Engagement Session - Sara + Raleigh

Sara and Raleigh are a West Michigan couple through and through. They love going out to breweries and trying new beers, and one of their first dates involved floating down the river with a case of PBRs. What’s more Michigan than that? And when they told me they wanted a fall engagement session somewhere in the woods, I knew just the spot. We hiked down trails, sipped beer, and enjoyed the fall colors. I’m writing this in February, and oh how I miss those beautiful autumnal hues!

Here are a few of my favorite photos from our session. I am so excited for their September wedding at Something Blue Berry Farm!

Grand Rapids Engagement Photography - Kasey + Kourtney

Kasey, Kourtney, and I met up at the Kent City Lounge (dive bars are kind of my jam) before the session to loosen up some of those pre session jitters. I always love guiding my clients to cool locations, but I really love when they have their own ideas and I get to shoot somewhere new! Both of their parents have some really cool property, and the sunset was KILLER. They were so giggly and comfortable around each other, it really made the whole session fly by. I CANNOT WAIT for their wedding next summer, it’s been a long time in the making and I know it will be a beautiful day. OH and take a second to read the sign their daughter wrote…. It’s like really cute.

Saugatuck Engagement Session- Jeff + Sara

Sara, Jeff and I met up in Saugatuck to hang out a bit and get some photos to celebrate their engagement! We gathered for a couple beers at Saugatuck Brewing Company to talk weddings and life and warm up before heading out into chilly, windy west Michigan. We walked around the cute downtown area before driving a little north to Saugatuck Dunes State Park. It’s about 2/3 of a mile walk from the parking lot, and once we got to the shore we were met with the most amazing sunset. We ran around the dunes and danced along the shore, running away from the freezing waves crashing on the shore. I just love October in Michigan!

Jen + Matt's Munising Wedding

I can still remember the day I got a message from Jen in my inbox. As soon as she told me her and Matt were planning on having a small, intimate beach wedding in Munising, Mi, my heart got so excited! I love traveling, the UP, Lake Superior, waterfalls, hiking, basically everything the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is about, so I knew right away that I needed to document their wedding day and their love. Jen and Matt wanted a simple wedding with just their closest friends and family, and obviously their dog, Gus, who is just such a GOOD BOY!

I felt so inspired by the simplicity of their day and their go with the flow attitudes. We did the most unique first look I've ever curated right outside their motel, and then from there went to Munising Falls. Their ceremony was on Miner's beach with the beautiful Pictured Rocks in the background. After the ceremony we walked up on the bluff where Jen and Matt put in earphones and had a private first dance right on the North Country Trail. It was so beautiful and romantic, and honestly overwhelming witnessing such a pure and loving moment between two people. After their dance and some family photos, we went to Castle Rock, and from there on to Miner's Falls. They were so unbelievably awesome and trusting of me the whole day. For real, these two, who were both dressed in all white, hiked to the falls with me, then hiked down even further to the actual waterfall. It wasn't super easy getting down to the falls and back up, but these two did it with zero complaints, AND they didn't even have a speck of dirt on them when they were done. That is talent, people. Oh and also when we were walking back to the cars this little girl asked "Why is there a princess here?" referring to Jen, and we both almost cried. Because you can still have a fairy tail wedding and feel like a princess while keeping your wedding day reflective of who you are as person, and who you are as a couple. Jen and Matt, I can't thank you enough to asking me to photograph your wedding. Congratulations! 

Motel- Terrace Inn Motel, Munising, Mi - the owner, Larry, was also the officiant! 

Dress + shoes- Express

Hair piece + Gus's tux- Amazon

Whitehall Engagement Photographer - Kiara + Dominic

I love when I meet two people with a similar vision to my own. Kiara and Dominic are getting married at the Michillinda Lodge in Whitehall, Mi, a beautiful location right on Lake Michigan. Before their engagement/family session we went to the venue to walk around and check it out, and omg I'm so excited! I actually have two weddings there this summer, and I can't wait. I just love the water and everything about Lake Michigan. After getting a feel for Michillinda, we went down the road to Duck Lake State Park. There they have Duck Lake, and a little channel leading to Lake Michigan, where the sun was so perfectly setting. We lucked out with such a beautiful day and sunset, I hope their wedding brings the same weather! I'm so excited for these two and for the new family they've formed. Congratulations Kiara and Dominic! 

kevin + cheryl

By the time we were done with the first look and started taking pictures, I already felt like I had known Kevin and Cheryl for a long time. They are both so sweet, fun, and easy going, and those qualities are only magnified when they are together. They chose the Ludington State Park, which lies right along the beautiful Lake Michigan for their wedding day. It was such an honor witnessing and photographing these two best friends tie the knot in a gorgeous outdoor wooded amphitheater. Congratulations, Kevin and Cheryl, I hope to see you again in the future!

kristopher+hillary

I can't say enough good things about Kris and Hillary. They are incredibly kind, fun, welcoming, easy going, and so obviously in love. They invited me to Montana to photograph their wedding, and it was one of the most fun weeks ever! We all stayed at Chico Hot Springs Resort in Pray, Montana where the wedding was also held. Chico Hot Springs is such a beautiful place, and the staff was so friendly and accommodating. I honestly feel so grateful that I was asked to be a part of this amazing trip, and that I got to capture this wedding. Kris, Hillary, thank you so much, I wish you the best! Congratulations!

Flowers- Budget Bouquet and More- Bozeman Montana
Bridesmaid dresses: J.Crew
Groom's suit: Calvin Klein
Hair & Makeup- Ms Nancy Briggs