St. Clair Inn
Emily + Alex
This day. These two families. These two beautiful humans.
SO MUCH LOVE.
I’ll let the photos explain for themselves.
Kate + Ryan
They aren't wrong when said " The mountains are calling".. we answered, and had the time of our lives.
Kate + Ryan invited me to join them for their elopement in Colorado.. if you know me at all, you'll know that Colorado is one of my favorite places. We all have been in anticipation for this trip for the last 6 months and to try to describe our adventure is going to be a challenge because there aren't words.
We ventured to Collective Retreats in Wolcott Colorado where we spend three incredible days and two nights in their tents on the side of a mountain. The mountain air swept us off our feet with the views, the impeccable hospitality and a farm to table 3 course rehearsal dinner we will never forget. Like seriously, hands down the best food I have ever eaten. This set the tone of how the rest of our time in Colorado was going to be, and it left us saying over and over how this experience has been perfect.
Since we spent 3 days in the mountains and a day in Breckenridge, there are a ton of images.. but I wanted to share the absolute bliss from the Wedding Day.
I'm not sure what was more comfortable, the beds in the tents at Collective, or the dry mountain air.. because we slept like heaven and then woke up to coffee and breakfast being served. After gathering the wedding wear, Ryan picked Kate a bouquet of wild flowers from camp (hearts are melted) and we trekked the 1/2 mile down to the rental car and left for Breckenridge.
We had all day to enjoy and we did.. stopping at a local cigar shop for Ryan, Breckenridge Distillery for a couple cocktails and then proceeded to Blue Lake Trail. Kate ended up getting ready at the distillery and Ryan literally had his own woodsy dressing room in the pines of the mountain haha.. which ended up being a perfect location for the first look. We met with our awesome officiate Phil ( I swear everyone in Colorado is rad as hell) and adventured to Blue Lake where the ceremony would take place. We had the most perfect weather, though in the mountains that can change in a moment. The vows exchanged, the tears of absolute happiness shed, the smiles and the wind running through our hair, champagne popping, dress ripping, foot cutting, waterfall bustling, sun shining ..I don't really know how to describe the bliss we all felt after this.. so I'l let the images take you away. But we did end our super relaxed, breathtaking day with some bomb tacos and complimentary bubbles and churros.
Every person we ran into was so happy that Kate + Ryan had just gotten married.. everyone wanted to celebrate.
Salsabil + Usher
Kirk In The Hill and The Muslim Unity Center
These two sweethearts were so beautiful together, we started first with gorgeous portraits at Kirk In The Hills church and then headed to the Muslim Unity Center in Bloomfield Hills for the ceremony. Salsa and Usher along with their community of friends and family, were all excited to see these two unite.
Salsa who is also a talented model was the most exquisite with portraits, her attire was stunning as was she in the gorgeous evening light. Enjoy the moments we shared last summer.
These three and a tree farm! Eleanora is ONE!
Ali + Trevor
Stafford Perry Hotel
Where the sun is always shining and the view is always perfect. I absolutely love making the trip up to Petoskey, one of my favorite cities in Michigan!
Stafford Weddings + Ali and Trevor were a match made in Michigan!!
Elle + Dave
An early morning elopement on the sands of Port Crescent State Park, big foot cake toppers and a Wes Anderson style of imagery. These sweethearts and their witnesses ( Dave’s grandparents) were truly a wonderful experience.
Dave, a long time friend and Elle, a beauty inside and out.. are two of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. They deserve every ounce of love and light in this world.
This was easily one of the best mornings in 2023, enjoy the smiles while getting ready in a cute mid century airbnb with the first look in the front yard. The warm summer sunshine peeking in and out of the clouds, the gusty wind and all the laughter. This day forever imprinted on our hearts and minds.
Andrea + Colby
It’s September, we are at 12 Corners Winery and orchard on the west side of Michigan, it is the most comfortable 75 degrees and a sunny day.. this would literally be a dream in Michigan, and it was.
Andrea + Colby had their first look by the grape vines accompanied by Andrea’s grandmother on a pendant in her handmade wooden flowered bouquet. Our ceremony and portraits in the apple trees with their closest friends and family. Tented outside for cocktail hour and the reception, with the golden light coming through the rows of grape vines for golden hour portraits. We could not have asked for a more perfect day.
The Boathouse on Lake Charleviox
Taylor + Jordan
These two sweethearts hosted their wedding in East Jordan, but we ventured to Harbor Springs for the ceremony and stopped in Petoskey at the sweet little hidden waterfall for portraits and so many laughs. Michigan is full of magic, especially the further north you go. We really have some gems in the mitten, especially toward the Leelanau peninsula. Donuts for the cake cutting and golden hour dances, and lastly running to the docks for the last bit of light of the day. It was pure Michigan magic.
