"Granola" meets Edwardian Glamour... well,... I would never call Jennifer Granola... but that's what she called her and her BEAUTIFUL linen dress.. yes.. linen.. and it had the most ornate floral design on a silk overlay...  the only thing that makes this girl Granola is her enviornmentally conscious dress... and the biodegradable paper that was thrown as confetti...  Being that I live on the west coast.. .I KNOW Granola when I see it ...  and this Dayton girl was far from it... I'd say she was maybe one part Granola... one part Artist ... and one part pure model (she totally knew how to strike a pose... and so naturally)... but then again so did her beau Toby (who ALSO was an artist)... in fact from the minute I met them I thought... wow these two are quite a symbiotic couple!! 

I love it when I see couples step in for each other... share every responsibility .... and help each other every chance they get... this is what I saw from Jennifer and Toby... along with the FLIPPIN' adorable glances they would shoot each other.

Jen & Toby... it was soooo much fun to be a part of your wedding and to spend time photographing you. I can't wait to see how your lives unfold together!!

Love,
A

Now... I can't finish this blog without mentioning. ..

the AMAZING job Carole Erbel of For the Love of Mackinac did coordinating this event!!  She is awesome... everytime I have the pleasure of working with her I am blown away by the creative little touches she comes up with.

To top it off... I was so stoked to be working with my "dreamteam" of wedding vendors on Mackinac...

Weber's Floral.. did an awesome job with the flowers.. .especially the bouquet... (Jay, I must say one of my favorites yet.. .and it smelled soooo good)

Belle e Dolce... did the cake...  Soooo unique as always.. and Funfunfun... (Kim, as always you rock... I loved the oranges)

Dancehall DJ's...   the best to get the party started...  (Brevin, once again.. you had that dancefloor shaking)



 

This past Saturday... I was back at the Grand Hotel.

Now, over the past 8 months Lizzy and I have had probably a hundred conversations that have lasted for hour, so I was so excited to finally meet this girl the day before her and Buddy's special day.  And I wasn't surprised one bit that we hit it off instantly and just chatted away.

Their wedding was so touching...  everyone came from not only out of town... but out of state... in order to be on Mackinac Island for this beautiful affair.  You couldn't help but see how each person there was so truly happy for this couple!!

Lizzy & Buddy... I wish you two a lifetime of laughter and happiness!!

Love,
A

Last Saturday night I got to witness the biggest party I have ever seen... imagine over 150 people ALL ages... ALL DANCING... that was Emily & Rodrigo's goal and boy did they attain it.

From the minute this beautiful couple walked down the aisle together... or should I say danced down the aisle..to "Let's Get It Started" by the Black Eyed Peas, everyone knew what they were in for!!  They even surprised their guests with an AWESOME first dance... it started very slow with Adele's "Make You Feel My Love".. but then... scratch... next thing you know they were doing the cabbage patch and running man to "Baby Got Back".. with a fog machine, bubbles falling every where and a mini light show... it was like nothing I'd ever seen before!!!... I LOVED it!!!

This wedding was especially meaningful to me because Rodrigo called me about 9 months ago and said... "I'm proposing to my girlfriend... will you hide in the bushes and take pictures of it"... I had never been so nervous...  I could barely hold my zoom lens... but it all turned out amazingly!!!

Emily, Rodrigo... thank you so much for including me and allowing me to be a part of your engagement from the first moment...  You two are such caring and inspiring people.  I know your love will continue to inspire those around you where ever you go!!

Love,
A

And I also have to pay some major props to the Pierpont Inn in Ventura (and Nadine)... it was awesome... such a great location.. may be one of my new favorites..  and an extra special thank you to Kacie Jean for second shooting with me... it was such a blast to have her there with me!!

Hey everyone... here is article in this month's Bridal Guide regarding destination weddings and honeymoon islands around the U.S.... and OF COURSE.. Mackinac made their top list. 

As did quite a few of my pics... including the main picture of the article. 

I just finished designing a cute little card (it is even printed on cool watercolor paper) that is going to be sold in Little Luxuries of Mackinac  in a couple weeks...  take a look.. I think it is such a cute little reminder of how life is on the island whether  you are there for a day, a week, a month or a year (granted in winter its with a bit more snow ;-)




So when you come to the island... check out the store... and check out the card...  (and don't forget my postcards that are there too)

May you all having a week that makes you feel relaxed and content with life... even if your working!!

Love,
A

PS ... just a reminder to mark your calendars and plan your trips for the island Labor Day Weekend... when I'll be having a show there.. September 5th!

PSS...  Check out Nicole's new blog for Little Luxuries too... its great and full of fun information about the store and the daily happenings on the Island... fun fun fun...  today (Yacht Race time)!!