Sometimes two people cross paths briefly, and they just keep on going... sometimes literally, as Carrie remembered the summer after 8th grade when they saw each other on the street. They exchanged a friendly but short greeting, and kept on walking. They weren't very close, but there was a hint of interest. Nothing ever really happened, they had just been casual friends in school, and that was one of the last times they saw each other. Then Carrie's family moved away. Life continued on as normal. Fast-forward 16 years, when Chad got a phone call from a close friend's grandma. The first thing he heard on the other end of the line was, "Chad, find a hall and set a date, I've got the girl." He laughed... but she was right.
The first time they had seen each other in sixteen years was June of 2008, and a little over a year later, they were engaged. The two lives who had crossed paths so long ago, were actually on a journey to join together all along.
I love their story, and I was honored to be there to witness and photograph their wedding day.





Their ceremony was light-hearted and beautiful. There was a lot of laughter...







... and a few tears.









Love the first dance. :)






These two who caught the bouquet and garter are boyfriend and girlfriend.... aww.
The same thing happened to my husband and me when we were dating! Just sayin'.



They had some seriously awesome dancing kids at the reception. Plus this girl knew the words to basically every song that came on.



The adults weren't so bad either!



Chad and my husband grew up together in the Upper Peninsula. We traveled to Wisconsin together that weekend. We experienced some of the coldest weather of our lives, but had a such a great time with Chad & Carrie, and so many of their incredible friends and relatives. So glad we could come up, and we wish you nothing but the best!

Last month Kristi and RJ were married in Grand Rapids
and I was there to capture the details.
It was such a privilege to spend the day with these wonderful
families and their friends.
Kristi started the day with her hair being done by her sister...

Then everyone headed to Kuyper College
and the chapel to finish getting ready...

Just gorgeous!

They shared a first look in the front of the chapel,
and I just love their expressions!

Husband and wife! Making if official...

Off to the Stadium Club for their reception.

One of my favorite details from the day:
their amazing Mexican buffet,
continually refilled throughout the night.
I was fortunate enough to get to enjoy some of this
wonderful food - especially the hottest salsa on the table - yum!

Had to grab a shot of the Fifth Third Ballpark sign by the side
of the highway...

What truly stands out in my mind from this wedding
was the way Kristi and RJ looked at each other...
When she was near him, she just looked so calm
and obviously happy, you could see on her face that she was
exactly where she needed to be.
And when he looked at her, all you could see was how
in love he is, and that nothing else matters.
The gorgeous dress, jewelry, flowers,
beautiful music, programs, food,
and all those little details they planned
that made their wedding so lovely,
are just for one very special day.
They are put away, and fade into memories...
It was a joy for me to witness them together,
and to see their faces light up.
My wish is that those looks they gave each other,
and the feelings of love behind those expressions
fill them with joy and peace for countless days ahead.
Congratulations!

Tiffany and Jeremy
were married a couple weeks ago on a perfect fall day.
Sandy Morrow and I were there to capture all the details
of their day, beginning with the girls getting ready
at Salon Cheveux in Holland.

The ring bearer tested out the aisle before the ceremony...

Dimnent Memorial Chapel is so gorgeous...
and holds special meaning to Tiff and Jeremy,
who met as students at Hope College.
I might be a little biased because I also attended Hope,
but I don't think anyone would disagree that it is beautiful.
I've never been able to photograph this space
completely empty, chandeliers lit, and the sun
streaming through the stained glass.





The day was going so smoothly... well, almost!
Of course all the planning done by Tiffany, Jeremy,
and their family and friends went off without a hitch!
Unfortunately I was not so lucky - I missed a step at the chapel
just before the ceremony and sprained my ankle!
Guests were arriving, and I had to sit and wait
for EMT's (ordered by the chapel manager)
to check me out before I could get back to work.
I was fortunate that it was just a sprain and not a break,
and I was able to continue shooting the rest of the day.
I won't lie, I had some pain later that night, but
all in all it wasn't that bad.
It seems like each wedding has its own little "hiccup" -
this time it was me!
I will be especially extra careful from now on!!!



