Wedding Season 2012 is Open!

Jennifer & Paul have an unbelievable story. They met when they were 16 while on vacation in St. Thomas (Virgin Islands) and have been dating for the better part of 10 years. I can’t imagine the faith/heartache/dreaming/crush/love of that kind of a start and continuance of a relationship.

Currently, Paul is an analyst in San Francisco and is a total guys guy – he likes sports, being outdoors and his dog Blu. Jen’s an event planner in San Francisco and loves to travel, cook, and be active. Naturally, their details were amazing. The best way I can describe them is a super fun happy couple. For instance, their wedding date was Cinco De Mayo because its totally quirky. Their friends came from all over the US as they’ve lived in NY, MI, PA, DC, Chicago and now SF.

They planned a rustic chic wedding that showcases a lot of their personalities through the details.

A great vendor team!
Ceremony & Reception: Misty Farms Ed the Director is Awesome.
Flowers: Parsonage Flowers They did a great job too.
Coordination: Viva La Diva Alison & Brian are a Great team!
Band: Chateau Band Again super nice people.
Catering: Eat Ann Arbor Great Food!

Down Boy – the next big thing in make up.

I did not coach this out of here! Believe me. This is just Jen at her best.

Jen had matching red toenail polish. She thought of everything!

Parsonage is sooo good!

I love this look Jen exchanged with her mom. Its like… I love you….can you believe it – here I am!

The sun broke through the clouds that late afternoon and it became ‘the’ perfect michigan day. 75 degrees, no bugs, totally pleasant.

The farm is a great place for kids.

Sugar!!!

Hand dipped ice cream sandwiches for everyone.

It was the night of the super moon. I think thats a fun notable fact. Not sure if Jen & Paul quirkely planned that but if not its perfect anyways.

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.