Best of 2020 wedding photos

Oh 2020, what can I say about you that hasn’t been said already?

There is no doubt that one year ago, none of us had predicted what we would be put through, but sitting here on New Years Eve, waiting to wave goodbye to 2020 with only the middle finger on each hand, I am truly humbled at all the wonderful moments this year also contained.

I wanted to share some of my personal favorites of the 2020 wedding season. Some of these photos represent what the year was, some show my progression as a photographer wanting to take more unique and risky portraits, and some just show the amount of love that continued to show itself through a historically challenging time.

I grew in a lot of ways this year, and I thank you all for growing with me.

Here’s to you beautiful people making the most of it, Happy New Year.

Shauna and Conway - Clifford Lake Inn elopement photography

Shauna and Conway are super sweet people who had their original wedding plans fall through due to Covid, so when Lindsay from Something to Remember Event Planning reached out to me on Instagram about documenting their elopement in Stanton, I was pretty thrilled I had their new date available.
We customized a short and sweet package for them, and Lindsay absolutely killed everything on the planning side (Which is no small challenge this year).

This elopement has everything from a tear-jerking first look with dad to a scenic lakeside ceremony. All the best things.

Congratulations lovely people!

Chelsea and Nick - Intimate Kalamazoo wedding ceremony

When Chelsea reached out to me in July, I could tell immediately this wasn’t an average wedding inquiry. Her wedding celebration was scheduled for a date in September when I was sadly not available, so when I got her message asking about July availability, I knew there was a very good reason for it.

Her dad was very close to losing his battle with stage four cancer. He was slipping a little more each day, and they knew the likelihood of still having him with them in September was almost completely none. Rather than feel sorry for themselves or moving dates, Chelsea and Nick decided to have a private ceremony in her grandmother’s home so that her father could experience the joy of giving her away.
I was so honored to be asked to document such an important event for them, and at the time I had no idea just how much it was going to affect me.

There was an unmistakable energy in the house when I arrived, preparations just like any other wedding ceremony, Chelsea wore her dress, and Nick his suit. They went through the motions of their Irish knot ceremony, Nick completely unable to take his eyes off his future bride the entire time.
Chelsea had chosen the absolute perfect song for her first dance with her dad: “Daddy” by Abby Anderson. At this point, it wasn’t possible for her dad to stand comfortably for the entirety of the song, so Chelsea got down on her knees and held him close for their dance. The lyrics perfectly communicated all the words no one could find, and there was genuinely not a dry eye in the room, mine included.

This day was gorgeous, and perfect. It had so much joy, and also such a weight on the little time we have with those we love. Chelsea’s father passed away eleven days before their wedding celebration. This day truly made me reevaluate the importance of photos, and documenting memories. We often take for granted the opportunity to capture and hold a moment, always thinking there will be another one down the road, but the truth is you never really know.

Hold the ones you love.
Take lots of pictures.
Tell people you love them.

Simone and Keith - Kalamazoo Bell's Brewery wedding

Simone and Keith are the perfect example of making your wedding day your own. Simone is a rabbi and has seen her share of weddings, so they took the pieces of a traditional wedding that really meant something to them, and customized everything else. Instead of having a wedding party, they included close friends and family in the wedding ceremony readings. Instead of floral centerpieces, they placed non-perishable food items on the tables to be donated to a food pantry afterwards. They took themes of both family backgrounds, as well as their own interests (her bouquet was made from pages of Harry Potter books!) and incorporated them wherever they could.
Their ceremony was so full of laughter, and the reception was full of loving people who were ready to dance.
Simone and Keith, I hope you always have this much joy in your life, congratulations!

Lisa and Randy - Arcadia Brewing Kalamazoo wedding

Lisa and Randy are two beautiful souls who are very much meant to be. After nearly a decade of being together, they promised forever in front of the river at Acracia Brewing Co. (barefoot nonetheless, because it couldn’t have been any other way).
We were blessed by patio dogs, gorgeous weather, some genuinely fabulous house DJ’s and Myrtle the camper van that has been the source of so many adventures. And of course, no Kalamazoo brewery wedding would be complete without an appearance of the train during the first dance. It was iconic, and perfect.

Congratulations Lisa and Randy, I’m so excited for this next chapter for you both!