It's not very often that I get the chance to leave the island and experience a mainland Northern Michigan wedding...  I was stoked to photograph Katie and Eric's wedding at the Boyne Country Club.  

Katie and Eric have had quite a busy year... when we first met (via phone) they were living in Chicago then as the year went on they moved to Denver. So not only did they plan an amazing wedding but they moved across the country.  Their wedding was so personal. You can tell these two love the outdoors and nature yet have a sense of class and elegance.  Their wedding was a perfect mix.. kind of like Chicago meets Denver with a Northern Michigan twist.

So this is what I knew about these two going in:  they love hiking, climbing, all things outdoorsy and cool...  the ties with their family and friends are strong and touching (as with each speech reactions ranged from hearty laughs to teary eyes) ... that this wedding was going to be incredibly personal and full of fun meaningful details (from the hand made arch, to the mini trees)... every little detail of this wedding was purposeful and heartfelt.  What I was not expecting was the crazy dance party that ensued... Katie and Eric can GET DOWN!!  They were rockstars on that dance floor!!  It took everything I had not to join in myself... (okay.. so maybe I did a little dance move or two in the corner... shhhh)!

Katie & Eric,  It was so much fun to be a part of your day!  You two truly know how to have fun and enjoy each other.  Your personalities blend so well together I can see how you can support and push each other as you climb mountains!    May you two continue to climb every mountain and explore the world with the same joy and groove as your beautiful day!!

Love,
A

Just as the couple I mentioned below lived in LA... this couple and I met in CA as well. You may remember I did an engagement shoot with them on my favorite Santa Barbara beach back in February.  So when we met up last month it was like old times...  instantly joking like friends.

Emily and Christopher were the epitome of rat pack coolness and elegant style with a bit of humor thrown in.    These two were so laid back from when my assistant Rob had to help Emily with her zipper because us three girls weren't strong enough to get it up. ... to the guys sitting around watching a youtube video on how to to tie a real bowtie...   yet nothing blew their cool.  Throughout the whole day they were smiling and laughing and enjoying the moment. This was one of those weddings that when it was finished I was a little sad that it was done.

Their were moments of laughter (bow ties and dress debacles), tears (speeches and dances), too incredible tenderness (the way Christopher would spontaneously kiss Emily's hand)...

I can't finish without mentioning Emily's vows. I don't usually "hear" what is being said as I am so busy shooting.. but this stopped me in my tracks...   Emily said (and this is a paraphrase)..  how she loved that when she told Christopher she loved him .. he didn't just answer I love you too... but I love you more...  and then she continued with a anecdote of how Christopher stood in the rain with an umbrella to walk her home from work... then added "I still don't know how long you waited for me to walk outside and surprise me."  ...  this is romance...

Emily & Christoper, Thank yo so much for including me in your wedding. It was such a pleasure. I can't wait to meet up again in Chicago... and I haven't forgotten our deal bottle of champagne is on me...  hand delivered album and everything!!  May you two continue to surprise and romance each other day after day!

Love
A 

As most of you know I am lucky enough to split my time between two beautiful locations and places I love...  Southern California and Mackinac Island .. so when I have a couple that lives in LA and is getting married on Mackinac I am super excited.  I know that they too must have the same weird connection to both places.    There is something about these two places.. it takes a certain type of person to appreciate the craziness and beauty of say sunset late at night and also the serene sound of horses waking you up in the morning.

I loved watching the contagious smiles that would bounce between them.  I'm not sure if they realized this but when one would smile the other would smile even larger (or laugh).  This is a couple that was all about fun... from the wedding day.. to their day after "bars on bikes" tour ... and I'm assuming all went fine as I didn't hear anything about  injuries or trips to the medical center!! 

Amanda and Todd,  I had so much fun laughing with you and getting to know you guys. I really hope we can meet up on our west side coast again soon.  May you two continue to bring out the smiles in each other more and more every day.

Love,
A

After Lisa and Don froze their  batooties off (yes that's a word... although I have no idea how to spell it)...  in Chicago this past February for their engagement shoot.. the beautiful sunny Mackinac day was well deserved for their wedding.

When we weren't outside freezing in Chicago... we were warming up and laughing over champagne at Trump Tower with a beautiful view of one of my favorite cities... a great way to get to know each other. So when we met again in the Mission Point lobby days before their wedding I already knew what fun was in store... I knew this wedding would have tons of laughs.. and lots of dancing!!

Lisa and Don met at a dance studio... so I couldn't wait to see their first dance. What I wasn't prepared for was all of their guests to be such dancing kings and queens too.  So much fun!!

Lisa an Don,  It has been such a pleasure getting to know you over the last few months. I can't wait to meet back up again... and by the way.. I still haven't figured out what my nick name stands for...  remember the deal...  I'm holding the pics ransom... hahahaha

May you two keep laughing and dancing to a new and wonderful song every day!

Love
A

Who say's you can't have portraits taken just for fun!!

Heather (who attended a wedding I shot last year)  called me earlier this summer wondering if I would head to the mainland to photograph her and her husband at one of their favorite places in St Ignace.  Kevin's family has this great plot of land that's been in the family for years right on the lake.  I said.. of course!!  Get me off this rock and onto a place with cars!! 

So there we were on the lake with Heather, Kevin ... and their adorable dogs...  was this a post-wedding engagement shoot... an anniversary shoot...  a family shoot... who cares!

Heather & Kevin,  it was so much fun to photograph you guys.  That area is so beautiful. I can't wait to meet back up once you are closer... maybe on this side of the lake... that way I won't take the wrong boat again!!

Love,
A