{Puppy Love | Clara + Her Humans}

{kewadin, michigan | october 2020}

I had gotten an email from Krystle back in August asking me to take photos of her and her husband’s puppy Clara for her first birthday. Their first anniversary was around the same time so of course they wanted a couple of them as well. I of course said YES because who doesn’t love cute little frenchies!

We finally got a date set and met at Maplehurst Nature Area. Little did I know that I was going to meet the most rambunctious and sassy little pup! Like I wish I could just put all of the photos on here so you could see some of the faces she was making!

{Alpena Engagement | Chelsea + Eric}

{alpena, michigan | september 2020}

Unbeknownst to Chelsea, Eric had picked out the ring in February prior to everything being closed due to COVID and was finally able to pick it up on Friday, June 19th. Eric had Saturday, June 20th, off so Chelsea had previously asked him about a day trip to Mackinac Island. He decided that that would be the perfect time to propose so he stopped at her brother’s house after getting the ring to ask his permission/blessing. In typical big brother mode, he promptly told Eric that he knew what he was getting himself in for. Saturday, they made our way to the Island and ultimately decided to meander around the perimeter. About three miles in, Eric complained about having a rock in his shoe and Chelsea wasn’t sure how that was possible. Now a little suspicious, Chelsea stopped with Eric by the water, he sat down, reached into his shoe, and promptly pulled out an actual pebble. The meandering got underway again until Chelsea stopped at the first clear view of the bridge to take picture and, at that time, Eric pulled out the ring box to propose. It was upside down, which Chelsea told him before promptly giggling out a “yes.”

Some advice from these two for future couples planning their wedding:

Be engaged with the planning. The planning process can be a lot of fun, especially if it’s a team effort. Enjoy it and surround yourself with people who are excited to participate in your happiness.

July will be here before we know it!

{West Michiagn Wedding | Brittany + Hayden}

{zeeland, michigan | august 2020}

Brittany + Hayden

Brittany’s favorite memory of the day: Finally walking down the isle with my dad towards Hayden!! Celebrating with family and friends who love us, it meant the world to us!

Hayden’s favorite memory of the day: Seeing Brittany for the first time in a gorgeous dress and dancing with my wife for the first time.

Honeymoon location: To be determined! Was supposed to be Hawaii but due to COVID plans have changed. We may bypass a honeymoon and buy a house!!

Ceremony Venue: Private Barn | Reception Venue: Private Barn | Getting Ready Location: Private Residence | Officiant: Tom Grabill | Florist: Our Flower Shoppe | Dessert: Holland Cakery ‘n’ Sweets | Hair: Cassie Otten | Makeup: Marie Snyder | Bridal Gown: Spring Sweet | Groom Suit: Combat Gents | Rings: Kessler’s Jeweler | Invitations: Magnet Street |

{Arcadia Dunes Engagement // Mia + Justin}

{arcadia, michigan // july 2020}

These two could be super models! I mean look at them! I had a great time with Mia + Justin out at the Arcadia Dunes. We definitely got our exercising in for the year, but it was totally worth it!

When I asked them how they got engaged, Mia told me that they were both feeling really good about engagement and talked about it a lot. Justin had gotten a ring shortly after their trip to Denver and little did Mia know, her life was about to change. They were long distance so in early December, Justin made dinner reservations and had plans to go ice skating in Detroit when Mia went to visit. He made reservations at a place called Lumen which they found out later was actually designed by his aunt and uncle’s architect firm! They had a super nice dinner and then decided to walk around Beacon Park. It was all lit up for the holidays just around the corner. And under all the lights is where he asked her to marry him. It was the perfect intimate moment with just the two of them. And of course she said YES! After that they walked downtown and picked out their first Christmas tree together from a street vendor and had a few drinks from a cute little market.

Some advice from these two for future couples planning their wedding:

Remember that weddings are still a business. Everything will cost more than you think. Find your venue and do the tedious research sooner rather than later so you can relax for longer in between! For us we didn’t have a date that we had our hearts set on so gave ourselves the full year to get things organized. You never know what can come up so we wanted to make sure to have some control our life. Wedding planning can be managed in small bursts with lots of time in between to talk about all the important things like finances, budget, kids, how to balance your family vacations and PTO time, houses, etc.

Alright COVID, let’s be nice so they can celebrate their New Year’s Eve wedding!

{Frankfort Engagement // Alisha + Caleb}

{frankfort, michigan // june 2020}

I actually met Alisha two years ago when I took their son’s 1st birthday photos. I was happy when they reached out to me to photograph their wedding. For their engagement photos, we started out at Pointe Betsie Lighthouse just north of Frankfort. Sadly the actual lighthouse grounds were closed but just before there was a great area with some gorgeous tall trees. We then headed down to the beach in Frankfort and got the best sunset.

I asked them how Caleb proposed. Alisha said she was completely shocked! They had talked about it for a while but thought it would never happen. Little did she know that her life was about to change. She was taking her test to get certified as a nursing assistant and Caleb texted her saying they were going out to celebrate her passing her test. They ended up meeting for a little hike through the woods by Copper Ridge behind the old State Hospital and to her surprise, at the top of the look out, he had roses everywhere and a sign asking her to marry him. When she saw it she thought it was meant for someone else and that they needed to get out of there before those people got there but then he started talking and saying all the “mushy” sweet things. He got down on one knee and asked Alisha to marry him.

Some advice from these two for future couples planning their wedding:

Don’t get too stressed out. It can be overwhelming but just try to plan things out one day at a time and everything will fall into place.

Just a little over a year until these two cuties get married and I can’t wait!