custom ties made just for the wedding. Turnip Rock is the symbol of Point Aux Barques. Its a unique rock formation right off shore.

Love the out of focus one.

What beautiful Daughters.

Just before the ceremony.

It was a bit windy.

Don’t miss the MOH’s hand hanging on the veil.

Love this shot- Thats me!

Taken with a Phase one p65+.

whoopps theres that wind again!

All the tables had different salt and pepper shakers!

They used all vintage plates and silverware.

The Key Stats:
Church: The Beautiful First United Methodist Church Birmingham MI.

Reception: Troy Marriot
I highly recommend this as a reception location: The lobby is super posh (great photo ops) and the buildings and locations around the Marriott have some cool big walls, good shapes, open shade, there is a beautiful field behind it to boot!
DJ: Wayne Kinney
Flowers: Ralph Bellisario
Linens: Linens & Beyond
Coordination: Daphne from Blissful Weddings & Events

The Field Behind the Marriot. I love shapes.

The Girls Playing at the salon.

The Save the date: Laura works as a director of marketing for an Ad firm and she did a great job creatively sytling her wedding around travel/adventure.

Yes! A gluten free option!

Matt Loves action heroes.

Something intriguing about how the shapes curves and lines of these two images are so similar.

Some of that action hero stuff coming out here!

Matt totally dumped onto the grass here. The suit was OK. Thankfully!

And it’s Matt by a nose!

I know its just a shot of a bunch of girls eating lunch. I like it though. There is a lot to look in this image.

Those girls were messy! I like this one again because there is just so much here to look at. So many shapes too.

This has just gotta be an inside joke because it would take to long to explain. Benito made the blog!

At their first look – Matt took off running towards his bride when he saw her. One of the most romantic things I’ve ever seen at a wedding. Reminds me of the Father running towards the Prodigal Son. Not that Laura is like the Son, but just the Love of it.

Love the shapes here – The eye darts everywhere.

Lots of density – a lot to look at.

Such a fun couple!

During the Recessional that had some awesome bubble blowing, Laura Surprised Matt with a quartet playing the theme song to Linus and Lucy. It was perfect.

Han Solo & Princess Leia cake toppers!

I was getting fresh on the Church’s Architecture.

Matt’s Dad trying to help Laura Learn about baseball and Matt’s Love for the Cubbies.

Matt Got a little carried away when he tried to Kiss laura (as the guest were tinking their glasses) He dumped her right over onto the ground! She was a good sport though.

DJ Wayne Kinney – You are a handsome Chap!

You too could make the blog if you belly flop on the dance floor!

The First Look.

They had cool huge programs – and they played the Raiders of the Lost Ark theme song at their recessional.

Love their clean suits with the horizontal hankerchief.

Best Wedding Chest Bump while wearing orange ties and drinking miller light ever!

The Reception was at the Columbia Yacht Club right off LSD.