The most perfect weather day of the whole year. Chenin and Rick planned their date in early October just outside of Traverse City which is a bit of a weather Gamble in Michigan. When the weekend came though it was just amazing. Sunny, high blue skies, and 75 degrees without hardly a breeze. This was really a whole weekend affair for their family and friends. They rented two amazing huge cottages for everyone to enjoy company, watch football games, and party all weekend. They majority of their wedding party spent the weekend together at the Spider lake Retreat while immediate family rented out this amazing log cabin overlooking east traverse bay: the Hilltop Lodge.

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.

One of the most perfect weather weekends of the whole year; and it was October in Michigan. Sunny, 75 degrees, 0 humidity, not even a breeze. It was gorgeous. For me I love this wedding not just because it was beautiful and fun but because it represents now an amazing 4 client word of mouth lineage. Every wedding leading to another happy client and another bride. That is really cool I think. Jeni’s story is particularly unique because she is a make up artist in Rochester. I photographed a wedding about 2 years ago now where she saw was doing make up for one of her bridal clients when I showed up to start shooting hair/make up. She said I showed up early, starting working right away, dressed great, and looked like I knew what I was doing. That bride having her make up done also showed Jeni her prints from her engagement session which she loved. For me that is a really encouraging story all around.

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.

Kathleen a native Michigander and Jarir originally from Morocco made their marriage vows in Dearborn Michigan at the historic Lovett Hall. The couple met in New York where they now live but flew back to Michigan so Kathleen could celebrate with all her family. Because of the distance only a few of Jarirs special friends and relatives could come to the celebration but they brought so much character and life the party. It was really a classic wedding and it was really fun to introduce the internationals to american wedding traditions. Thanks so much again for the chance to photograph the wedding you guys are a wonderful couple and family.

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

I’m happy to be able to share an awesome wedding that took place at the Reserve this fall! Enjoy! Thanks Guys!

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.

One of the most picturesque michigan wedding ceremonies I have ever seen. Alex and Lauren had their wedding and reception at their private residence in East Traverse Bay. It was a beautiful clear blue sky day with a lake michigan breeze (to add that dreamy blowy romantic look to the dress and veil) and plenty of apple cider and donuts. Alex and Lauren decided to have a more intimate wedding with just their closest family and friends there and it pared down the stress and amplified the love. In the relational sense Everyone knew each other and it felt like a family reunion meets a wedding day. Just perfect for enjoying all the people you most love. I can’t speak highly enough of the graciousness of this couple and their family but I’m sure you can see the love and kindness of the people here in all the images. Enjoy the photographs and Thanks again guys: you are just the sweetest kindest people.

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.