The perfect backyard reception and gorgeous ceremony at Christ Church Cranbrook. That afternoon the sun lit up Christchurch cathedral and its stained glass and Lizzy and James had the quintessential gorgeous ceremony. I dont’ know if there is a more architecturally perfect church in Detroit. Post ceremony we took a few shots of the family and then Lizzy and James raced off in their vintage GTO. You may have saw them drive through the corner of Maple and Old Woodward with me snapping off shots from the sidewalk.
Great weather, great food, and plenty of beer and wine made the reception feel like so comfortable and fun. They chose bright green colors to really liven things up and give the event a really fresh summery feel. A huge white tent was set up with beautiful linens and contemporary branch florals to give everything a splash of uniqueness. Weddings are just so amazing because there rarely a time where you get to have all your best friends and all your family to your own huge party. Not only are they all there but they desperately want to talk to you and shower you with love and good times. When you go to your friends or families wedding you may know 20 or 30 people there but thats its. There is nothing like being a bride and groom and its awesome. Any bride and groom is going to have an amazing time but I’m particularly sure Lizzy and James enjoyed it all. Before I got married I couldn’t comprehend why my parents would spend so much on an event and party but after going through and having been married 3 years now I can see why. Its worth it and there is nothing else like it. Enjoy the photographs and memories!

Lizzy double dipped at her wedding wearing one set of earrings for the ceremony and one for the reception. Great idea!

This guy was the perfect wedding dog. Calm cool and confident. I enjoyed photographing all day.

Who has a minnie the mouse mirror for make up? This bridesmaids right here.

All the people pooped him out there.

Theres something so fun and awkward and bonding about having other people help dress you.

Right after she got her veil on.

I love this shot of her and her dad. Lizzy is so focused. This is right before they opened the doors to walk down the aisle.

The tent fit perfectly and the landscaping made it feel so inviting.

Whooopsss….I didn’t see exactly what happened to the cork…but I can imagine 3 or four funny scenarios. Every table had a bottle of champagne too so this same story line was happening all over the room. Good times like I said!

Look who interrupted the 1st dance.

Trying to make a Michigan Alum sing the State fight song. It just won’t happen.

Think twice before you choose your best man. As in think about the story he just might bring up.

Awesome!

One of the most amazing bride designed events I have ever seen. Kaitlyn and family really put on an amazing successful and well thought out event this June. The weather was perfect all day, they had a great private farmhouse (Jason’s parents place), awesome bbq for the catering, and kids were running all over enjoying the animals fields and trees. I had been studying Tim Walker that morning who is a fantastical/whimsical british fashion photographer and this event felt so similar. It was the perfect fantasy dream summer evening especially if you were a bride or 8 years old. Thanks for having me guys and enjoy the photographs!

Kaitlyns Mom made all these!

And these!

Kaitlyns Friend made gifts and cards of encouragement for everyone. Kaitlyn really had a sense of being the Bride of Christ and Jasons Bride.

Everyone was honking and congratulating the girls as we walked down the street.

Look at all those shoes!

Bride and Sister – I didn’t ask them to do that!

Color coordinated nails too!

Well…It didn’t take long for me to find my way into the cow pie…I sunk in ohh about 6 inches and pulled out immediately – this is post wedding shoes poopapocolypse…

The weather was seriously amazing!

A sandhill crane that was hanging out in their back field. But not just a crane but its little bitty baby – that is really rare to see.

I absolutely love these shots of the father daugther dance. For me to devote three huge horizontals to the blog. Thats a big deal!

Mom broke down during her dance.

Pauline the bride and her five beautiful sisters…sounds like the start to fairy tale right… except that there is usually five mean sisters and an evil aunt; Well with Paulines family there is so much love and joy and fun they really rewrite the story the best way; even with an extra fairly handsome brother instead of the evil aunt. This wedding was so much fun to be at. It started out in the morning with everyone meeting at Wabeek country club to get ready. The girls were having their make up and hair done in a little bitty room (the perfect catalyst for six sisters to have a great time together) Everyone one was dancing and helping each other and just having fun. Daniel the groom and they guys were relaxing and playing poker. Once the formal affairs got going though everyone really wore their heart on their sleeve and showed how much they loved each other. Lots of tears and laughing and great loving speeches. This family truly knows the importance of family and celebration. They also know how to throw a great party with beautiful details. I loved Paulines bouquet and those boutineers were amazing. Dawn owen from Dawn Owen Designs did an amazing job. Enough Typing: enjoy the photographs!

Ceremony & Reception: Wabeek Country Club (their staff is amazing – super friendly and helpful)
Flowers and Designs: Dawn Owen Designs
Band: Nouveaute

All the wedding party and family had special shirts to designate their role.

Daniel and Pauline bought each other gifts to exchange for their first look.

They used my engagement photographs to accent their place card table.

They rode a golf cart everywhere around the main lodge. It was as fun as it looked.

The ring bearer wasn’t quite sure how he felt about the big day.

All the guys liked a different cocktail.

Paulines family! There is really a bunch of them!

I like this shot because of the ring on her finger.

I like this shot – This is from the Rabbi’s card during the ceremony. There is so much to look at here and says so much about who they are and what was said during the ceremony.

Cocktail hour above the pool. Weather was beautiful.

The custom candies on every table were a really elegant touch.

I love the shoes in the shot.

This frame is so dense. Love it.

All five sisters spoke at the reception. They had Pauline rolling!

Paulines Sister busted out a song on stage – I think it was lady gaga!

I heard Daniel built this candy tower all by himself. Pretty impressive if I do say so.

Coming from an Italian family (my wifes side: shes a Toigo) I’m beginning to understand what being Italian is all about. Its all about family, eating good food, drinking wine, eating more good food, drinking some more wine, and enjoying more family. The more food and the family the better. The wedding being the ultimate form of family, food, wine and all three together at once. Andrea and Jasons wedding epitmized this philosphy and it was just a great day of fun times, food, dancing, drinking, and being merry. Of note Andrea and Jasons had one of the larger wedding parties I’ve seen, Her family also made so many custom cookies for the event that it would make the nabisco companies head spin, and they had a super fun photo booth! This was such a fun wedding to be a part of and Andrea and Jason are such great people. They love to laugh and have fun and you can totally see it from their photographs. Enjoy the photographs! Grazie! CiaoCiao

What a ring!

You gotta have a pizza in the oven at an Italian wedding!

Love all the activity in the far right image.

The cookies – Andreas mom and family made something like 4000 cookies! I couldn’t even photograph them all at once!

The In Films team was there shooting super 8mm film. www.vintography.com

We had our photobooth set up and shot all the guests getting crazy!