Jane and Brad used a friend’s home on Lake Leelanau for their intimate wedding ceremony. It was a perfect day for it, too!
This lovely couple was shot by Zachariah Smith, one of my senior second shooters.
Flowers by BLOOM floral designs.
Anne and Alex had a wonderful ceremony in the woods at the Art Park at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville. Both sets of their parents spoke for the ceremony and gave fantastic advice on how to make marriage work. It was really a unique, personal addition to the day. After hearing what the parents had to say, it made perfect sense why these two had such a great connection – – they’ve learned how to love from their parents. It really made my heart full!
o
The things we do to try and fit in . . . The plan was for Chris to propose to Stephanie right about sunset at outlook #10 at Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. In order to look like we were supposed to be there and not give the surprise away, Morgan (assistant extraordinaire) brought along a pal to pretend to do some senior photos. We monkeyed about for an hour or so waiting for friend Chris to work up the nerve and get down on one knee. We may have a little too much fun some times. We had lots of laughs, got to participate in an epic moment in two people’s lives, and then topped off the evening with ice cream. Since when is a “salty pimp” a sundae name?
Chris emailed a few weeks ago and let me in on a little secret about his plans to ask his sweetie, Stephanie, to be his wife. He wanted somewhere in Leelanau on the big lake, with a great sunset. We went back and fourth about where to make this happen. We decided on Pierce Stocking Drive, vista #10. It is such a beautiful location and the sunsets there are just stellar! We set up a ruse to be able to be on site when he was ready to propose. As the sun sank into a thick bank of lake-haze, he did it! Chris got down on one knee, pulled out a beautiful ring, and Stephanie said YES! You know I’m a sucker for lovey, sappy stuff, so of course I had to bring some bubbly and pretty glasses as a gift.
Absolutely a stunning, fun, and happy couple! Cheers to your future, full of adventure, together!
Meet Dana, Amazing Day Weddings newest officiant for the lower part of Michigan.
Lindsay and Paul are so wonderful together! Their families and friends were such a blast too! We had a gorgeous day around Traverse City!
Ashleigh and Dan (and Jaxson, too) were married at the top of the mountain at The Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor. The day began with wet, ominous skies, and as the ceremony time rolled around, the sun came out and greeted us with a beautiful day. I think the best part was Jaxson’s three barks at the first kiss when everyone clapped and cheered!
Into the evening we had a chance to play with a new idea. The Homestead does not allow sparklers to be used on site, so we tried glow sticks. I actually really like the smoothness to the look of the glow sticks! And then there was my pond idea. I’ve been stewing on this one for a while and just waiting for the right time to try it out. Success! And after looking at the final product, I felt the moon would be a great addition. Oh, the things I see in my head! Do you think they’d let me put a boat in the pond . . . .
Julie & Steve were married at the First Presbyterian Church in Tecumseh, MI. It was a long haul down but so worth it. These two were wonderful, gentle, and kind souls.
As it turns out, working 12-16 hour days for 3 months straight is bad for my attitude. So, now that we have crested mid-season, I decided it was necessary to briefly hang up the electronics and see if I could find my real self. Even if it was for just a few hours here and there. I took an afternoon down the river with the ladies for Niki’s bachelorette party (of course shenanigans occurred til the wee hours of the next day), I took an hour on the beach with my babe, the kid, and the dogs (Ollie is learning how to swim this year, she’s still afraid of the water though), and took an hour to have a little fun with some new babies. Puppy breath always bring me back to my happy place.
I am now refreshed, with a spring in my step, a slightly larger smile, and considerably breezier attitude! So, bring on the remaining half a page of “should have done yesterday”, mass shipping, and two more months of serious heavy-season! I suppose I could also look at perhaps doing the laundry and cleaning the house, too. I suppose . . .