I love how they kept the decorations at the chapel
so simple... these lanterns and leaves were the perfect touch.

Jeremy's sister Jennifer sang "Blessed" by Rachel Lampa
during communion, and did an amazing job... she has a beautiful voice!

Sisters know how to make each other laugh...

Love the shoes :)




Tiffany and Jeremy didn't see each other
until she entered the chapel to walk down the aisle...
so we made sure to take some time for portraits
of just the two of them - right where he proposed!









Tiffany, it was great getting to know you over the summer,
talking about anything and everything, and of course
your wedding plans! It was a perfect day because
it reflected you and Jeremy -
your choices of where to be traditional and where to break from the norm
were refreshing and memorable, and just you, as a couple, which is what makes everything so special.
I hope your wedding day was exactly how you envisioned it would be.
Congratulations, and thank you again for letting me be the one
to capture these moments for you.

I met Danielle and Dave earlier this summer.
My first meetup with Danielle was great, and we clicked right away, talking
about her wedding plans and details. :)
I was so geeked driving home from that first coffee date,
and I called my husband from the road to tell him that
I had booked my first wedding!
Not that shooting portraits and details for my sister's big day,
or my second-shooting experiences weren't amazing...
but this was a big step for me, and I had been looking
forward to this day ever since!

The sun was shining that morning, and it set the tone for the entire day.












So gorgeous...



Danielle and Dave saw each other for portraits before the ceremony.
I set up a first look for them and put myself at a distance so
they could have a few moments by themselves...











Sisters!



Back in the church! It was pretty chilly out, and all the
bridal party members were really good sports about it.
This arch was built by Danielle's dad!









Reception at Harbourfront Grand Hall in Grand Haven...










I can't wait to show you the rest of your wedding day photos!
Everyone from both families, and all your friends, were so nice
and it was an honor to be a part of your day right from the start.
Thank you for everything!
I am so happy for you both,
and I hope you are having a great time in Jamaica!

Annie and Eric were married Saturday
surrounded by the beauty of a late summer day, family, and friends.
Check out their engagement session here.
Everyone was so warm and friendly, and I had really enjoyed spending the day
around such a fabulous group of people, they made me feel so welcome!

The girls got ready for the big day at Annie's parents' house...

When I saw her dress I could see why she fell in love with it...






















There are many more great pictures from your day
that I can't wait to share with you,
but I just couldn't wait to post a few as soon as I could!
It means a lot that you chose me to be your wedding photographer,
and I hope you like your photos so far. :)
I loved getting to know you this summer, and It was an honor to be
a part of your day. I wish you both all the best!
Have a fantastic time on your honeymoon!

A couple weeks ago I second shot a wedding with Stacey Clack - a fabulous Grand Rapids photographer. She wanted someone to help cover all the little extras at the gorgeous wedding of Leah and Mike. We both had so much fun at this event!



Leah looked so elegant on her wedding day!



Leah and Mike saw each other before the ceremony,
which was a really sweet moment... Stacey took gorgeous portraits of them
together and individually, and I grabbed a few as well...







Flower girl and ring bearer - sooooo cute!





Then I was off to the B.O.B. to take detail shots of the reception hall.
I loved the limes!





The first dance...



The reception was a blast - and we were taking so many photos of the dancing
we totally lost track of time...



Stacey - thank you, thank you, thank you!
I am so glad I could come along with you for this wedding!
Leah and Mike, congratulations and I wish you all the best.
Thank you for letting me be a small part of your big day!

Stacey was truly the one who rocked this wedding,
I've seen her work! She took so many amazing photos that day,
and I know Leah and Mike are thrilled with them.
I just wanted to share a few of my shots on my blog. :)

Dan and Alma were married at the top of the dune
at Tunnel Park this weekend.
They had a small ceremony, but what stood out to me was
the love among friends and family, many who had come from Mexico,
where the couple lives.