The Boathouse on Lake Charleviox is a beautiful private waterfront venue with a classy, modern indoor/outdoor space : miboathouse.com ! They also have a cute airbnb called Gunther’s General Store, which is a general store that has been converted. It is a classic diner style space full of antiques.
Wedding Planner : loandcoeventdesign.com
Lakeport State Park, Michigan
Summer sunset family sessions at one of my favorite state parks.
Light House Beach
Port Huron, Michigan
Down town
Port Huron, Michigan
The Nichols Arboretum, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Lexington State Harbor
Andrea + Todd
The end of summer waves will always be a favorite. With how gorgeous our Great Lakes are, this view never gets old.
Belle Isle Casino
Kori+ Colin
“ I believe in a thing called LOVE” - The Darkness
Kori + Colin had a super hot and extremely fun Detroit Wedding. Colin has been a dear friend since the teenage years and to watch my friend find a real love, melts my heart. And then not only photograph this incredible union, but to be with friends on their wedding day is such an honor. These two loves have such their own esthetic, and they are both barbers! Together they own Revival Barber in Ferndale, Mi. I couldn’t wait to see their vibe come to life.
Day after session
Jennifer + Bobby
Sometimes one day isn’t enough to explore everything that we want..especially when you rent a cute airbnb on Lake Superior. Beach sounds and coffee vibes were a morning treat before heading home <3
Nika + Chris
Michigan’s west coast beauty at sunset.
The Great Lakes are forever mesmerizing and mysterious. Lake Michigan is gorgeous at sunset, if you haven’t ever experienced this, you should.
Whitney Hotel
Emily + Alex
A historical beauty combined with such love. Emily + Alex are two incredibly passionate people and their love shines like no other. We adventured to Detroit, to the David Whitney Hotel. Quickly was dressed in the bathroom, had a beautifully private first look in one of the main floor’s dining rooms, and private ceremony upstairs with just both sets of parents and Emily’s grandmother. Emily’s father was our officiant and it was such an emotional feeling with everyone present.
After the ceremony we had a very romantically moody portrait session, before dinner began and the hotel greeted their public guests.
Intimate elopements are some of my absolute favorite days.
Mission Point Resort
Lindsay + Brad
Where to begin? I met Lindsay and Brad for the first time after the summer of 2011. I feel like I had watched their relationship grow so much over the years. Everyone was waiting for this day to come.. and it was finally here. I cannot say enough great things about the Payton family, they are like my second family after working for them at Vintage Tavern (Port Huron, Michigan's gem). If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have been able to build my business and be where I am today. So having Lindsay contact me last year once she and Brad were engaged, I couldn't even contain my excitement and honor.
Mackinac wasn't anything short of amazing. This island is a Michigan paradise, where everything you need is brought to you by horse power or by bicycle. Fudge swirls the air of down town and sailboats are docked 24-7. This was a super special place to Lindsay, as she had been coming to Mackinac since she was a little girl. Brad proposed at Arch Rock and the rest is history. It was a dream. I spent 3 days with these beautiful souls and I cannot contain my heart with them <3
Meadowbrook Hall
Farah + Robbie
I don’t even know where to begin with these two sweethearts, we had such a high energy day full of love. First was the greeting at Farah’s residence. Imagine your chest feeling not only your beautiful beating heart but feeling the full boom of the bendir drums, bagpipes and chants of this Zaffa! If you’ve never experienced a Zaffa, look up the music and really feel these images. These moments make my heart soar. The beautiful family connections and the dancing took my breath away.
Once to Meadowbrook Hall cocktail hour was in session and we spent some time with portraits before the grand entrance. High energy dancing swept us in to speeches and then a tornado warning almost had us evacuate to the basement of Meadowbrook Hall. Thankfully the warning only lasted 15 minutes and we were able to use blue hour to create in for the last light of the day before dinner. Dancing continued, so many laughs and hugs and great food was had. It was seriously one of the best celebrations of the year!
Shinola Hotel and The Eastern
Angelina + Tyler
Full of colors and the gorgeous sun shining with a quick downpour in the evening, this Detroit wedding was one for the books. Angelina and Tyler reside in Chicago but wanted to celebrate with their friends and family in the mitten. We started at the Shinola hotel for getting ready with the first look in Parker’s Alley, right behind Shinola. We ventured with the wedding party through the amazing murals and colors in the Eastern Market. Celebrating at The Eastern for the ceremony and reception, with joyous tears, lots of cheers and a sweet serenade by Angelina with the live band. This was an epic day.
Side note: hire a live band :)
