The Roostertail, Detroit Mi

Do exactly what you want!

Valerie and Ashli had a vibe all of their own. The October feels in the city were so vibrant especially when you have your first look with hand written vows in your own personalized books and have a quick sage to start your day! Gorgeous portraits at Belle Isle and walking appetizer’s at the reception which included a hot pretzel wall, pot pies and a charcuterie display. Incorporate your favorite boys ( your dogs) with your signature drink and a donut wall. Have your first dances to The Golden Girls theme song and then intercept with your mother’s as a surprise! The detail and thought put into all of the decor and the vibe of this party was just perfect! See for your self!

The Rivercrab Docks, Mi

Rachelle + Keith wanted to spend their rehearsal dinner like a mini reception because of the 2020 shut down. They gathered with friends and family on the docks of the St. Clair Rivercrab and we all were blown away with how gorgeous of an evening we had. The warm air, the speeches that left us in tears, the siblings going for the cake after it was cut but not served yet, haha and also.. colored glassware is my fav.

Aurora Cellars Winery, Lake Leelanau, Mi

It’s Autumn in Michigan and the colors are just so incredible the more you head north. October weddings are some of my favorite, with the sugar donuts and cider scents in the air, pumpkins and the cool breezes sweeping around the old farmhouse feel. We prepared for high wind and rain for the forecast, so umbrellas were a must with the first look by the big willow tree. The ceremony was originally suppose to be in front of the willow tree, but our Michigan Fall weather brought us inside the tent instead.

The muted colors, prints and textures for the wedding party attire, is still one of my favorite color pallets and vibes. Thank goodness for the groomsmen for supplying lots of drinks and jokes to fuel our day and the fun photo bus to capture some fun memories to take home ..

A big thank you for making the day beautifully easy going, with the help of our amazing planner Janelle from Hazel and Grey Events.

Backyard weddings are some of my favorite weddings. Sydney and Marcus were so excited to share such a beautiful day at their home they bought together earlier last year. These two are some of the most genuine and hilarious people you’ll meet.. and with such talent. After meeting at the local black box theater, these two were inseparable. This sweet family of four also shares humor and love with two smart and adorable twin 5 year old girls. Summer was warm and beautiful and the sun shining that day was magic.

• Venue: Sydney and Marcus’s backyard

• Flowers: DIY by Sydney

• Cake: Betsy’s Bakes

A gorgeous vintage backyard wedding full of antiques and love. Stacey is a hairdresser and Jordan is a bee keeper among other things. Stacey’s mother owns an antique store in Port Sanilac, Michigan called Remarkables and beautifully decorated their barn in the back yard. It is literally one of the most unique and beautiful spaces I have had the pleasure to shoot in. It rained a bit, just as the ceremony began at Lady Of The Lake church and then cleared up enough for gorgeous portraits at Harbor Beach marina. A must have stop for a drink at Shady Shores and then onto an incredible party with dancing at sunset. The cake and pies were made by Stacy’s family and little honey pots were take home gifts to the guests. The end of summer in the mitten doesn’t get much better than this.

The Ford Piquette Plant, Detriot Mi

I have watched these two and their beautiful relationship unfold over the last few years. I met Jen at a previous wedding and the friend circle of brides that would welcome me into the most beautiful friendships and memories.

Detroit has my heart. The coldness of this November day with bits of sunshine would seriously make the perfect day to the end of my season. The Ford Piquette Plant is seriously a vintage car dream and sooo the style of these two. Jen should be an interior decorator, as most of the pieces used for details, are her own. This woman has talent and one of the most beautiful hearts and Jake is the ultimate match, hilarious and one of the biggest sweethearts. Honestly I couldn't have asked for better people to share my passion with.

First looks are my favorite and so are sunsets over Detroit.. especially when we get to play on rooftops

Ann Arbor, Mi

"Loving you is easy"

These words are still echoing in my ears from Christine + Simon , they are two of the most beautiful souls. The heritage brought from Simon's family was so special. Simon wore a bolo tie from Gallup, New Mexico from his father's friend who is part of the Pokagon, Potowatomi tribe and both wore Turquoise bracelets that were a gift from a family member. 
I'll never forget this ceremony.. while Christine started to walk down the aisle with her father, the loudest crack of thunder echoed through the sky. It was wild. I wish I had the audio to the images, because it was just magical. The wedding vase used in their ceremony belonged to his Aunt Debbie Cayedito who is no longer with us. This is the best description of what it is: “One spout of the vessel represents the husband; the other, the wife. The looped handle represents the unity achieved with marriage. The space created within the loop represents the couples’ own circle of life.” There was actually tea in the vase that they both individually drank and then drank together. We did get hit with the down pour as soon as the ceremony ended, but only for about 15 minutes. Thank God for amazing friends, as one of my good girlfriends was a guest at the wedding and grabbed my umbrellas for me just as the ceremony started. 
Both of the families were incredible, artistic and unique. So many beautiful things were constantly happening. So many smiles, laughs and watching Arnold, their pup, run around so happy, songs were sang by Simon's family and Simon himself sang to his bride. And as the evening came to a close, we chased the sunset.

Love is magic.

Stafford Perry Hotel, Petoskey Mi

Northern Michigan never disappoints, with the perfect weather and perfect sunsets happening on the fresh west shoreline.