I brought my friend Trisha along to second-shoot and we were both
having so much fun capturing the details, and watching the sky change as we waited for the ceremony to start...



Hydrangeas in soft colors - a classic.
Overlooking Lake Michigan, the calmest I have ever seen it...



Ave Maria sung for the processional.




Minutes before the ceremony began I captured this sky,
with the light hitting the water. No rain fell during the wedding!



Alma was walked down the aisle by her mother,
and led by two adorable flower girls.



Sister of the bride




The ceremony was joyous, full of humor and warmth,
and I had to pause a few times just to listen and
realize what a gift it is to be a witness at these weddings.
I never want to take that for granted.



Alma's mother during the ceremony.



I wasn't the only one taking photos that day!
I had to get one of the guy with the cool hat!







Husband and Wife! Such a happy moment, they stopped to give
lots of hugs as they made their way back up the aisle!




The whole group immediately after the ceremony.



Candids like these end up being some of my favorites - I love her expression!




A few quick portraits after the ceremony.
Everyone was ready to head down to the reception site,
but I couldn't let these two go just yet.






Favorite! Alma is so stunning.



Pies from Crane's Pie Pantry at the reception.
I love a beautiful wedding cake, but I also love a unique approach to
dessert options... One of my favorite food images ever!



Dan and Alma, I wish you all the best in life.
Felicidades, y muchas gracias.
Your wedding was beautiful!

One week ago tomorrow Kelly and Heath were married on the beach in Barcelo, Riviera Maya, Mexico. The celebration with friends and family lasted throughout the week, and the weather was - for the most part - gorgeous. The family and friends who were able to make the trip all got along wonderfully.

I love the angel statue, one of several throughout the resort hotel area, with her hands together in prayer.



The afternoon of the wedding, it began to rain, and Kelly and Heath decided to press on with their plans for a beach wedding. Umbrellas were purchased and we all kept our fingers crossed.




Beautiful - and obviously so happy!

My uncle Dan was actually the photographer during the ceremony, since I was the Matron of Honor (still not sure how I feel about the term "Matron" ;) - so I must give credit where it is due. Heath's brother Luke was also part of the photography team; he took the one of Kelly and me below. The rest of the time I had the camera...

See, the sun even came out for a bit! The wedding ceremony was breezy, and beautiful... and no rain. I still can't get over it... the timing could not have been more perfect.




We got a few more, and then the raindrops started falling again as we ran back up the beach toward the reception site. We made it under the thatched roof just in time to stay fairly dry, the rain stopped again and we ran back out for some more photos.
...To be continued. I will definitely be posting more!

I am home from Mexico, where we went for Kelly and Heath's wedding on the beach.
The resort was breathtakingly beautiful, and Kelly was even more so. We had a blast! Blowing in the Caribbean breeze, this was the perfect gown, and it looked amazing on her... I can't wait to post more!

Saturday I had the honor of working with Lynell of Lizzie Weddings at the wedding of Josh and Lisa! I had a great time getting to know Lynell, talking, laughing, taking photos, enjoying an absolutely gorgeous spring day in Michigan. My goals were pretty simple: to try to get a better understanding of what goes into photographing a wedding day, take some beautiful images, to have fun, and learn more about what I can do to improve my photography. I think the day exceeded my expectations in every aspect!




This was one gorgeous bride!







There are so many more photos I am very proud of,
but these are a few of my favorites, for now.
Thank you Lisa and Josh for being gracious enough to let me be a part of your day. It is easy to see how crazy you are about each other! I hope for all the best for you both! Thank you Aletha, for letting me borrow your ShootSac! Mostly, thank you Lynell for letting me come along with you. Your work is stunning and your advice is so valuable to me.