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

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

Lauren and Brian not only jumped into marriage.. but THEN jumped into the lake!!

Over 4th of July weekend I had another AMAZING friend associate shoot here on the island.  Cherry Thomas.. a dear and amazing photographer has made a pact with herself that she will come photograph on the island once a year... I of course love this because it means I get to utilize her great skill and get to visit! 

When I first spoke to Lauren on the phone we hit it off wonderfully... I had to be a part of her wedding somehow... but I was already off island for Erich's wedding (see below)... but it actually worked out perfectly that Cherry was able to fly out from California and photograph Lauren and Brian.  I actually ended up with the best part of the shoot... the trash the dress!!!  First thing Monday morning I left Ohio to get to the Mighty Mac in time to photograph them jumping in the water... funny thing is I left Ohio that morning... and Lauren and Brian were driving back to Ohio that night.  So we met in Mac City... and went to the bridge.

It was SOOO much fun!!

Lauren and Brian, I may not have been able to be at your wedding but the trash the dress was amazing!!  I had so much fun getting to know you two even better. You two are so fun and adventurous... i just know your lives will be the same way!!  (btw Cherry said it was such a blast... the pics show it too).. my mom loved the pics too and said hello :-)

Love,
A

Disclaimer:  I've realized something...  I've re-written this blog 5 times...  I have the hardest time writing about friends.. maybe because I'm attached and have seen them grow and in just a couple sentences I'm to express what I've seen over years ...  its just too hard... words can never express the emotion, joy, happiness, excitement, that I re-live as I go through these images... so I'm going to just stick to the story and hope that it comes through...

Okay... where to begin...  first off... last night I was supposed to be having dinner with these two before heading up to SB... but as I land at LAX  I get an interesting text from Erich with a lovely (but truly unnecessary picture of Rosalie's stitched up finger)... needless to say due to an unforeseen run in with a blender... dinner was to be rescheduled... soooo instead of dinner  I sat and worked on their photos in the Delta lounge ... I figured it was the least I could do to help Rosalie feel better...

To begin...  there's always something incredibly special (and stressful... self-inflicted) about photographing a friend's wedding!!! ... when the groom is your friend (almost like a brother) ... who also knows photography (and watched my business from day 1)...  and also has  4 other wedding guests playing with awesome cameras (check out the old school pic) ... and there also happens to be several groomsmen who remember you as a 17 year old freshmen wandering lost on campus...  its not surprising that wrangling this group caused me to lose my voice, have a couple sleepless nights, cry like a baby, and laugh like a hyena...   all in all the reason why I also LOVE photographing friends' weddings...

Rosalie and Erich's wedding was by far unlike any other wedding I have ever photographed or attended.  For being a 200 person affair it was UNBELIEVABLY personal... from the guests heckling the groom from their seats... to the tears falling down Rosalie's cheek... to the laughter as they forgot their INCREDIBLE handwritten vows.. to their unique readings ... and that was just the ceremony... 

Even the usual strangers (aka: wedding vendors) were friends...  from the photographer (cough cough) to the caterer (check out Ashley showing off his pralines to the bridesmaids), to the location... home.  Everything about this day felt like a personalized, hand written invitation into Rosalie and Erich's matrimony. 

The more I photograph weddings ... the more I discover my favorite part of each couples' day.  I usually don't realize this moment till I go back and look at the photos again.  As I sat and went over all of the images from Rosalie and Erich's wedding I had a hard time narrowing it down... there were so many moments that touched my heart.. that showed their joy... that I just couldn't choose.  One minute there would be tears the next laughter...

Rosalie & Erich,  Words (although I sure did write a lot)... really can't express how honored and happy I was to be witness to your beautiful day!  You two are a couple of deep connection... it is clear that there is a love that is one minute full of laughter, joy and ridiculousness and the next a sense of depth and seriousness that only you two can truly understand.  May this balance of laughter and depth continue to grow every day!

Thank you again.

Love
A  (aka Audrey H)