Katie + Jake had one beautiful day. These two creatives shared some of the most beautiful vows I have ever heard, full of truth, they had us all in tears of joy to see the strength of their love. Siblings made up their wedding party and everyone was full of smiles and laughter. Petoskey is one of my favorite little shoreline towns, the cute hillside victorian homes and the Perry Hotel established in 1899 gives such a romantic vintage feeling. We had the first look in front of the porch at the Perry, portraits at a natural waterfall, vogue feels with the wedding party, tons of laughs from the speeches given by Katie's father and Jake's brother, dancing at sunset and playing on the shoreline in blue hour..
Yeah, I'll never tire of being #smittenwiththemitten <3

Historical District Warren, Michigan

My best friend got MARRIED! It still hasn't sunk in all the way.. 2019 is our year!

Jennica and Josh have been friends for years and over last winter, sparks just flew. Josh came out to Port Huron to help Jennica pick up some bunnies from her sister as a Christmas present for her son Aubin, it's kind of where it began. We all hung out at our favorite Raven Cafe and I snapped the first image of the two of them together as "just friends".. well, look where we are now!
These two just fit. Josh and Jennica built and assembled their entire wedding space in the backyard of their home. Jennica is a natural when it comes to event planning, honestly she needs to make this her career haha! Josh built their new shed that they had their ceremony in front of and all the decor was basically right from the walls of their home. All of the special people in their lives where there.
From Aubin, Jennica's son walking her down the aisle, Josh's mother making all of the food, Jennica's sister Angie making the wedding favors and cupcakes, and friends bringing the music and love.. it was quite the perfect intimate wedding.
Thank you for making my best friend feel so loved Josh, I cannot wait for the future of this new family.

Port Huron, Mi

I am still just absolutely swooning over Hira + Matt.
It has been a long time since we all roamed the same halls in high school.. and who would have thought we would find ourselves here, many many years later. One of the most perfect days in December ended up on the 21st. Reconnecting and sharing such beautiful intimate moments with two beautiful families, first look at Port Huron Golf Club- a very meaningful place for Matt, taking portraits downtown and running into another beautiful couple (my fellow photographer friend on his wedding day).. revisiting Sperry's , now Sperry’s Movie house for a moment, where Hira and Matt had one of their first dates.. ceremony at sunset and to step back outside for the last minutes of this golden light, my heart was so full.
Looking at our little city with a different heart and fresh eyes, what magic.

The Gem Theater, Detroit Mi

Talk about an insane, long awaited union of two of the sweetest, most creative women I know. Saturday was one for the books. I have never witnessed such an intense feel of love when both Elise and Kara walked into their ceremony space. The entire room was hollering and over the moon with joy for these two. As Elise's father had stated a few times "This is the couple of the year.." and it couldn't feel more true. Kara and Elise met 11 years ago through friends, and it was seriously meant to be.
Our day was wild and laid back at the same time.. Starting with the beautiful view from the Greek town Casino hotel where the ladies were getting ready. We wondered around The Belt before the ceremony started, pulling off some incredible images of the most vogue looking group of individuals. After the incredibly emotional ceremony ended we drank champagne with the WOW factor still intact.. marveled in the beauty of The Gem Theater before dinner started. After gorgeous speeches with friends and loved ones we got down to a group of talented musicians from Detroit Institute of Music Eduction (where Elise has worked for the last 5 years) and Elise's DAD got in on the action!!!

The last moments of light from such a beautiful day was spent with golden hour portraits, and very last.. There was no denying the love between these two and even Detroit was showing us so much love from everyone we passed <3

I couldn't be more happy for you both, I love you, my friends.

The War Memorial

Janelle and Matt met on the sidewalk in NY.. already sounds like a fairytale, doesn't it? Janelle noticed Matt wearing Michigan State and chanted Go Green to him and he responded with Go White! This was how it all began. They had their first date at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC ( it's one of the little buildings on the cake top!) and they got engaged at the Philadelphia Art Museum. It only made sense that Janelle's sister Racheal wanted to incorporate art into some decorations for them. Hand painted little canvases on art easels, they were the cutest. The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe was a classic choice for the day. From the first look in the fern room, Janelle’s two piece wedding dress and that veil naturally blowing from the wind, to their first dance. These two were magical  ❤

Port Sanilac Museum, Mi

It's October in Michigan, and an early morning wedding was about to be held on the front lawn of the Port Sanilac Museum. Freshly made donuts, decorated by a friend and cider await the guests for this brunch style ceremony. Vintage 1950's style and peacock colors were the theme for Alyssa and Jack, but what is incredibly awesome about these two? They dress this way on a daily basis. The victory rolls and bow ties, a real 1950's wedding dress paired with a paper flower with music notes bouquet, assembled by Alyssa herself. These two melt me. First off, not only are they such beautiful people but they are quite the power couple. That's right, they play jazz together in their band Fifth Avenue. I became friends with Alyssa and Jack about 5 years ago, solidly. I saw them perform at a local summer festival here in our little town of Port Huron, Michigan. I was blown away at the angelic and powerful jazzy sound Alyssa belt out while Jack played his stand up bass. I came to find out that Alyssa was a pinup model and we ended up shooting together for the first time that winter. 

Since then I had anticipated this day. Not only are they a great couple together, but they are so supportive of each other creatively. They played with their band Fifth Avenue at the reception at Old Town Hall Winery, Lexington Michigan, cut a homemade cake made my Alyssa's sister and after the first dance we headed over to the Captains Quarters, a little air bnb for a quick portrait session. 

These two are classically in love.