Jayna and Brandon - Bay Pointe Inn wedding photos

Jayna and Brandon’s wedding was a super special day, and came exactly when I needed it to.
Not only is Jayna a gorgeous bride, but she's an incredible human.
Theirs was the first wedding we had in November, which means all the craziness of October portrait sessions and edits was coming to a close, and the amount of sleep I was averaging was a whole lot of not much. Jayna was like hitting a creativity reset button.
From the first moment we arrived, she was asking what we need, and telling us how much she trusted us to do what we need to make the photos amazing. She was telling all her friends and family about how she chose me, and how passionate I am about my work. She made me so excited to shoot her wedding, and get incredible photos for them, and I genuinely fell in love with the work all over again because of her.

The weather on their wedding day was pretty similar to their engagement session (The parking garage rain photos that are still to this day some of my favorites) so I knew this would be the right group of people to embrace it, and not shy away from a little rain, hail, snow, and wind. Literally all of those within just a few hours, and not a single complaint out of any of the wedding party, once again resulting in some of my favorite photos.

A few things I learned that day:
1. Brandon and Jayna are not afraid of showing emotion, and I am so about it.
2. Always check to see how many Fireball shots are being taken at a reception before you offer to pay for it (Thankful to learn this one second hand haha).
3. A military wedding isn’t a military wedding until there is a pushup competition.

Mr and Mrs Miller, you two are so good for each other. You bring so much joy and encouragement to those around you, and I wish you nothing but years of happiness!

Abby and Shane - Kalamazoo Loft 310 wedding photos

There is a lot that was special about Abby and Shane’s wedding.
They initially planned the ceremony to take place at the Skydeck above their reception venue in downtown Kalamazoo, but when the weather had other plans, the Entertainment District came through with a stunning plan B: What I’m pretty sure is THE most beautiful minimalist chapel of all time. These two took it all in stride, and were genuinely just happy to be marrying each other.
Additionally, Abby is the queen of rentals, and I mean that in the best way possible. She had on a stunning Rent the Runway dress for their engagement photos, and all the flowers at the wedding were created by Events by I Candy, and loaned out for the occasion. I seriously had no idea they weren’t real until I picked them up, I am still kind of floored at how perfect they were!
Also.
I am not even ashamed to say that I cried on their wedding day, and here’s why.
Abby had helped to care for Holly, an incredibly sweet girl with downs syndrome, and became very close to her family. She knew Holly may never get a wedding day of her own to cherish, so she decided to share her day with Holly and her father so that they could walk down the aisle and have their first dance together. The amount of love and selflessness that Abby and Shane have for other people is moving in so many ways, and I hope to make even a fraction of the difference that they make in the lives of those around them.

Abby and Shane, it was an honor to get to know you and your story. I’m so excited for all the memories you’ll create together through the years, congratulations again!

Janel and Ben - WMU Heritage Hall wedding

Getting to know Janel and Ben has been an extreme pleasure. They’re both incredibly unique, but fit together perfectly. Janel planned their Heritage Hall wedding (or East Hall for you WMU OGs) with an art deco theme, stunning details, and live plants everywhere. Janel’s own father officiated the ceremony, and there was barely a dry eye in the whole place. Their day was not only beautiful, but a completely pleasant day to celebrate from start to finish! Everyone from her planner, to friends and family came together to make sure it was as smooth and amazing as any wedding I’ve been to in my 8 years of shooting. Even with rain looming during portraits, they took it completely in stride, and embraced the weather for show-stopping portraits.
Congratulations you phenomenal people! I am so honored to know you, and I can’t wait to see what your future together holds.

Mr and Mrs Roberts - Southern Exposure wedding

When we shot Billy and Kelsey’s engagement session earlier this year, I could tell they had an adventurous side. They’re the type of people that aren’t quick to let anything get them down because being together is what really matters. I absolutely love that about them, so when the forecast leading up to their wedding day called for nothing but straight rain, I wasn’t worried. The umbrellas were packed and the energy was high.
Well, this is Michigan, and the entire day’s prediction was changing hour by hour. The ceremony was moved indoors to be safe at the last minute, but we had a few dry skies here and there that we absolutely took advantage of! Kelsey didn’t stop smiling the entire day, and the whole wedding party was 100% down to grab umbrellas and adventure outside for photos. I’m so so happy with the results, it just goes to show there’s nothing to fear about a little rain on your wedding day.

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Roberts!