Steve and Marcie link hearts!

It probably isn't much of a mystery as to why I love shooting weddings. But if I had to, I'd say that it is impossible for me to ever tire of watching couples radiate love to each other on their wedding day (or any other time, truth be told).  It's the one thing that I always look for and try to capture.

Steve and Marcie were wonderfully tender and playful when they looked at each other. When their eyes met, their faces softened, and they radiated love.  Their faces are open, can you see it?- it's as though we are able to look directly into their hearts. 

And love is so evident.  I treasure the ability to witness this spark.  It's so satisfying to me on a personal level-as though I am a "voyeur of love". 

I guess there are worse things to be. And there are certainly worse things to photograph.  But, I have to say that it's great to have an insider's seat at a wedding. I never tire of it.  I love to be able to photograph a romantic and passionate couple. I would venture a guess and say that Marcie and Steve will have a vivacious and spirited life together.

 And I was there for the beginning. 

Sail Away with me!...

Every wedding has it's own flair and with Stephanie and Chuck's wedding, I just wanted to sail away with them and listen to the many ( apparently SO MANY) fun-tastical stories about this crazy and wonderful couple.  (Oh my, if you know them but you don't know the story about the broken Christmas tree stand, make sure to ask them about it! :-)   )  Oh well, but i digress...

But, can you imagine marrying someone that sleepwalks and walks into your roommate's room or bumps into trees in the middle of the night?  

Oh well, that doesn't matter, really...

Or what about falling in love with someone who has tattoos of girls on his arm? Even if they are of you! And what about dating someone that didn't exactly "break" the law, but kind of "stretched" it, in order to test the limits, say.... 

Oh well, this is all to say that none of us knows what it is that will make us fall in love with someone or why or even when. It is the crazy magical mystery of life. With no apparent rhyme or reason. And that my friend, is the spark we call life. 

And the beauty of love. 

Stephanie and Chuck have so many sparks and so much beauty! May they live long and prosper!

Betsy and Martin's "Day at the Beach" Wedding

It's so much fun to have a wedding and a day at the beach all in one !
Betsy and Martin really planned it perfectly- with the help of Betsy's mom, Mitzi.  They even arranged for a perfect, beautiful, sunny warm day to get married against a backdrop of blue, light blue, turquoise and dark blue!  Oh, and fluffy white clouds! (Although there was a moment, around 5 a.m. that morning, when the rains came and everything seemed a bit dicey...) But, in traditional Northern Michigan fashion by daybreak, the sun came out, warmed up the beach and all of the outdoor party plans resumed.
The Harbor in Elk Rapids was the perfect backdrop for their nuptials.

Betsy and Martin even frolicked on a sailboat in the marina.

But before the celebration ended, there was still one more guest that needed to be included in their special day.  Someone, or maybe I should say "somedog" that was a part of the family but, still left behind.
Well... temporarily.
Mr. Boomer was not forgotten!

An Upscale Campstyle Wedding for Aubrey and Justin

One of my most favorite things in the summer is to enjoy the outdoors in a natural, campfire style way. You know, rivers, picnics, s'mores. So, I was thrilled to learn that I would be photographing a wedding celebration at a genuine family lodge. Aubrey and Justin, who live in Massachusetts, traveled to Michigan to be married at the family lodge.

Their loving family built a wooden pergola style church on a bluff that overlooked the South Boardman River. It was here that Aubrey and Justin exchanged vows.

The day was overcast and even occasionally rainy, so Aubrey was prepared for rain.  Her Matron of Honor, Kelsey went as far as purchasing mud boots in case of mud and also to splash about in the river.  HOw fUn ! :-)

I always tell brides and families to not worry about weather because even overcast skies make for beautiful and flattering light as well as opportunities for unique photographs.

And, what would make an upscale campfire style wedding complete?  How about a real campfire with marshmallows for s'mores!

Sparty Crashes Lauren and Eric's Wedding!

What would you think if a very large guy, dressed in a  green trojan outfit crashed your wedding party??  Peeved?  Upset?

But I think that Lauren and Eric really liked it!  

(P.S. they are big MSU Spartan fans!)

Hands down he was the most important ( and most interestingly dressed!) guest of the evening!

So, the spirit of this wedding was that of a team!  Of coarse, Lauren and Eric make for a wonderful team or perhaps they were the coaches for this wonderful team; the bridal party - in any event, this team was always cheering for their "fans" !

And despite all the "playing" around, the wedding was a huge success with cooperative weather, a beautiful venue (The Spartan Club atop MSU football stadium) and a wonderful couple.

Lauren and Eric are off to a fabulous beginning since they are part of a winning team!!!

If the Shoe Fits...

Ashley was a beautiful bride- but, i was a little concerned when i noticed that her shoes were different colors!Is she color blind?  Did she have two pairs of shoes, i wondered?

She explained to me that her shoes were the colors of the Coast Guard and that she was marrying a Lieutenant in the Coast Guard, Michael Panter.

Their wedding was held on a beautiful and warm Michigan summer day.  Michael was dashing in his Coast Guard uniform and Ashley was stunning in her white layered satin dress.

The sun was warm and blessed their special day. They are an absolutely handsome couple! 

And I love this picture of their rings!

Jessica and Bill are united in marriage!

I photographed Jessica and Bill's long anticipated wedding last weekend. They were engaged for 6 years. Enough time for Bill to graduate with a law degree and for Jessica to graduate with a veterinary degree.

Oh, the things that you remember from a wedding;
Like the crazy limo driver that got a chicken bone stuck in his tonsil ( no, i didn't share that with you Jessica and Bill...)  Made my drive over to the Detroit River so much more entertaining...

And the lovely playful mood of everyone in the wedding!  And sunglasses!  I love sunglasses on a bride! 

The ever so beautiful flowers that Jessica chose for her wedding colors reverberated joy and vitality!
And the wedding party at the river... we got some lovely pictures.

Congratulations Jessica and Bill!  May you live happily ever after!