These two absolutely lovely and fun people reminded me of one of  the things I love most about weddings on Mackinac...

I get to be (and encourage my couples to be)... completely unique and un-traditional... who says you have to take a carriage ride with just the two of you... who says you have to go to point A ... then point B ... because that's what everyone else does...  nope... I say... make your own path..

Who say's you have to do what "they" say... not on Mackinac... you are on an island that is pretty much run by horses... people they think it is run  by them ... but its not... this frees people to think outside the box.. relax, have fun, and just let go!!!

This is what Elizabeth and Scott did...  from the moment we met at my favorite little lunch place (Ice house)  which is off the beaten path...yet right on main street, we started talking about ways in which they could share the island with their guests and how to make it all work!!  So they decided to hop on a taxi with their wedding party and friends right after the ceremony and head to the water for a few photos ... then off to Goodfellows downtown for a little relaxing moment with close friends before the big party began.

Another thing Elizabeth & Scott did was see each other before the ceremony.  It is always such a moment of anticipation and excitement that only I get to witness... and capture... incredibly touching!!  This is becoming more and more common.  Honestly I think its something again... that is completely up to the couple... it works either way... what ever you want... what ever you would prefer... go for it... make it YOUR day!! 

Elizabeth & Scott,  Your wedding was so fun... I'm so glad I was able to be a part of it... and also to be able to introduce you two to pop rocks and wedding cakes!!!  I look forward to seeing you both again.. maybe for an anniversary trip!!

Love,
A

Another shout out to Jim Minics for assisting me on this wedding... I really put him to work on his "vacation" to Mackinac.. I owe you!  Your awesome and your photography always blows me away!!

You know how there are people who come into your life if only for a moment but you know they will have a profound impact... this is how I felt about Jenni the minute we first spoke.  She called me well over two years ago... ready book.  I will never forgot our first conversation... I had had my business for a few years at this point but was still at my day job (don't tell my boss)... I sat in the conference room... feet up on the table... and her and I just chatted and shared life stories for two hours...  so over the past two years Jenni and I have become friends... encouraging each other via emails, facebook, etc...  yet still never meeting face to face till the day before the wedding.  It felt like we had known each other for years... but then again I guess we had. 

When I finally got to meet Jenni and Joe together...  I saw love, humor, fun, romance, family, strength...  everything.  These two have been together for what seems like a lifetime already.  They've already faced a lifetime full of ups downs and all-arounds to make it through ... and it is so obvious to see that this just made their relationship stronger and stronger... and the best part... the sweetness is stronger then ever.  I have one little snip-it to share...  that they may not want to me to share... but too bad... its just too good to tell... every couple should remember this on their wedding.

I was shooting their rehearsal dinner...  kids running everywhere...  family and friends arriving...  plans for the next day being panned out... basically a tiny bit loud and chaotic... and then ... I look across the room and see... Joe grab Jenni tenderly... and take her into the quiet hallway ... for just a split second for a sweet kiss and moment of silence... THIS is what its all about.  Remember in the heart of everything... its about each other and nothing else matters.

Jenni & Joe... you two are clearly an inspiration to all those you come in contact with ... your zest for life, positive attitude and ability to lift the spirits around you is clear.  I feel lucky and blessed to have been a part of your lovely weekend.  May you and the whole Paradise crew continue to face each day with the same love, spontaneity, and joy that your wedding was all about.

Love,
A

First associate wedding of the year...  this year I decided to sporadically offer associate packages for specific weekends that seemed to be busier then others... and I was stoked, blessed, just plain lucky enough to have some of my AMAZINGLY talented photography peers from around the country fly into this little island to help me out!!

So first up this year.. is Kelly Segre, this girl is awesome!! She used to focus much of her life and business on weddings but in the last couple years she had been developing an extremely successful career in commercial and boudour.  Lucky for me this gives her the flexibility to come help me out and play around with weddings...  thanks again girl you rock!!

Just a little explanation of how my associate packages work.  Basically when a couple contacts me... and I'm booked we chat... I get to know the couple and if one of my associates would work well for them.  In Sara and Jeremy's case... I instantly clicked with Sara and had to be involved in their day somehow!!  They have the most amazing love story which involved, missed flights, wrong connections.. and ultimately a long road trip out of Chicago ...  any love story having to do with airports and travel always gets me... (and gives me hope... as I do tend to spend a lot of time in airports)...

So..  once Sara and I decided that Kelly would be a great match her and I met up ... chatted a few times. Then the three of us met up and I handed the reigns over to Kelly for the day. I was still involved the whole time... only difference was Kelly was the photographer day of.  Kelly and I worked together on the post processing as to make sure the quality and style still matched with my photography.  Only... I must pay huge props to Kelly for all the extra post work she did..  awesome!  I then take a bunch of the pics and add a bit of an Andrejka twist...  so there you have it.. kind of a long explanation.

Thanks again Kelly...  if you want to check out more of Kelly's solo work check out her website HERE

Sara and Jeremy,  It has been so much fun getting to know you two.  You looked absolutely glowing in the pics... such genuine joy!!  I loved looking at the pics. Please let me know next time you are up here and we can go sit at the gatehouse again.. in the sun.

Love,
A

I've only got a quick second but I wanted to post this sneak peak of Katie and Tom's wedding. 

I met with this adorable couple last year and totally clicked with them and their families...  amazing people through and through... in fact one reason I have to run is because their parents have returned to the island and I'm off to meet them at an art show...

I will definitely be writing more about this wedding and all their special additions when I post their slideshow in a little while... but for now...  hopefully the pics speak for themselves... in how cute and fun and simply adorable these two are.

(plus a side note they are the same couple I did an engagement shoot with in Chicago back in October)

Katie & Tom...  I must admit I was a little sad when your wedding was over ... but at least I know anytime I'm back in Chicago we can meet up at POPS...  ;-)  . . but no "grandma" this time :-)

Love
A

It can't be the summer already... can it really... I swear just yesterday was my last weekend on the island for the season and I was getting a call from Gordon and an email from Michael...  both with the same date.. both from NY...  both ... marrying Anissa... now this is just strange...  okay, ... two names,... I guess I can relate.

Must admit the weather was about the same as it was in October so it really could have been yesterday...  but even though rain was all day for the forecast... and a chilly 56 degrees (when they needed 57.5 for the string quartet)... we met the day before and I whole-heartedly convinced them not to worry about the weather (which seems to be a common theme so far this year... and yet... just look what happened... beautiful sun came out just in time for everything!!

It was so much fun to have Anissa and Michael for my first island wedding of the season...  we had a blast, playing croquet ...  one of the best parts was the surprise for Anissa & Michael.  The moms had a special surprise guest... "Straight No Chaser" and incredible men's a capella group from Indiana University.

Anissa & Michael.. congratulations on your wonderful wedding. It was so much fun to be a part of your day.  You are two incredible people who are truly beautiful inside and out and obviously inspire those around you to be better people as well.  May you continue to love and surprise each other more and more every year!

Love,
A